Boy Undergoes 7 Hour Surgery

By COLlive staff

The family of a 14 year old boy who was severely injured when a large rock fell on his foot while visiting Kever Shmuel Hanavi in Jerusalem has updated on his condition.

Memu Strassberg, the 14-year-old son of Chabad Shluchim in Pennsylvania and a student of the Chabad Yeshiva in Tzfas, was injured Thursday when he was climbing on a stone wall and a massive piece of rock became detached.

“Memu is in a lot of pain, but thank G-d now awake and without a ventilator,” his family said.

Both of the boy’s legs have suffered extensive trauma, they said.

“His “better” leg, the left leg, has some major breaks and is being held in place with two plates. There was some arterial damage there, but the doctors are optimistic. There is also soft tissue damage from the crushing weight of the stone,” his family said.

“The right leg can use every bit of prayer.

“There was a major unprecedented 7 hour surgery done to connect one artery, vein, and nerve, to save his leg, and that is just the first of multiple surgeries to come.

“We have to wait and pray that the pulse and blood flow continues. There was crushed bone that was removed and the remaining bone is being held together by an external fixator. After the first hurdle of the artery flow, we have to keep watch out for infection, and dead tissue and what can be saved. Only much later can we think about reconstruction and rehab,” they said.

Many around the world have united to say Tehillim and pray in the merit of Memu, and have donated to a fund to help his family with his care.

“Memu is so strong! He is, thank G-d, aware of what is happening, and we have showed him and told him that he has so many people are with him. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, care, support and prayers being said and Mitzvot being done on behalf of his recovery,” his grateful family said.

“Knowing that there are so many people around the world, are with us during this difficult time trying time, gives us tremendous strength. We are thinking positively and praying for the best outcome. May we be able to share more good news with you soon. Keep Menachem Mendel been Rivkah in your Tefillot. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you everyone, around the world for your support and your tefillot (prayers).”

Click here to donate to help the Strassberg family.