A bug is not always just a bug.

Sometimes, “just a bug” turns into an absolute nightmare.

Volunteer firefighter Joe Freia found that out the hard way this past July when he came down with what he thought was the flu.

When things went from bad to worse, the Langley resident visited the doctor, who said a viral bug was probably the cause.

Wrong.

A second diagnosis called it gastroenteritis and pneumonia and was treated with drugs.

Wrong again.

“A week later I awoke to the worst pain I have ever felt and ended up in the emergency room at Whidbey General Hospital,” Freia said.

After some stressful hours of testing, it was determined that Freia had pulmonary embolisms throughout his right lung and he was admitted to the hospital.

“They started drug therapy as soon as possible because the doctor said, ‘People have died from this,’” Freia added.

“Now if that isn’t a scary enough statement, 20 minutes later a specialist strolls in and informs me that I had loculated fluid on my left lung (pockets of fluid built up around the lung) and they would have to transfer me to Providence Hospital in Everett because they were worried if the fluid joined together I could suffocate,” he said.

After four days in the hospital, Freia was told that he would have to undergo emergency lung surgery the following day to remove the fluid in his lung. The surgery was a success and when the last drain tube was removed, the firefighter was released.

Unfortunately, as a part-time worker for both Island County Fire District 3 and for Whidbey General Hospital, Freia has no medical insurance.

“It’s like going to a fine dining restaurant — you love the food until you get the bill,” he said.

The crew from Mukilteo Coffee Roasters rushed to the rescue.

Gary and Beth Smith, owners of the Langley cafe in the woods and its chef, Jess Dowdell, will hold a benefit for Freia from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 in the roasting room with Cajun food, the Louisiana native’s favorite, and live music by the Western Heroes.

His friends at the firehouse have also shown lots of support and have started a medical fund for the cause. Freia has been a member of the Fire District 3 team since 2007.

“Joe is one of our most active volunteer emergency responders,” said Fire Chief Rusty Palmer.

“He is a very caring person and has a very big heart. I have seen his compassion and empathy for patients really make a difference in their lives,” Palmer added.

EMS Division Chief Connie Shields also noted Freia’s caring nature and how he consistently goes above and beyond to help people.

“Joe is super compassionate with the people he deals with and does more than just what’s required,” Shields said.

“He makes sure people are OK; not just the patients, but the families of patients, too.”

In addition to his volunteer work for the department and his part-time jobs, Freia is also a glass artist and shows his work at local and regional shows. He is a Navy veteran, who has strong ties to his family in the Bayou and elsewhere around the country, Palmer said.

Freia was studying to become a nurse, but had to put that dream on hold when his illness struck.

“He doesn’t ask for help easily,” Palmer said.

“He laughs easily, cries at people’s suffering and has passion for his service to our community,” added the fire chief.

Freia said he is humbled by what his friends and neighbors are doing for him.

“I love what they’re all doing,” Freia said.

Freia said since work has been hard to find on South Whidbey, he was forced to take what he could as a part-time maintenance person for the fire department. He has dedicated the past four years to keeping the community safe.

“I love helping to keep the life-saving equipment and district buildings in proper working order,” Freia said.

“The rest of the time,I volunteer my time as a firefighter and EMT. If you have seen the white Honda Pilot on the road, good chance it was me.”

Those six long days in the hospital filled with tests and surgery left Freia with some hefty medical bills that have overwhelmed his budget. He said he has never been in a position to ask for help. Rather, he always thought of himself as the person who would be giving help to others and this, he said, has made him greatly appreciate the community in which he lives.

“The wonderful people of South Whidbey have taken this and ran with it. This is the reason I live in this community. The word ‘community’ means something here,” he added.

Organizers of the benefit hope lots of folks will attend the benefit for a good time with friends and to help another.

Tickets are $20 cash at the door.

A Joseph Freia Medical Donation Fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank; donations can be made at any branch and also through Paypal.

Mukilteo Roasters Coffee is at 5331 Crawford Road in Langley.