Several North Bergen-based organizations made Christmas donations today for a family reeling from tragedy this year after Estefania Mesa fell into a coma while giving birth at the Hoboken University Medical Center this summer.
“Estefania can’t be with us right now at the moment, but when gets up again, starts walking and talking, when she’s strong, I’ll let her know all the good stuff you guys have done. Thank you so much,” said Eduardo Argueta, the partner of Mesa, who brought their five-month old daughter Emma to Township Hall this afternoon.
Mesa gave birth to Emma via Cesarean section on July 20th, and according to Argueta, the new mother went without oxygen for over nine minutes, leaving her with brain damage.
While her condition has improved slightly, now with minimal awareness of her surroundings at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, she still has a long recovery ahead.
In an effort to help the ailing family, an anonymous business owner donated $1,000, while the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation, the non-profit group run by the mayor, as well as the North Bergen Policemen’s Benevolent Association, donated $500 each.
“We’ll be able to give the children something, the little girl I guess isn’t realizing why yet because she’s so young, but she’ll be getting toys under her tree and the other kids will be able to get the toys also,” noted Sacco.
North Bergen CARES also helped acquire dozens of toys for Emma so the family can still try and have a Merry Christmas despite their ongoing hardships.
“It’s been a pleasure coming here with Emma with all the support from North Bergen: it’s been a great help, it’s been difficult with COVID-19 not having a job and anything helps from the town and I’m grateful,” Argueta added.
He believes that the Hoboken hospital engaged in some level of malfeasance since Mesa is 28 years old with no pre-existing conditions, also claiming that a doctor told him “she should’ve been dead” after what she encountered.
Sammy Davis, Mesa’s attorney in the matter, said the hospital has produced over a 1,000 pages worth of medical records, though none of which related to the nine minutes where she was without oxygen – nor any records related to anesthesia treatment.
A spokesman for HUMC has declined to comment on Mesa’s situation.
