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Etta James Taken Off Respirator

The singer’s condition has improved, say doctors.

It’s a Christmas miracle for Etta James. The legendary singer has been taken off a respirator and is breathing on her own, her manager, Lupe de Leon, confirms. He also told the Associated Press on Friday that the 73-year-old’s blood pressure has stabilized.

James was diagnosed with terminal leukemia and suffering from dementia, and was put on the respirator after being admitted to a Southern California hospital December 21 due to breathing difficulty. Her cancer was declared incurable three weeks ago.

Leon, James’s manager and longtime friend, said at the time of her hospitalization that she was in “pretty bad shape.”

Hopefully the improvement in her condition means James will be able to return to her home...at last.

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