Latest statement is optimistic
President 41, George H.W. Bush remains in the Intensive Care Unit at a local area hospital but the latest statement conveys optimism. Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath has been updating media, including KTRH on Bush's condition since he was first hospitalized for bonchitis-related symptoms early this month.
The following is the latest in a series of updates issued by McGrath:
Since so many of you have expressed interest in seeing the following email distributed this morning by 41's chief of staff Jean Becker: I am pasting it below:
Someday President George H.W. Bush might realize how beloved he is, but of course one of the reasons why he is so beloved is because he has no idea.
Most of the civilized world email/called/texted yesterday after we released this statement to the media:
"Following a series of setbacks including a persistent fever, President Bush was admitted to the intensive care Unit at Methodist Hospital on Sunday December 23, 2012, where he remains in guarded condition. Doctors at Methodist continue to be cautiously ompimistic about the currentcourst of treatment. The President is alert and conversing with medical staff, and is surrounded by family."
Today, the staff sent out the following as an informative measure to keep the public up to date:
We had been resisting putting out a statement for a couple of reasons: 1) Out of respect for President Bush and the Bush family who, like most of us, prefer to deal with health issues in privacy; and 2) because he is so beloved we knew everyone would overreact.
I am reminded of the line in the “A Few Good Men,” when Jack Nicholson yells at Tom Cruise: “You can’t handle the truth.” (That was supposed to make you laugh …)
So here is what you need to know:
• Yes, President Bush is in ICU where he is getting the best medical care in the world. We know you all have great doctors/hospitals where you live, but I can assure you that the healthcare he is getting at Methodist Hospital in Texas Medical is unequaled anywhere.
• Is he sick? Yes. Does he plan on going anywhere soon? No. He has every intention of staying put. He would ask me to tell you to please “put the harps back in the closet.”
• Will he be in the hospital for a while? Yes. He is 88 years old, he had a terrible case of bronchitis which then triggered a series of complications.
• Is there anything you can do? Yes, of course. Keep him and the family in your prayers. I am thinking heaven has not seen such a barrage of prayer intentions since “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
I hope you all know how much your love, concern, and support are appreciated.
Last but not least: The other thing you can do for President Bush is laugh, since he is the funniest person we’ll ever know. So please enjoy my favorite cartoon of the week.
