Melissa Rivers and her family have a difficult decision to make in the coming days.
Her mother and legendary comedienne Joan Rivers remains in a medical-induced coma and "completely reliant" on the life-support, according to TMZ. The family is waiting a few more days before they decide whether to turn off the machines and see if Joan will fight to stay alive.
Melissa released a statement on Sunday saying, "We are keeping our fingers crossed," according to USA Today.
Joan went in for a simple throat operation that has left her on life support. (WENN)
"The family remains hopeful that if they do decide to turn off the machines, she will make a turn for the better and fight through it," sources told TMZ.
That decision won't come easy for daughter Melissa, who is "in denial" about living in a world without her mother. The two finished the fourth season of their reality show Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? in May.
"She still thinks everything is going to be OK. She is refusing to admit that a world might exist without her mother in it," a source close to the Rivers family to the New York Daily News.
"Others that are close to Joan are starting to realize that the outcome they want is very unlikely."
Melissa and her son Cooper wished Joan a happy birthday in June with this family photo. (Instagram/@mel_rivers)
Melissa gave a hopeful statement on Friday from Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City where her mother was admitted on Thursday morning. At the time, she was in serious but stable condition.
"My mother would be so touched by the tributes and prayers that we have received from around the world. Her condition remains serious but she is receiving the best treatment and care possible. We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts as we pray for her recovery," she said.
Joan had undergone a routine throat procedure when she stopped breathing. Doctors at Mount Sinai placed the 81-year-old in a medically induced coma after going into cardiac and respiratory arrest.
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