Alex recover and rehabilitate from his strokes

Hello- our names are Abel and Yvette and we are writing to ask for your support for our compadre, Alex Villa.

Alex is a true warrior and survivor. Yet, this stroke has been the toughest moment for Alex.

Those of you that know Alex well, know that Alex would not ask for help but he will be out of work for the foreseeable future, vacation days have elapsed and living and medical expenses are piling on and savings has been exhausted.

We are turning to you his family, friends and community to ask for your donations to help Alex recover fully without having to worry about paying for rent and other living expenses.

Please donate $50, $100 or $500 or whatever you can.

In community,

-- Abel & Yvette,

Please read on for additional details from Alex and Cecilia below.

Alex recently suffered a serious health set back after having two mini strokes and and major stroke that has left him with cognitive and executive function difficulties.

How did we get here?

This all began as unexplained headaches and sleepless nights wondering when Alex was going to have another episode of tingling and weakness on his left side and be rushed again to the Emergency Room (EF) in the middle of the night by ambulance.

Although, ER ran multiple tests and labs, everything came back negative! Including the first MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound and more. He had vials of blood work also.

Results still were Negative, Unexplained and Frightening!

What happened next?

Alex was finally hospitalized in Santa Barbara on October 25th. Thankfully, this MRI finally showed definitive evidence of stroke, so we had a beginning point. For the next week, Alex had extensive testing and evaluation again. Then, on November 1st, Alex was transferred to Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital for physical, occupational and speech therapies. After intensive therapies, he was discharged on November 10th to begin an interim recuperation at home.

What now?

In about a month, Alex will resume Outpatient therapies again at the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital. In the meantime, the home health agency has therapists coming to us to maintain the positive rehabilitation progress Alex has made so far.

Between medications and this therapies, Alex's prognosis looks positive. With the caveat of the probability of another stroke increases to 50% for stroke survivors.

Our hope, goal and prayer is to prevent Alex from having another stroke!

How is Alex? How is your family really doing?

This is the most frightening and exhausting wild ride we've ever experienced!

That's saying a lot.

Alex is a true warrior and survivor. Yet, this stroke has been the toughest moment for Alex. In his words: I'm battle tested, but this shook me.

We've celebrated 27 years together, raised our 4 children (3 grownish and our youngest son a junior in high school), previously survived Alex's 5 years of dialysis, excruciatingly painful pancreatitis and (drumroll please) his life-saving kidney transplant in 2010. We've built a life of love despite the challenges presented.

Real talk, we're also older now, somewhat wiser, and the stress fatigue of the past few weeks has taken a toll. How can we help?

We are grateful for our family and our loving friendships. Your calls, texts, cards and words of encouragement mean the world to us. Any support, prayers and intentions offered are appreciated.

Alex's stroke recovery over the next few weeks means taking time off from work and focusing on rest, healing his brain and completing his rehabilitation therapies.

We are here for Alex every step of the way and hope our story opens your heart during this season of Thanksgiving.

-- Alex & Cecilia