Billy Mark Stegall's Fund

As many of you know, Billy Mark Stegall (known by some as Mark or Billy), loving husband, father, grandpa and friend,  suffered a massive heart attack on November 6, 2017.  His super hero of a wife, Joanne, assisted in saving his life by moving him off the bed and immediately starting CPR compressions until the first responders arrived and took over.  Despite everyone’s best efforts, he was without a pulse for an extended period of time and lacked oxygen to his brain.  The incredible nurses and doctors at CMC Pineville were able to restore his heart, but were uncertain and less than optimistic about his brain function.  Days later we were told it would truly be a miracle for him to wake up, but we believe in the power of prayer at “Camp Stegall,” the name we lovingly coined the twenty plus family members and friends who filled the ICU waiting room. That day we asked anyone and everyone for prayers that Mark would give us a sign that he was still with us. Later that night to the doctor’s disbelief, he moved his hand!  

We’ve seen daily progress since that night, although it has been quite the rollercoaster.  On Mark’s 58th birthday we were told he would not be the same person he was before and that he would need a permanent feeding tube, be able to minimally communicate and possibly one day learn to shuffle with a walker.  Thankfully God had other plans for Mark…not even a month after his heart attack, his feeding tube was removed and he can now feed himself and walk with the help of the physical therapists.  Seemingly small victories have been huge in our eyes and absolutely humbling to watch unfold.  A line from our theme song throughout this journey sums it up perfectly: “remember the works His hands have done, from where you once were and how far you’ve come.”  

Mark has made incredible strides, but his road to recovery is not yet over.  The next steps will involve rehabilitation and home care for an undetermined period of time.  He is working hard on regaining memory and improving his communication capabilities.

Life as Joanne and Mark knew it has been halted: his amazing wife has not left his side and for the time being, income for both of them has stopped.  The reality is that home bills continue and medical expenses have only just begun.  Immediate family has contributed to pay the current bills, but we need help to continue this journey of recovery.  We realize that everyone has expenses and as a hard working family, we find it extremely difficult to ask others for financial assistance.  Many of you sweet friends (and even strangers) have asked what you can do to help our family.  If you find it in your heart to do so, a donation towards the cost of these expenses would best serve our needs at this time.   

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every well wish, hug, meal, text, call and mostly your prayers.  The number of people who have been praying for Mark’s full recovery has been overwhelming to say the least.  Our family appreciates the love in whatever form you can show it more than you know and more than we could ever put into words.  

We are excited to see what hurdle “Miracle Mark” will overcome next.  All praise and thanks be to God!

Love,

Mark’s Children: Houston, Hannah, Michelle and Claire