Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter was rushed to the emergency room on Thursday night after experiencing a "serious coughing attack" and having "shooting pains in his back," his daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, wrote on a private family website Friday.
Carter had blood drawn and underwent X-rays and a CT scan on his chest and back, which revealed that he had come down with a case of bronchitis. Carter left the hospital early Friday morning and returned home to rest.
According to Bloemers, there was speculation that Carter might have blood clotting or pneumonia. But those fears were eased when the results showed that he had something less substantial.
"What a huge praise that it is not as serious as it could have been," Bloemers wrote. "However because of dad's condition, a chest cold can drain dad's energy more. The sweet nurse said that everything looked great, which was a relief."
Carter, who is in a battle with Stage 4 brain cancer, underwent his second Avastin treatment on Friday, Bloemers wrote. According to the drug's website, Avastin's purpose is to prevent the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors.
Carter is also in the process of undergoing 6½ weeks of radiation treatment and a year of chemotherapy.
"It was a bummer that dad had to get poked again for the Avastin treatment," Bloemers wrote. "No fun but we know it is important!"
Carter began to experience symptoms of a chest cold on Wednesday. He was about to begin walking with his wife, but started coughing, which prompted the trip to the ER.
"It has not been easy to see my dad go through tough times," Bloemers wrote. "He is one of the most independent, fun-loving people I have ever known. He has always taken care of the family! Throughout these four weeks, dad mentions how he doesn't want to be an inconvenience to anyone. Even if he is having a hard day, he 'checks in' with each family member to make sure everyone is doing okay. His heart is good... so loving and so caring. Did I mention how proud I am to be his daughter?? :)
"Each one of us are proud of dad. He is a good man with a great heart."
During Friday's game against the Angels, the Mets placed a huge get-well card for Carter in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field so fans can sign it before it is sent to the Hall of Fame catcher.
Carter began his cancer treatment at the beginning of June. The 57-year-old had just completed his second season as Palm Beach Atlantic University's baseball coach, when he announced that an MRI taken on May 21 had revealed four small tumors on his brain.
Carter, who was a vital cog on the New York Mets 1986 World Series championship team, was inducted into Cooperstown in 2003. He retired in 1992 with the Montreal Expos, finishing his 19-year career with a .262 batting average, 324 home runs and 1,225 RBIs. He also played in 11 All-Star games.
Mike Mazzeo is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.