Alabama Gov Kay Ivey released from hospital following minor procedure, determined to make speedy recovery

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, was released from the hospital on Thursday after undergoing a minor procedure to remove fluid that was pressing against her lung, according to her office.

Ivey, 81, is recovering at the Governor's Mansion after staying two nights at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery, a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement. She will work from her residence and is expected to be back in the Capitol office next week.

"The governor is also extremely grateful to the people of Alabama for their outpouring of support," the spokesperson said. "She is thankful for their prayers and enjoyed their many messages of well-wishes."

The governor's office announced on Tuesday that she was hospitalized after undergoing the procedure. The fluid pressing against her lung was discovered when she went to her doctor because she was feeling discomfort in her left side and recently experienced some shortness of breath.

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey was hospitalized for a couple of days after undergoing a minor procedure to remove fluid that was pressing against her lung. (AP/Vasha Hunt)

"For the last three weeks, Governor Kay Ivey has experienced some discomfort in her left side," a spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. "After monitoring the pain and recently feeling slightly short-of-breath, she made the decision to be seen again by her primary care physician earlier today."

Ivey was monitored at the hospital for a couple of days out of an abundance of caution, her office said.

While her medical issue was not urgent, she wanted it taken care of quickly so she could recover before the legislative session ends.

"While it was not emergent, Governor Ivey wanted to get the procedure done as soon as possible so she can quickly get back to 100% to wrap up the 2026 Regular Session," the Tuesday statement said.

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Gov. Kay Ivey is recovering at the Governor's Mansion after staying two nights at Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery. (Reuters)

"We are in touch with Governor Ivey, and she says she is determined to make a very speedy and full recovery," her spokesperson added at the time.

Officials in Alabama and other states had offered support for Ivey as she recovered in the hospital.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, a Republican, said he was thankful Ivey was "receiving excellent care from some of the finest medical professionals. She is in good hands, and I join so many Alabamians in praying for her swift and full recovery."

Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp said he and his family were praying for Ivey and wished her a speedy recovery.

"She has always been a fighter and we know she’ll fight through this too," Kemp wrote.

The governor was monitored at the hospital for a couple of days out of an abundance of caution. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)

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The Alabama governor announced in 2019 that she was undergoing radiation for lung cancer, describing it as a small localized spot. Her office said the following year that scans indicated the treatment was successful, and she was free of disease.

Ivey is term-limited and cannot run for re-election this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.