American singer's doctors advised his wife remove him from life support — but her decision changed everything

The last thing we want to hear when a loved one is ill is that they are not going to make it. It takes every ounce of strength to hold on to hope with them through recovery. Similarly, Randy Travis, an American country and gospel singer, was on his deathbed in 2013 following a stroke, per USA Today. When his wife, Mary Davis, heard the devastating words that he might not make it from the doctors, she held on to every last bit of hope she had. When it seemed like nothing worked, his wife held on and, through her resilience, came life-changing news. 

In a glimpse of an interview shared by the singer recently on Instagram, it was revealed that Travis’ “nearly fatal” stroke temporarily took away his ability to speak and sing. However, over the years, he has progressed in his recovery, getting stronger to perform music and tours to share music and love with his fans. It wouldn’t have been possible if, over a decade ago, Davis had taken the advice of doctors and taken her husband off life support. In 2013, Travis complained of congestion and was taken to the emergency room. When medics found fluid in his lungs, he had to be hospitalized. 

During that time, he also suffered a stroke, which wreaked havoc on his body and ruined his health completely. His condition had worsened to a point where doctors told his wife that he only had a “1 to 2% survival rate.” The situation felt like they were “hitting a brick wall at 100 miles per hour,” Davis noted. “At this point, the 1 to 2% chance is a 100% chance over zero. I prayed hard, ‘God, please let me have him back, any way, shape or form,’” she recounted. In that moment, when she had to make a life-changing decision, Travis gave her a sign, per TODAY.

“Even in his semi-coma state, he squeezed my hand. He lay there and I saw this tear just fall. And it was one, two at a time. And I just went back to the doctors and I said, 'We’re fighting this,’” Davis recalled. A prayer turned into a miracle and Travis began to show signs of consciousness. He was still critical, but hope was making its way. In a video release, Michael Mack, a cardiac surgeon and the medical director of cardiovascular disease at Baylor Health Care System in Dallas, shared an update on his health, per NBC News.

It was revealed that Travis had “awakened” post-surgery and needed the ventilator and that they hoped to see further progress gradually. Davis was delighted at the turn of events and at the fact that she didn’t give up. “I know that those are prayers that have helped mend his heart along with the skilled hands of the physicians, doctors and nurses here. 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,” she gratefully said. Ever since, Travis has made spectacular progress, even making a few public appearances and doing what he loves.