Help Mark and Ina After Emergency Brain Surgery

Update (6/25): Mark is still getting better each day, but it is a slow process. He is still having trouble with speaking, walking, and other basic functions, but he is improving as he is in rehab. He was given clearance to walk short distances by himself, but he isn't allowed to do most things (shower, exercise, etc.) without someone there to support him. It's slow, but it's much better progress than they thought he would originally make. Thank you so much again for everyone's support and prayers. Our families truly appreciate it. (Warning - Photo below Mark shows surgery incision)

Update (6/17): Update: Mark is out of the hospital and safely checked in at rehab. He's doing significantly better but still has a long road ahead of him. They haven't really been able to say how long they think he will be there, they're just going to take it week by week. Thank you all again for your support and help. It means so much to our families. ❤ ❤ ❤

Update (6/10): Mark is getting better each day. He has been moved out of ICU and is in a normal room at the hospital now. They think he will move to a neurological rehab facility next week at some point. They don't really know how long he will be there, but said they will take it week by week to see how he improves.

As of now, there haven't been any additional complications. He is having some trouble with his right arm/hand, which is the side that the brain bleed was on. They're going to do another CT scan to see if they can figure out what's going on. His speech is recovering and Ina said she feels like he's recovered about 70% of it. He is still having trouble getting things out, but it's slowly getting better.

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Hi. My name is Anita. I am doing this fundraiser for my sister, Ina Brown, brother-in-law, Mark Brown, and their children. My brother-in-law had a medical emergency on June 2, and will now be unable to work for an unknown period of time. He is their primary source of income so I am hoping to help my sister get through the next few months while she figures out the next steps.

A few weeks ago, Mark and Ina were driving home and saw someone doing "donuts" in a large truck in one of their elderly neighbors pastures. Mark pulled over and asked the guy to stop. The guy was drunk and ended up hitting Mark several times in the head with a crowbar. They went to the hospital that night and he was diagnosed with a concussion and a few small brain bleeds. They also pressed charges against the guy, even though they didn't know who he was and the police haven't found out any more information. Because his injuries were small, he was released to go home and recover.

Over the last few weeks, he hasn't specifically improved, but he hadn't gotten any worse, either, until the end of this week. He had a bad headache on Thursday night and by the morning of June 2nd, he was having trouble talking, walking, etc. My sister called an ambulance and they rushed him to the hospital. His small brain bleed had turned into a severe bleed and he was diagnosed with "acute on chronic hematoma." He ended up having to have emergency brain surgery to stop the bleeding and remove a clot that had formed.

They said the surgery went well, but he is currently in ICU and is still having trouble speaking and with some other cognitive functions. They're monitoring him and, as of right now, they're unsure of how long he will need to stay or what his recovery will look like. There is also a chance that he won't recover fully, but they're unsure of all of that right now. They're taking it minute-by-minute.

I am hoping to help my sister make sure their bills and rent are paid and she is able to focus on his recovery and their next steps income wise without having too much stress added. Any amount will help and will be applied to rent, bills, and general living expenses such as groceries, gas, etc. If you're not able to donate anything, I completely understand and appreciate you taking the time to read this.

Thank you so much.

Anita