Joan Rivers is reportedly on her way towards recovery after being hospitalized for five days. The 81-year-old comedienne was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York on Thursday, Aug. 28 after she stopped breathing during a routine throat procedure at a NYC clinic. She was immediately taken to the hospital where doctors placed her under a medically-induced coma.
On Tuesday, Sept. 2, a source told E! News that the comedienne's health was slowly starting to improve.
"It's a slow process, but she's on the road to recovery," the source said. "She's getting better. Don't believe all this ridiculous speculation."
Over the weekend, TMZ reported that Rivers had been placed on life support and needed the machines to stay alive. Shortly after Rivers' hospitalization, her daughter Melissa, and grandson Cooper, flew from California to be by her side.
"She is a rock," a source told E! referring to Melissa. "All these reports about doomsday are not true. She is her mother's daughter and she's tough as nails. She's the person keeping everyone together."
"She's focused on one thing: Her mother's health," the source added.
Even though her health is said to be improving, Rivers is still in serious condition. According to reports, on Sunday doctors started to lift Rivers out of her coma so they could begin to assess the severity of her condition. She is expected to be fully lifted from her coma on Tuesday.
"We are keeping our fingers crossed," Melissa said in a statement.
According to the New York Daily News, a taping for "Fashion Police" was supposed to happen this week in NYC - in conjunction with Fashion Week - but it's been cancelled. Rivers cohosted the show along with Kelly Osbourne, Giuliana Rancic and George Kotsiopoulos.
UPDATE: Melissa Rivers released a statement Tuesday afternoon and said her mother remains on life support.
"On behalf of my mother and our family, we are extremely grateful for all the love and support we've received. At this time she does remain on life support. I know my mother would be overwhelmed by the continued outpouring of kindness and I want to thank everyone for keeping us in their prayers."
