The doctor in charge of Pope Francis' treatment said his medical team briefly considered pausing therapy but ultimately decided to take a more aggressive approach that could damage his organs.
Dr. Sergio Alfieri said the 88-year-old pontiff and his family knew “he might not live until the morning” after a bronchospasm in which the Pope inhaled vomit.
“We were faced with a choice: stop treatment and let him go, or continue and try all possible medications and methods, risking damage to other organs,” Dr. Alfieri told the Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera.
“Ultimately, this was the path we chose.”
Francis was discharged on Sunday after 38 days of treatment for double pneumonia, and doctors advised him to undergo two months of recovery, during which he should avoid large crowds.
The pope looked weak and tired as he greeted crowds outside Gemelli Hospital before being discharged.
The Vatican said it was not yet clear whether the pope would meet the king during a state visit to the Vatican next month, or whether any Holy Week events would take place before Easter on April 20.
Dr Alfieri said the Pope had remained “vigilant” during the February 28 ordeal, and his personal health aide Massimiliano Strappetti, “aware of the pontiff's wishes,” urged them to “try everything. Don't give up.”
Dr Alfieri acknowledged that the treatment carried the risk of damaging the Pope's kidneys and bone marrow, “but we continued the therapy and his body responded to it and the lung infection improved.”
The medical report that night mentioned that Dad had such a severe bronchospasm that he inhaled vomit, “which worsened respiratory function.” Doctors used non-invasive suctioning to clear his airway.
Three days later, during his second critical condition, the Pope experienced two acute bronchiospasms. Doctors used a camera with a device to remove mucus, which resulted in copious discharge.
The report stresses that the Pope “always remained alert, focused and cooperative.”
Dr. Alfieri suggested that prayers for the Pope contribute to his survival, which he said is supported by scientific research.
“In this case, the whole world prayed. I can say that twice the situation seemed hopeless, and then a miracle happened,” he said.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
