Chris Babin Team WHO DAT! Medical Expenses Fund

Hello family and friends of Chris Babin! My name is Stacey Smagala Bailey and I am Chris' cousin from Long Island, NY. As many of you may know Chris went to the ER on Friday, September 24th after a week of having what he and Jaala thought was Covid. Chris presented with extremely high blood pressures and was diagnosed with Hypertension and a CT SCAN showed he had a brain bleed and further tests confirmed that he did have a stroke. Chris was in the ICU for three days @ Osborne Medical Center, Scottsdale, Arizona and then downgraded to a Medical/Surgical Unit and went home on October 1st.

 

Now the hard work begins and the long road to recovery. Chris is walking, talking, eating and otherwise looks healthy and completely his handsome wonderful self however his cognitive thinking and speech in terms of expressing his thoughts accurately are delayed. He speaks very well and is receiving cognitve/speech therapy twice a week and has multiple tests and doctors appointments already scheduled with his neurologist and cardiologist in Scottsdale. Chris is on a lot of medications until they can find the correct dosages to keep his blood pressure in check.

 

Chris was able to come home because Jaala is currently not working (which in many ways has been an absolute godsend) because otherwise Chris would be in a rehabilitation center. His beautiful wife has been at his side with a smile and truly the patience of a saint. She has been a true rock star and we love her so much for it!

 

Jaala's father, Darryl Stewart (father in law) offered support and comfort while Chris was in the ICU and Jaala was navigating this unexpected, terrifying diagnosis of a stroke. Chris was in the hospital, his daughter Frankie was able to arrive immediately, once Chris was discharged. She provided more than just support, she provided the TLC that only a daughter can provide. Our Aunt Claire Smagala from Colorado Springs got here on October 6th - 17th.  

 

Chris still has blood on his brain which we hope and are told once absorbed his conditions will improve and with therapy he is already improving. He is extremely frustrated as a new member of the Smagala/Babin (hereditary) Hypertension/High Blood Pressure club and does not like the medications as they make him very tired. Sadly, I know all to well this typical response, reassure him that eventually medications will be correct, precise and he will feel comfortable and "normal" again, understanding that the pesky pill(s) are beneficial each and every day!

 

As you can imagine Chris is not working and is on a a Leave of Absence. We are not sure how long he will be out of work due to the nature of his employment. Thank goodness for health insurance, truly, however Chris and Jaala have out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance and they have incurred other additional expenses due to his hospital visit, transportation, etc. Jaala and Chris often travel about an hour round trip for his doctor appointments which are 2-3 days a week.

 

I started this fun to help Chris and Jaala so that they have a "comfort zone" to help cover their medical expenses, gas and travel expenses so that they may worry less and focus more on getting Chris back to his 'ol nutty self.

 

I can be reached below at the Contact button with any questions or inquiries about the fund. I will also be creating a Facebook Page with updates on Chris' medical status. Please send me your Facebook name to me via email if you would like to be invited to the page.

 

Thank you for all the love and prayers! Please keep them coming! Love and hugs to all ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Team Who Dat!