Faith

Rev. Billy Graham Hospitalized Following Symptoms of Pneumonia

Rev. Billy Graham Hospitalized on Suspicion of Pneumonia

The Rev. Billy Graham (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (The Blaze/AP) — The Rev. Billy Graham is in a North Carolina hospital, awaiting word from doctors on whether he has pneumonia.

Graham, who is 93, was admitted to Mission Hospitals in Asheville late Wednesday morning suffering from congestion, a cough and a slight fever. According to a statement on the reverend’s web site, he was alert and waving at hospital staff upon being admitted.

Spokesman A. Larry Ross says Graham was in good spirits Wednesday night after a full afternoon of medical tests. Ross said Graham’s daughter, Gigi, visited her father. While watching television in the hospital room, they found a channel showing Graham’s 1973 crusade in St. Louis.

A statement on Graham’s web site reads:

Mr. Graham was previously hospitalized for successful treatment of pneumonia in May, 2011. He resumed his ongoing program of physical therapy and normal activity shortly after release, according to his staff. This included finalizing his most recent book, “Nearing Home,” published last month, and beginning work on a new project reaffirming the evangelistic message he has preached for more than 60 years.

While no date has been set for discharge, Mr. Graham is looking forward to returning home to spend the upcoming Christmas holiday with his family.

He was last hospitalized in May, when he spent five days at the same hospital for pneumonia. In October 2008, Graham was hospitalized after he tripped and fell over one of his dogs. Earlier that same year, he had elective surgery on a shunt that controls excess fluid on his brain. The shunt was first installed in 2000 and drains fluid through a small tube, relieving excess pressure that can cause symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Graham has also suffered from prostate cancer and was hospitalized in 2007 for nearly two weeks after experiencing intestinal bleeding. His wife, Ruth Bell Graham, died in June 2007.

Dr. Lucian Rice, who is Graham’s personal physician, said he was in stable condition.

Comments (52)

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  • chickenfried
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 6:44pm

    I see a whole lot of posts saying “God bless Billy Graham”. While I echo the sentiment, I also realize that God has blessed Billy Graham…a hundred times over. And I also expect that Billy would tell all of you not to ask God to bless him, but to bless God. The greatest blessing I could imagine for Billy Graham would be for all of us to follow in his footsteps and become the men and women God is urging us to be. It’s really not that hard, but it requires sacrifice. Glenn Beck is on the path, as are many of my brothers and sisters who are paying attention to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. I take a step or two into the light, then slide backwards a bit. I am proud to call myself a Christian but I am ashamed by the fact that I am far from being Christ-like.

    Report Post » chickenfried  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:37pm

      I was going to write some comforting words to Billy but as I was reading through many of the posts on this site, I am the one being comforted by the loving and caring thoughts expressed here. What a joy to see people come together like this. This is just wonderful. Thank you Blaze people, you touched my heart today.

      Report Post »  
  • NILAP
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:59pm

    Billy is one of the few Evangelical Christian preachers that I really respect. His first church that he got a job at was in the hometown I grew up in. Met several times George Beverly Shea who lived in my hometown and went to school with his daugher.

    Report Post » NILAP  
  • Rlynn
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 4:37pm

    My family’s prayers are with you, Dr. Graham. I plead the Blood of Jesus over you and speak the Life of Almighty God through Christ Jesus into your precious lungs. Be made whole and strong and, if this is our Dear Lord calling you home, go home to Him in His Strength and Wholeness in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen and Amen.

    Report Post » Rlynn  
  • Raisingmy3boysright
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:50pm

    God Bless him. He is an awesome man!

    Report Post » Raisingmy3boysright  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:48pm

    Billy Graham is a great man of God. I pray that he lives a long time. I hope he lives for his sake and his famlly‘s sake but for the nation’s sake too. I get the feelling God has not completely let his wrath fall on us because Mr. Graham is still among us. If Mr. Graham dies….I feel God will begin to treat us the way we deserve.

    Report Post »  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 11:40am

      Only if we ignore God’s word which Dr. Graham has spent his life sharing to those willing to listen. It is up to those who have heard and read Dr. Grahams divine inspirations to share the Lord with others. Glenn Beck says to be George Washington but might it not be worthwhile to follow the example set by Dr. Graham?

      Report Post »  
  • alwayshappy
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:26pm

    Dr. Graham remains in my prayers!

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:11pm

    Think of all the people this one man of God has brought to Christ & salvation! God bless him & his family. The Lord chose well when he called Reverend Graham.

    Report Post »  
  • RealUSConservative
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:48am

    God bless you Billy.Your library in NC has changed my life. I know you can hardly wait to enter the gates of heaven.

    Report Post » RealUSConservative  
  • PATRIOTGRUNT
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:27am

    May God bless you Mr Grahm. My doughter is on a field trip to your Library today. Hope she finds it as inspiring as I did.

    Report Post » PATRIOTGRUNT  
  • tagforce
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:21am

    You know — this reminds of something that BG said that was very profound that we all need to do. A reporter asked him once what he thought about Clinton and his sexual affair with ML … This reporter was trying to get this great man of GOD to say hateful things about Clinton and how sinful he is and maybe the fact that he is going to hell or whatever but, by the power of the Holy Spirit BG said this —- “regardless of what his sins are, we all need to pray for him “…. Amongst all the turmoil of today, all the greed, the lust, the hateful banter, BG’s words still ring in my head.
    We all need to pray, even for Obama. God chooses our leaders and even though we don’t understand why things happen to the way they do, we know that it’s in God’s plan somehow. So again, the least we can do it pray and pray positive!!! Amen

    Report Post »  
  • IndianaJan
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:02am

    My Dad was a very good man; not religious, but the most honest, moral, kind, generous man I have ever met. I have a sense that Rev. Graham is much like this, and he has always reminded me of my Dad. Dad died of pneumonia many years ago, and I believe it is a merciful way to pass.
    Rev. Graham’s family has my deepest condolences. May we take lessons from him, whether or not we are believers.

    Report Post »  
  • your sensei
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:46am

    A fraud and an anti-Semite. You can have him, Jesus. Just don’t expect him to respect you.

    your sensei  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 1:00pm

      You are truely disgusting.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:09pm

      Are you calling him an anti-Semite as a result of the discussion which he and Nixon had in private over their concerns of the overwhelming Jewish presence in the Media?

      Don’t worry he apologized for stating the fact that Jews overwhelmingly control the Media in America and I’m sure when he passes that he’ll probably have to state that his conversation with President Nixon was the most shameful and regretful event of his life…

      Rev. Graham is a good an honorable man.

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • Raisingmy3boysright
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 3:54pm

      YourSenei,

      You know that Billy Graham is NOT Jesus right? Ok, good, because Jesus was the ONLY perfect person on the face of this Earth.

      Report Post » Raisingmy3boysright  
    • RealUSConservative
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:26pm

      You obviously don’t know know who Bill Graham is.. Your the kind of Liberal that literally has nothing else to do and go on here. You disgust me.

      Report Post » RealUSConservative  
    • Bonnieblue2A
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 11:42am

      And yet God loves you despite your anger towards one of his messengers here on earth.

      Report Post »  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:57am

    God bless Billy Graham and his family at this difficult time.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • The Bove
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:24am

    God Bless you Billy. May your words continue to enlighten this crazy world. Including the trolls on The Blaze.

    Report Post »  
  • just happy
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:21am

    My husband was a good man and friend to all who tried to do what was right. He rarely went to church and never joined a religion but I often came home to find him watching Billy Graham Crusade whenever it was on TV.. Prayers for Rev. Graham and his family. If this takes you to the next stage of your life, I say now a farewell to a wonderful man. I know it will be just as exciting and wonderful as what you have done here.

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:16am

    Billy’s not worried. He knows he has a new body and many crowns awaiting him. As in life, he will cast those crowns to the feet of the king. God bless you Billy!

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:52am

      What I was gonna post. You saved me the trouble. :-)

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 11:09am

      When Billy reaches the “Gates of Heaven” God going to put his hand on Billy’s shoulders and say “Well Done Good and Faithful Servant.” God Bless the entire Graham family.

      Report Post » db321  
  • kcares
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:10am

    God bless this Billy Graham and Robert Schuller. We will be losing 2 great preachers. Thank you for all your service. I thought Joel Osteen was going to be one, but he is a fraud, and it truly dissappoints me. We need more like Mr Graham and Schuller.

    Report Post » kcares  
    • nick7
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 10:29am

      I’m sorry to say that no two preacher could be more different. One replies of the ‘positive thinking” stuff that says you can do it yourself. The other relies on God and His Son.

      Report Post »  
    • your sensei
      Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:19am

      Really? Because Graham said you can be saved without ever seeing a bible or hearing the word Jesus.

      Report Post » your sensei  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:07am

    God bless Rev Graham and his family.

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • No Quarter
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:04am

    A great man….. Gods Man. Wish You well Sir.

    Report Post » No Quarter  
  • bubbie
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:59am

    When I was a little girl mom would take all 6 of us kids to church but my dad wouldn’t go, He would take the time to watch Rev. Graham on TV and we were to be quiet and watch and listen too. Eventually my dad came to know the Lord and is at home in heaven now. I thank God for this precious man and pray that he will be well soon.

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:47am

    .
    Got to shake his hand. The only T.V. preacher I ever trusted. To hear him talk about walking with God in the Garden thats Heaven……………

    Amen

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 8:25am

      He wasn’t a “TV preacher” Monkey…just a preacher who happened to be on TV.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • macpappy
      Posted on December 1, 2011 at 9:22am

      @gonzo
      True, he is a Southern Baptist and has preached to more folks than any other. He did not go to TV or Radio, they came to him……for the ratings. Personally, I don’t take religous advice from a man that wears $5000. suits and $1000. shoes, owns privite jets, etc.
      However, Graham is one of Americas most loved preachers. I wish him the best.

      Report Post » macpappy  
  • toomuchgovt
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:47am

    Prayers to him and his family may he get well soon. If God takes him from this world, I will rejoice in knowing he touched many lives and is finally going home for a much needed rest.

    Report Post » toomuchgovt  
  • kickagrandma
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:33am

    This great man of God was part and parcel of our growing up and growing up in the faith years. He has been exemplary in his life for our Christian faith.

    May God bless him and all who are attending him in the hospital. We all pray for his complete recovery and total healing in Your name.

    I just want to thank You, God, for this man Billy Graham. He is one You will absolutely and joyfully welcome HOME one of these days. Thank You for blessing him with Your presence, Father, for in turn he has blessed so many for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:32am

    Dear Lord I ask that a healing be given to him in full for him to continue his service you have yet to have him do; or for him to be brought home soon. Be with his family in this time of concern and worry over his condition.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • grudgywoof
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 7:28am

    When Dr. Graham passes I will miss him but I know he will be with the Father so I will rejoyce in that. Billy led me to Christ on a tv broadcast when I was a child and Just as I am is my favorite hymn because of it. God bess you Billy and thank you for your dedication to Jesus Christ. My life has been blessed by your ministry. Don’t forget Operation Shoe Box every one and please give to Samaritans Purse.

    Report Post » grudgywoof  
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