SICK CHILD TO GO TO U.S.

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25088, 21 January 1947, Page 8

SICK CHILD TO GO TO U.S.

RARE OPERATION BY HEART SPECIALIST COST ESTIMATED AT £2OOO “ The Press ” Special Service PALMERSTON N„ January 20. An article in a recent issue of an American magazine, describing a rare heart operation, which is being performed in the United States, with about 80 per cent, success, will result in Marie Stewart the five-year-old twin daughter of Mrs R. J. W. Rose, of Palmerston North, making the journey to the United States in April for an operation on May 5. Marie Stewart has been suffering from birth from a blockage in the passage from the heart to the lungs. She has been attended by specialists in New Zealand, none of whom left any hope of recovery. Then the article < in the American magazine was seen and inquiries made in the United States. Details of the complaint, together with X-ray photographs, were sent. Word was recently received that Dr. Blaycock. of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, would undertake to perform the operation on May 5. The method of the operation, which was described as a recent American discovery. was jJerfected by Dr. Blayeock. It was stated that 80 per cent, of the operations of this type performed by Dr. Blaycock had proved successful. It consists of By-passing the blocked blood vessel connecting the heart with the lungs and constructing another to carry the blood flow. Although the final details as to tra- a vel have not yet been arranged, a special oxygen mask would be necessary if the child travelled by aircraft The estimated cost of the trip, with the expenses of the operation, is said to be about £2OOO. The parents art hopeful that financial assistance will be forthcoming from Heritage and the Rehabilitation Department. Mrs Roses first husband', the father, of the child, Pilot Officer Jack Graham Stewart, well known in Christchurch, was killed on active service. .