Casalpusterlengo March 29, 2020
Dear Pope Francis,
I am a citizen of the Covid-19 epicenter Casalpusterlengo and Codogno. I am writing this letter to you, as a gesture of hope to all the families who are suffering greatly in this tragic time.
After 7 seemingly endless weeks in the hospital, on March 24, mother and daughter were discharged. She won Covid-19, a small miracle in "that Codogno hospital" where patient number 1 was treated, where all epidemics began.
Codogno Hospital was unfairly criticized when it all started, but… let's not talk about this; The doctors and all the medical staff are heroes, who don't stop before the fear of death, to help others. This is true charity! Not just words.
Yesterday, a very close nurse friend of mine named Anna wrote to me: “Massimo, trust me. I go to work at the hospital, but I'm scared, very scared!!! Duties/career impels me to go to work, leaving my children at home in the morning, when I start the shift, and then return in the evening, at the end of the shift, there is a risk of getting sick this damn disease go home.”
Gianna, the mother of the child, was hospitalized on February 7 because of a heart condition. She was first taken to the emergency department in Codogno. After three days of observation and care, she was transferred to Casale hospital; It was the first hospital stay.
On February 21, she was ready to leave the hospital, but then everything happened, out of control, causing all the patients to stay in the hospital and their relatives not to visit anymore.
At the beginning of the tribulation, my mother Gianna, 86 years old, was completely alone, mentally depressed, had to stay in the hospital room, next to the patient in the room who was more seriously ill. It's not easy! How many elderly people are abandoned, do not have enough strength to fight for life, because of despair, because of loneliness: “why don't my family come to let me see their love anymore? Why did they leave me alone?"
A brother in Bergamo recounted the tragedy of this situation these days, of dying alone without a loved one, with a funeral unlike that of a Christian.
On March 3, fear, the Covid-19 test result cannot be changed: positive! And Gianna's mother contacted me and my cousin to talk about death. Your father, Carlo, is at the hospital crying, desperate, convinced that he will never see his life partner again! Every afternoon I go to my father's house, two kilometers from my house, there is danger of bringing the virus to him, but I can't help it. Even he is living in a psychological crisis, what a tragic situation.
Since then, Francesca's children and grandchildren have increased "telephone/telepathy psychotherapy", which was effective on February 21. With God's prayer and strength, Francesca and I undaunted, 5 or 6 phone calls a day, to say all kinds of things, to comfort her, to tell her miracles, to smile. with life, to pray together.
Mother Gianna is not dismayed! Day after day, she lamented, but with the help of God, through faith, thanks to her beloved Carlo, and her family, she did not lose heart.
On March 12, Casale hospital had to be disinfected, it was decided to transfer Gianna's mother and all other patients to Codogno hospital… Second transfer.
Mother Gianna fell into the abyss; the hospital transfer destroyed her psychologically; she is like starting from zero! My father was also devastated. He was more and more convinced that his beloved wife Gianna would die.
No. Never be discouraged, life is important!
On March 13, the next morning, with great intuition, Dr. Bramini understood that it was time to take risks with unofficial medical reports that doctors' professional ethics often do not allow. Dr. Bramini breaks the rules and understands that it's time to break the right rules. In the morning, during his routine check-up, he said to Gianna's mother: "Very well, Mrs. Gianna! She won the virus!!! Grandma is so heroic!!!” From that moment the atmosphere changed, we always prayed, God was always near us!
The last days, the beginning of the tribulation awaits the double test. Covid-19 tests started to drop at the hospital that week… what a never-ending story.
On March 19, taking the first test; next day: negative result!!!
On March 23, the second test will be done. It's been a scary, stressful weekend on the final stretch…before the happy ending! Prayers, fears, bad ideas…hopefully, all!
On April 24, at 13 o'clock, there are final results. Test negative!
The first thought was to think of God and family. It's unbelievable! It's really over! At 15:30, Gianna's mother arrived at the gate, after what seemed like a never-ending 7 weeks. The nurse couldn't contain her joy, shouting about the miracle; Francesca's children and grandchildren are extremely happy.
With this letter, I would like to thank the doctors and nurses, all their colleagues. I want to thank God for helping and supporting us on this journey.
I ask your dear Holy Father to help us send this wonderful story to everyone and hope that it will lift many people.