The Love Project

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AN EXCERPT FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH LUCIA:Today I met Lucia. Lucia, 48 years old, is affected by a critical stress induced heart failure, and will die if not immediately treated. She got heart sick in 2003, but she is a fighter and overcame, since then, three heart attacks, a cardiac arrest, and several TIAs. Yet now no hope and no courage can help her but the treatment in question, that, by the way, will fully cure her, allowing her to go back to a normal life. But this dream is $60,000 away, $60,000 that she doesn’t have. She needs us, she needs you all, because during all these tragic years she spent all she had, to the point of losing her own home, and sold now her very last things to advance the deposit the hospital is asking for. $60,000 is the balance. She is now at high risk, can have another heart attack any time, and one more would be lethal: this treatment is long overdue, due to her lack of funds: $60,000 stand between her and her life. Her case was brought to us by an assistant to Professor Nicholas Dioguardi, and we decided to deepen it. After having our Experts review all her medical history, we took on her cause without hesitation. I came to see Lucia where she lives now, in one room with a bed, a closet, a few shelves and an old small TV set that doesn’t work anymore, but she doesn’t know how to remove: just too heavy for her. No refrigerator, no...many other things. She is in bed, extremely pale, and asks not to be photographed. Q “So, Lucia, when did it all start?”A “In 2002 I had my first heart attack, followed by a cardiac arrest. They literally saved my life: the head of the team, Professor Nicholas Dioguardi, a great family friend, put together a group of 12 Doctors, including some from Switzerland and the US. They later told me that I had, during the crisis, a 2% survival chance. Before then, I knew I was under pressure and very tired, but my heart had always been healthy. They explained that we all have a breaking point, and I had reached mine.” A “Then, when, after several months, I had almost recovered, I had a TIA. We were then in 2003 and immediately the Doctors started mentioning this new treatment that has surfaced in Houston, deciding that, had I not fully recovered by the end of the year, I should have gone there.”Q “Why didn’t you go right away?”A “I couldn’t be moved, they needed me to get better for the trip from Los Angeles to Houston..." Lucia seems pained yet relieved to tell her story.A “Instead, the day after Christmas 2003, I had another heart attack. I don’t know how I survived it, I just thank God and my wonderful Doctors. In the meantime, I had severe financial concerns. No Health Insurance. The very little I had left was going so fast...And that would be another story, but, anyway...Q “No, please, tell me about it.A “Well, two things, really: I kept relapsing because I was supposed to rest and relax, while I couldn’t. The medical expenses had been huge, and I didn’t have much left. I had to start selling my furniture to pay the rent, along with a few valuables I had, but I knew that wasn’t going to last forever. I was extremely concerned, but I didn’t tell the Doctors: you know, it’s not easy to say “I am broke”, especially to somebody that had known all my family. There is a stigma attached, one is afraid, embarrassed, I don’t know how to explain. In addition, the only relative I have, my mother’s brother, whose aggressive behavior towards me is what brought me where I am now, kept fighting me for things that belonged to my mother, and she had left to meQ “Is he in a position to help you with the medical bills, and in going to Houston?”A “Yes, and I was naive enough to ask for his help, but he refused. In the meantime, here, I managed to pay all the local bills, and to raise something to go to Houston, but not enough. It’s the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, they are the only ones, world wide, so far, that provide this treatment. And it would cure me.” While I listen, I hear the heavy traffic noise coming from the street, and can’t help but think that this is the worst possible place to rest and relax.A “Now, anything can take me to the Lord, they told me very clearly, over and over, also because they don’t understand why I don’t go to Houston.Q “Does your uncle know that you are at such high risk?”A “Yes, but he doesn’t care I guess: it’d take him a second to cut a check, but he was close to my mother, not to me. And maybe has a subconscious revenge feeling towards me because she left me her things. At least, this is what people that know the story tell me, for a very long time I couldn’t comprehend it, was just shocked by his behavior.Q “You were her daughter, it’s normal; Going back to your health problems, where have you been treated so far?” Hospitals are very good, but, you know, nowadays, an Hospital is more expensive that a luxurious hotel.” And again with out Health Insurance, It is impossible for me to get treated any longer.Q “Aren’t you cold? Do you want me to look for another blanket?”A “Thank you, but these two are all I have, and I keep the heating low to save.” The room is freezing.Q “So, at the end of 2003 you had your second heart attack...A “And the third in 2006. TIAs were five altogether, I don’t remember all dates, you should look at my charts. Sorry, I am getting tired. But go ahead, please.Q “What did you do before getting sick?”A “I was a philosophy Professor, I loved it. I was also involved in community projects for the children and the elderly: Humanitarian work. Even in the wealthiest of cities, so much poverty and despair... But nobody knows that I am like this now, nor that I am here. After I was evicted, I vanished from everybody.” I try to reason with it, but there is much shame involved, being one who helped many… and now not even being able to help myself…Q “In the end you were evicted? When?”A “On November 30th 2004. My landlord was very generous, but I was really too much behind with payments. I told everybody I was moving to Rome and came here. I don’t have a landline, so, when people call me on my cellphone, I could be anywhere. But I seldom leave it on, because I hate to lie. I have many books, I love to read, but my things are all in storage, so, when I am able to get up, I go on Internet to find something interesting.”Q “So you lost touch with your friends?”A “Yes, I have no social interaction at all, I’d say that I am a “non human” any more, I don’t exist: I can’t even vote, because my polling station is close to my old residence, and I don’t have the money for the taxi. I was invited to spend Christmas with friends, but, unable to buy gifts, just couldn’t go.Q ”I am sure that our readers will help you in going to Houston and get treated, so you’ll go back to your life. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lucia, you are a great woman. They may write in asking more questions, and I’ll bring them to you, so they can fully understand why we seek their help. See you soon.”A “Thank you very much.” After saying good bye, the photographer and I leave, both in a sad mood, and carrying away the TV set.