Nomad doesn't lose 'heart' in fight for life, wing supports cause

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  After years of emergency room visits concluded with a successful heart transplant, a member of the 33rd Operations Group sees recovery in the near future while his unit continues to support any way they can. 

Since February, Master Sgt. Dewayne McClendon, has been on medical leave as a patient at local area hospitals near Hanscom AFB, Mass. He is diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare disease that affects blood flow. 

"I still have my stem cell (bone marrow) transplant that must be accomplished to treat amyloidosis (this fall)," said the NCO who has been on close watch after his May 24 heart transplant and June 2 release from Massachusetts General Hospital. 

His journey started at Eglin with frequent trips to the emergency room after an incident in 2006. 

"One day during a basketball game he just collapsed," said Master Sgt. Steve Zellers, 33rd OG first sergeant. From that point on his condition worsened to the point where he couldn't walk without losing his breath. 

Sergeant McClendon, known for scoring 90s on physical fitness tests, said he has been physically active since age 15 and never consumed alcohol or smoked. 

"No one could tell me why I passed out," said Sergeant McClendon who realized something was wrong when he started feeling minor chest pains after a mile and half run. "After a year of tests and appointments, no one could tell me anything. Throughout 2007 and 2008 my stamina started to decline, I could not do physical training or even walk across a parking lot without getting short of breath." 

Before the incidents, he was a flight chief in charge of more than 20 Airmen who maintain all pilot flight equipment to include the oxygen, parachutes, survival equipment and survival training. Afterward the sergeant changed positions so he could have the time to address his health. 

After a lung biopsy, Eglin's doctors sent the NCO to the University of Birmingham (Ala.) hospital, where the true cause of his poor health was finally discovered -- amyloidosis. 

"Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which the bone marrow produces a protein that is distributed into the blood stream and carried throughout the body to tissues and organs of the body," Sergeant McClendon said about his condition. "The body cannot get rid of the protein so the disease attacks and destroys any organ or tissue it desires. Amyloid can attack one or more organs/tissues at the same time; so this is why some need heart and or liver transplants." 

Upon diagnosis of the disease from Birmingham doctors, the Air Force decided it best to send him to one of the major hospitals known for amyloidosis treatment, Boston Medical Center. 

"It's just a rare disease that two out of eight million people just happen to catch," said Sergeant McClendon. "It has a lot of symptoms of other diseases which makes it hard to be diagnosed if you're not looking for it." 

It was a surprise and shock to the NCO and his Eglin office when the Boston Medical Center said he needed a heart transplant. 

"Not having Sergeant McClendon at the office left an impact; we just filled in the gaps the best we could and pressed on," said Sergeant Zellers. 

Concern for a member of their Air Force family set in and 33rd Fighter Wing Nomads came up with the idea of an Aug. 21 golf tournament to raise money for Sergeant McClendon. Financial support would benefit the family knowing Sergeant McClendon's wife had to take a leave of absence from her job to stay by her husband's side. 

"We are trying to do whatever we can to be a good Wingman," said Sergeant Zellers. "We knew going from two incomes to one then having to deal with the high cost of living in Boston would cause a financial burden on anyone. We hope to eliminate as much stress as possible on Dewayne and his family during this time." 

Lessons learned from this experience taught Sergeant McClendon advice for fellow Airmen; always go to the doctor if you feel your body is not functioning as it should. Even if they have to ask their supervisor to get out of work for an appointment, he said it's important because it's their body and life at stake. Traveling to several states and visiting several medical facilities, he also said second opinions are good to have, especially if you keep having problems with your body continue. Go to the doctor until you feel you have an answer you can live with, he added. 

"I love everyone in my unit at Eglin and I would like to thank everyone that has prayed, sent cards, came to visit me in Boston and has helped us in any way," said Sergeant McClendon. 

Sergeant McClendon hopes to return to Eglin after he retires from his last assignment at Hanscom AFB next spring. His wife will remain here with his Air Force family until then.
 
"Personally, Sergeant McClendon is remembered as being a very spiritual person with a great sense of humor and kind person. Professionally, he's known as going above and beyond to get the job done," said Sergeant Zellers. "He was always looking out for those below him and puts his people first. He's what every Commander would want in a senior NCO...a true professional." 

For information on the 33rd Fighter Wing's golf tournament that will raise money for Sergeant McClendon's family, contact Sergeant Zellers at 225-6533.