Stroke Survivor Kenneth Kerns Turns Tragedy into Triumph in New Memoir that Redefines Healing, Patience, and Rediscovery

"Anything but Frank" recounts Kerns' journey overcoming coma, paralysis and aphasia

WOODBURY, Minn., Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Once a high-velocity university safety executive, perpetual problem-solver and cancer survivor, Kenneth Kerns' life was forever changed in April 2020 after his wife, Karri Kerns, found him unconscious on the bathroom floor of their home. Rushed into emergency surgery due to a hemorrhagic stroke, Kerns was then placed into a 10-day medically induced coma to allow him to heal.

When Kerns woke from his coma he was paralyzed on his right side and struggling with aphasia. He quickly became aware that the life he previously knew was gone. In his new book, "Anything but Frank: A Journey of Healing, Patience, and Rediscovery," he shares the highs and lows of the recovery process, how he rebuilt his life and reached a deeper appreciation for life's small victories.

The title, "Anything but Frank," comes from Kerns' experience after waking from his coma.

"When I first woke up, one nurse kept calling me Frank," Kerns said. "I couldn't speak to correct them, but inside I was shouting, 'I'm not Frank, I'm Ken!' In those first confusing days, hearing the wrong name made me wonder if I even knew who I was anymore."

In Kerns' post-stroke disorientation, and with no family at his bedside due to COVID restrictions, this causes him significant distress. Fortunately, a FaceTime call with his wife soon helps him recenter.

Seven highly cinematic dream chapters give readers a window inside Kerns' mind, mixing hospital fragments with surreal storylines that mirror fear, isolation, and hope. Together, the dreams process the helplessness Kerns feels due to things such as restraints, tubes, and noise, as well as identity and the fragile grace of brief connections.

Kerns' recovery was built on small, incremental victories; a thumb twitch marking the first sign of life returning to his paralyzed side, followed by therapy that turned tiny movements into the ability to grasp, stand, and eventually walk again. Milestones such as walking 120 feet with a walker or being discharged on his "Independence Day" carried deep symbolic weight, proving that healing was possible through persistence, support, and faith. Living with aphasia also challenged him daily, but through therapy and his work with Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now (MnCAN), he regained his voice and grew into a leadership role as president of the organization's board.

"Anything but Frank" shows how healing is not necessarily a return to who he was before, but a transformation into someone more intentional, grateful, and compassionate. The book testifies that recovery is not just physical, it is also emotional, relational, and spiritual, shaping a life centered on presence, love, and faith.

"Anything but Frank: A Journey of Healing, Patience, and Rediscovery"
By Kenneth Kerns 
ISBN: 9781665780391 (softcover); 9781665781039 (hardcover); 9781665780407 (electronic)
Available at Archway Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author
Kenneth Kerns built a career leading teams and solving complex problems before a hemorrhagic stroke in 2020 led to a 10-day coma that changed his life. Now retired on disability, he serves as president of the board for Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now (MnCAN), volunteers at Open Cupboard food shelf, and drives cancer patients to appointments through the American Cancer Society. Married for 40 years, he and his wife have two daughters and three granddaughters. A man of deep faith, Kerns credits God daily for his survival and his calling to help others.

General Inquiries:
LAVIDGE – Phoenix
Ashley Fletcher
[email protected]

SOURCE Archway Publishing