Barbara Bush Struggling with Frail Health, Declines Medical Care

While battling with frail health, former First Lady Barbara Bush has opted not to seek further medical treatment and is instead focusing on comfort care at home after a couple of recent hospitalizations. She is surrounded by family led by former President George H.W. Bush in their Houston home.

The 92-year-old former first lady made the decision after consulting with her family, doctors and friends. Family spokesman Jim McGrath issued an advisory on Twitter about Mrs. Bush’s condition. The statement read: “Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting with her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush, now age 92, has decided not to seek additional medical treatment and will instead focus on comfort care.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the health of former First Lady Barbara Bush. <a href="https://t.co/4csUS6IRKZ">pic.twitter.com/4csUS6IRKZ</a></p>&mdash; Jim McGrath (@jgm41) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgm41/status/985578679140077575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The spokesman did not provide further details on the state of Bush’s health problems. Bush has for decades undergone treatment fir Graves’ disease, which is a thyroid condition. She also had a heart surgery in 2009 for a severe narrowing of her main heart valve . A year before that, she was hospitalized for a surgery on a perforated ulcer.

McGrath would only say that Bush spent two days at Methodist Hospital earlier this month but has decided against returning there when her health deteriorated.

Former President George H.W. Bush is at his wife’s bedside, lovingly holding her hand as shared by McGrath.

Also by Mrs. Bush’s side are her sons Neil and Marvin and daughter Doro.

Mrs. Bush’s other sons, Jeb and former president George have also visited her in the past week, and both are “calling constantly” for updates.

Mrs. Bush holds the distinction of being one of only two first ladies who was also the mother of a president. The other one was Abigail Adams, wife of the country’s second president, John Adams, and mother of the sixth American president, John Quincy Adams.

41st president George H.W. Bush is himself struggling with a Parkinson’s-like disease at 93 years old. He is wheelchair-bound and finds it difficult to speak. He has been in good condition, however, and was able to make recent public appearances including RodeoHouston.

Mrs. Bush’s son, George W. Bush was the country’s 43rd president, and served from 2001-2009. He is now 71 years old and decided to retire in Dallas. Mrs. Bush has been known to be fervent supporters of her husband and sons, and their political careers, including former Florida governor and presidential candidate Jed Bush.

Many are expressing their well wishes to Mrs. Bush and her family, including top government officials like Vice President Mike Pence.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our thoughts and prayers go to Barbara Bush and her family. Jim McGrath a family spokesman said “It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face of her failing health, worrying not for herself ,thanks to her abiding faith, but for others.” <a href="https://t.co/eNPF6nTGTt">pic.twitter.com/eNPF6nTGTt</a></p>&mdash; KenB (@SkylandWoods) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkylandWoods/status/985625925185351680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s to Barbara Bush—an American icon and Texas legend. Our prayers are with you. <a href="https://t.co/N7i5OJRPGw">pic.twitter.com/N7i5OJRPGw</a></p>&mdash; Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) <a href="https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/985618750526324736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Karen and I are praying for Barbara Bush and the entire Bush family tonight.</p>&mdash; Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/985681621419548677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Prayers going up for a woman of great faith, great strength, and an unwavering love of country. Our country is better because of former First Lady Barbara Bush ❤️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/pewdIu2hjr">pic.twitter.com/pewdIu2hjr</a></p>&mdash; Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) <a href="https://twitter.com/nikkihaley/status/985584806108057602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Former First Lady Barbara Bush is an example in grace. She made us laugh, she made us stand tall, and she helped show me the power of forgiveness. Wishing her and the Bush family love and peace tonight.</p>&mdash; Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/megynkelly/status/985694082537271296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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