Earlier this morning we reported that former President George H.W. Bush had been admitted to a Houston, Texas hospital after complaining of shortness of breath.
Now, we have learned that the former president has been transferred to the ICU unit of the hospital to perform a procedure stemming from a case of pneumonia. In addition, his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush was also just admitted to the same hospital “as a precaution after experiencing fatigue and coughing.”
JUST IN: President George H.W. and Barbara Bush Both Hospitalized https://t.co/eIpcM64Ynh pic.twitter.com/RwQCoreWw6
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 18, 2017
From NBC News:
“Doctors performed a procedure to protect and clear his airway that required sedation,” McGrath said. “President Bush is stable and resting comfortably in the ICU, where he will remain for observation.”
Bush chief of staff Jean Becker earlier said he’s “fine and he’s doing really well,” according to the Houston Chronicle. Earlier, local media quoted Bush’s chief of staff as saying the 41st president was expected to go home from Houston Methodist Hospital in a few days after he was first hospitalized Saturday.
—
In December 2014, he was hospitalized in Houston for about a week for shortness of breath. Previous to those stays, he spent Christmas 2012 in intensive care for a bronchitis-related cough and other issues.
Despite the loss of mobility, he celebrated his 90th birthday by making a tandem parachute jump in Kennebunkport. Last summer, Bush led a group of 40 wounded warriors on a fishing trip at the helm of his speedboat, three days after his 92nd birthday celebration.
His office announced earlier this month that George H.W. and Barbara would not attend Donald Trump’s inauguration this week due to the former president’s age and health.
This is a breaking news story. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this trying time!