State lawmaker Tiffany in hospital

Erin Neff

Wednesday, March 6, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

State Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany remains in intensive care today in a California hospital following complications from an emergency surgery to remove a kidney stone.

Tiffany suffered from a severe reaction to the surgery and was bleeding internally, said her close friend and fellow lawmaker, Barbara Cegavske, who arrived at the hospital last night.

Tiffany was put on a respirator but is now breathing on her own although, Cegavske said this morning. Tiffany remains in an unconscious state requiring assistance from medical apparatus.

"There was an infection, some type of infection that unbeknownst to her had escalated," Cegavske said.

Speaking for Tiffany's family, Cegavske said Tiffany was given experimental medication and a specialist was expected to consult with the family this morning. Her prognosis is unclear.

"It was very touch and go all night," Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, said this morning.

Tiffany, R-Henderson, was flying to Sacramento when she suffered severe pains aboard a plane. She was taken off in Burbank and taken to Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center where she underwent emergency kidney stone surgery.

Tiffany, 52, who is running for state Senate, was traveling to Sacramento on Monday on business. When her plane made a scheduled stop in Burbank, she was taken off the plane and transported by ambulance to Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Hospital officials confirmed only that Tiffany was a patient in the intensive care unit, at the family's request.

Initially medical staff thought she had kidney stones and performed emergency surgery. However, Cegavske said, Tiffany did not respond well to the surgery, suffering severe shaking and internal bleeding.

Just prior to leaving Las Vegas to keep vigil at Tiffany's side, Cegavske was in tears believing her friend would not make it through the night.

Tiffany was also joined at the hospital by her adult daughter Courtney, her sister and her parents, and is the subject of widespread concern and prayer throughout the Las Vegas Valley political scene.

On Tuesday night the Henderson City Council held a moment of silence for Tiffany at the start of its meeting. Mayor Jim Gibson asked everyone to include Tiffany in their prayers.

A 5-term assemblywoman, who in 1995 served as co-speaker pro tem, Tiffany is known for her spunk and her healthy lifestyle -- both of which Cegavske said helped keep her alive through a difficult night.

"She's a fighter so we're all praying," Cegavske said.