Carla Clark Brain Surgery & Medical Relief

This fundraiser has been motivated and set up by Bill and Carla Clark’s three children and their spouses: Ryan and Shadell Clark, Amanda and Jonathan Erickson, and Caitlin and Camilo Vera.

*the goal amount was determined by factoring the next 6 months of Bill and Carla’s current living expenses and calculating the average cost of Carla’s therapy and medical bills/expenses for the next 6 months.  We have also considered the percentage rates and fees that third party “Go Fund Me” financial services extract from all donations made*

We know that so many people are currently in their own financial crisis because of COVID-19, but if you are one of the few who are still able to give in order to help others, please consider giving to our parents, Bill and Carla.  They have been married for 34 years and love each other passionately.  They have dedicated their lives to God, their children and creating a fulfilled life together.

Carla’s memory has suffered because of her traumatic brain injury.  Basic motor skills have weakened and cognitive abilities can be a struggle.    There are many things that Doctors have said they are not sure will “come back”.  But we are still believing for miracles to take place!  So many miracles have already happened.

She will have separate therapy sessions three times a week with a Speech Therapist, an Occupational Therapist and a Physical Therapist.

Her current state is that of which she isn’t fully able to function alone- right now, she cannot work her job of 22+ years.  Bill, her husband, will be taking a step away from the work force to care for her full-time.  No income will be made for the foreseeable future, even after COVID-19 has ended.

Between the 2 ½ weeks spent mostly in ICU, her 4 brain surgeries and her continued therapy, this will come at a great financial cost to Bill and Carla.

If you feel compelled, please consider blessing them!

Read Carla’s full injury story below-

On Saturday, March 21, Carla suffered a massive brain aneurysm and was immediately admitted into emergency brain surgery at ORMC in Orlando, Florida.  During this first surgery, 14 coils were placed in the aneurism sight so that it would no longer fill with blood and cause further damage.  The surgery was successful, she survived and came out alert and coherent.

Within 18 hours after the surgery, she suffered a stroke and was once again rushed into emergency surgery. They discovered that fluid was forming around her brain.  During this second procedure, they drilled through her skull and a temporary drain was put into place to allow the fluid that was forming to properly be removed from her body.

Within 24 hours, she undertook and survived two incredibly invasive brain procedures.

The following 3 days, Carla fought many obstacles.  Her body underwent extreme trauma and damage and her immune system was incredibly compromised.  During this 72 hour benchmark she was unable to eat real food, had a difficult time breathing on her own and therefore was intubated, she was fighting against a high fever and began showing symptoms of COVID-19.

It is because of these COVID-19 symptoms that she was quarantined for 2 days.  Thankfully, her test result came back negative!  With a negative test result it was decided that a third procedure would take place to help combat the symptoms she was fighting. 

The neurosurgeon reiterated to Bill that her odds of a successful outcome were getting more and more slim.  The surgeon painted a very clear picture that there was great risk she would not survive the surgery and if she did, her quality of life would be incredibly questionable. 

On Thursday, March 26, a "Central Line” was put into place so the medication she was receiving would go directly to the brain injury sight. She once again made it through the surgery and came out on the other side coherent and alert!

She has now, within one week, survived three brain surgeries.

Carla continued to fight against a fever and occasionally had trouble breathing, but those struggles slowly started to fade.  Her body began to rest, she was able to eat real food, breath on her own, walk a few steps with assistance and was able to have small conversation. 

The nursing staff began to refer to her as a "Miracle Woman".

Her progress began to level, which meant it was time for her fourth and final procedure. On Friday, April 3, a permanent shunt was placed inside her brain and body.

Carla Clark has survived four brain surgeries; all of which took place in a matter of 2 ½ weeks.

After spending 16 days in ICU, on Monday, April 6th, she was moved to the “step-down unit”; and on Wednesday, April 8th, Carla was released from the hospital!

We are so thankful she is still with us and she is now comfortably at home continuing her therapy.

There is a long road of recovery ahead.

Thank you for reading about Carla's road to recovery.