Have a heart - 1-y-o who needs surgery clings to life

Nedburn Thaffe, Gleaner Writer

At 21, Jodian Gordon entered motherhood with a burden not typical of the average mom.

Gordon, who hails from the Chetteau community in rural Clarendon, is apprehensive that her baby girl might not live out her childhood if she fails to receive two much-needed heart surgeries.

Since birth, one-year-old Jamelia Bennett has been diagnosed with two severe heart conditions, including underdeveloped mitral valve. The conditions result in poorly oxygenated blood being routed to one side of the heart.

One of the operations will cost an estimated US$120,000.

In the meantime, young Jamelia has been constantly battling heart murmur, shortness of breath and recurrent infection of the chest.

Cardiologist Dr William Foster told The Gleaner that for young Jamelia to have a fair shot at surviving, and leading a normal life, surgery is required to improve blood flow to her lungs.

"As she grows older, there is a chance that her conditions might worsen and, as such, there is an urgent need for her to have her surgeries done," Foster disclosed.

Team of specialists

The operations, which are more than six hours long, are unlikely to be done in Jamaica because it would involve an entire team of specialists.

"If this were to be done here, what would happen is that we would have to import the surgeon and his team, which usually includes a whole complement of people. ... This is usually highly complex work," said Foster.

Young Jamelia is being treated with medication to alleviate her condition until the surgeries can be done. Persons wishing to help Jamelia may make donations to VMBS account 2309-294-3, May Pen branch, or telephone 452-7250/884-2991/366-5143.