But there are no such specialists near him. Three times since 1997, attacks have sent Damron to the brink of death. Each time, emergency room doctors at Pikeville Methodist Hospital managed to stabilize his heartbeat enough so that he could be rushed 120 miles to Lexington for treatment at the University of Kentucky. Doctors shocked him back to life. This time, doctors implanted a new, improved device to control his heartbeat more closely.
Doctors are unsure what caused the problem.
Damron has had a weight problem, but never smoked. Now, he's hoping the new device will prevent any more ambulance trips to Lexington. All content 1999 Kentucky Connect and the Lexington Herald-Leader and may not be republished without permission. All rights reserved.