Francis' Health: The Picture Is too Rosy
The bilateral interstitial pneumonia is an almost always fatal diagnosis, which leads to almost inevitable complications and a progressive and irreversible deterioration of the situation.
Pope Francis's age and obesity are important additional risk factors, particularly for cardiological complications.
The official bulletins issued by the doctors are all lacking in detail, especially with regard to Francis' vital parameters.
On 28 February, the Vatican reported "an isolated crisis of bronchospasm which, however, led to an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden deterioration in the respiratory situation".
Gulisano calls this an inaccurate information because this episode makes him think of a new form of serious lung disease, pneumonia 'ab ingestis', which occurs in weak elderly patients with difficulty swallowing when food ends up not in the stomach but in the lungs, resulting in a serious infectious state.
The Vatican communiqué said Francis was immediately bronchoaspirated and started on non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
According to Gulisano, the "non-intubated" Pope was a must after years of media scare tactics in which patients were shown on television prone and intubated in order to create as much fear of illness as possible.
Non-invasive mechanical ventilation means that Francis has a mask over his nose and mouth to provide him with oxygen. Gulisano describes this as "a serious situation, which means a guarded prognosis".
It would be important to know if an 'ab ingestis' pneumonia is present that could lead to a bacterial infection of the blood (sepsis) with potentially fatal consequences.
A urinary tract infection is also common in healthcare-associated infections: "We have not been told if the Pope has a urinary catheter, but it is almost certain that he does."
According to Gulisano, given these conditions, "it is frankly surreal" to hear over-optimistic narratives that speak of 'a Pope at work', unless by 'work' one meant putting signatures on documents presented to him.
Equally unbelievable is that on 29 February, just before the respiratory crisis, Francis was praying in the chapel, as if in his condition he had been taken out of bed and out of the room.
If this really happened, why was the moment not documented photographically, asks Gulisano: "It would have brought comfort to the many faithful who were worried about his condition and praying for the Pope."
"Why was Francis, if he is indeed not bedridden and autonomous, not wheeled to the window in a wheelchair to greet the crowds that are constantly present on the hospital's forecourt, as John Paul II did at the time of his hospitalisation?"
The same goes for the Vatican's claim that Francis ate breakfast and read the newspaper after waking up.
Gulisano calls this "an idyllic picture" that contrasts with a very different clinical situation.
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