George H.W. Bush Released From Hospital; 'Your Prayers and Good Wishes Helped'

Former President George H.W. Bush was released from a Texas hospital on Monday where he has stayed since November for treatment of bronchitis-like symptoms.

A representative for the Methodist Hospital in Houston released a statement to the press that announced the former president's release.

"Mr. Bush has improved to the point that he will not need any special medication when he goes home, but he will continue physical therapy," said Amy Mynderse, the internal medicine physician in charge of Bush's care, as reported by USA Today.

Bush also sent out his thanks to well-wishers and the hospital for their care.

"I am deeply grateful for the wonderful doctors and nurses at Methodist who took such good care of me," Bush said in a statement released by spokesman Jim McGrath. "Let me add just how touched we were by the many get-well messages we received from our friends and fellow Americans. Your prayers and good wishes helped more than you know, and as I head home my only concern is that I will not be able to thank each of you for your kind words."

The 88-year-old remained in the care of the Houston hospital since Nov. 23 where we was treated for a severe cough which doctors feared might have turned into a devastating pneumonia.

He was placed in an intensive care unit when he started to develop a fever, but was moved to a regular hospital room at the end of December after his health started to improve.

Bush remained in the hospital during Christmas and spent the holiday with his wife, Barbara, at his side along with other family members who shared a Christmas dinner with the former president

George Herbert Walker Bush was the 41st president of the United States serving from 1989-1993. He also served as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and served two terms as vice president under Ronald Regan from 1981 to 1989. Bush has used his status as a former president to help raise funds for global disasters since leaving office.