| Falwell Hospitalized in Critical Condition
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
LYNCHBURG, Va — The Rev. Jerry Falwell was hospitalized in critical condition Tuesday, battling his second case of viral pneumonia in just five weeks, hospital and church officials said.
Falwell, 71, was admitted to Lynchburg General Hospital shortly before midnight Monday suffering from "respiratory arrest," the hospital said in a statement, meaning his breathing had slowed or stopped.
"His cardiac status is stable and there is no evidence of a heart attack," said hospital spokesman Tom Urtz, reading from a statement. "He is alert and responding to questions.
"Rev. Falwell is clinically stable, but is still critically ill," he said.
Ron Godwin, Falwell's executive assistant, said Falwell was "on a respirator and he's resting comfortably."
Doctors said they expected to have a clearer prognosis Wednesday.
Godwin told the News & Advance of Lynchburg that Falwell was driven to the hospital Monday night by his wife, Marcel.
"He lost consciousness just as they got to the hospital," Godwin said. "He slumped over as they were getting there." | |
