In Support of The Jackson Family
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Help Mark on His Road to Recovery
All of you who know Mark know he’s a very private man and doesn’t like people knowing his business. But after the year he has had, we felt it was time to share his story and ask for support as he continues to fight his way back to health.
This journey began about a year ago when Mark learned he needed a kidney transplant. He was officially placed on the transplant list in December 2024. By the grace of God, he was blessed with a perfect donor match, a very good friend from work.
During his pre-transplant testing, doctors noticed some pressure on the right side of his heart and sent him for further testing. In May, a heart catheterization revealed two blockages—one being the widow maker 90% blocked—and a valve that needed to be replaced. That day we met the man who would save Marks life multiple times throughout his stay at Vandy.
His open-heart surgery was scheduled for June 19th at Vanderbilt Hospital. What was supposed to be a 4–5 hour surgery turned into a 9-hour procedure. At first, things seemed to go well—he was even eating Jell-O and drinking Sprite the next day. But within 24 hours, everything changed.
Mark coded, which caused him to aspirate and led to pneumonia, and from there came a series of complications that nearly took his life multiple times. During his three and a half-month stay in the CVICU, he endured:
- Multiple surgeries to address internal bleeding in his lumbar and buttocks arteries
- Multiple breathing tubes inserted
- Placement of several heart stents
- A feeding tube
- Nasogastric (NG) tube
- A tracheostomy to help him breathe
- A ruptured gallbladder that caused sepsis
- Emergency surgery to remove 12 cm of his intestine, leaving him with a temporary ileostomy bag
The last four months, Rhonda, Lauren and Jordan have spent nearly every day by his side—often arriving at the hospital by 5 AM—whether there was a surgery, a setback, or a small sign of progress.
On September 8th, Mark was finally stable enough to transfer to a specialty hospital, where he was weaned off the trach. After a month long stay there, he was moved to a rehabilitation center where he now receives three hours of physical therapy a day and dialysis three times a week.
Although he still cannot walk, he is slowly but surely making progress every single day. His strength, determination, and faith continue to inspire us all.
How You Can Help
The funds raised will go toward:
- Travel expenses between Franklin and Nashville
- Meals during hospital stays
- Uncovered medical costs including ambulance rides and surgeries
- Long-term assistance once he returns home
- Follow-up appointments and procedures at Vanderbilt
- His ileostomy reversal surgery
- And, if he chooses, his future kidney transplant
We are asking for your help—whether through donations, prayers, sharing his story, or simply offering encouragement—as we continue to walk beside him on this long road to recovery.
For those of you who have been along this journey these past four months — who sent birthday cards and wishes to Mark, have texted daily to check in or say you’re praying, sent meals, hopped in a car or plane to offer support, or went at crazy hours to Vandy to sit with them during the fear and uncertainty — they can’t thank you enough. Your love and support have meant everything to the Jacksons and to Mark.
Thank you for lifting up our family and helping the Jackson’s get through this journey.
With love,
Third Daughter to The Jackson Family
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11
Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Feb 23, 2026
Surgery Week
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Jan 16, 2026
Long overdue update!
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Nov 14, 2025
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Today was a big milestone, after 147 days, Dad finally got to come ...
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