She was the girl who, swept off her feet by a handsome Navy aviator, dropped out of college to marry him, "the first man I ever kissed," and thence was destined for a lifetime role as Supermom.

They had had their first child, George, while still at Yale in 1946. A daughter, Robin, died in 1953 of leukemia a few weeks before her 4th birthday. The other Bush children are sons Jeb, Neil and Marvin, and daughter Dorothy.

For years, Bush has been a sunny presence in American life, the sort of person who would make herself and others comfortable at your kitchen table. But she also was tough.

In the course of being George H.W. Bush's wife, she had to pack up and move the household 28 times before residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington in 1988.

Bush disclosed she was suffering from an overactive thyroid ailment known as Graves' disease when she lived at the White House. The disease causes teary eyes and double vision in Mrs. Bush, according to her doctors.

Bush disclosed she was suffering from an overactive thyroid ailment known as Graves' disease when she lived at the White House.

I remember an SNL skit with Dana Carvey as President George H. W. Bush describing Graves' Disease.

"That's why Barbara always looks surprised."

I hope she recovers quickly.

At 83, it could be anything. For the President's sake, I hope it's nothing major. He needs to get out of the White House before having to deal with anything else personally hurtful....pass on the national responsibilities before confronting parental.

She's been successfully diagnosed and treated for an
ulcer. Also, I read somewhere that the First Lady also has Graves disease, which is something that if left undiagnosed could become life threatening. (Hyper-thyroidism)