*Name changed by the editor

Desirée, 35, now lives with her family in Lugano. Her daughter’s doing fine. More than fine. She goes to school, does synchronised swimming and lives a very normal life. Desirée certainly doesn't take any of this for granted.

When she first became a mother she was only 21 and a student. She was over the moon, but soon after the birth her daughter fell ill. At first it looked like gastrointestinal flu, with vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. As the baby was only a few weeks old and at risk of dehydration, she was hospitalised in Ticino. But even after several days she wasn't really getting better. The symptoms came and went. Sometimes she had a fever, sometimes not. Sometimes vomiting, sometimes not. The doctors didn't have a clear picture. But Desirée had a feeling that something was wrong:

Despite this, she was sent home several times. Young and a first-time mother, she eventually began to doubt herself. “I didn’t feel understood. Everyone told me that I was probably just being over-anxious.”

And then things got serious

Then Desirée's daughter’s condition changed significantly. She stopped eating, spent almost all her time sleeping, and eventually was barely able to keep her eyes open. Desirée called the hospital again. That evening, she took her child back in. This time there was a neurologist present. He examined the baby and immediately decided not to wait until the next day. Further examinations followed. Soon it was clear that the child would have to be transferred to Basel, by Rega helicopter.

Baterial meningitis: 22 days in Baselc

In Basel, the diagnosis was confirmed: bacterial meningitis. Doctors began treatment immediately. Desirée spent the time that followed torn between fear, hope and exhaustion. Her daughter was given antibiotics, and later had to have fluid drained from her head. 

For 22 days, Desirée was only allowed to hold her baby for a few minutes a day. The treatment didn't allow for more. For a young mother, this was hard to bear. And yet Desirée can now say that she was fortunate. Because the treatment started to work. Her daughter's condition stabilised.

“We're there for you”

While her daughter was being treated in Basel, another worry arose. Desirée was still studying and earning hardly any money. Because she wasn't allowed to sleep in her daughter’s room, she needed a place to stay. She also had to cover meals, for almost a month.

“I was really worried. I didn’t know how I was going to pay for it.” She called SWICA and outlined the situation. She received a call back the very same day. “They told me they were there for me. They said just take care of your daughter; we’ll take care of the rest.”

This came as a great relief to Desirée. SWICA covered the costs of meals and accommodation while she stayed with her daughter in Basel. They also took care of the medical expenses and subsequent checks. “That was a huge relief for me.”

When support means more than covering costs

For Desirée, this was one of the most difficult times of her life. Her daughter was seriously ill, and she herself was young, overwhelmed and far from home. It wasn't just the medical care that helped. It was also the feeling that someone saw what was happening and helped her cope with it.

Now the whole family is insured with SWICA.