Spokesman: George H.W. Bush close to going home

HOUSTON – A spokesman for George H.W. Bush says the former president’s breathing has “returned to normal” but he will remain in a hospital for at least another night pending approval from doctors for him to return to his Houston home.

Tuesday will mark one week since the 90-year-old Bush, the nation’s oldest living former president, was taken by ambulance to Houston’s Methodist Hospital to address shortness of breath. Family spokesman Jim McGrath has described the hospitalization as a precaution.

In a statement Monday, he said Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush wanted to “thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers.”

Two years ago, Bush spent nearly two months at the same hospital for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough and other issues. He also has a form of Parkinson’s disease.

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Spokesman: George H.W. Bush close to going home."