Former Phillipsburg High School wrestler Luke Grassi has liver transplant surgery

by Barry Miller

Tuesday October 07, 2008, 12:50 PM

Express-Times File Photo | LARRY MURPHY

Luke Grassi competes in the semifinals during the NJSIAA wrestling championships in March.Former Phillipsburg High School wrestler Luke Grassi underwent successful liver transplant surgery overnight at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Grassi, a freshman at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., suffered a shin injury while working out around Labor Day. The injury never healed properly and visits to the college training staff and a Tennessee hospital followed.

Grassi eventually returned home to Lopatcong Township on Sept. 26 to meet with family friend, Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein. After three days in Easton Hospital, Grassi was transferred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania for further tests.

Doctors determined Grassi would need a liver transplant, but he was not on the top of the list to get one because his condition improved with treatments at the hospital.

GrassiWhen his condition deteriorated on Monday because his liver no longer was filtering toxins out of his system, doctors determined he needed the transplant immediately.

Grassi went through more than four hours of surgery on Monday night.

"We were praying for a liver, praying for liver," his uncle Gary Dailey said. "Then you think of that poor family that has to lose someone (for you to get a liver)."

Doctors told Dailey that Grassi is expected to make a full recovery, although the next two weeks will be critical in his recovery.

"They said they've had liver transplant patients who have climbed the Himalayas," Dailey said.

Doctors said that Grassi, Phillipsburg High's all-time winner with 120 victories and third-place winner at states as a senior, should be able to wrestle again.

Grassi will not return this semester to Carson-Newman, where he received a full scholarship.

Grassi is the son of Brenda Grassi of Lopatcong Township and Tom Grassi of Phillipsburg.

Anyone wishing to contribute to help with his medical bills can send contributions to Baker Federal Credit Union, c/o Luke Grassi, 501 Baltimore St., Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865. Cards can be sent to Mr. Luke Grassi, patient, University of Penn Hospital, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.