Newlywed Wife Prays for Husband's Recovery After Rare Brain Bleed
The wife of a 33-year-old Hinton man is fervently hoping and praying for his awakening, following a rare brain bleed that occurred just 12 days ago. This devastating health crisis struck only a few weeks after the couple celebrated their dream wedding in Las Vegas, blending their nuptials with an NRL match.
Family Business and Community Impact
Tom Clarke, who operates a family dental prosthetist business in East Maitland, is described as an avid Newcastle Knights supporter. His wife, Bianca Clarke, shared on Sunday that her husband is showing some positive signs, though he remains with reduced consciousness after being in a coma for several days. "We're waiting for him to wake up, but we are keeping every little bit of our fingers and toes crossed," Mrs. Clarke said, highlighting the emotional toll on the family.
Doctors have diagnosed Tom's condition as a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture, a serious medical event considered a type of stroke. This condition involves abnormal blood vessels in the brain and often presents no symptoms until a rupture occurs. Surgeons have already performed a procedure to open his skull and insert a drain to relieve pressure, with further surgery needed to repair the AVM, which has extended into his brain ventricles.
Financial and Emotional Support
With both Tom and Bianca working in the family business, the couple currently has no income, prompting the establishment of a GoFundMe campaign titled "Support Tom and his family after a rare AVM rupture." Tom's sister, Mandy Clarke, emphasized his role as a loving husband and devoted father to their two children, Leo, 5, and Rory, 18 months. "He's a very generous and will always put others first," Mandy said, noting that the illness has deeply affected everyone in their community.
Bianca recounted their recent wedding on February 25 in Las Vegas, describing it as a magical and beautiful event that included a trip to Disneyland with their kids and attendance at the Knights-Cowboys NRL match. "He got to see the Knights win, so he was ecstatic," she said, reflecting on the joyous time before the health crisis. Since March 18, when Tom was taken to a Hunter hospital after suffering the brain bleed at work, Bianca has been by his side daily, with her parents assisting in caring for their children.
Community Response and Ongoing Care
Tom is known in the area as a prominent and talented dental prosthetist, with Bianca noting that many of his patients, whom he treats like family, will be devastated by his condition. The family remains hopeful as they navigate this challenging period, relying on the support of friends and the broader community. Doctors believe Tom had the AVM condition from birth, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such health issues.
