Pittston man describes parents’ battle with coronavirus – News

Alfred and Beverly Cannarella of Pittston, set to rejoice 50 years of marriage in August, died of the coronavirus days aside earlier this month. Their deaths got here simply weeks after beginning inpatient rehabilitation collectively on the Timber Ridge Well being Care Middle in Plains Twp.

The couple’s son, Al Cannarella of Pittston, describes his dad and mom as longtime warriors in opposition to well being issues who simply couldn’t conquer their ultimate battle with the coronavirus — a illness that’s significantly deadly to these with preexisting situations like them.

“My dad and mom had been fighters,” the Pittston man stated.

His father, Alfred Cannarella, 73, who beat bladder most cancers and was battling leukemia, died on April 6. Lower than per week later, his mom, Beverly, 70, a kidney transplant survivor of 40 years with coronary heart issues, died on April 12.

Due to strict quarantine measures enacted due to the virus, each died in hospitals with out loving members of the family by their facet. Remaining phrases, like a goodbye from a son to his beloved mother, needed to be achieved on the telephone with the assistance of a stranger — the nurse that occurred to be within the room.

“She was asking for us. It was gut-wrenching to clarify we couldn’t be there, to clarify to somebody you like you possibly can’t see them,” Al Cannarella stated.

Even their final rites earlier than demise had been achieved by speaker telephone.

Al Cannarella, 48, stated the final time he noticed his mom was March 20 when she entered Geisinger Neighborhood Medical Middle in Scranton for mobility points. On the time, his father was additionally experiencing weak point from his most cancers remedies. The household determined they each can be admitted to Timber Ridge on March 26 for rehabilitation.

“We thought having them collectively can be a perfect scenario,” Cannarella stated.

Cannarella stated each dad and mom examined unfavorable for the coronavirus on March 31, however each would ultimately turn into contaminated.

Alfred Cannarella examined optimistic after being transferred to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Middle in Plains Twp. for a fever. For days, he seemed to be doing wonderful — together with on the day he died, Cannarella stated.

“He sounded regular. He was at all times in good spirits. He talked about he couldn’t wait to get out of there,” Cannarells stated. “Inside a number of hours, he had issue respiratory and his well being went downhill quickly.”

The state of affairs was comparable when Beverly Cannarella died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Middle, the place she was admitted a number of days after her husband.

“She was chatting with me such as you and I within the morning,” Cannarella stated. “By the afternoon, she began having respiratory points. By 6 p.m. they stated she won’t make it by the night time. She died at 12:01 on Easter morning.”

The Cannarellas additionally depart behind a daughter, Tracie, 46, of Tunkhannock, and two grandchildren.

“Lots of people have a look at these numbers and statistics and don’t actually put it into perspective. I would like folks to understand how critical the scenario is,” Cannarella stated.

Cannarella stated his household was at all times cautious when it got here to his dad and mom’ well being, in order that they took the coronavirus critically from the start. He hopes extra folks begin doing the identical.

“I see much more folks on the market with masks. However I nonetheless do see lots of people who assume it’s not critical,” Cannarella stated. “It’s essential. Somebody won’t take it critically who’s a service. Most individuals will get better, but it surely’s not an opportunity you need to take.”

Contact the author:

bkalinowski@citizensvoice.com,

570-821-2055, @cvbobkal