'Prayers For Colleen': Mom On Ventilator Battles Coronavirus

BABYLON, NY — The Babylon community has come together to help the family of a local woman hospitalized with the coronavirus for nearly two months.

Colleen is a stay-at-home mother for her two children, 12-year-old John Capizzi and 15-year-old Isabella Capizzi. Her husband is a firefighter for the Babylon Fire Department.

After news started to spread that the pandemic reached Long Island in March, Colleen and John Capizzi decided to get tested April 4. Later that day, Colleen was suddenly hit with symptoms of the virus.

"We were both seemingly fine that morning, I left the house at 10, 11 a.m. to get tested," John told Patch. "I got home at 1 p.m. and [Colleen] was laying in bed with a fever — that's how quickly it hit her."

Photo courtesy of the Capizzi family

The results showed both were positive for COVID-19. While John experienced minor symptoms like loss of taste and smell, and has since recovered, his wife had to be hospitalized April 10.

The 47-year-old was sent to Stony Brook University Hospital after she started having some breathing issues, and eventually she collapsed and couldn't breathe. After being in the hospital for three weeks, doctors put her on a ventilator May 2.

They tried several treatments and medications such as hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir, but her condition worsened.

On May 14, when she appeared to improve a little, she was taken off the ventilator, but had to go back on it May 22. Now, nearly two months after she was hospitalized, she remains at the Stony Brook University Hospital ICU on a ventilator.

John said he has received support from the local community, including fellow firefighters and several local churches. The younger John started the Facebook page, Prayers for Colleen, to update the community on her condition and encourage people to pray for her.

"Obviously nothing replaces her being here," the older John said. "But I want to say thank you to everyone for all the support and prayers and keep praying for her."

Photo courtesy of the Capizzi family

Members of the community and local churches have set up "prayer nights" to gather the community in prayer. In addition, St. Joseph's Church hosts a rosary reading in honor of Colleen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The family also lights a candle every night in their home until Colleen can come back home.

"We keep it lit for her," John said. "My wife dedicated her whole life to taking care of the kids. All I'm concerned about is my wife getting better."

Photo courtesy of the Capizzi family