Cumberland back to work after heart procedure

The best of times turned into the worst of times on Oct. 8 for Kevin Cumberland and his family.

Cumberland, who represents District 2 on the Neshoba County Board of Supervisors, had escorted his daughter Anna during homecoming ceremonies at Neshoba Central High School. Anna was crowned homing queen that night.

After the football game, Cumberland was with his family and friends at a local restaurant when he went into distress with what appeared at the time to be a heart attack.

Fortunately, Cumberland was sharing dinner with a doctor and nurse who revived him with CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) that was at the restaurant. He was rushed to Jeff Anderson Regional Hospital in Meridian where he stayed in ICU for two days.

“I just thought I was going to pass out,” Cumberland said. “That was it until I woke up in the hospital in Meridian.

“They did an emergency heart catheterization on me in Meridian and determined that I did not have a heart attack. I had all of the classic signs of a heart attack but it was V Tach (Ventricular Tachycardia) arrest.”

The doctors decided to put a defibrillator in Cumberland. Defibrillators are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, a heartbeat that is uneven or that is too slow or too fast. Defibrillators can also restore the heart's beating if the heart suddenly stops.

“The doctor said the defibrillator may never have to work,” Cumberland said. “This may not every happen again. More than likely, it will not happen again. It was just one of those things that happens.”

He added that he feels better every day.

“I’m really good,” Cumberland said. “Everyday, I seem to be getting better and better. I know people have been praying for me because I can feel it.”

Cumberland left the hospital on Wednesday, the day he had the defibrillator procedure. The following Monday, he was in his place at the supervisors meeting.

“I went back to work,” Cumberland said. “I couldn’t drive for two weeks. That was really my only limitation. At the end of the day, I’m thankful.”