The life of country music star Randy Travis still hangs by a thread. Despite a few encouraging signs, the 54-year-old is still in critical condition amid family fears of permanent brain damage.
Travis’ medical crisis began on July 7th when he was admitted to Baylor Medical Center in McKinney, Texas, outside of Dallas. Initially, it appeared he was suffering from cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. He was transferred the next day to the Heart Hospital at Baylor 30 miles away in Plano for more specialized care.
Doctors say his illness is recently acquired viral cardiomyopathy. While cardiomyopathy is more common in adults over 50 and commonly caused by diabetes or high blood pressure, genetics can also play a part. Family members have stated that heart problems run in the family. Travis’ mother died due to heart problems and a brother had a heart attack last year. Doctors have said that Travis’ heart was already in a weakened state, and that the viral infection apparently made the condition worse. The virus attacks the muscles of the heart resulting in a slowing of heart beats.
Whether the weakened state of his heart is a result of heredity or from recent reported abuses of alcohol and speed cannot be determined. He did undergo a procedure to implant a pump to aid his heart before being transferred between medical facilities. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter Travis suffered a stroke and had to have surgery to relieve pressure that was building up on his brain.
Of concern, now, is that there may have been brain damage. Yet, Travis continues to surprise doctors with his fighting spirit, waking at one point to squeeze the hand of his fiancée Mary Davis (previously Beougher). Despite the controversy surrounding her role in Travis’ life, Mary is standing by her man through this crisis. While still in critical condition and using a ventilator, Travis is off a heart pump and his father stated he is moving limbs and showing response to visitors, all encouraging signs.
Doctors are saying that he will need months to recover from the stroke, but that it appears swelling in his brain is subsiding. Close family and friends have been thankful for messages of love and support from his fans and are hopeful about the future.