Expected to tick for five years, Perry man's new heart turns 20

Standard Examiner | Jamie Lampros

PERRY — When Jesse Mason’s doctors said he could expect to live five years with a transplanted heart, his family prepared to appreciate Mason’s few remaining years.

Twenty years later, though, Mason is still alive and kicking and camping.

“Every year we go on a camping trip. We’ve done it forever, and every year we’ve told everybody, ‘Make sure you’re there. This might be the last time we see grandpa,’ ” said Vickie Neilson, Mason’s daughter.

“We’ve had many different events through the years, and we always say, ‘If he can just hang on for this event, or if he can just hang on until so and so gets married.’ We’ve been holding our breath for the past 15 years.”

Mason, 75, of Perry, continues to hang on. Since his heart transplant on June 11, 1992, he has seen the births of 14 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. He participates in special events in their lives, including baby blessings, baptisms and weddings.
Read more: http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/06/03/expected-tick-five-years-perry-mans-new-heart-turns-20