Former President George H.W. Bush fell in his family's Kennebunkport summer home in Maine Thursday, but he is doing just fine.
He sustained a neck injury but his doctors say the injury isn't anything braces and therapy can't treat.
Bush was first taken to Southern Maine Medical Center, then later to Maine Medical Center in Portland where the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital is housed, according to his spokesperson Jim McGrath.
The 91-year-old former president fractured the second vertebrae, his C2 vertebrae, down from the base of his skull. There was no damage to the spine and, McGrath added, he was never disoriented and the fall did not cause any neurological problems.
"It is a significant injury, but right now the President is in excellent shape," said his attending physician Dr. William D'Angelo. "We would anticipate that he would make a full recovery. He is doing great. His spirits are good."
D'Angelo added he is least likely to operate on the former president, and said that Bush will be needing different neck braces and physical therapy to heal. There is no news as to when Bush will be released; however, his spokesman McGrath said they are not expecting a long stay.
His family is in good spirits as well. According to Bush's grandson George P. Bush, his grandmother Barbara said that "A slip and fall isn't going to take out a World War 2 pilot."
George H.W. Bush's son and also former president George W. is in Texas, but is closely monitoring the situation, said Freddy Ford, spokesman for George W. The 43rd president was checking on his father through his mom, and is grateful to Maine for giving his father great care.
President Barack Obama also wished the former president a speedy recovery and extended best wishes on his and the first lady's behalf in a phone call from Oklahoma Thursday morning, where he stayed before a visit to a federal prison in the state.
At his age, it is not uncommon for Bush to be injured from a slip. He has a form of Parkinson's disease, and is using a wheelchair. An injury like a fractured C2 vertebrae normally takes 3 to four months to heal, doctors say.
