# Former first lady Barbara Bush has decided to end medical treatment... \[Update: RIP\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 15, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458 "2018-04-15T19:43:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/1 "2018-04-15T19:43:17Z")
> [@](#): > > Former first lady Barbara Bush, the wife and mother of two presidents, has decided to end medical treatment for a life-threatening illness. > > Family spokesman Jim McGrath announced on Twitter Sunday that Bush, 92, made the decision after consulting with her family and friends. > > “It will not surprise those who know her that Barbara Bush has been a rock in the face off her failing health, worrying not for herself — thanks to her abiding faith — but for others,” he said. > > Her husband, George H.W. Bush, the nation’s 41st president, is now 93 years old and struggling with a Parkinson’s-like disease that forces him to use a wheelchair and made it difficult for him to speak. > **[Former first lady Barbara Bush, wife and mother of presidents, declines...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/04/15/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-wife-and-mother-presidents-declines-medical-treatment/518799002/)** > > Barbara Bush, the wife of one president and the mother of another, made the decision after consulting with her family and friends, family spokesman Jim McGrath announced on Twitter on Sunday. Sad news. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/2 "2018-04-15T19:47:32Z")
Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? It’s not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that? ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/3 "2018-04-15T19:52:54Z")
A woman of grace and dignity. In fact both of them have my respect. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/4 "2018-04-15T20:00:11Z")
IMHO, it would be sad if we were talking about someone in her 50s or 60s. This chick is 92. She’s had a really good run. I think decisions like this can be bitter-sweet. But sad? I just don’t get how, unless you know her personally and will miss her. At any rate, BB is the only First Lady I’ve ever meet in person. I shook her hand when I was in the seventh grade. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/5 "2018-04-15T20:05:44Z")
What is the illness? ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/6 "2018-04-15T20:23:53Z")
She’s been struggling with COPD for a long time. I’m sad to know this. She impressed me on a number of occasions, most notably on an appearance on The David Letterman Show when she said she and her husband never voted the straight ticket; they voted for the person they thought best for the office, regardless of party. I may not have known her personally, but I’ve liked her from afar. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/7 "2018-04-15T20:55:53Z")
I always liked her, she always seemed quite genuine. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/8 "2018-04-15T22:33:44Z")
She’s a classy lady, and down-to-earth. I pray for comfort and peace. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/9 "2018-04-15T23:06:55Z")
I don’t blame her, if prospects for any kind of a normal life are remote, and at her age this seems like a reasonable and emotionally healthy decision. Having said that, I could not believe the news story said “the wife and mother of two presidents.” That is, I couldn’t believe it until I saw that it was USA Today, the death camp for editorial judgment. For any who wonder why I say this, it would be correct to say “the wife of one president and mother of another.” The way they put it sounds distinctly Oedipean, if not physically impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/10 "2018-04-16T00:36:32Z")
I always liked her. Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/11 "2018-04-16T00:50:00Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I don’t blame her, if prospects for any kind of a normal life are remote, and at her age this seems like a reasonable and emotionally healthy decision. > > Having said that, I could not believe the news story said “the wife and mother of two presidents.” That is, I couldn’t believe it until I saw that it was USA Today, the death camp for editorial judgment. For any who wonder why I say this, it would be correct to say “the wife of one president and mother of another.” The way they put it sounds distinctly Oedipean, if not physically impossible. It took me a couple of tries to properly parse the “rock in the face off” part. Not sure if the OP cut and pasted and it was corrected later but the “off” is now “of”. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/12 "2018-04-16T03:13:22Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > What is the illness? Being 92? By the way, this is how I’m going out. Beer in my hand, in front of the fireplace, dogs at my feet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/13 "2018-04-16T04:14:12Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Being 92? > By the way, this is how I’m going out. Beer in my hand, in front of the fireplace, dogs at my feet. COPD. Another smoking related death, alas. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/14 "2018-04-16T04:27:50Z")
When I tell someone that I’ll pray for someone’s very ill relative I don’t tell them that my prayer often is, “May it be fast and painless.” May it be fast and painless, Birthday Twin. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/15 "2018-04-16T04:30:40Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Being 92? > By the way, this is how I’m going out. Beer in my hand, in front of the fireplace, dogs at my feet. I have a feeling you may die in the desert, running the killers and blasting rock and roll on the sound system. What a way to go.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/16 "2018-04-16T11:56:38Z")
> [@The\_Vorlon](#): > > COPD. Another smoking related death, alas. Ah, yes. If only those poor smokers knew the cigarettes they enjoy might cause their premature death at 92. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/17 "2018-04-16T13:02:17Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > IMHO, it would be sad if we were talking about someone in her 50s or 60s. This chick is 92. She’s had a really good run. I think decisions like this can be bitter-sweet. But sad? I just don’t get how, unless you know her personally and will miss her. The death of any widely respected public figure is sad. at 92, it’s not _tragic_ like a child or young adult getting killed in a car wreck, but it’s still sad. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/18 "2018-04-16T13:35:02Z")
Anybody who hits 92 dies of COPD or CHF. The body simply wears out. May Barbara’s last days be painless and filled with love. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/19 "2018-04-16T14:06:56Z")
Oops…[CBS accidentally (albeit only briefly) published her obituary yesterday.](http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article208965064.html) ---
**Author:** ![Shmendrik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shmendrik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shmendrik)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458/20 "2018-04-16T15:13:30Z")
> [@peedin](#): > > Anybody who hits 92 dies of COPD or CHF. The body simply wears out. May Barbara’s last days be painless and filled with love. Sorry to be pedantic, but this is incorrect. There are age-associated changes in heart and lung function, but COPD and CHF are both distinct pathological conditions which are not inevitable at any age. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/former-first-lady-barbara-bush-has-decided-to-end-medical-treatment-update-rip/812458.md?page=2)