BOB HOPE released from hospital after 12-day stay for pneumonia

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Bob Hope was released from a hospital Thursday after a 12-day stay to treat what doctors said was a mild case of pneumonia. <br><br>``He's home,'' publicist Ward Grant

Thursday, September 6th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Bob Hope was released from a hospital Thursday after a 12-day stay to treat what doctors said was a mild case of pneumonia.

``He's home,'' publicist Ward Grant said.

The 98-year-old entertainer left Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank with his wife for their home near Los Angeles.

Dr. Lee Kagan, said Hope was ``doing fine and eating well.''

``However, it will be several more weeks before he is fully recovered from his illness,'' he said.

Grant said that when the comedian was asked what he wanted for dessert for his first lunch back home, Hope answered, ``I don't care ... as long as it's coffee ice cream.''

Hope entered the hospital Aug. 26 after he had trouble breathing and was later diagnosed with mild pneumonia. He received antibiotics, intravenous fluids and respiratory therapy.

He had been expected to be released by Monday, but was kept at the hospital with a slight fever.