Brian Kruse

Brian is a husband of 34 years to Kim,  father to 3  (Andrea, Augie, Audrey), Grandpa "papa" to 2, son, and brother to 3. He enjoys farming, with over 40 head of cattle. Many years he spent on the baseball field, both as a player and coach, and is one of the biggest New York Yankee fans. 


On Friday, November 29th, Brian was at home with Kim sitting in the living room. They had  just gotten home from thanksgiving with the Kruse family and their grandkids had just left to travel back to Indy. They were up late watching the news, and Kim was in the middle of having a conversation with him when he became unresponsive. Immediately Kim called 911 and started CPR. She continued CPR until the EMS arrived (which saved him). The paramedics had to shock his heart 7 times to find a pulse again. They rushed him to Lutheran Hospital in which they were able to intubate him and transfer him to ICU. 


In ICU they used a device called an Arctic Sun which lowered his body temperature to a state that allowed his organs and body to rest to help preserve his heart and brain. After being on the Arctic Sun for over 24 hours they rewarmed his body and  lowered his sedation. Around 2 am Monday morning, they noticed he was starting  to move around, and he opened his eyes! Praise God! It felt like the biggest miracle! The extended period of time without a pulse on Friday evening had physicians worried that brain function would not be normal, but that is not an issue!


After waking up, they were able to run tests and determined he has fluid in his lungs, and elevated kidney levels on top of the other concerns with his brain and heart. 
The results of the heart testing that has been done indicate that Brian has electrical issues with this heart and not artery blockage. The team of doctors and nurses here at Lutheran have been amazing! They have been taking great care of Brian and our entire family! We are trusting in the Lord for the continued healing of Brian and have truly felt your prayers! We could never begin to express our gratitude for the outpour of love we have felt from so many who love Brian. Your prayers, calls, texts, meals, snacks, and thoughtfulness mean more to us than you will ever know!