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CNN Live Saturday
Ford Will Be Discharged From Hospital Today
Aired May 17, 2003 - 18:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Former President Gerald Ford could be discharged from a Southern California hospital later today. That's the word we're getting from his doctors, who just held a press conference a short time ago. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez joins us now from Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
Thelma?
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Anderson.
You're absolutely right. Doctors held a news conference just a short time ago, they say that it is very likely that the 80-year-old former president will be discharged later today. They say that basically he's in very good condition and that they're very impressed by his vigor.
They say that the very severe dizzy spells that he suffered the past few days are not life threatening, that they're more related to his age and playing golf in the heat of the desert. I can tell you after being here all day long it is a very intense heat out here.
Now, President Ford has suffered a stroke, as you might recall, at the 2000 convention, the National Republican Convention in 2000. They say that the episodes do not even compare with the severity of the stroke that the suffered back in then.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ALAN KISELSTEIN, EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER: I would describe this as being a significantly less serious event. There is no evidence that any damage has occurred to any part of his body or any organ system with this event.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: They say that they expect the president will be released later today. He will go straight home. The entire time, his wife, Betty Ford, former first lady, has been here at his side.
Anderson.
COOPER: Thelma, any word on anyone else who has been at the hospital? Any visitors?
GUTIERREZ: No, at this point is has just been his wife, and of course, his Secret Service agents, who have been here with him. Though, he has received many calls from friends. He has received many calls from former members of his administration as well.
COOPER: All right, Thelma Gutierrez from Rancho Mirage, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 17, 2003 - 18:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Former President Gerald Ford could be discharged from a Southern California hospital later today. That's the word we're getting from his doctors, who just held a press conference a short time ago. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez joins us now from Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage.
Thelma?
THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Anderson.
You're absolutely right. Doctors held a news conference just a short time ago, they say that it is very likely that the 80-year-old former president will be discharged later today. They say that basically he's in very good condition and that they're very impressed by his vigor.
They say that the very severe dizzy spells that he suffered the past few days are not life threatening, that they're more related to his age and playing golf in the heat of the desert. I can tell you after being here all day long it is a very intense heat out here.
Now, President Ford has suffered a stroke, as you might recall, at the 2000 convention, the National Republican Convention in 2000. They say that the episodes do not even compare with the severity of the stroke that the suffered back in then.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DR. ALAN KISELSTEIN, EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER: I would describe this as being a significantly less serious event. There is no evidence that any damage has occurred to any part of his body or any organ system with this event.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUTIERREZ: They say that they expect the president will be released later today. He will go straight home. The entire time, his wife, Betty Ford, former first lady, has been here at his side.
Anderson.
COOPER: Thelma, any word on anyone else who has been at the hospital? Any visitors?
GUTIERREZ: No, at this point is has just been his wife, and of course, his Secret Service agents, who have been here with him. Though, he has received many calls from friends. He has received many calls from former members of his administration as well.
COOPER: All right, Thelma Gutierrez from Rancho Mirage, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
