Melissa Rivers Could Face Life-Or-Death Decision: Comedianne Still Remains In Medically Induced Coma

[big_dog]

Distraught daughter Melissa Rivers could face a life-or-death decision on her comatose mom Joan depending on what doctors find, a close friend told the Daily News. Melissa, who flew in Thursday from California with son Cooper, was expected to hear from doctors at The Mount Sinai Hospital about her mother’s prognosis one day after the comic nearly died.

Joan Rivers’ only child was an emotional wreck Friday while awaiting the medical update on the ground-breaking comedienne who remained in a medically-induced coma, another source indicated.
Emmy winner Joan Rivers “would never want to be a burden on anyone,” a close friend told the Daily News. “If she can’t recover and live a full and active life, she would rather be gone.

“The thought of her sitting at home unable to look after herself or suffering brain damage is heartbreaking.”
Rivers, 81, was placed in the coma Thursday after going into cardiac and respiratory arrest during a routine doctor’s visit.
Doctors are unsure how long Rivers went without breathing, and are still trying to assess how her sudden collapse might affect the caustic comedienne and fashion critic.
Rivers' business partners at QVC and E! Entertainment Television were also anxiously awaiting an update, the source said. But there was no word as to when Joan Rivers might be brought out of the coma or what the next step in her recovery could be.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/joan-rivers-daughter-melissa-distraught-source-article-1.1921362

[randys1]

1. I almost wish I hadnt learned recently about what a rightwinger she had become

I had thought the opposite of her.

Regardless of that, she is a powerful WOMAN who is very successful in a male dominated, highly misogynist country and has accomplished a great deal.

[randys1]

4. IDK, but Joan was one hell of a Woman...

Why she turned to the right at the end I dont know...

[big_dog]

19. Johnny Carson's ignoring her for many years is probably what did it

he never talked to her again after the 'snub'

[WinkyDink]

29. Try "Israel and the Left." Just a thought.

[niyad]

6. I was saddened to learn how reichwing she had become--I remember her as being a true trailblazer

in a very sexist field.

[big_dog]

20. Americans have shirt memories phyllis diller

Joan & phyllis diller were the queens of comedy before there was a lisa lampenielli

[Journeyman]

2. I hope Joan has a living will and has relieved her daughter's pain somewhat . . .

Gotta do that, both to protect yourself and ease the pain of those who love you.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. yes, advance directives, DNRs, all that. Yes.

[Warpy]

26. I found some typewritten instructions in my folks' belongings after they were both gone

They'd typed the list up in the 60s, long before there were living wills and I suppose they'd simply forgotten about it.

I made my mother DNR and when my dad said he was tired and just wanted to go, I called in staff so he could make himself DNR. Letting go was the toughest thing I've ever done but chest compressions on either of them would have been like jumping on a strawberry box.

Finding those instructions which I had carried out to the letter really did make me feel a bit better.

[hifiguy]

39. Downthread I address the necessity of getting this stuff in writing ahead of time

and how to best do it. It is crucial.

[niyad]

5. could someone explain these two sentences together to me:

Rivers, 81, was placed in the coma Thursday after going into cardiac and respiratory arrest during a routine doctor’s visit.

Doctors are unsure how long Rivers went without breathing, and are still trying to assess how her sudden collapse might affect the caustic comedienne and fashion critic.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/joan-rivers-daughter-melissa-distraught-source-article-1.1921362#ixzz3BpFjGCy5

she went into cardiac arrest during a visit to her dr, and nobody knows how long she wasn't breathing? what am I missing here??????

[Tuesday Afternoon]

8. that doesn't add up, does it. odd.

[niyad]

10. it certainly makes no sense to me.

[nolabear]

11. I hadn't thought about that but it does sound odd.

Boy if there's negligence there they'd better hold onto their hair. I'll bet NOBODY can sue you like Joan and/or Melissa.

[Journeyman]

16. I wonder if she was put in an exam room and was waiting for the doctor when the attack hit . . .

the doctor immediately initiated treatment, but the duration between attack and discovery could be considerable.

[niyad]

17. that crossed my mind, but how likely do you think it is that a celeb would be kept waiting like the

rest of us?

[Warpy]

27. They use induced coma to reduce swelling in the brain and workload on the heart.

If there is still activity on an EEG, they really won't know what they've got until they lighten the meds and she wakes up. Or not.

Rivers had a long career as a very funny lady. For the laughs, I thank her and wish her a peaceful death when it happens.

I have no idea why she turned right wing. Some people just get sour and self absorbed as they age and she might be one of them.

[WinkyDink]

30. Which group, politically, supports Israel today? (Hint: See: DU.)

[LiberalEsto]

28. She was actually having surgery at a clinic

and went into cardiac arrest during the procedure, so they rushed her to the hospital.

[niyad]

41. if she was having a procedure, how in the HELL could they not know how long she was

not breathing?

[LiberalEsto]

42. I sense a potential lawsuit in this

if someone screwed up at the clinic.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. I know that she made disparaging remarks about Michelle Obama,

and I'm not sure where that came from. Maybe she hung out with Donald Trump too long and his racism rubbed off on her. I'm very disappointed, as I really like her and thought she was so funny.

I hope she pulls through.

[big_dog]

12. too many nights playing Indian Casinos in Wisconsin, had to play to her wingnut audience

no offense to native americans or midwesteners intended

[LyndaG]

25. In fairness, she made many a Palin joke, too.

Hope she recovers.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

36. I don't give a shit about Palin. This First Lady has been attacked since Day #1

And never did anything to anyone! She's didn't and doesn't deserve to be attacked mercilessly!

[nolabear]

13. Lady gets on my last nerve but like a cranky, smart old auntie I'd miss her.

Bet she'd knowing I called her an old auntie.

[Iron Man]

14. Why is this news?

[big_dog]

15. she was the first female host of the tonight show

and Johnny's #1 pick to take the show until the went to Fox and didn't bother to tell him in advance

[WinkyDink]

31. You must be very young.

[trumad]

38. Really?

A woman who broke through gender barriers and you ask why it's news.

[Cooley Hurd]

18. It's the family's decision..

..and with that statement, everyone should fuck the fuck off. Been there personally.

[Beaverhausen]

21. Well said

Last edited Sat Aug 30, 2014, 03:20 AM - Edit history (1)

Sadly many of us have to make this decision.

[Xolodno]

33. +1

Been there...for my Father.

Second time, the Hospital tried to get me to make the decision over the phone for my Mother in law in another state, as they couldn't get a hold of anyone else. Told them no as my father in law was on his way...even though they were separated.

[Captain Stern]

23. I give you an 'F' on presentation, but an 'A' on content.

Regardless of what we think about Joan Rivers (past or present), this just plain sucks for her family. They've got some hard decisions to make.

I don't mean to preach...but just a reminder.....have your DNR orders, Power of Attorney Documents, and Living Wills in order. Doing that, will save your loved ones a lot of grief.

[Cooley Hurd]

32. My presentation had a few F's in it...

...on purpose.

[DesertFlower]

24. i agree.

[hedgehog]

22. What kind of "close friend" runs to the Daily News with this info?

Prayers to the family going through a very tough time.

[840high]

34. A tough lady. I wish her well.

[Are_grits_groceries]

35. My Mama, my brother, and I

had to go through this decision about my Daddy. He had left no instructions, but luckily all 3 of us agreed so there was no drama in that regard.

I don't care about her politics at this point. I wish her daughter all the strength and wisdom to make this decision. I also wish her peace no matter what she decides. In addition, I hope she will forgive herself because no matter how much info you have or what you decide, there is some guilt that usually creeps in. It is a crushing question that you have to answer.

[hifiguy]

37. It is so important to have plans in place for such a contingency.

When my mother was in her early 80s she called the local bar association, which referred her to an elder law attorney who drew up her last wishes - no machines, no feeding tube, etc - for a nominal fee. She had told me all of this before and I encouraged her to get it in writing; I guess she listened because I am a lawyer myself.

It became a moot point when she slept away at 86, but she was terribly worried about being kept alive artificially against her wishes.

People, get this stuff done. There is always an attorney you can contact through a local bar association to make sure that an older relative's end-of-life wishes are recorded and will have binding effect. It needn't cost much money at all, many lawyers will do this for a minimal fee.

[Tikki]

40. I wish Melissa and family peace in finding the correct decision.

Surgery is always a bit frightening...


Tikki

[ChisolmTrailDem]

43. I had to make that decision about my mother last October, rest her soul. nt