Published: Thursday, 19th June, 2008 11:00
Transplant gives Vikki new life
By Peter Swindon
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The Bewicks
A brave Beath High Pupil has spoken of the heart transplant that saved her life.
Over the course of seven dramatic hours, 14-year-old Vikki Bewick, of Kelty, was airlifted to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London where expert surgeons operated.
The call came at 10.30 pm on 12th April. Two hours later Vikki and mum, Lyn, were on a six-seater jet bound for an army airbase outside London. At 3.30 am Vikki arrived at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She was on the operating table at 5.30 am.
“I was scared at first,” said Vikki, “but when I got on the plane I calmed down. I even slept some of the way.”
Proud mum Lyn said: “She took it all in her stride. She was so brave. And the heart transplant team were excellent, really putting her at ease.”
Vikki was put on the waiting list in January after attempts to treat an enlarged heart muscle, which could have killed her, failed.
The problem was discovered three years earlier, when she started high school.
Vikki explained: “I was struggling for breath when I climbed the stairs at school. Then I started getting dizzy and passing out when I exercised. Eventually I couldn’t go out.”
The next three years saw Vikki treated at hospitals up and down the UK.
Lyn said: “We were in Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Paisley, London - it was very hard for the whole family. Vikki’s younger sister, Laura, spent a lot of time with relatives while myself and my husband, Jimmy, were away with Vikki.”
But, as Lyn explained, it was all worth it as Vikki is now well on her way to making a full recovery.
“It’s such a relief to be able to let Vikki out without worrying. We’ve now got the confidence to do that. The whole family would just like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone for their kindness and generosity, and to the heart donor who has allowed Vikki to lead a better life. We’re all eternally grateful.”
Vikki is already enjoying her new found freedom, and is even looking forward to going back to school.
“I was so bored when I was ill,” she explained. “I couldn’t go out because I would just pass out. It’s brilliant that things are back to normal now. I’ve been out with my friends and I hope to be back at school soon.”
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