10th Anniversary Double Lung Transplant
Written by Dennis LaMasters, Creston-Iowa.com

10 years ago on Jan. 21st, 1996 Dennis LaMasters had a double lung transplant at the University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa.

"Several years prior to that day I was diagnosed as having COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). I can remember going to the doctor once a week or month and he would treat me the best he could at that time. He always said I need a lung transplant but it would never happen since in those days lung transplants were still experimental. Then one day, Doctor John Hoyt, Sr. at the Creston Medical Clinic, said it was time for me to start seeing the doctors at the Iowa Lung Center at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

One day, after several monthly appointments and set backs, Doctor Randall Hansen and his staff from the Iowa Lung Center asked if I would like to be a candidate for a lung transplant. I was really surprised to here those words and of course, I said yes. The word 'candidate' meaning I needed to pass certain tests to be sure I could survive the surgery and I didn't have any other medical problems that would cut short my ability to have a meaningful life after the surgery.

So on to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics and passing the medical criteria and getting on the lung transplant list I continued to follow up with my doctors in Iowa City once every month making the long trip across I-80 for sometimes just for a half hour or an hour appointment and then back home. This lasted for a couple of years when I finally had to have a breathing machine to help me breath while waiting for a transplant.

Finally, one day I got the call to go to Iowa City for a lung transplant as soon as possible. So my wife, Susie and kids loaded up the Chevy van with me and my breathing apparatus and headed for Iowa City. Believe it or not I did the driving. My wife and I devised a way to put the wheel chair in the back of the van with the oxygen hose long enough to reach me while in the driver's seat.

So to make the story short we made it to Iowa City Hospitals late that night and after having some moments, with my family I was wheeled into the operating room and after several hours of surgery, I woke up the next day with two healthy lungs, pain, medial equipment, and hoses making all kinds of noises. My immediate family and sisters were at my side waiting for me to wake up.

That was the beginning of a new life for me and my family with many little league games, school plays, and sports events with my children and grandkids, continued friendships with my many friends, new friends, and working colleagues. A new life that would not have been possible without the gift of a lifetime given to me by my donor and his family."

"Many, many THANK YOU'S to my donor and his family, doctors, nurses, behind the scenes medical care staff and also my family and friends!"

"Many THANKS to all of you."

Dennis L. LaMasters
dlamasters@creston-iowa.com

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