Etta James recovering

After a few days of touch and go, it looks like Etta James' condition may be improving.

Lupe De Leon, James' friend and manager, said on Friday that she had been taken off of the respirator and was once again breathing on her own. James was hospitalized a week ago after suffering breathing difficulties which were attributed to another bout with sepsis. The blues great is suffering from terminal leukemia, dementia and ongoing kidney problems.

De Leon said in a statement "The hospital is preparing Etta for release from ICU to a step down unit. She is stable and breathing on her own. Her blood pressure is normal."