Just helpin’ out the Pack family

The journey for Andrew Pack, 48, began at birth when he was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease. His first pacemaker was installed in 1980 when he was in kindergarten or first grade, and he had his first heart attack at 17. He has been through multiple pacemakers, including an incident in 2015 when he traveled to Dallas for a heart evaluation and developed a staph infection.

“They said I died four times,” Pack said, explaining that he also went septic and his pacemaker was infected, making it necessary to replace it again.

Only a few weeks later, Pack had another heart attack.

“Cory [of Pittsburg EMS] was great,” Pack remembered. Cory knew something wasn’t right, so he had Pack taken to the hospital where Pack coded again and was airlifted to Dallas.

After returning home, Noah, Pack’s oldest son to still be at home at age 14, was responsible for saving his dad’s life when he had to perform CPR until help could arrive.

“He’s such a brave, strong young man,” Pack said proudly. “He’s a lot like my Dad was.” Pack broke down remembering his son’s life-saving actions.

“I thank the Lord it came out the way it did,” Pack went on, “because I can’t imagine how it would have been for him. We were blessed all this time.”

Life expectancy with such a heart condition is not very high, but Pack is one of the oldest to have lived with this disease; most people with congenital heart disease will eventually need a heart transplant.

Once it had been determined that Pack needed a transplant, he visited several doctors to begin the process of being accepted for the operation. But when the heart has to work so hard, the kidneys are often affected. Doctors were also concerned about his liver. It appeared that Pack would need a three-organ transplant, an operation most hospitals are either unable or unwilling to do. Pack was turned down in Chicago, New York, and California and initially in Tennessee.

Several months later, Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee called Pack and asked if they could see him again. It was determined that Pack did not need a liver transplant, and thus his chances of being accepted into a hospital for an operation were greatly increased. Pack was directed to move within an hour of the Vanderbilt hospital so as to be close and ready when they should call for his operation. When the right match is found, the donor must have both organs in good working order. After the operation, Pack must remain close to the hospital for at least a year, perhaps up to four year, for therapy and observation.

It has been difficult, Pack said, being away from his family. His wife and five children remain in Pittsburg, and it has been hard on them as well. Pack welcomed his first grandchild almost three months ago, and appreciates his family’s support, especially of his son and daughter and her husband.

When it was realized that Pack would need a heart transplant, Alec, Pack’s oldest son, put his work gloves on and started a GoFundMe account. It was necessary to raise $30,000 to start the process of the transplant.

Andrew Pack said, “They put it out there and people in our community stepped up and stepped up huge.” The entire $30,000 was raised in four days.

Pack appreciates everyone who has walked with him in this journey. One of these is Loy Cox, whom he met around 20 years ago while working at Pilgrim’s Feed Mill in Mount Pleasant.

“He walked up to me and introduced himself,” Cox remembered.”I said, ‘Little brother, nice to meet you.’ He’s like a little brother to me,” Cox added.

Cox coordinated the Poker Run that took place on June 17 in Pittsburg, Daingerfield and Omaha. After raising $2,775 in sponsorships, Cox found that he only had $27.93 that Saturday after paying bills necessary to host the Poker Run fundraiser. He was worried about how well the day would turn out, but once the community came together and Cox ended the day with $5,200.

“I think we did pretty well on it for a month’s planning. This is to pay his expenses while he’s up there in Tennessee,” Cox said, explaining that Pack’s utilities, rent and bills are paid via these benefits.

“Every nickel I gather up is going straight to Andrew to help with all his bills and stuff,” Cox explained. But he added, “Alec Pack is the greatest thing since sliced bread. He’s been right beside his daddy all the way.”

“Andrew is also a man of very strong faith,” Cox said, adding that Pack did everything from hauling chicken feed to preaching when working for Pilgrim’s. “He hauls feed and saves souls,” Cox used to say of his friend.

Cox offered a “special thanks to all the girls who helped me with this. They were above and beyond. I got a pack of women from Pittsburg who got my back and want to do it again, and so it’s on.” They are planning another auction in the fall.

“The greatest thing has been prayer; people who pray,” Pack said. “That drives everything more than anything else. I have had a strong faith in all of this. If it wasn’t for my faith in the Lord, I couldn’t get through it.”