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God Is Great! Kaleb Gets Heart Transplant!

Writer's picture: Jason KurtzJason Kurtz

Updated: May 2, 2023


a picture of a little boy dressed as a cowboy
Kaleb Kurtz my son c. 1996
an image of the Tinman from Wizard of Oz
The Tinman

Kaleb's First Heart Transplant

Our family, most recently through my son Kaleb, is proof that God is REAL, and He loves us! And miracles still happen! My oldest son was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, on January 19, 1994. He was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare congenital, heart defect. He received his first heart transplant three months after he was born at Children’s Hospital in Denver. Transplants were just starting to become standard procedures back then, and Kaleb wowed us all with his determination and great attitude. He did so well, that his transplant coordinating team considered him their poster child! It was not accomplished without hard work and some sacrifices though. He was a tough kiddo, especially considering the uphill battles he faced, and won, right from the go.


an image showing a normal heart and a heart with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Kaleb has lived a productive and rewarding 29 years, even going straight edge, which makes him a stronger man than me, but has also made me a very proud dad.


a logo for Straight Edge movement

Kaleb loves to play goalie for his hockey team, plays a pretty mean bass guitar, and has recently taken an interest in sports memorabilia. And to think, he’s done all this with his first transplanted heart. I’m pretty sure the average expectancy of an organ for newborns is around ten years, but Kaleb went by the motto, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Nothing lasts forever though, and now the time has come. On January 29, 2023, ten days after his 29th birthday, Kaleb traded in that heart for a newer, perfect model, and one that will help him through, hopefully, the rest of his life.

Athletes often play on when they are hurt or injured, and are considered heros. The cardiologist was shocked that Kaleb was still alive when he saw the condition of that heart that wasn’t broke. After a somewhat scary, and stressful couple weeks for Kaleb and his family, he has showed no signs of rejection and got to go home yesterday. Love you son, and so very proud of you!


picture of father and son at a hockey game
My son Kaleb (left) and me

Finished First Draft of Mysterious Ways! Superbowl 57!


Superbowl 57 logo

I finally finished the first draft of my novel Mysterious Ways. I started last May, so it has taken about ten months. I originally outlined 24 chapters, but it ended up being 35, with 157 scenes and just under 130k words. All the advice I’ve been reading says to put it down for a month, longer if possible, and to read, read, read. I can tell you this, There’s no way I can wait!

Tomorrow is Superbowl 57, and though I know it’s the big game, it just doesn’t interest me these last few years. My team hasn’t even made the playoffs since winning the Golden Superbowl seven years ago, I think that must have been a curse, but it’s a great time to get together with family and eat some good food.

Turning 50; Back To School; Future Projects

I still have not found a job, though I’ve applied at over 60 places, and now it’s starting to worry me. I don’t know what’s going on. I mean I turn 50 fifty this year but I’m not broken. Maybe it’s a God-thing, there seems to be a lot of that happening recently. I have also decided to go back to school. I’m starting small, with two classes next month, to make sure I still know how to learn. If you or anyone you know is looking for a hard, dependable worker who is a quick learner and easy to get along with, please contact me—just click on my Contact Page!

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