Duke Transplant Friends

I have competed against many tough opponents as a volleyball senior Olympian, but never faced a rival as powerful as the disease that almost defeated me almost 2 years ago. My name is Jack Massa and I am 61 year old. I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in February 2002. My father died from the same disease.

My wife and I went through many ups and downs on the journey for help after I was diagnosed. I participated in a trial drug study at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. While at Vanderbilt in 2003, a doctor suggested that while I might not be a candidate at Vanderbilt, due to previous open heart surgery, other hospitals were doing transplants on such patients. I contacted Duke University Medical Center and went for an evaluation in August of 2003. I had retired from UPS and my insurance would not cover the procedure at Duke. As a veteran of the U.S. Navy I tried the veterans hospital in Nashville. This took about a year and the final outcome was that due to my heart surgery I was also turned down.

I was becoming weaker and sicker, but no closer to getting a transplant. Then, I was informed that my insurance was being cancelled. Everything seemed to be falling apart, but losing my insurance actually turned out to be a blessing. My wife is a school teacher, and because I lost my insurance her employer was able to offer coverage.

In June of 2005, we moved to Durham. I was immediately put on the active list and went through physical therapy at Duke's Center for Living to prepare me for the transplant. I feel the exercise program is Duke's key to success. Everything you do is to prepare you for surgery. You get in the best shape possible for the transplant as well as meet many wonderful people who are going through the same thing.

We received "THE CALL" on August 4, 2005. The surgery took 6 hours, but I responded well. I was able to leave the hospital after only six days. Five weeks later I developed a Staph infection that almost killed me. I recovered and after finishing the mandatory rehab and having the stomach wrap surgery, we returned home to Tennessee on October 28, 2005.

We could not have planned for things to turn this great. It really hit me, the gift I had been given, when I got home and could walk up the stairs without being out of breath. Having a transplant is a double-edged sword. While I waited and hoped, I knew someone else would have to die for me to live.

Many people prayed for me during this time. God answered those prayers and gave me a second chance on life. God's plan is perfect and I know he has something special for me to do. I am truly blessed.