THE ENQUIRER has uncovered shocking secrets behind RANDY TRAVIS’ life-or-death health crisis – and only we can reveal the minute-by-minute drama that’s been unfolding inside his hospital room.
In a heart-wrenching revelation, sources tell The ENQUIRER that the country singer’s family fears he may be brain damaged after suffering from congestive heart failure and a near-fatal stroke that left him in a coma.
“The family is petrified that Randy may have permanent brain damage,” a source told The ENQUIRER. “They’re all praying for a miracle.”
Travis, 54, was admitted into the Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, in McKinney, Texas, on July 7 with a heart problem caused by a virus. Before being transferred to The Heart Hospital Baylor, doctors implanted a device into his heart to help blood flow. Three days later, he suffered a paralyzing stroke. Following emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, he was heavily sedated – however, his brain-wave readings dropped to virtually nothing, raising concern that he was close to being “brain dead.”
But just when docs were talking about the possibility of “pulling the plug,” Randy rallied. He opened his eyes and squeezed his fiancée Mary Beougher’s hand.
“It is very uncommon for a person to come around so quickly when brain-wave levels plummet,” said Dr. Alberto Espay, associate professor of neurology at the University of Cincinnati.
Although Travis remained in critical condition, his father, Harold Traywick, told The ENQUIRER: “He’s moving his feet and arms, they removed the pump and his heart is beating on its own. And when someone entered his room, he followed them with his eyes. This may not seem like a major thing, but it’s huge – it means his brain is active and aware.”
Still, only time will tell if he’ll be able to make a full recovery.
In another shocking revelation, sources tell The ENQUIRER that Travis had been abusing amphetamines before his medical crisis.
“Randy’s addiction to speed coupled with his boozing weakened his heart,” a source told The ENQUIRER. “He was drinking heavily and taking speed to help him get through his performances without passing out onstage.
“There were times when he went without sleep for days.”
The “Three Wooden Crosses” singer has scored more than a dozen hits on the country and gospel charts. But his personal life crashed following his divorce from Lib Hatcher, his wife of 19 years and his manager for more than three decades, after he was caught having an affair with Mary, his former dentist’s wife.
Over the past year, he’s had a series of embarrassing run-ins with the law, including arrests for DUI and being found naked in public.
“He didn’t drink or do drugs when we were together, and he was in good health,” Lib told The ENQUIRER in an exclusive interview. “Randy has always been a very good person. Of course I still love him – you don’t live with someone for 34 years and not have feelings for them. Now, he’s in a bad way. It’s not good.”