Bush Aide: Keep The Harps In The Closet

HOUSTON, (UPI) –  The family of former President George H.W. Bush said they were confident he would be released from an intensive care unit in a Houston hospital soon.

Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath said the former president moved into Methodist Hospital’s ICU so he could be treated for an elevated temperature and that Bush family members had confidence in the medical staff treating him, CNN reported.

While the family has expressed hope that Bush would be discharged soon, they and Bush’s doctors indicated they were in no hurry to send him home, McGrath said.

Bush, 88, has been battling a fever and was transferred to Methodist Hospital’s intensive care unit Sunday.

On Wednesday, McGrath said Bush was in guarded condition and on a liquid diet. On Thursday, the spokesman said Bush was being treated with Tylenol, among other things, and was in good spirits.

Bush’s chief of staff Jean Becker sent supporters a message Thursday, assuring them the 41st president’s condition wasn’t dire, CNN said.

“Is he sick? Yes. Does he plan on going anywhere soon? No. He has every intention of staying put,” Becker wrote in an e-mail. “He would ask me to tell you to please put the harps back in the closet.”

In February, Bush was diagnosed with lower body Parkinsonism, a condition that causes instability from the waist down, causing him to use a wheelchair. On Nov. 7 he was admitted to the hospital for a bronchitis-like cough and was discharged Nov. 19. He was readmitted Nov. 23.