Ford Progresses Following Stroke

Just days after suffering a stroke, Gerald Ford walked briefly, visited with friends and family, and pressed his staff to let him get back to his regular schedule.

Doctors said Thursday that the 87-year-old former president will recover fully, but they were doing tests to determine the cause of some tongue swelling - unrelated to the stroke - that has caused Ford discomfort.

“From a stroke standpoint, he is progressing exactly as we would expect for someone in his condition,” said Dr. Carole Thomas, director of the neurological intensive care and stroke program at the hospital. “It was a fairly minor stroke.”

Ford could be released from the hospital over the weekend or early next week, without any need for rehabilitation therapy, doctors said.