Former President Ford leaves hospital

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former President Gerald Ford was discharged from a Philadelphia hospital Wednesday morning following treatment for a mild stroke and a mysterious swelling of the tongue.

Ford was hospitalized at Hahnemann University Hospital a week ago while attending the Republican National Convention. He talked briefly with reporters after being discharged shortly after 11 a.m. EDT on Wednesday.

"I want to thank everybody at the hospital," Ford said, showing no apparent effects of his hospitalization. "We have good memories. Thank you very, very much."

The former president, accompanied by his wife Betty, daughter Susan Bales and the hospital's Dr. Robert Schwartzman, planned to fly by private plane later Wednesday to the Fords' home in Rancho Mirage, California.

Ford, shown here at the Republican convention, was released Wednesday from a Philadelphia hospital

"He is actively moving around, has an excellent appetite and is in excellent spirits. He is excited about going home," Calvin McDowell, a longtime aide, told CNN in a phone interview Tuesday.

McDowell said the former president is showing no aftereffects of the stroke he suffered last week and that the problem with his tongue "is totally gone." McDowell added he "could not detect any problems with (Ford's) speech."

Ford remains on blood-thinning medication to prevent further strokes and antibiotics for the tongue infection. Doctors drained an abscess, but the "cause of the swelling remains a mystery," he said.

Ford told GOP presidential nominee George W. Bush during a hospital visit last Thursday that he is eager to get out on the campaign trail. But aides said Ford's public schedule has been canceled for at least the next three weeks, and will be limited after that.