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Friday, November 23, 2007
Mitchell-Leon shows signs of improvement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Well, there is good news on the condition of Carol Mitchell-Leon, the beloved Atlanta actress who recently suffered a heart attack during surgery.
“She is up and breathing on her own,” says Dee Bell, writing on the Internet CarePage established by Mitchell-Leon’s friends.
“The official update is that she is stable on her own.”
“We are very optimistic at this time,” family friend Andrea Frye said in an interview Friday morning.
Mitchell-Leon had previously been on life support. According to several sources in the Atlanta theater community, she suffered a heart attack during a surgical procedure, and doctors were concerned about her level of brain activity.
“She is moving her limbs and when I came in the room this morning she recognized me and whispered, ‘Deee, Deee,” says Bell.
The news of Mitchell-Leon’s improvement was posted on the site on Thanksgiving afternoon, and by this morning, well-wishers were chiming in about miracles and answered prayers.
“We were very worried that her condition was grave,” Frye said. “But then there was a massive prayer effort. And I do mean massive. …
“If there’s anything that has had an effect, it’s the power of those prayers. The doctors themselves say they haven’t done anything.”
Frye stressed Mitchell-Leon’s insistence on privacy. She said the hospital had been flooded with visitors, but at Mitchell-Leon’s request, guests are not allowed to see her.
The outpouring of love and support for Mitchell-Leon — on this blog and on the actress’ CarePage — has been remarkable.
Students of the Clark Atlanta University professor have written lovely tributes from as far away as Chicago, Houston and Hong Kong — calling her Mama, Mama C and Mama Leon. Moving, joyful testimonials about the lives she has touched.
Those messages are read to her daily.
Here’s a nice selection of photos from her career.
