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February 19, 2020This case of a miraculous recovery through the intercession of Blessed Frassati was reported last summer. A treating physician has recently provided supporting information and the family has given permission to share some of the significant details. [Warning: this blog post and video involve infant death, pregnancy loss, and trauma.]
On September 12, 2018, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Becky woke up to begin what she felt would be another good day. She was in her 35th week of pregnancy with her 8th child. Becky has a blood condition called the Kidd antigen so each pregnancy is considered high risk and she is closely monitored. She had seen the doctor the day before and everything was going well.
After returning home from her prayer group later that morning, she started feeling some discomfort in her abdomen and called her husband to take her to the doctor. Upon arrival at the hospital, Becky was lightheaded and experiencing blurred vision. Vital signs were taken for her precious baby who, sadly, was no longer alive.
The doctor performed a C-section to deliver baby Ava. At that time, placental abruption was discovered along with an extreme loss of blood. This led to the onset of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) – a critical complication of placental abruption and acute blood loss. In such cases, when blood loses the ability to clot and surgical incisions continue to bleed, the uterus continues to bleed, and the patient often dies.
According to her doctor, “Becky lost 3,000 ml of blood during the surgery as a result; this amounts to half of her blood volume. A critical situation was compounded by the fact the presence of the jKa antibodies prevented quick availability of cross-matched blood, and the use of O negative blood was necessary to initiate blood transfusion until cross-matched blood became available. Transfusion with platelets and other clotting factors were necessary to replace the clotting elements that were progressively being consumed by the DIC process. Becky received 11 units of blood over the course of her hospitalization and recovery, equivalent to replacing her entire blood volume twice.”
Becky’s mother reported that a priest gave Becky the Anointing of the Sick. At that time, a second-class relic of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was placed on Becky and they asked him to intercede to save her life. Her mother writes, “I, as well as the attending physician as well as the blood tech in the lab that was working on her blood all agree that he did just that and that the grace was provided for her ultimate total healing.”“Up to 50% of cases of DIC result in death. In over 20 years of practice, I have never encountered a situation of such acuity with legitimate real risk of maternal death. And amazingly, Becky defied those odds.” (From a statement provided by Becky's doctor.)
When cases are reported of potential miracles, a good bit of investigation is necessary to determine whether there is a medical explanation for the healing. This case is in the early stages of that process. If you have received special favors through the intercession of Blessed Frassati, please report them here.
Finally, to honor the life of baby Ava, the family prepared a very moving video. It begins with the moment they shared the news of the pregnancy with their other children and includes final images of Ava after she was delivered. Please add your prayers of thanksgiving for this precious life as well as for Becky's; and please continue to pray for the canonization of Blessed Frassati.
Blessed Pier Giorgio, support of family life, pray for us.
Verso l'alto! ///cmw
