October 10, 1984 ended the life of a donor, but gave new hope and life for another. This heart lived on for 22 years in the body of Calvin Eugene (Gene) Freeman of Bartlett, Tennessee.

     Freeman held the record of the oldest heart transplant patient from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, which is one of the top centers in the country for this type of surgery. There was only one other place doing these experimental transplants at this time, and that was on California’s West Coast.

     Gene was born in rural Weakley County near Dresden. He was from a small family, which consisted of his parents and one half-brother, Bruce.

After graduating from Dresden High School, Gene worked at Bay Bee Shoe Company for about a year.

     He married Nell Gatewood in 1954 and the couple moved to Cinninatti, Ohio, where Gene began working for L&N Railroad, which is now known as CSX.

     His hard work and dedication to his job made it possible for him to eventually hold the position of general manager of transportation at Jacksonville, Florida.

He retired from CSX after 35 years.

     Gene’s heart problems began with a heart attack at the young age of 34.

    “I had been feeling bad, but I thought it had just been a rough day,” Gene recalled before his recent death. “It got worse and I let myself down on the floor. I was unconscious. I lay there until I came to, then went to bed. I didn’t say anything to my wife. An hour later, it happened.”

     Gene was rushed to Memorial Medical Center where he was defibulated – given electric shock – four times to start his heart. He spent the next two months in and out of the hospital with his heart growing weaker.

     Despite bypass surgery and a change in lifestyle, his heart grew so weak it was barely pumping 20 percent. Nothing else could be done for him.

     Dr. David Chinoy gave Gene only a short time to live, unless he wanted to try heart transplant surgery. He decided to take the doctor’s advice.

     A visit from Gene’s boss showed his willingness to live as he said, “Don’t fill my job, I’ll be back.” And he was. His wife told the doctor she was confident Gene could pull through with his help.

     According to family members, divine intervention was the only explanation for all the positive things that unfolded, making it possible for him to get his new heart.

     At this time, the procedure was very risky and strictly experimental. Few were chosen to be a candidate. Most waited weeks or months for a match, some dying before a compatible heart could be found.

     His cardiologist made the necessary arrangements and a date was made to go for a test. The day before his scheduled test, Gene suffered yet another heart attack. In less than one week a heart had to be found.

     Early on a Thursday morning, the air ambulance took flight with Gene, his wife, a paramedic, Dr. Chinoy, and the pilot. Leaving Jacksonville, the sky was clear and hope was ahead. About half way into the trip, the pump that was keeping Gene alive malfunctioned. The decision had to be made to either keep on going or turn back. The doctor knew the only hope was to go on. His only chance was to get the heart transplant, providing Gene’s heart could just hold on until they reached the center without the help of the pump. No doubt they made the right decision.

     The surgery was performed as planned. However, the family was not told who the donor would be. They were only told hearts were graded as good, better and best. Gene would receive the best grade heart. They only took donors from 18 to 26 years old.

     Gene’s recovery was remarkable. Most patients stayed from six to eight weeks following heart transplant surgery. He stayed in the hospital 21 days.

(Read the rest of this story in the May 23rd print edition of the Dresden Enterprise!)