Everybody’s friend: DJ Gene Lovin fights back!

UPDATE March 15, 4:30 p.m.  I’m happy to report that Gene Lovin was released from the hospital this afternoon.  He is a miracle man.

Just ten days after a massive heart attack….eight days after quintuple bypass….and just a couple of days out of intensive care, he’s headed home.

This afternoon he looked great, sounded great, and is certainly on the way back.  For the next few months, he’ll be working his way back to full strength, minus the heavy lifting: Brenda and his family will take care of that!

Gene and Brenda are so thankful for your donations, thoughts, prayers and visits.  The staff at Memorial Hospital has been excellent, and like all of us, they’ve fallen in love with Gene.

They could still use some help due to medical expenses and time off from work, so if you’re able to pitch in, click here.  Thank you!

PREVIOUS STORY FROM MARCH 10:

Sunday morning March 6, I logged on to Facebook, checked my messages, and this is the first thing I saw: “What a shock about Gene Lovin.  I saw him a few days ago. He seemed upbeat and healthy, always smiling.”

The kind friend who had sent me this message assumed I knew that Gene had suffered a massive heart attack the night before.  However, I had not checked my voice mail, so when I saw this message, I was afraid Gene had passed away.

I slumped in my chair.  When did I last see Gene?  It was in January, at the retirement party of a mutual friend.  We greeted each other and exchanged small talk, but did I tell him how much I love him?  Probably not, guys don’t do that.  Did he know how much I love him?  Gee, I hope so.  I was already thinking of him in the past tense, wishing I’d had more lunches with him, wishing I had told him how important he is to me.

With my heart heavy, and my head still spinning, I clicked around for more information.  What had happened to him?  To my relief, he was still among the living, but the news wasn’t encouraging.

Just moments before he was scheduled to emcee the “Denim and Diamonds” fundraiser for the Chattanooga Hamilton County Medical Society, Gene collapsed.  He had been posing for pictures, wearing a “Robin” outfit from the Batman TV series.  Of the many events  Gene hosts each year, this one is a favorite, because of the various costume themes.  This year it was Heroes and Villains, and the Chattanooga Trade Center was packed with caped crusaders and bank robbers.

As soon as Gene hit the floor, his daughter Christina Morgan knew something was terribly wrong.  Fortunately, at a benefit dinner hosted by medical personnel, there was a doctor in the house, many of them in fact.  Dr. Chris LeSar, a vascular surgeon, immediately performed chest compressions (alternating with Dr. Amar Singh, a urologist), while Christina did the rescue breathing.

During a frightening ten minutes, staffers searched frantically for an automated external defibrillator (AED), which should be easily accessible wherever large crowds gather.  Unfortunately this was not the case.  Eventually one was found, but the battery was not charged.  Let this be a lesson: workplaces, schools, businesses, or any venue that holds a lot of people should have a centrally located, fully charged AED.  They’re not that expensive, and the American Red Cross will happily train you to use it.  Had there been an AED in working order, it would have greatly reduced the amount of time (and physical damage) it took to revive Gene.

For the next 36 hours, Gene’s condition was critical, then stable, with many concerns.  There were serious artery blockages, requiring surgery: five bypasses.  Gene’s wife Brenda feared the worst: Gene was pale and lifeless.  She was told this was often called the “widow maker.”  There was a critical blockage of the left main coronary artery.  A surgery time was set, then postponed, then re-scheduled, then suddenly it was, “Let’s go!”

Dr. Richard Morrison, a cardiac surgeon described as a “rock star” by former patients, was in charge of Gene’s surgery.  A few hours later came the good news: it was a success, and Gene would recover.  It would be a long road.   Gene’s chest wall was damaged from the chest compressions, and his sternum was cracked. Also there were hemotomas (blood clots) in his chest wall. Still, Brenda could finally breathe: “Amen, ” she told me. “God bless.  Gene Lovin will get better.” We both agreed, ever since the moment he collapsed, he’s been surrounded by love and angels.

I was able to visit him in the hospital on Thursday, and for a man who almost met his maker five days ago, he is doing well.  He remembers being at the Saturday night event, “just cutting up,” and his next memory is staring into the eyes of ER doctors.  His body is weak, but his voice is strong, like the guy we’ve heard on the radio since the 1970s.

Being a lifelong radio fan, I still remember the first time I heard him.  “This guy is special,” I thought.  I was so right.  Throughout a 50-year career that has placed him at WFLI, WGOW, KZ-106, WDOD, US-101, WDEF, and other stations around the South, he’s been the ultimate team player.  He’s bright, positive, and efficient.

A few years ago, he started a mobile music service, called “DJ Gene Lovin.” Chances are you’ve danced at his weddings, or attended one of his charity events.  He’s the guy (usually accompanied by Brenda) making sure you’re having fun.

As we exchanged old radio stories on Thursday, a little color starting coming back into his face.  He loves everyone he’s worked with, and we love him.  As I exited, he said, “I love you, brother.” I said, “I love you too, Gene.” I’m glad I finally said that, and I’m looking forward to saying it again.

(My thanks to Wendy Wheeler, who has established a GoFundMe page to help Gene and his family as they cope with medical expenses and loss of work.  I hope you’ll click here  and help them out.)  

Here’s a bonus for you: some vintage Gene Lovin on the Great Jet-FLI…. WFLI in 1971.