Barbara Bush continues to recover

Bush, 83, was hospitalized a week ago for abdominal pains and underwent surgery to repair a perforated ulcer Nov. 25.

She began a liquid diet Monday after some test results came back normal, said spokeswoman Ami Felker of The Methodist Hospital in Houston. She's expected to remain in the hospital for several more days, Felker said.

During the surgery, doctors closed a nearly 1.5-centimeter hole caused by an ulcer.