Help The Dunham Family: Stroke Recovery

It is with a heavy heart that I write to let you know my lifelong friend Jennifer Drake Dunham's husband, Jack, suffered a stroke on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

Jack was out running errands on Tuesday. When he came home, he had a bad headache and his vision was not quite right. He decided to lay down and when he got up Jenn saw that Jack's face looked odd. Jenn asked him to raise his arms. Not only could he not raise his arms, he was talking jumbled. Jenn knew what she had to do and immediately called 911.

Jack was taken to the hospital and Jenn has not seen him in person since he was admitted due to COVID regulations. Jack had a carotid dissection and upon arrival to the hospital, surgeons put in 3 stents to get the flow of blood back to Jack's brain. Wednesday brought more uncertainty with a clot developing in one of the stents so Jack was back in surgery to have a cerebral angiogram. Medications were adjusted to manage the probability of developing another blood clot.

Today, Friday, January 1, 2021, Jack was taken off the respirator! Jenn was able to video chat with Jack today and is very hopeful after speaking with the medical team. Jack is not yet speaking but he responded from the video/audio interactions by his blood pressure to which the nurses confirmed it was a good sign. He will be on a feeding tube until his swallowing function is evaluated.

As you can imagine, the past few days have been extremely difficult compounded by the visitation restrictions. There is a long road ahead, but with the help of family and friends we can and will help Jack, Jenn, Olivia and Nate get through this life altering event!

Jack and Jenn have been married for 17 years. Together they have built a life full of love, faith and adventures. They have two amazing children, Olivia, 16 and Nate, 15. You can find Jack and Jenn supporting these two kiddos in the stands for lacrosse, hockey or color guard.

The coast is always a welcome destination, you can find the Dunhams relaxing on a beach in Savannah, Hilton Head or St. Petersburg.  Give Jack a snorkel and he will be busy for hours discovering whatever fish are native to the coastline. Jack enjoys nature and sharing outdoor experiences with his family.

When the Dunhams are at home, you can find Jack working in his summer garden or attending to his aquariums. In his spare time, Jack plays hockey. They love a good bonfire which can be upgraded by Jack grilling dinner on the fire-pit and a good sporting event or movie on the outdoor big screen.This life altering event brings so much uncertainty, emotionally and financially. The funds being raised will help Jack and Jenn better financially manage medical expenses as well as everyday living expenses from loss of family income. Jack will have 12 weeks FMLA without pay. It is because of this I am asking you to make a donation to this campaign to assist them as they navigate through this stroke recovery.

#STRONGERTOGETHER #WERISEBYLIFTINGOTHERS