Help Misael Pay Covid Medical Treatment

My name is James Shaughnessy. I own Beulah Fly Rods and Flyfishmex, a fly rod manufacturer and fly fishing travel outfitter. I met Misael about 8 years ago when I was asked to take part in a fishing program being filmed in Baja Mexico. Misael was the camera man and videographer for the project. We became friends and later Misael started working with me doing video and photography work for both Beulah and Flyfishmex. Over the last three years, Misael has become a big part of my flyfishmex operation not only helping me with video and photography, but also with day-to-day operations and assisting guests. Anyone who has recently fished with Flyfishmex in Baja would recognize Misael as my sidekick and confidant, someone who is always there to help out or share a laugh. In short Misael is a close friend and someone I can always count on. He is family.

This last season in Baja was the busiest and most demanding one yet. We were fully booked with guests for three straight months. The fishing was excellent and people were ready to travel and get out. Misael’s assistance was an important part of why things went as smoothly as they did. It was a very successful season.

Some of our most major challenges were caused by Covid 19. Efforts were made to protect guests and workers, and we made sure people were Covid tested in compliance with guidelines before departure from Mexico. At the time, in La Paz and outlying areas, Mexico was only vaccinating people who were over 50 years old. The captains and Misael, and most of the lodge workers were under 50 and not yet vaccinated. Every effort was made to maintain reasonable social distancing, and most of our guests were vaccinated. All guests received negative test results, with the exception of one person in late June who was asymptomatic. As it happens, before we had those test results, a storm made it impossible to launch from the lodge and Misael had shuttled that guest to the ramp at the other end of the beach. Four days later Misael became increasingly ill and tested positive for Covid 19. He immediately returned to his home in La Paz to quarantine. Misael’s elderly mother, living on the lower floor of the house, cared for him during this time, and his son Mario was sent to stay with his mother until Misael got better.

Misael is 39 years old and in good health and we assumed the illness would pass quickly. It did not. His symptoms got more severe with coughing and shortness of breath. He became bed ridden and was given a blood/oxygen monitor. Within days Misael was dependent on an oxygen tank. His mother continued caring for him, though this became more tenuous as he really needed round-the-clock monitoring. He was given rescue inhalers as his breathing became more labored. Misael received a course of daily injections of dexamethasone in an effort to decrease inflammation in his lungs. Nevertheless, his oxygen levels continued to dip to dangerous levels. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital where they did a CAT scan of his lungs but because of hospital overcrowding he was sent home. His blood/oxygen levels continued to dip lower, at times into the low 60s, and it was increasingly obvious that his condition was deteriorating.

During this time there were some hopeful moments, but Misael’s overall progress worsened. Sixteen days into the illness, late at night, Misael started gasping, unable to catch his breath. In a panic his mother called me, desperately asking for help to get an ambulance. It was a very scary moment. We were able to find an ambulance and Misael was rushed to the hospital, unconscious. Though he had briefly stopped breathing, every effort was made and he was stabilized. Shortly after arriving he was intubated and put on a ventilator. At this point, his chance of survival started to diminish and our worst fears were being realized.

Over the next five days Misael responded well to the treatment and very slowly showed signs of recovery. His condition was delicate and all we could do was hope and pray. After five days Misael was removed from the ventilator and was in a semiconscious state for four more days. He continued to progress and finally, thirteen days after arriving, Misael was able to breathe unassisted and was released from the hospital in the care of his mother.

I was able to have a video call with Misael two days ago and his recovery is remarkable to say the least. Sixty pounds lighter, unable to walk but thankful for life, he is ready to charge ahead with rehabilitation. Today he started editing video again and is anxious to return to work. With the help of a stationary bike and a nurse/therapist, Misael is on the road to recovery.

Covid 19 brought Misael and his family to the brink emotionally, physically and financially. The cost of the hospital stay, transport by ambulance, doctor’s consultations, medications, CAT scans, oxygen tanks, oxygen monitor, help with rehabilitation and all the other costs, has put The Beltran family in a difficult place. Misael would never ask for help himself. He is a talented and hard worker who earns his keep, but with his condition and an insurmountable debt, he is in need of help.

Misael’s expenses for the above-listed medical attention and ongoing treatment will be between $6000 to $8000. Misael is honest, and a hard worker. He would lend a hand to anyone without being asked. He is in a difficult spot financially and needs our help.

Misael is doing the work to get back on his feet physically. Please help us in our effort to get him back financially as well. We appreciate your support and interest in Misael’s recovery. To help get the word out you can share this link to your Facebook Timeline.