My cousin, Jackie Mains, suffered a brain aneurysm back in July 2015 in California. She is a caring wife to retired United States Marine Sergeant Major Wallace Michael Mains, and mother/step-mother to their daughters, Madison and Launa. She is also an amazing family member and friend to so many wonderful people! I am starting this Go Fund Me page hoping that all those wonderful people will contribute in helping with any expenses she has incurred from this life-changing event. Be it medical or therapy expenses, daycare or groceries, I'm trying to raise funds to maybe help lighten their load!

I am including the first and last Caringbridge journal entries that were written by Jackie's mother, Arlis. It explains what happened to Jackie the day of the aneurysm and an update on her current condition.

"On Wednesday, July 22, 2015 around noon, Jackie and her 17 month-old daughter, Madison, were driving South on Interstate 5 to San Clemente, CA to get groceries. It was the usual day. Mike went to work at an office nearby and after breakfast Jackie put Madi in her stroller. This morning she would run up the hill to Ladera Ranch and back, a 6 mile jog. After this she took care of Madi and did house chores and then was off to the store which was 10 miles away. Apparently we believe she developed a severe headache which caused her to exit right on Estella as the hospital was about 5 blocks away. In making this exit, the Chevy Tahoe she was driving apparently bumped rear-ends of two cars and then on Estella tapped another car twice. A man at the gas station saw this accident and also saw Jackie looking downward behind the wheel. The Tahoe had stopped. This man then moved Jackie to the rear seat and jumped into the driver's seat and drove immediately to the hospital. He asked that 911 be called so it could be reported and to get more details at the hospital from him. Once at the hospital, he took over the care of Madison until Social Workers helped. The San Clemente Hospital administered emergency life support and she was then quickly taken to Saddleback Memorial Hospital in Laguna Hills, CA. This is the same hospital in which Madison was born. Once at Saddleback, more tests were given and Jackie went into surgery at 4 pm as her brain cavity was completely filled with blood due to a brain aneurysm. She was induced into a coma and put on life support in the ICU unit."

Jackie has left Saddleback Memorial and is currently at Casa Colina in Pomona, CA.

"Patience, a sleigh full of patience! Some nights before bedtime at seven we hear, "l don't want to be here anymore!" Sleeping week nights at the TLC Center is like staying at Motel 6 with the lights off. With a little coaching about how she will be home soon, she nods off. She's usually smiling when she awakes at 7am. Mike helps her shower and it's breakfast at eight in the dining room. Therapies start at 9 and go till 3 pm. There is lunch at noon hour and time for a nap. This all sounds so simple but even swallowing and going to the bathroom is a workout. Jackie's Doctor said her right leg would be responding at her sixth month We are starting to see her right knee initiate forward movement but her foot is not ready to follow on its own yet. She has a lower right leg and foot brace to help with her neuropathy. She's beginning to have feeling right side. In speech she is putting nouns and verbs into sentences. Her voice is louder and stronger. She loves eating normal foods and drinks water without choking. The food tube should come out soon. Madi can't figure out whether it is a pull toy or a skinny pacifier. Today Jackie weighed in at 126. She had been down to 96 pounds. The custom wheelchair should be delivered before Christmas. They run about $3000 these days. We will be in Pomona through mid-January for sure. The house sale fell through and another escrow is opening for a new buyer. I'm watching Madi as we go back and forth. Camp Pendelton is helping with some day care now. This whole thing seems at times like we are on a roller coaster that never stops. So we all just hang on and learn from the experience. As for myself, I try not to dwell on all the things I miss doing. It defeats my purpose and frankly I don't have enough energy for that. So I watch cartoons with Madi and make believe as much as I can."

Thank you in advance to anyone who contributes!!