Unsung hero: Four women work together in crisis

April 22--STOCKTON -- Fifteen minutes.

That's the span of time that passed. But to the four women whose quick reactions saved a woman in distress, it was the longest and most unforgettable 900 seconds of their lives.

A United Cerebral Palsy Hammer Ranch Adult Day Program client suffered a medical emergency -- either a heart attack or stroke -- in early April that caused her to choke on her food. Although the women helped save her life that day, they learned their client died a week later after suffering another incident.

Alicia Tomeldan, 27, and Yessica Rodriguez, both instruction assistants at the UCP Hammer Ranch Adult Day Program, were working with their clients when they noticed one of them appeared to have fallen asleep. But something didn't look right to them.

Rodriguez, 34, noticed the woman had a large piece of food in her mouth so she scooped it out believing she was choking. The woman still wasn't responding so Rodriguez yelled for Deanna Nava, the program assistant.

"I was in (the office) and I heard her from across the building," 27-year-old Nava said. "So I ran over there. They said, 'She's not breathing' and I'm like, 'What do you mean she's not breathing?'

"By the time I got to her, the (client's complexion had turned) blue."

Nava, who's been with the program for seven years, tried giving the woman abdominal thrusts to dislodge any food, and one more piece did come out causing her to gasp for air, but she still wasn't responsive. Because she was a large woman and used a wheelchair, Nava couldn't fully reach around her to continue and couldn't carry her alone. So combining their strength, Tomeldan, Rodriguez, Nava and instruction assistant Gabriela Soto carried the woman and placed her on the floor. Nava began doing compressions, but within three minutes she couldn't continue and asked Tomeldan to take over.

"She was still in shock," Nava said of Tomeldan. "I told her, 'I need you to do it. I can't do it anymore.' I had to yell at her and snap her in."

No CPR class, dummies or video can compare to the real deal and intensity of the situation, Tomeldan said, adding how instrumental Nava was to getting the women through the ordeal.

"We were in shock," she said. "We needed (Nava) to snap us out of it."

From then on, the women worked out a system, alternating who did compressions, regularly checking for a pulse and signs of breathing.

Nava said a couple of years ago a client had a similar medical emergency, but medics arrived at the adult care center at 7616 Pacific Ave. almost immediately. This time, emergency personnel didn't arrive until 15 minutes later because the incident occurred on April 4, which is the same day a portion of West Hammer Lane closed after a police pursuit of three people ended in a fatal crash. Stockton Fire Department Station 7 is just over a mile from the UCP center.

Once medics arrived, they continued compressions for another 20 minutes, finally getting a pulse. It took about 25 minutes more to stabilize her before they transported her to a hospital.

The four women said once the medics took her, they all started crying.

Nava said she was told by medics the client had suffered a medical emergency before she choked. Unfortunately, she added, the client died a week later.

Still, Nava said that while they're sad about her death and miss the client's cheery demeanor, she's proud the women refused to give up on her and gave her another week of life.

"Not under our watch was she going to pass away," she said.

The women said that they can't emphasize enough how vital it is for people to take CPR classes.

Soto, Nava, Rodriguez and Tomeldan still get overwhelmed talking about the incident. They said they're trying to move on, but it was an extremely emotional experience for them.

The women said the 77 clients they help look after are like family members to them. Working at UCP is not glamorous work, but the staff is here because they want to be here, they added.

"We build a bond with each (client)," Tomeldan said.

This is the happiest the 30-year-old Soto has been at a job, she said, adding that she likes seeing the clients' faces light up when they arrive because they look forward to working with the staff.

Said Nava: "For most of them, we are their family. Most of them live in care homes and we're all that they know."

-- Contact reporter Almendra Carpizo at (209) 546-8264 or acarpizo@recordnet.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlmendraCarpizo.

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