A Magnolia fire fighter is fighting a new kind of battle. Instead of battling flames, 42-year-old Max Loerch is fighting for his life, and his family is struggling to maintain its livelihood.

Loerch remains at the St Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands more than a month after suffering a heart attack. Loerch endured the attack at his Magnolia home Sept. 5. The Loerch family is now struggling to recuperate after a continuous financial downfall.

Following Loerch’s heart attack, doctors discovered that one side of his heart was completely blocked while the other was still 80 percent blocked. Doctors performed surgery to unblock the worst side of the heart, but Loerch must get stronger in order to have the other side operated on.

“He is a miracle, there is no way he should have made it,” his wife, Kelly Loerch, said.

Pictured, Magnolia Volunteer Firefighter Max Loerch is recovering from a Sept. 5 heart attack.

According to Kelly, the family does not have insurance to cover the cost of everything that has happened in the past month, as well as the surgeries that have yet to be performed while Loerch is still trying to regain his strength. She added that the family is wondering how they will pay for rehabilitation once her husband is ready to take that step. With Kelly taking care of their two teenage daughters and with Loerch hospitalized, she explained that their financial situation only worsens.

“I can’t leave my husband because it’s like leaving a child at home. The electricity company and mortgage is calling because payment has not been received,” said Kelly.

She has been trying to obtain medical assistance, but nothing has come of the process.

Loerch and Kelly have been married for three years and have three children: Morgan, 15, Peyton, 18, and Aaron, 20. Loerch has been a firefighter in Magnolia for six years while Kelly works for the Champions Christian Counseling Center in Tomball and has been on leave from work without pay.

Kelly recalls the morning her husband suffered his heart attack.

Early on the morning of Sept. 5 Loerch had complained of chest pains. He and Kelly went to a local hospital where an EKG and blood work indicated everything appeared normal. The Loerch’s returned home and Max tried to get some rest. But after he told his wife he could not sleep, Kelly began to get ready to take him back to the hospital she heard him scream her name.

“I ran into the bedroom and heard him take his last breath,” she said.

She administered CPR only minutes before emergency personnel arrived. Kelly watched as Loerch’s fellow firefighters worked to save the life of their partner. She said a few had a hard time holding back the tears. After nearly an hour of work and nine shocks to his heart, Loerch was revived by a medical technician.

 “Honestly, I can say I’ve never been more proud to know this group of men, they are my angels,” Kelly said about the men who saved her husband’s life.

Currently, Loerch is able to talk with visitors at the hospital, but signs of short term memory loss have become apparent. Kelly said Loerch had a difficult time remembering his family when he first awoke from a medically induced coma.

“Doctors say he won’t ever be the same and he won’t be able to go back to work for a very long time,” she said.

A few fundraising events are in the works for the Loerch family.

Loerch’s sister plans to hold a garage sale in Lake Windcrest on Oct. 15 and 16 with all proceeds benefiting Loerch.

In addition to the garage sale, the Magnolia Fire Department is scheduling a benefit and barbecue, for Nov. 5. The location has yet to be determined. The Department has already started the “Fill the Boot” fundraiser to help Loerch and his family.

Those interested in making a donation may do so by mail to Max Loerch Benefit Fund, Texas Citizens Bank, Attn: Vicki Clark Sr. V.P, 990 Village Square Dr. Suite R100, Tomball, TX. 77375.

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