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Frederick Massey, 18, studies on his laptop at his Lehigh Acres home. Last November, he was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to go on dialysis for several months before receiving a kidney transplant from the Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood.

‘I WAS ALWAYS HEALTHY’

Riverdale High teen survives kidney failure, gets new lease on life after transplant. | BY ANDREW SODERGREN

Beyonka Sapp couldn’t Frederick was falling asleep in class and If Beyonka hadn’t gotten Frederfathom what was hap- didn’t want to do much work. ick checked that day in December, he pening to her son. “That was so unlike him,” she recalls. could have died. When he arrived in

Frederick Massey “His energy level and effort had always the emergency room, his blood pressure was a promising been so good.” was 200 over 130, almost twice the sophomore linebacker He started losing his appetite and normal of 120 over 80. and safety for the Riverdale football finally, the swelling started. “The first thing I did when I got to team last fall — a healthy athlete with a “He had swelling all over his face the hospital was pray to Jesus to please seemingly bright future ahead of him. and hands,” she says. “And his eyes were help my son,” she says. “I had no idea

The trouble began subtly, as she yellow and dilated. I knew I had to get what was wrong with him and why began getting calls from school that him to the doctor.” this was happening.”

Scary diagnosis

Frederick was diagnosed with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a congenital disease amongst the rarest causes of kidney failure but more commonly seen among teenagers. The disease causes abnormal blood clots to form in small blood vessels in the kidneys. These clots can cause a myriad of health issues if they restrict or block blood flow — including kidney failure. The disease is often caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors — including medications, chronic diseases, infections and a compromised immune system.

“I was shocked when I found out,” Frederick says. “I didn’t know how this happened to me. I was always healthy. The doctors said I needed a new kidney and that I’d have to go on dialysis.”

Frederick, 18, experienced grueling dialysis treatments three times a week for nearly eight months, sapping his energy and once steely resolve. But after a particularly draining 11-hour dialysis treatment in July, he and Beyonka got the call their family had been waiting for — Frederick was approved for a kidney transplant.

He received his new kidney July 25 via Memorial Transplant Institute at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, giving him a muchimproved long-term prognosis. The surgery was the milestone 100th kidney transplant performed by Memorial Transplant Institute since it opened in 2017.

Beyonka says she was in constant contact with Grethchen Abdulreda, nurse practitioner and transplant coordinator at Memorial, about Frederick’s treatment plan. She often eased any concerns the family had regarding the surgery.

“I can’t thank the team of doctors and nurses enough for all they did for my son in the months leading up to and especially during the surgery itself,” Beyonka says. “We couldn’t have asked for better care. We’re truly blessed.”

Frederick’s surgeon lauded the

PHOTO SPECIAL TO SW FL PARENT & CHILD Dr. Juan Arenas and the staff at Memorial Transplant Institute meet with kidney transplant recipient Frederick Massey following his July 25 surgery.

youngster’s demeanor before surgery, saying it served him well throughout the process.

“He was a very tough kid, very stoic,” says Dr. Juan Arenas, head surgeon at Memorial Transplant Institute. “He came in and knew exactly what was going to happen. Some patients are very apprehensive or scared, especially people his age. He was all business, almost like ‘let’s get this done so I can get on with my life.’ He’s been very positive and has a supportive mom. They’ve both had a good attitude and outlook through everything.”

Frederick’s surgeon said his longterm prognosis is positive.

“If he takes care of himself with his diet and never stops his prescriptions, he easily can have these kidneys 25 to 30 years,” the doctor says. “If he stays obedient to the program, I expect him to do really well.”

The news Frederick had a donor couldn’t have come at a better time.

During the previous eight months, the frequent dialysis treatments were taking their toll.

“The dialysis (treatments) took everything out of me,” he says. “I didn’t want to do anything, and I could barely move. The treatments kept me alive but also were life-taking at the same time.”

Beyonka marveled at her son’s strength but worried about his mental state.

“There were days he didn’t want the blinds open,” Beyonka says. “Everything had to be dark. It definitely took a toll on him. How could it not?”

Football family

Frederick was destined to be a Riverdale Raider.

His older brother, Derek Sapp, was a linebacker for the 2018 squad that went 12-1 and won the Class 7A-District 12 title.

“We’ve always looked out for Freddie,” Riverdale coach James Delgado says. “He was a talented player with a high ceiling, which is what you often see when you’ve got a younger brother who has an older brother on the team. Athletically, he could do a lot of different things — a tough and physical kid. If he didn’t have these health issues, he’d be contributing for us now on and off the field.”

Frederick received some playing time as a sophomore, filling in at safety and linebacker. After his transplant, playing football would be too risky

according to his doctor. But that doesn’t mean he can’t play other sports. Dr. Arenas cited former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning and American Olympic gold medal-winning hurdler Aries Merritt as athletes who have come back to compete at a high level after a kidney transplant.

“I wouldn’t recommend football for anyone with a kidney transplant, because you’re putting yourself at risk nearly every play since it’s such a high-contact sport,” Dr. Arenas says. “The transplant itself is very superficial, implanted in the groin … You’re risking exposure and damage to the kidney with repeated, direct contact.”

The surgeon says Frederick could play other sports, especially citing track and field, swimming, basketball, soccer and tennis as sports with much lower risks for damage than football.

Just two months after his surgery, Frederick is working out again. He’s able to run and do some light weightlifting while he heals. That’s in stark contrast to the eight months of dialysis treatments where his energy level was almost non-existent.

“For a while, I couldn’t do anything at all,” he says. “So being able to run and do push-ups, sit-ups, it feels good to be able to get back into shape. I feel like myself again.”

He may not be able to play football anymore, but Frederick still loves the game and wants to stay around it once he gets the go-ahead for returning to school. Frederick has been relegated to hospital homebound for his education this year as he recovers from surgery.

“I’d love to help out the team any way I can,” he says. “Maybe help give them some extra motivation. I’m hoping I can do other sports like track and maybe basketball (next year).”

His former coach says he’d love to have him around when he is healthy enough.

“Freddie has taken all this in stride,” coach says. “I haven’t seen him in his lowest of lowest points, but any time I’ve talked to him he’s been nothing but positive. He may not be able to play football anymore, but he still wants to share his story and inspire people. He has a unique perspective and is wise beyond his years. He’s been given an incredible gift, and I know he’ll take advantage of it.”

Andrew Sodergren writes about sports for the Naples Daily News, part of the USA Today Network. He’s been with the community paper since 2005, covering sports and news.

Frederick Massey, 18, lower center, poses for a portrait with some members of his family including, from left, Catherine Jones, grandmother, Trekessia Green, aunt, Precious Sapp, sister, Yolanda Toomer, aunt, Eric Sapp, brother, Beyonka Sapp, mother, Shyra Walker, step parent. Massey was a seemingly healthy teenager, playing as a sophomore safety/linebacker for the Riverdale High School football team. Last November, he was diagnosed with kidney failure and had to go on dialysis for several months before receiving a kidney transplant from the Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood.