Saving Baby Bailey
despite the odds of a rare disease, the Stager family continues to soar over all hurdles they come across
October 26, 2011 was an unforgettable day in the Stager house. Chris, Bailey’s father, witnessed Bailey experience her first seizure. Fearful for their daughter’s life, Chris and Bailey’s mom, Kristy, immediately drove to the closest medical center in Troy. Bailey was admitted with a fever of 107.1 degrees. Doctors proceeded with a spinal tap but soon requested Bailey be transferred to a hospital that could provide primary care. Before the one-year-old even left the medical center, Bailey closed her eyes and slipped into a coma that lasted several days. After arriving at the hospital, the Stagers were moved into a trauma room. Nearly 20 different doctors and nurses rushed to take care of baby Bailey, puzzled by her condition. Six days into Bailey’s coma, doctors found the virus HHV6– Human Herpes Virus 6. They believed this virus kickstarted Bailey’s seizure causing brain damage. This process resulted in the diagnosis of Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC). ANEC is an incredibly rare and rapidly progressive brain damaging disease that affects infants and children. The disease is relatively new with a poor prognosis of high mortality rates and severe neurological damage. Seven days after Bailey went into her coma, she awoke surrounded by her family, friends, and caretakers. As days and weeks past, Bailey became more self-sufficient. She is an anomaly– with only seven cases reported in the United States at the time, Bailey was the first surviving child to endure this journey. For the past eight years, Bailey has attended physical, occupational, and speech therapies trying to fine tune her motor skills. She has seen major improvements in her movement and comprehension abilities. Today, she is headed into the third grade at Cookson Elementary. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the Dayton Dragons applaud all those who have been instrumental in Bailey’s life, including her parents Kristy and Chris, her brother JD, Dr. Lacey, and her entire medial team. Please join us in cheering on Bailey as she completes her Home Run for Life at Fifth Third Field on July 31.