For the past few days, fans of Joan Rivers have been anxiously awaiting any news on her condition, as she remains hospitalized following complications during a routine throat surgery. Saturday it was reported that the 81-year-old legendary comedian was on life support, and now the New York Daily News reports that Rivers is being brought out of her medically-induced coma. This comes just hours after her daughter, Melissa Rivers, released a statement saying, "We are keeping our fingers crossed."
According to the Daily News, the process of fully bringing Rivers out of her coma can take until Tuesday, at which point doctors will be able to tell whether her brain has been affected. The source explained some of the potential issues facing Rivers as she wakes up:
There is real concern that the part of the brain that controls motor skills may have been compromised, leaving her as either a vegetable or in a wheelchair.
It's heartbreaking to hear what Rivers and her family might be facing, and undoubtedly these next few days will be extremely difficult as they wait for an update on her condition. In a statement released Friday, Melissa said, "we ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts as we pray for her recovery," and as they face this uncertain time, I'm sure Melissa and the rest of the family need that support more than ever.
