Things might finally be looking up for “America’s Mayor,” Rudy Giuliani, as he claws his way back to health after a dire bout with a nasty case of pneumonia that left him looking like he might day, with his priest even reading him his last rites as it looked like the disease might take him. Now, the 81-year-old appears to be getting better.
Such is what his doctor, Dr. Maria Ryan, told Fox News Channel during a segment in which she spoke about the mayor’s health battle and recovery from being on the brink of death. Her commentary came as the former mayor was reportedly taken off the ventilator and able to breathe on his own.
Speaking about former Mayor Giuliani and his battle for life, Dr. Ryan said, “He’s a fighter.” Continuing, she commented on how his recovery seems like a miracle, given how close he was to passing away. She said, “The way he was yesterday in such a critical condition, he did have a priest come anoint him and all the prayers from around — it’s like a miracle.”
Further, Dr. Ryan, who was speaking to Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl for the segment, explained that Giuliani started to feel ill as he returned from a trip to Paris. His health then rapidly started deteriorating, and he had to be hospitalized and put on a ventilator. Even that seemed not to help, and the priest was called to his hospital bedside as his condition turned critical.
Things began to improve from there, however. Dr. Ryan noted that the recovery of the mayor, which was like a “miracle,” means that he will likely make a full recovery. She also joked, in the context of his escape from what seemed like certain death, “This guy’s got 9 lives, today he’s doing much better.”
Watch her here:
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Rudy’s son, Andrew Giuliani, commented on his father’s health as well. He said in a statement released on Tuesday that his father had managed to regain consciousness and get off of the ventilator, saying, “Good news update: Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown my Dad over the past few days.”
Further reinforcing the point about Rudy’s recovery being seemingly miraculous, given how close he was to death, Andrew said, “Just yesterday he was in critical condition, so I’m incredibly grateful to share that he is now conscious, off the ventilator, and even cracking jokes.”
Also commenting on Rudy’s health was Ted Goodman, who explained how Rudy’s brave race into action on 9/11, during which he ran toward the towers as the mayor to help those in need, “led to a diagnosis of a restrictive airway disease.” Goodman added, “Mayor Giuliani is the ultimate fighter. This is something he’s demonstrated time and time again throughout his life, and he’s going to win this fight.”
Continuing, Goodman said, “His family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support. The mayor believes in the power of prayer, and we’re feeling that. We’re feeling it today. He remains in critical but stable condition. Stay tuned for additional updates, as we can provide them, and please keep the mayor in your prayers. They are helping in a big way, and we feel it. God bless America and God bless America’s mayor. Rudy Giuliani.”