Melissa Rivers, the only child of Joan Rivers, has said in a statement that they are keeping their "fingers crossed." The 81-year-old comedienne continues to remain in medically induced coma and on life support, according to reports.

Joan Rivers, the U.S. T.V presenter and stand-up comic, suffered a cardiac arrest during a throat surgery at a clinic on Thursday, according to reports. She was rushed to Mt Sinai Hospital, Manhattan. At the clinic, Joan Rivers was reportedly undergoing a procedure to fix her vocal cord when she stopped breathing.

In a statement, released on Sunday by Mt Sinai Hospital, Melissa Rivers has said, "Thank you for your continued love and support. We are keeping our fingers crossed." The hospital, however, did not provide any update on the acerbic comedienne's condition.

In a statement released on Friday, Melissa Rivers, 46, said: "Her [Joan Rivers] 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."

A day before her throat surgery, on Wednesday night, Joan Rivers was at an employee event at Time Inc, New York. The octogenarian appeared healthy at the event. Shira Blum, an online project manager, said to AFP that Joan Rivers appeared healthy, "practically jogging when she walked in to take her seat. She was very energetic, hilarious, funny. And it was such a shock, a surprise to hear the news this morning."

Meanwhile, New York Daily News has reported that Melissa continues to be "in denial" about her mother's condition. The actress is finding it difficult to accept that a "world might exist without her mother in it." The family may have to take a decision soon about turning off the life support machines.

Celebrities have taken to Twitter to post their prayers and get-well wishes for Joan Rivers.