Jackson Free Press

The story has changed dramatically since former Mayor Dale Danks told the media that his client, Mayor Frank Melton, was fine and overheated when he fainted at a county swearing-in. Today, Danks told The Clarion-Ledger that Melton will remain in the hospital to have a cardioverter-defibrillator inserted into his heart on Wednesday, meaning that doctors must fear that Melton is in danger of going into cardiac arrest. Danks told the Ledger that he didn't expect it to take long for Melton to recover, that he would only be incapacitated for half a day and then "be back at work shortly thereafter."

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I pray that the surgery goes well and Melton recovers fully. I also pray that he will take better care of himself.

LatashaWillis

Jan 8 2008

Shouldn't the doctor be giving up these updates? The one I heard this morning on the news simply talked about the Mayor's stressful job contributing to his heart condition. Perhaps the Mayor will need to resign for his health like Mr. Allen. Then again maybe he'll join some othr lucrative venture.

BuyJxn

Jan 9 2008

Isn't a difibrulator the same thing as a "pacemaker" I think these are standard now in cases of chronic low blood pressure. But maybe I'm off base here.

Izzy

Jan 9 2008

The difference is that pacemakers are more often temporary and generally designed to consistently correct bradycardia, while AICDs are often permanent safeguards against sudden abnormalities. From this wiki article.

Ironghost

Jan 9 2008

JACKSON, Miss. -- Mayor Frank Melton named City Council President Dr. Leslie McLemore Acting Mayor of Jackson Wednesday Morning. Mayor Melton is in St. Dominic Hospital for surgery to implant a defibrilator in his heart. (this reported by WAPT on their web page) Yesterday it was rumored Robert Walker would run the city, now this ?

classy

Jan 9 2008

Surgery was supposed to start at 10:30 and last about an hour. Anyone heard anything? I may not personally like the man, but I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

Lady Havoc

Jan 9 2008

The surgery "isn't that bad" as what he's getting is a pacemaker under the skin of his chest, with it attached to pacemaker leads that are inserted into the heart. Its pretty close to an outpatient procedure and while I'm sure he'll be sore for a few days it shouldn't limit him drastically in his line of work, unless he's having lots of arrythmias and is getting shocked all the time.

GLewis

Jan 9 2008