Barbara Bush hospitalized for routine tests

By GottaLaff

To quote every politician when they try to stay civil, "We wish her the best":

Former first lady Barbara Bush was admitted Saturday to a hospital in Texas for routine tests, a spokeswoman said.

"Mrs Bush is in for some routine tests, not an emergency of any kind," said Jim Appleby, spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush.

I read in the L.A. Times that she just wasn't feeling quite right, so she checked in to the hospital.

We wish her the best.

Former U.S. VP Dick Cheney hospitalized with chest pains

By GottaLaff

No mention of his heart... because there is none:

Former U.S. VP Dick Cheney hospitalized with chest pains

Details as I get them.

UPDATE:

Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, canceled her appearance at a Lincoln Day Republican dinner in Schaumburg Monday night in order to visit her father who is being hospitalized, event co-organizer Mary Alice Benoit said late Monday afternoon.

UPDATE:

Doctors at George Washington University Hospital say Dick Cheney is stable; former VP had an angiogram, may have treatment tomorrow - NBC

Video- Bill Clinton on hospital stay 'Feeling Very Blessed, Doing Well'

Clinton leaves hospital after heart procedure

Damn good to hear.

New York (CNN) – Former President Bill Clinton left the hospital Friday morning after doctors performed a procedure to restore blood flow in one of his coronary arteries, longtime friend Terry McAuliffe told CNN.

Clinton, 63, was hospitalized at New York-Presbyterian Hospital's Columbia campus after experiencing brief periods of discomfort in his chest over several days, according to Dr. Allan Schwartz, the hospital's chief of cardiology.

Two stents were used to restore blood flow to a coronary artery Thursday after images revealed that a bypass graft - part of a quadruple bypass surgery that Clinton underwent in 2004 - was blocked, Schwartz said.

An electrocardiogram and a blood test showed no evidence of a heart attack, Schwartz said.

Breaking- Bill Clinton hospitalized in NY

That's it- more when I get it. MSNBC is reporting that ABC has the scoop. Nothing to link to yet.

Hospital won't confirm, WJC's staff says he's in for a stent and balloon angioplasty for a blockage according to reporter on MSNBC.

Link-

Former President Bill Clinton was rushed to a Manhattan hospital late this afternoon, sources tell ABC News.
A look back at presidential history from 1960 to 2008.

Clinton, 63, was transported to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan for a condition related to his heart.

ABC News' chief political correspondent George Stephanopoulos reported that sources said he was taken to the hospital "likely for a stent procedure."

UPDATE 5p EST via MSNBC-

Former President Bill Clinton has been hospitalized in New York City, according to a spokesman.

Early reports indicated that Clinton experienced chest pains and has received a stent. A stent is small mesh tube that is used to treat narrowed or weakened arteries. The seriousness of his condition is unknown at this point.

A hospital source said that Clinton called the head of cardiology at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital two days ago, saying that he was not feeling well. Clinton was originally scheduled to come in to the hospital Wednesday but postponed the appointment until Thursday.

Henry Waxman Taken to Hospital in LA

By GottaLaff

Oh no, don't even...:

[...] Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) was taken this afternoon to Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

We contacted Waxman's office in order to confirm the story. A source in the office confirmed to us that the Congressman wasn't feeling well today, and went to a hospital for what were described as routine checks. Further details were not immediately available, and the source was unable to confirm which hospital Waxman was taken to.

Zsa Zsa Gabor Hospitalized

By GottaLaff

At least she's back home, and, hopefully, on the mend:

Zsa Zsa Gabor is back home after spending the past 6 days hospitalized for a flu-like illness.

Her husband, Prince Frederick von Anhalt, said Monday the 92-year-old actress was treated at a hospital and released, but did not provide details on her condition.

She's partially paralyzed from a previous car accident, and also had a stroke a few years ago. 92. Wow.

Ed McMahon hospitalized

By GottaLaff

Rushing off to work, but I got this Tweet:

Reports: TV personality Ed McMahon has been hospitalized in serious condition with pneumonia and other medical problems.

Wishing him the best...

Bittersweet Inaugural Moment

By GottaLaff

An e-mail from Commenter Eve. It speaks for itself. Get out the Kleenex:

I was on the phone this morning with my insurance agent. Her husband has been very seriously ill for quite awhile. In and out of the hospital.

Weeks ago he said he would be taking the day to watch the inauguration. Sadly he is in ICU today and is not responsive. This is not the first time and he will probably come out of ICU.

However his wife made sure the TV was on in his room and on the inauguration. The nurses told her he could not hear or see the TV. She told me she was determined he would "see" the inauguration so that when he is better she will be able to tell him he was there for that viewing.

Beautiful and so bittersweet. We're sending good thoughts and big hugs to all involved.

BREAKING: Sens. Byrd, Kennedy medical emergencies reported inside luncheon at capitol

By GottaLaff

Earlier today

UPDATE: Sen. Byrd was NOT sick. He was upset, and left, but was not sick.

Please note: I changed the blog title to reflect the update.

Keith Olbermann is reporting the incident did not involve any of the principles (President Obama and Vice President Biden and their families).

Hopefully, there is nothing too dire going on here, and Keith is saying the tone of the event is still light. Fingers crossed.

UPDATE: Sen. Ted Kennedy had to be removed from the luncheon. He was taken on a stretcher, but his condition is unknown.

UPDATE: Senator Byrd was stricken too. Byrd had trouble eating, was conscious, a minor event. Kennedy had convulsions.

UPDATE: At dessert, Byrd was pale, in pain or discomfort of some kind. Meds came in immediately and escorted him out, walked out. About a minute later, Kennedy began to convulse. Meds were called in immediately.

The people at the luncheon stood in silence.

His wheelchair was reclined back, and he was taken out of the room on a gurney.

UPDATE: Orrin Hatch said it was a seizure, that it was very upsetting to those around him. Kennedy appeared to be in pain, but was conscious. His impression was that Kennedy could communicate a little, and prayers were spoken by various dignitaries.

Obama offered comfort.

UPDATE: Kennedy was eating, taken out of the room. He was doing much better before he got into the ambulance, so some optimism here!

UPDATE: Sen. Dodd said Kennedy had a seizure BUT SEEMED FINE as he was put into the ambulance. He'll be fine.

Sen. Byrd's office says Byrd is fine, was not hospitalized, was in discomfort and it is nothing serious.

UPDATE from hospital: Kennedy is awake, alert, Obama has called him.

Newsflash! Cheney has a heart.... problem

By GottaLaff

They have apparently discovered a heart somewhere deep in the recesses of The Nation of Dick. The statement from Cheney’s spokeswoman Megan Mitchell:

Vice President Cheney will no longer attend a campaign event for Marty Ozinga in Homer Glen, IL today.

During a visit with his doctors this morning, it was discovered that the Vice President is experiencing a recurrence of atrial fibrillation, an abnormal rhythm involving the upper chambers of the heart.

Later this afternoon, the Vice President will visit George Washington University Hospital for an outpatient procedure to restore his normal rhythm.

If by "restoring his normal rhythm" they mean maintaining the status quo, then they should be sued for malpractice.

Ted Kennedy taken to hospital

By GottaLaff

MSNBC just reported.

UPDATE: MSNBC is reporting it's "not serious." We can breathe a sigh of relief! It was a mild seizure and he's on his way home to watch the debate.

Not good news:

Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy has been transported to a Cape Cod Hospital, FOX News has learned.

His condition was not immediately known.

The ailing Democratic senator has been undergoing treatment for a malignant brain tumor, after he was hospitalized for a seizure in May.

A captain in the Hyannais Port Fire Department confirmed that Kennedy was taken to the hospital Friday evening.