NEW YORK, Oct 18 (AFP) - Former US president Bill Clinton is showing himself to be a remarkably "patient patient" as he recovers from quadruple bypass surgery, his wife Senator Hillary Clinton said Monday.
"He has taken seriously all of the advice the doctors have given him," she said in an interview with a local New York radio station.
Clinton, 58, has been recuperating at his home in Chappaqua, New York, since undergoing surgery on September 6.
"He's been a much more patient patient than I would have ever guessed," the senator said, adding that the former president was taking regular "long walks" in the area.
"He's really doing well," she added.
The senator's remarks came a day after the Washington Post reported that Clinton's recovery had been slower than expected.
Citing friends of the former president, the newspaper said Clinton has experienced fatigue and gets exhausted after completing the mile-long walks that are part of his recovery regimen.
He also remains in "considerable pain" from the operation's chest incision, the Post said.
Kerry campaign officials had hoped that Clinton would join Democratic White House challenger John Kerry in the final weeks of the November 2 election campaign.
Clinton plans to record pro-Kerry telephone messages to sway voters and may give interviews, the Post said. Clinton speaks frequently with members of the Kerry campaign and occasionally talks with the Massachusetts senator.