Singer Randy Travis is reportedly responsive following a life-saving surgery to relieve pressure on his brain following a stroke.
E! News reports that the Storms of Lightning singer has awakened. Though he remains on a ventilator, his heart is pumping without the aid of a machine. Travis is, however, on intravenous medication for his heart.
"We performed a biopsy of his heart muscle and it shows scar tissue. It does not show active infection," surgeon Michael Mack said. "From the appearance on echocardiograms, which are images of his heart, this is not the appearance of either drugs or alcohol causing the heart condition."
Travis’ doctors have identified the heart condition in question as idiopathic cardiomyopathy, a condition marked by scarring of the heart muscle that causes difficulty for the heart to pump.
Dr. Mack, medical director of cardiovascular disease at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, says that he plans to decrease the dose of the heart medications daily, hoping to get Travis on oral medication he can use for the remainder of his life.
"In terms of his stroke, he has responded well to the surgical procedure he had to relieve the pressure in his brain,” Dr. Gary Erwin, an intensivist at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, added about Travis’ prognosis. “We're seeing improvements in brain scans showing decreased swelling of his brain. He is awake and alert interacting with his family and friends and beginning to start doing some early physical therapy."
The Los Angeles Times reports that Erwin confirmed that the 54-year-old country crooner is “awake and alert,” following the procedure. Though Erwin says he will need “aggressive physical therapy,” he is pleased to see Travis is already “interacting with his family and friends.”
Fiancé Mary Davis also spoke about Travis’ condition, and followed her comments by giving thanks to those who have wished him well.
Travis "feels the hands of the doctors and the care of the nurses and the love of his fans," Davis said. "His friends and family have all been touched by that. He is responding well to voices and he sees and he understands. He’s miles beyond where any of us thought he would be a few days ago."
Hear Dr. Mack, Dr. Erwin, and Ms. Davis' commentary in the video below:
Image: NBC