Alessandra’s Inspiring Journey
Born in 1977, Alessandra Palma Modoni, a specialized pneumologist from Lecce, led what she describes as a normal life. Her story, infused with deep love and the profound emotions of her partner Pierluigi, reflects the harrowing experience of nearly losing her. A mother of two now-teenage children, Alessandra understood the vital role of sport for overall well-being. This was her life until November 2019, when, after a night shift, she unexpectedly found herself becoming her own doctor.
“It was an intense period, both professionally and personally, with many night shifts and my children still quite young,” Alessandra shared. “I had always enjoyed running, a light activity to stay fit and find a moment for myself. However, I noticed I was struggling more than usual, getting out of breath climbing stairs, and experiencing a strange nausea.”
A subsequent blood test brought forth the devastating suspicion of acute myeloid leukemia—a diagnosis whose dire implications were immediately clear to Alessandra and her husband, both medical professionals.
“Just a few days after that first test, my blood count had plummeted by two points. As a doctor, I understood the severity of that data and felt its impact deeply,” she recounted. “It was a shock, but we didn’t lose heart. My husband and I researched extensively, fought together, and never lied to our children, though we did soften the situation. My profound faith also sustained me through this arduous path.”
Her treatment involved intensive therapy, a prolonged stay in a sterile room, and a bone marrow transplant, swiftly carried out thanks to her brother’s compatibility.
“During that time, the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. I was in Rome for my therapies. My husband would visit with the children on weekends, until my son eventually stayed with me. Fortunately, because for several months, my husband and daughter couldn’t join us due to pandemic restrictions.”
From Sterile Room to Marathon Finish Line
A little over six years later, on Sunday, March 22nd, Alessandra reached the finish line of the 31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon.
“After several months, I returned home. My body was weak; I had lost weight, muscle tone, and my hair. I was taking many medications and certainly couldn’t consider myself in shape. But my mind responded to an encouragement from my husband, who urged me to gradually resume sports, in the right measure.”
Transitioning from an amateur jogger to a competitive runner, Alessandra embraced a new athletic identity.
“I had never considered participating in a competitive race; the idea of competition was far from how I used to experience running. Then, something clicked. I joined a sports club (ASD Tre Casali) and started competing in 10 km races and half-marathons. I discovered I was particularly gifted for trail running.”
Kilometers run and medical check-ups merged into a new rhythm of life. Alessandra fully re-embraced her roles as a mother, wife, and doctor.
“My husband and I decided it would be wonderful to run a marathon together. Unfortunately, he sustained an injury in recent months, so I continued alone. And here I am, among the finishers of the Rome Marathon, crossing the line in 4 hours and 25 minutes, though the stopwatch didn’t truly matter to me.”
It was a family triumph, shared even along the course, where Pierluigi met Alessandra at various points to cheer her on.
“I managed the race steadily, and then, surprisingly, found an extra surge of energy in the final kilometers—a reserve I didn’t know I possessed. Am I happy? Perhaps the illness was the instrument through which I looked within myself. I had to take time for myself, and as dramatic as the experience was, I have been reborn. I came back stronger than before; I transformed it into an opportunity for change and improvement. I wanted to tell my story so it might inspire someone. The psychological aspect, the will to fight back, is fundamental. I found it in my family, in my husband, in my children, for whom I hope to be an example. Now, it’s time to look forward to the next one, and this time I hope my husband can be with me.”
