News

Heart surgery refused because of defective lungs

By WANDEKA GAYLE, Staff Reporter

Camille Pinnock - Wandeka Gayle

TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Camille Pinnock, a victim of Pulmonary Atresia, was told she would be "free as a bird" and given a long life if a $US60,000 (approximately $3.6 million) heart surgery was successful.

However, despite the generous donations from the Jamaican public and various sponsors, doctors of the St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston, Texas, told ailing Camille that surgery would be risky since not only her heart but her lungs are also defective. Camille's condition, where the pulmonary valve in her heart that takes blood to the lungs is blocked, still saps her energy but not her will.

She also fell victim to rheumatic fever which damanged one of her three remaining valves, the aorta, which controls the blood flow around the entire body. The injury to her heart causes chest pain, shortness of breath, spasms of pain and general weakness.

"I did a cardiocath and an X-ray but the doctors say I would need a heart and lung transplant," she said airily with a strange smile, but her eyes remained hard, focused.

Yet, for a girl who had her only chance of survival pulled from under her feet, she neither has her head in her hands nor is she wallowing in self-pity. Instead, she is getting an education, actively involved in her church and making the best of the time she has left.

"Because I have a small problem, it does not mean I have to let it get the best of me," she said valiantly.

Though she nurtures dreams of becoming a doctor, three weeks ago she started classes at the Stony Hill H.E.A.R.T. Academy doing secretarial studies to first learn a skill.

Armed with an oxygen pump and ALTAGE and TOPROLXL for heart treatment sponsored by Beverly Ford for as long as she would need it, Camille makes it through each day.

"You know, I have to take a flu shot every year," she said with the perpetual smile that never quite reached her eyes.

However, identical twin Cameka is forced to look on in fear that she will lose her best friend and sister all too soon. (See twin feature on page five)

"I would give her a lung if I have