Rev. Billy Graham Hospitalized Following Symptoms of Pneumonia

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.