To The Staff at Costamed:
What a wonderful, caring and educated staff at Costamed Hospital! In January, 2015, the man I was dating, Randy Baker, suffered three massive heart attacks on a Princess cruise in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. While the ship was being diverted to Cozumel, Dr. Moguel with Costamed, provided orders via internet that helped provide the critical and intensive care that was needed to sustain his life while still on the cruise ship.
Once arriving in Cozumel on life support, the winded international patient liaison, Andrea Sekula, whom had run from her home to the hospital when she heard the Code 3 coming in, Dr. Moguel, who is by far the best cardiologist in the world, Dr. Orobio (ER doc) all waiting, took charge and had Randy to the cath lab within 10 minutes. With tears flowing, phone calls coming in from Randy’s family in the States I waited. Dr. Moguel opened up his LAD, still 100% blocked even though they tried to thrombolyze him on the ship. Dr. Rubio, the anesthesiologist was exhausted from ambu-bagging Randy through the whole procedure to keep his 02 saturation up. He was finally stabilized once they were able to transfer him to the ICU and placed on their modified ventilator. Dr. Reyes, who spent many nights sleeping in ICU with Randy and other wonderful physicians and staff that provided critical and excellent care needed over the course of ten days that resulted in saving Randy’s life. Randy had aspirated during the intubation on the ship, which was the biggest problem. They were fighting pneumonia and with having only one kidney, it took a large hit from such low blood pressure for so long.
Those ten days were some of the most intense and stressful days that his children and I have ever gone through. However, without a doubt, we feel that Randy would not have lived if this would have happened at any other place, including the U.S. hospitals. Dr. Moguel used an instrument to place the stents in Randy that had not been approved in the U.S. at that time. This probably saved his life. The staff communicated with us regularly and continuously gave detailed information of what was going on and what to expect in the upcoming days. The physicians and nurses never left Randy’s side and provided the most outstanding individualized care. Once Randy was stable enough to be air ambulanced back to the U.S., Dr. Reyes did everything possible to make sure the transition went smoothly and that Randy’s health status was communicated properly. Once arriving in the U.S., Dr. Reyes, Dr. Moguel and Andrea kept in touch with us on Randy’s progress. The specialists here in the U.S. commented on the great care that Randy had received while in critical condition at Costamed. The Physicians and staff at Costamed saved Randy’s life and we will ever be so grateful to them.
Four months later, I took Randy back to Costamed to meet and thank the wonderful team of Physicians and nurses that saved his life. We all had many tears and a happy reunion. While we were there, Randy proposed to me. We have been married for over a year now. Randy is back helping others, as a Captain for the Garland Fire Department in Texas. Life is good, God is Great and we can’t thank Costamed enough for our happy ending!
Randy and Cindy B