I think a lot of families find it incredible to think about all that has happened in the world over the last 15 months. Our family is right there with you.
15 months ago, to today’s exact date, we were in a surgery prep room, trying to be patient while waiting for Keren’s new heart to arrive. It was a long day waiting for that heart…wondering when it would arrive, and if it would pass all the screening tests it had to go through.
If you’re reading this, you probably know how the surgery went. It was bad. Bad bad.
The average heart transplant does not require a blood transfusion…which is insane to me that they are *that* good at it. However, Keren had bleeding from an unknown location and ended up needing ~66 units of blood. Enough to fill up 6-8 people. Like, “all-the-way-to-the-top” full. And then they thought her kidneys might fail because of all the blood loss. And then they thought she had a stroke because of blood loss, and because she wouldn’t wake up.
…And then she woke up. And hopefully you also know there was a miraculous change in her situation and she became one of the fastest-to-be-discharged heart-recipients at OSU. For how bad-off she was, the doctors said they had never seen anything like it. Her progress was absolutely incredible.
And today we celebrated (again). We joined hundreds & maybe thousands of other organ donors and recipients at a park in OSU and planted pinwheels to acknowledge the enormous sacrifice made by those donors, and give appreciation for a renewed life.
We still do not know who Keren’s donor was, and we might not ever know. But we do know of a Loving God, who we believe has had his Mighty and Powerful Hand on this entire situation. And we thank God for it all.
So, cheers to Keren for a tremendous 15 months, filled with healing, growth, learning and new experiences. We are truly, entirely, and immensely thankful to our Loving God who took care of us, and for an amazing community of family & friends who were so generous in their love for us. We could not have done this without you all. Thank you.
This is purely a post to request prayer from our faith-filled friends, family, and loved ones…strangers are welcome to read this also!
14 years ago Keren was diagnosed with a genetic heart condition. It has progressively worsened over that time and now she is in need of a heart transplant. The testing and preparation to be added to the heart transplant list has taken us just shy of 1 year. She was finally officially accepted to the list less than a week ago.
…and we received a call informing us there is a heart for her last night. Not even a week on the list? What in the world? God is so so good to us.
These are the last-known pictures of my sweet Keren with her tired and overworked, but incredibly, insanely, remarkably, amazingly loving heart. That heart has been through a lot…and pulled her through some wildly tough times.
There were complications with the donor heart - the person sustained significant neurological trauma and was on life-support for some time, which means it might be initially weak. TMI warning: after the surgery, they will keep Keren asleep and on life-support for ~36-48 hrs in order to allow for the heart to more easily adapt and transition to the new home. During this time they will leave her chest wall completely open, with the heart exposed for visual monitoring. The heart will be covered in a medicated plastic, but literally open to see. How unreal is that? Answer: 100% unreal.
This is surreal.
The transplant should be complete in 4-6 hrs; barring complications she’ll be done by 1am on 1.13.25. She will be at OSU for ~10days and then must have someone with her 24/7 for 3 months. No driving for 3-4 months. No lifting >5# for 3-4 months. Lots (and lots, and lots) of appointments to look forward to.
Thank you to everyone for your prayers…for both keren and the family of the donor. We are aware and appreciative someone had to lose their life for Keren to regain hers. I firmly believe God has a plan and a purpose for Keren. And, side note, I believe God has a plan and purpose for YOU! I hope we are all using our time wisely and with Kingdom-focused purpose.
12.21.24 - It was an absolute pleasure to catch @a_killers_confession , @aaronnordstrom , @weareunderblacksky , & @silenthomeband last night at @thekingofclubs614 ! Some of the nicest guys you could meet - incredibly down-to-earth and hard-working performers.
.
Last show is 12.22 - if you managed to get a ticket to the sold-out Cleveland show, you are in for a treat!
.
Thank you to Julie, @waylon_r_reavis , & the @a_killers_confession crew for the merch and making me feel right at home 🤘🏽🥳🥰!
.
#chiropractic #tourlife #ohiopride #firstadjustments #chiropracticrocks #chiropracticlifestyle
Roc Doc Chiro x Hilltop chiro collab for Daughtry, Sleep Theory, and Devour the Day. Special shoutout to @khulapao for making it happen 🥹🤘🏽
•
What a great night with @hilltopchiro . Adding chiropractors, massage/stretch therapists and barbers/hair stylists all over the country. Almost two dozen people are associated with Roc Doc to help the music industry stay healthy, happy, and looking fresh as they tour. We’re so grateful to be able to come to these shows 🙏🏽
•
Proud of my boys in @sleeptheoryofficial for what they’ve accomplished this year, I was lucky enough to work with them six times. Many more times coming in 2025. Love you boys, see y’all next month! 💪🏽
•
#rocdoc #hilltop #chiropractic #chiropractor #stretch #therapy #daughtry #sleeptheory #devourtheday #metal #rock #music
Thanks to the fellas of @knockedloosehc (& @dr.meadows for the additional connection!) - super fun night watching the show and meeting the guys.
.
Slide 13, sorry about the swearing, but I think it’s important to document the moshing scene…and this scene was well-represented!
.
Slide 14, I had to take a close-up of that hand…it was sooo much bigger than it looked on the stage (slide 8/9)
.
Bonus meet ‘n greet with @kaineintheass of @surfacedhc - check them out when they hit Detroit on 12.28 & Columbus in early Jan. ‘25!
.
#chiropracticrocks #chiropractic #tourlife #lovinglife #lovingpeople
How could a person NOT celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary (9.28.02 🥰) with @alkaline_trio , @spanishlovesongs , & @slomosa ? Yeah, it’s basically impossible…especially when the show is on our day - it’s like they set it up FOR US! 26 years of listening to these awesome fellas rock out!
I’m waaaay behind in posts, but it was a blast to work with @sleepingwithsirens , Mr. Drew, & the entire crew in September! Yeah there was a little rain for 1-2 hours but we’re not witches so it didn’t hurt the mood one bit 🤘🏽
.
.
#sleepingwithsirens #kellinquin #mattybest #tonypizzuti #raydukerphotography #chiropracticrocks #chiropractic #touringcanbelesspainful #touringcanbemorefun
When I was 15 my dad took me to see @megadeth for my first real concert at Cobo Hall in Detroit. I would never in a million years imagine 29 years later I would be hanging out with FREAKING Megadeth & my son & nephew! All That Remains & Mudvayne opened for a rainy, but insanely awesome show. I cannot believe the fun and opportunities to love on people - the highlights of this chiropractic career just keep on coming 🙌🏼
P.S. Happy 71st birthday, pops - thanks for being such a great dad.
P.P.S. You just said peepee.
P.P.P.S. I wish my dad would have let me get an iphone in 1995 so I could have taken some pictures to compare. Thanks for nothing, dad.
P.P.P.P.S. J/K on the PPPS 😂 but not J/K on the peepee
