Former first lady Barbara Bush received get well wishes from U.S. President Barack Obama last Wednesday, January 1, after Mrs. Bush was hospitalized for a respiratory-related illness, according to MSN News.
In an ABC news report last Tuesday, December 31, 2013, the former first lady was brought to the hospital after showing signs of pneumonia. However, her family said that Mrs. Bush was still in "great spirits."
Bush, 88, was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital on Monday, December 30, 2013, but her hospitalization wasn't announced until the office of former President George H.W. Bush released a statement Tuesday night.
"She is in great spirits, has already received visits from her husband and family, and is receiving fantastic care," the statement read, according to MSN News. The statement also promised to provide updates as warranted.
"Former first lady Barbara Bush was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston's Texas Medical Center yesterday for treatment on a respiratory related issue," Jim McGrath, the Bush family spokesman, told ABC. "She has already received visits from her husband and family, and is receiving fantastic care."
U.S. President Barack Obama sent her well-wishes to the former first lady and hopes that she gets well soon.
"Michelle and I send our best wishes to Mrs. Bush for a speedy recovery," the president said in a written statement. "Barbara is blessed to have both a loving, supportive family by her side and a vibrant spirit that we hope will have her feeling better soon."
"I know I speak for Americans everywhere when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and her family on this New Year's Day," Obama added.
The Bush family matriarch had been already hospitalized in the past. In November 2008, she underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer. Sometime in March 2009 she had a heart surgery after suffering from a severe narrowing of the main heart valve. In 2010, she was admitted to the hospital after having a mild relapse of Graves disease, an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones, for which she was treated in 1989.
