Help Bring Baile Home: Farewell Trip Turned Medical Crisis

Hey everyone, it's Galen.

I'm writing on behalf of my sister Taryn and our dad, Baile Oakes.

I'm reaching out because our family is going through a really tough time right now. Dad has been living with prostate cancer and Alzheimer's. He had surgery to remove his prostate, but the cancer had spread, so he went through some really brutal radiation treatments. All of this hit him hard and sped up his Alzheimer's significantly.

My amazing sister Taryn has been taking care of Dad for the past few years - helping him with pretty much everything from getting dressed to eating to using the bathroom. It's tough work, but she's done it with love and patience. She's also been taking care of our property back in Northern California. The state pays her a small amount to be his caregiver, which has been her only source of income.

Recently, Taryn had this beautiful idea to take Dad down to New Orleans and Florida one last time to see his family. That's where he's from originally, and we wanted him to connect with his roots and see everyone while he still could recognize them. But while we were in Florida, Dad fell and broke his hip. What was supposed to be a quick family visit has turned into a medical nightmare.

We're stuck in Florida now. Taryn has been sleeping in the hospital every night to help the nurses because Dad has special needs that make him different from typical patients. He gets confused, sometimes agitated, and needs someone familiar to keep him calm. The hospital staff have been great, but they're stretched thin, and Dad needs that extra attention.

Because he's in the hospital now and heading to rehab for at least 3 weeks, Taryn isn't getting paid as his caregiver anymore. We have no idea how long we'll be in Florida or even if Dad will be able to fly home again. We're just taking it day by day.

Anyone who knows my dad knows he's always been there for others. He's the guy who would drop everything to help a neighbor, volunteer in the community, or just be there when someone needed support. He's given so much to everyone around him. Now he's far from home, confused, and in pain, and we could really use some help.

We're asking for help to:

- Keep Taryn afloat while she stays by Dad's side

- Cover the rehab and out-of-pocket medical costs insurance won't touch

- Get Dad home safely when he's cleared to travel

If you're able to contribute, thank you. If not, sharing this page or sending a kind word means just as much. We'll post updates here so you know how Dad's doing and when we finally get him back to his own bed.

With love & gratitude,

Galen & Taryn Oakes

-- Anything helps, and every good thought finds its way to Dad.