Hospitalized since Thanksgiving, Former president George HW Bush's condition deteriorates

The 41st President has been known for being in great shape, making headlines not that long ago for skydiving.

But for any 88-year-old, battling bronchitis takes a toll.

"Coming out of this, he was doing his physical therapy.  That was going well until the middle part of last week," Bush spokesman Jim McGrath said.  "He just started having a few low energy days and things kind of snowballed from there."

An elevated fever is what's causing doctors at Methodist Hospital so much concern.

"They don't put you in the ICU because things are going well," McGrath said.

Instead of the Christmas at home, the former President spent the holiday with wife Barbara, son Neil, Neil's wife and grandson Pierce at Methodist Hospital.

Christmas dinner was Chinese food brought by family members.

"He was conscious, he was able to visit with his family members, he was joking with the medical staff, the nurses and the doctors there, so he hasn't lost his sense of humor to be sure," McGrath said.  "But he was not able to celebrate it certainly in the traditional sense of the word."

McGrath describes the mood of family members as concerned and frustrated because he was supposed to be out of the hospital by now.

But McGrath said they know he's getting the best medical care possible.

Doctors are cautiously optimistic that their current course of treatment will be effective.

"He's in critical condition.  He's in a bad way," McGrath said. "But the doctors believe there is a path for him to recover from this and if we can get him to rally a little bit, we can start talking about a discharge date, but we're not there yet."

See video: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/20429669/2012/12/26/former-president-george-hw-bush-in-intensive-care