Country singer Drake White opens up to The Doctors about his unexpected brain condition that upended his career and created a health nightmare for the rising star.
He explains his health issue started with a headache that lasted for hours, followed by numbness on the left side of his body. A hospital visit then led to an MRI and CAT scan, where a mass was discovered in his head. Doctors determined it was arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. The initial treatment doctors suggested was not successful and the singer began experiencing severe headaches and numbness again while he was touring.
Watch: Drake White’s Life-Changing Brain Condition That Has Taken Him Off the Road
"[It was] the worst pain I'd ever been in," Drake said, explaining he thought he was going to die. His wife Alex says Drake was bleeding in the brain and he was admitted to the hospital. His pain was eventually treated, but he was left with the left side of his body temporarily paralyzed and he was unsure when and if the movement would come back.
Drake is happy to share with The Doctors he is healing and working hard to recuperate. He has regained movement in his left hand, is able to play guitar again. He is currently undergoing physical therapy 3 times a week.
"I think about me back on stage, those thoughts are what is healing me," Drake says. He explains that despite his health hurdles, he never stopped making music. "It kind of is a healing agent of its own. I just continued to push through and make sure I was writing as I was going through this process. It made me feel good and made me feel like my purpose was still there," he tells The Doctors.
Watch: Child with Moyamoya Disease Now Thriving after Brain Surgery
Drake's doctor, neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Mericle, details the embolization treatment he has been using to treat Drake's AVM and says surgery could be a possibility in the future.
Looking ahead, Drake says one of his most important goals is to get back on stage and perform. "My health and my vitality is my first priority, but to get back to my fans, and to my music, is a priority."
The Doctors wish Drake continued success with his health and look forward to him performing on our stage.
