HOUSTON (AP) - Former President George H.W. Bush remains Monday in a Houston hospital, where he is being treated for a painful, lingering bronchitis-related cough, and there is no timeline for his release, his spokesman said.
Initially, aides had said the 88-year-old 41st president would be released from the hospital over the weekend. But he has a "nagging cough" and "we don't have any idea when he'll be released," said Methodist Hospital spokesman George Kovacik.
"They're not in any hurry, so they're just keeping him here, but there's really no change in his condition," Kovacik said. "He's stable and he's still here."
Bush has been in and out of the hospital for treatment of the cough since last month. The former president also has a form of Parkinson's disease that forces him to use a wheelchair or motorized scooter.
The ex-president and his wife, Barbara, live in Houston during the winter, and spend their summers in a home in Kennebunkport, Maine.
Bush's condition has improved in recent days, his spokesman in Houston, Jim McGrath, said, and he has been receiving visitors. While he has not been diagnosed with pneumonia, which can be dangerous in elderly people, and the cough is not life-threatening, the doctors and Bush himself prefer to wait until the cough goes away before sending him home.
"I was with him yesterday. He had a great day yesterday. He had a good night's sleep the night before, importantly, and his breathing was so much better. But he still has this cough, and when he coughs, it hurts," McGrath said. "The doctors don't really want to let him go until he's 100 percent."
Bush's wife, Barbara, has been by his side nearly nonstop, McGrath said. Previously, ex-President George W. Bush visited.
More recently, his son, Neil Bush, and his wife, Maria, who live in Houston, have been frequent visitors, along with their son, Bush's grandson, Pierce Bush, he added. On Sunday, former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and his wife, Susan, also stopped by.
The highlight of the day, though, was the Houston Texans' 24-10 victory over the Tennessee Titans, a win that secured the Texans a spot in the NFL playoffs. Just a few weeks ago, Bush was spotted at a Texans' game.
"He was keeping track of when kickoff was and we were following the game there for a little bit," McGrath said.
In general, McGrath said, the former president's spirits are good.
"He's joking with the doctors and the nurses so he's not nearly in the same level of discomfort he was in just a few days ago," McGrath said.
Still, since he was released previously and then readmitted because the cough did not go away, there is a sense he should stay put until the cough disappears entirely, he added.
"A little bit is an abundance of caution, but a lot of it has to do with he still has the cough," McGrath said.
The former president was a naval aviator in World War II - at one point the youngest in the Navy - and was shot down over the Pacific. He achieved notoriety in retirement for skydiving on at least three of his birthdays since leaving the White House in 1992.
___
RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI
Associated Press
Plushnick-Masti can be followed on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RamitMastiAP
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Former President George H.W. Bush remains in hospitalRelated Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- UT, Texas A&M systems to open joint library
- Bush hosts bike ride for military combat veterans
- Jury to receive Villalobos bribery case
- Officials to remind boaters about zebra mussels
- DOTD installs enhanced equipment at sinkhole
- Cliburn piano contest kicks off in Fort Worth
- Cowboys DT charged in deadly wreck due in court
- Boy Scouts approve plan to accept openly gay boys
- Dewhurst wants special session on failed GOP bills
- Manson disciple's tapes being analyzed by LAPD
- Gov. Christie boosts Jersey shore on 'Today'
- 10 Things to Know for Today
- Bail hearing set in Pa. baby's faith-healing death
- Obama addressing Naval Academy graduates 2nd time
- Wheelchair lift out of Wis. promises more access
- IRS replaces official who revealed targeting
- Obama balances threats against Americans' rights
- Safe room mandates remain rare in tornado states
- Hurricane center: Beware of the storm surge
- No fatalities in I-5 bridge collapses in NW Wash
- Ugandan president removes army chief amid dispute
- Obama's drone speech welcomed in Pakistan, Yemen
- Syrian state media: Rebels attack prison in north
- No guarantee of peace, NKorean envoy warns China
- Emergency landing closes both Heathrow runways
- Earthquake hits Russia's Far East
- Suspected Kashmiri rebels kill 3 Indian soldiers
- Brazil police arrest 9 for abusing Indian girls
- Sweden's riots raise questions about inequality
- Embattled Toronto mayor fires chief of staff
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Asia stocks extend losses after big sell-off
BANGKOK (AP) -- Asian stocks continued to retreat today after being routed the day before by unexpectedly weak Chinese manufacturing and fears the Federal Reserve will start withdrawing its monetary stimulus.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"HANGOVER 3"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- All hangovers come to an end eventually, and so, too, "The Hangover" franchise.
Get This
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: RESTAURANT FLAP LEADS TO INTERNET MELTDOWN
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- It isn't exactly to curry favor with your restaurant customers -- even if your specialty isn't curry.
