Devon Nicholson a good friend of “Superstar” Billy Graham sent along note that he spoke to Graham on the phone from his hospital room at 3pm Phoenix time on January 19th and that Graham had a deep cough and his voice was much weaker than usual, however his attitude was very positive. Nicholson noted that Graham was taken to the Mayo Clinic on Thursday, January 17th due to problems with “shortness of breath, chest pain, not being alert and not being able to think straight” and at the time stated that he felt like he’d been shot in the chest and barely had enough energy to lift his head.

Nicholson went on to state that doctors diagnosed Graham with double pneumonia and pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart) and that Graham was put on oxygen and is fortunate to have some of the world’s best cardiologists, lung & liver specialists working on him as a team to co-ordinate his medication and that he is currently on 3 types of IV antibiotics as well as special diuretics to help get the fluid out of the heart cavity and feels that this is the right combination of medicine to help him “turn the corner”. Graham’s shortness of breath and appetite has improved and he has been getting a lof of rest and doctors are telling him that despite being recently diagnose with an electrical problem of the heart known as atrial fibrilation, his heart muscles are very strong.

Nicholson went on to note that Graham is aware of the fan support that he has been getting and has asked to be quoted in his response to the fans saying “Thank you for your concern, prayers and positive energy. I have the best fans in the world and never realized that they cared so much”.