Mob Wives Star Angela 'Big Ang' Still Alive and 'Fighting' Despite False Reports, Rep Says

Angela "Big Ang" Raiola is alive despite a rumor that she died of cancer. "The news that has been reported is TOTALLY INACCURATE," her rep tweeted in a statement late Wednesday. "Please respect her family, and their privacy at this time. ... Angela is still in the hospital surrounded by her loved ones, and is fighting.

" a lifelong smoker, Raiola, 55, beat throat cancer last year only to learn this winter that the disease had spread to her brain and lungs – and that despite chemotherapy, her tumors were growing in size. During an appearance on The Dr. Oz Show on Tuesday, the fan-favorite reality star revealed doctors had given her a 30 percent chance of survival.

"It's shocking what happened," she said. "First I thought I was cancer-free. I was gonna have a big celebration … and then a month later I was stage 4.

" Model Carmen Carrera, who appeared alongside Raiola on Couple's Therapy, also disputed the false reports of her friend's passing, speaking to PEOPLE to encourage Twitter to "pray for a miracle instead of gossiping."

Carrera says she has been receiving minute-by- minute updates of Raiola though her estranged husband Neil Murphy. "She's still breathing. She's off the breathing machine because of her ammonia. The doctor is only giving her a few hours," Carrera tells PEOPLE. "She was so close to all of us. We are so sad right now."