This past weekend Mark had some severe pain which was initially diagnosed as a pulled muscle. Later that evening he started losing balance, feeling nauseous, and other unpleasant symptoms. After an ambulance ride to the ER, it was determined he had a small blood clot blocking blood flow to his brain near his brain stem. Unfortunately, the local hospital was not equipped to perform the type of procedure he needed. He was ambulanced to UPMC Presbyterian; 2 hours away. His wife Melissa had to send the kids to their cousins and head to Pittsburgh to meet him. The UPMC ER was taking care of him attempting to use thinners but he ended up having a stroke. He was rushed for the surgical procedure to remove the clot and save his life. Currently, they are still in Pittsburgh hoping to move to a rehab physical therapy facility closer to home in the next day or so.  If you could spare anything to help some of the nicest people I have ever met to cover these unexpected costs, it would mean so much to them. They just bought a car before this as well. Melissa has spent over$500 just in the hotel alone staying in Pittsburgh for two days with Mark as she cannot stay at the hospital.