By: PAUL SISSON - Staff Writer | ∞
Celine Showman of Vista, left, watches as her daughter, Megan Showman, 8, hugs and thanks Navy Hospitalman William Vega and Navy Hospital corpsman Third Class, Margaret Reusi, for saving her mother's life. A small ceremony for the Navy heroes was held at Camp Pendleton Wednesday.
CAMP PENDLETON -- Gratitude brought Cecilia Showman and her family to Camp Pendleton Wednesday. 
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"I needed to thank the people that saved me," Showman said, minutes after hugging two of the three Navy hospital corpsmen whose quick work helped her survive the sudden cardiac arrest she suffered at a Vista sushi restaurant on Dec. 14.
Showman, 33, said she was eating dinner with her 8-year-old daughter, Megan, when her heart suddenly stopped beating. Nearby sat three corpsmen, two of them recently returned from Iraq. Corpsman Third Class Margaret Reusi said Wednesday that the noise coming from the nearby table told her something was wrong.
"We heard the dishes fall and then we heard a little girl calling for help," Reusi said. "We just went over there and started CPR."
Chest compressions started Showman's heart beating again; she had a pulse by the time Vista paramedics arrived. Vista Capt. Joe Napier, who responded to the call, said the patient's heart stopped again shortly after he arrived and had to be shocked back into action with an portable electronic defibrillator. Though the timely shock worked, Showman slipped into a coma as the ambulance crew rushed her to the nearest emergency room at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside.
Dr. Robert Orr, Showman's cardiologist, said emergency room doctors noticed Showman was in a coma and decided to induce hypothermia, a new technique gaining traction in hospitals throughout the United States. Doctors and nurses draped Showman with cooling blankets, forcing her core body temperature to drop to between 89.6 and 93.2 degrees, far below the average normal temperature of 98.6.
Orr said hypothermia treatment has been observed to decrease the amount of damage that patients receive when blood stops flowing to their brains in an event like a heart attack.
"Studies have shown that it slows the metabolism down and there is less brain damage," Orr said.
Orr said doctors call Showman's heart condition "sudden cardiac death" because the heart stops completely rather than adopting an abnormal or weak rhythm. He said a viral infection likely caused the problem.
After six days in a coma, Showman woke up with her intellect intact and immediately set about thanking those who saved her life. Orr and the Tri-City nurses came first.
"I just got excellent care and I wanted them to know that," she said.
Showman headed north Wednesday to thank corpsman Reusi and Hospitalman William Vega at the headquarters of the 1st Medical Battalion located in the sprawling 22 Area of Camp Pendleton. Hospital Corpsman Marvin Flores --- the third military medic in the restaurant -- was unable to attend due to a training conflict.
Vega and Reusi, ages 22 and 21 respectively, seemed stunned to receive so much attention for their efforts. Though Showman, their commanding officer and Vista paramedics called them heroes, the pair said they were not so sure they deserved the honor.
"I think anyone with the ability would be able to do what we have done," Reusi said.
"We just do what we have to do," Vega added.
Dr. Orr said he was convinced that the quick action of the corpsmen did more than simply assist with Showman's recovery.
"The Navy Corpsmen saved her life," Orr said. "The fact that she had them right there was extremely lucky."
All three corpsmen received Navy and Marine Corps achievement medals for their performance.
-- Contact staff writer Paul Sisson at (760) 901-4087 or psisson@nctimes.com.
Angels wrote on Feb 28, 2008 7:06 AM:Corpsmen Vega and Reusi: don't underestimate the magnitude of what you did, bringing a mother back to life, allowing her to see her child again and hopefully having a fulfilling life on this earth. You are definitely heroes in the eyes of those that read this story.
Gina wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:51 AM:This story brought me to tears. The fact that these 3 corpsmen were there at the time when she needed them shows me that God is everywhere. What a lovely story to read. This made my day! God bless all of you involved in this woman's recovery as well. Her child will always remember this. I know, my mom died when I was 10.
Thank you wrote on Feb 28, 2008 9:55 AM:I agree; these 2 are heroes indeed. Too many times, folks do not want to get 'involved' or simply look the other way. Our armed services men and women stand ready, willing and able to rush to help. This story gives us all hope that our 'fellow man' and neighbors might 'have a heart' when it's needed.
Did you notice?? wrote on Feb 28, 2008 9:56 AM:Did you notice the state of the art hypothermia treatment at Tri City? Where are all the negative bloggers now?
Nick wrote on Feb 28, 2008 10:24 AM:Our three young Navy Corpsmen should indeed be proud of themselves, but I am not surprised they are so humble. Corpsmen are trained to go onto the front lines with Marines and put their lives on the line. When a a Marine is wounded and bullets are flying, he knows that a "Doc" will rush to his aid. So, as inspiring a story this is, it is all in a day's work for these HEROS. God Bless all of you. - A proud retired sailor
WOW wrote on Feb 28, 2008 11:57 AM:WoW! Great story about great people. These three are indeed hero's.
NavyDoc wrote on Feb 28, 2008 12:21 PM:BZ Shipmates!
You deserved more than just a NAM.
Keep up the good work and keep charging.
LL
Jennifer wrote on Feb 28, 2008 12:32 PM:I just want to say that I love my sister Mags very much and am very proud of what her and friends have done for this family. I love you my seester and can't wait until you come home.
John wrote on Feb 28, 2008 4:03 PM:Thanks to all the people and support for helping my family member out in a important time of need. I know that they feel like they were just doing whats "right"....but fact that they did somthing means alot to me and a whole lot more people
EdGary wrote on Feb 28, 2008 6:43 PM:God Bless Corpsmen-
Margaret Reusi
William Vega
and Marvin Flores
Celine is my cousin but more like a sister. I truly thank these three for answering the call. They saved someone very important to me and very many others. I appreciate their humbleness in what they have done. These people are my heroes. Thank you all...
Jane wrote on Feb 28, 2008 8:11 PM:These Corpsmen ARE heroes. Celine is an irreplacable part of the family. It is inaction not ignorance that troubles many. I am so thankful that they were able to act without hesitation.
"klines" wrote on Feb 28, 2008 9:58 PM:Congratulations to the 3 corpmen!
Their talent & training saved the life of Celine. Their concern and courageous actions made a difference to this woman and her daughter Megan. In today's society where others don't usually want to get involved, it is nice to know that there are still true HEROES out there! You are an inspiration to all of us ........to do more and care more for others.
Celine wrote on Mar 2, 2008 10:24 PM:They are all heroes! Meeting them was amazing! It was surreal!
Paula wrote on Mar 3, 2008 4:55 AM:Praise be to God that He used these 3 Corpsmen to save Celine. May they be richly blessed! So happy to have you with us Celine!
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Jen wrote on Mar 3, 2008 5:06 AM:God bless these heroes. They may all be humble, but their action have saved Celine's life.
She has now joined an exclusive group of folks who have cheated death and we all wish her many more years of health and happiness with her family.
Without the help of others, 90% of people who suffer a sudden arrest will die. If you don't know CPR, please learn.
And again to the three heroes there that day as well as the unsung ones at all other emergencies God Bless you all.-
grateful wrote on Mar 3, 2008 8:05 AM:These three corpsmen are all heroes!!! They have big hearts and reacted without any hesitation. They saved my cousin who is someone very dear to my heart. I am so grateful for them.-
Helen, NYC wrote on Mar 3, 2008 9:13 AM:Celine is now in my ICD online support group and she told us all about the corpsmen right in her first post. They are indeed heroes.. I know. I had SCD a few years ago and without the EMTs on our volunteer fire department ambulance and their quick work I would not be alive today... Like the corpsmen these guys are humble and don't consider themselves heroes... But my 6 kids, 9 grandchildren and I consider them life savers.. God bless all these heroes.
Bill wrote on Mar 3, 2008 7:45 PM:This wasnt happening to us, this happens to only other people! That was the 1st thing I was thinking, after my daughter Megan called me. The Second was, Where are my shoes! The 3rd was, Dear LORD,PLEASE look after my family! The LORD heard my prayer, 1st 3 Navy Corpsmen, 1 responsive fire department, and our families and church families prayers. THANK YOU LORD!!!!!-
Dan wrote on Mar 4, 2008 6:56 AM:Without a doubt, the EMT team saved her life. I used to be an EMT on CP, and in those days, any patient would have been taken to NHCP, a facility not equipped to deal with this type of acuity. The military has since modified its BLS/EMT guidelines to make better definitive choices, and in this case, the change in care obviously shows a benificial outcome. Way to go HM's, and TCMC. You all worked together to save a life!! As an EX-31 area EMT, I can apprciate the benefit and outcome you made in this person's successful outcome. Way to go, SHIPMATES!! NHCP has obviously changed their protocol since my days serving as an EMT in the early 90's, and your action and expediency has obviously given your patient the best care with the best outcome.... WAY TO GO.....-
Dan-
Elizabeth wrote on Mar 4, 2008 4:02 PM:When my bestfriend told me about this, I couldn't believe it. "Wil saved a ladies life today" it left me in awe. Someone I've known since 6th grade I am reading online that he did this. Truly amazing. We never think such things can happen to us or our friends. But, it's not just about Wil, it's about everyone involved. It took everyone's help to make this happen. I am very proud of all of you and I am glad that everyone is okay! :)
Peace, Love and Blessings.
Mollie wrote on Mar 4, 2008 8:49 PM:Celine is my best friend...more like a sister and i cant imagine my life without her!!! I am so thankful for these HEREOS!!! Thank you all so much for saving her life!!!
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