Etta James Using Breathing Machine in California Hospital
Legendary singer Etta James currently sits in a Los Angeles hospital, using a breathing machine to keep her conscious.
The 73-year-old 'At Last' songstress, who made headlines Dec. 16 when news broke that her leukemia diagnosis was incurable, was taken to a care center near her home in Riverside, Calif., last week according to her manager, Lupe De-Leon. James had been struggling to breathe, according to Reuters.
"They took her to the hospital," De-Leo revealed. "She was having trouble breathing, so they intubated her. She is on a breathing machine and is resting."
Besides her leukemia battle, the embattled entertainer had a past heroine addiction she recovered from and also suffers from kidney disease and dementia.
James' song, Donto James, said that a Christmas celebration was being held in her hospital room since she was not physically able to spend the holidays at home.
Donto James is currently involved in a legal dispute with Etta James' husband, Artis Mills, over control and care of the sick singer's $1 million estate. As it stands now, Mills is a conservator of James' estate. He requested $500,000 for James' medical costs, however, a Riverside County superior judge only released $350,000 to him on Monday (Dec. 19).
Watch 'Etta James Terminally Ill'