Billy Graham Returns Home Following Hospital Observation

October 11, 2008 5:08 PM EDT

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Evangelist Billy Graham has returned to his mountain home in Montreat, N.C. upon his release this afternoon from Mission Hospital in nearby Asheville following a brief stay. He was admitted for observation after he tripped over one of his three dogs and fell late Friday.

Mr. Graham's physicians said that he suffered no broken bones in the fall. They had offered him the choice of being released or remaining in the hospital overnight for additional observation. He chose to stay rather than make the trip back home, due to the lateness of the hour. His nurses said that Mr. Graham had an uneventful night, was able to sleep and has since been sitting up in a chair and taking full meals.

Mr. Graham's personal physician, Lucian Rice, MD, confirmed the fall should not pose a setback for the 89-year-old evangelist.

"Of course we worry any time a patient takes a fall, especially an older patient," Dr. Rice said. "But while Mr. Graham is somewhat bruised, with some extremely sore muscles, he seems to have suffered no serious injuries, and in fact he was able to work on his physical therapy regimen first thing the next morning. I am encouraging him to remain as active as possible, but to be mindful of his dog, who likes to keep faithfully at his feet. I expect Mr. Graham to recover fully."

    Mr. Graham will celebrate his 90th birthday on Nov. 7.

    For more information contact:

    Merrell Gregory, Mission Hospital
    828.213-4806  Office
    828.207-2470  Pager
    828.778-9040 Cell
    merrell.gregory@msj.org

    A. Larry Ross,
    Director Media/Public Relations for Billy Graham
    972.267-1111 Office
    469.774-6362 Cell (wknd)
    alr@alarryross.com

SOURCE Mission Hospital

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