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Joan Rivers Being Brought Out of Medically Induced Coma Amid Fears That Brain Function May Be ‘Compromised’

Doctors treating Joan Rivers have begun the process of bringing the legendary comedienne out of a medically-induced coma. According to the New York Daily News, the process was initiated by doctors on ...
Joan Rivers Being Brought Out of Medically Induced Coma Amid Fears That Brain Function May Be ‘Compromised’
Written by Pam Wright
  • Doctors treating Joan Rivers have begun the process of bringing the legendary comedienne out of a medically-induced coma.

    According to the New York Daily News, the process was initiated by doctors on Saturday and will not be complete until sometime today.

    Doctors are reportedly concerned that complications arising from the routine throat procedure may have permanently affected Rivers’ brain functions, including those controlling motor skills.

    “The waking up process has begun and will take until Tuesday,” a source close to the family told the New York Daily News. “There is a 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.”

    Another source close to the family told the New York Daily News that the family is considering a lawsuit against Yorkville Endoscopy, where Rivers had a routine throat surgery last Thursday.

    “Shock and upset is turning to anger, and they are looking for someone to blame,” said the source. “The night before she was performing and now she is on life support. An 81 year-old should not have that procedure as an out-patient. Very ill-advised.”

    In the meantime, doctors and family members, including Rivers’ daughter, Melissa Rivers, wait to see the the outcome as the 81-year-old comedienne is brought completely out of the medically-induced coma.

    Melissa Rivers said the family remains hopeful on Sunday.

    “Thank you for your continued love and support,” said the younger Rivers in the statement. “We are keeping our fingers crossed.”

    The E! Fashion Police co-host was placed in the coma last week to allow her brain the time to heal following respiratory and cardiac arrest on Thursday. During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops beating, depriving the brain of oxygen. By inducing a coma, the brain is given rest as many of the normal functions of the brain are shut down so it has less work to do.

    Rivers has remained unconscious since she was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital and said to be “resting comfortably.”

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