John Hamilton

His brain was bleeding. The cause? A tangle of abnormal blood vessels called an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM. The condition sends high-pressure blood from the arteries directly into fragile veins, which can leak or burst. Wilcox recalls an ambulance ride to a local hospital, then a helicopter ride to the medical center in Hershey.

Emergency surgery removed the AVM and probably saved his life.

Emergency surgery removed the AVM and probably saved his life.

Emergency surgery removed the AVM and probably saved his life.

Wilcox got better, but not enough to go back to his computer job. He has a big scar, several titanium screws in his skull, and memory lapses.

Wilcox got better, but not enough to go back to his computer job. He has a big scar, several titanium screws in his skull, and memory lapses.

Wilcox got better, but not enough to go back to his computer job. He has a big scar, several titanium screws in his skull, and memory lapses.

But Wilcox says his biggest challenge is epilepsy.

But Wilcox says his biggest challenge is epilepsy.

But Wilcox says his biggest challenge is epilepsy.

For years, Wilcox did not connect his brain hemorrhage with his military service. Then a friend told him about another Marine gunner with an AVM. Michael Lozano and his wife Valerie run the War Horse Ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It's a place for people who've experienced trauma.

For years, Wilcox did not connect his brain hemorrhage with his military service. Then a friend told him about another Marine gunner with an AVM. Michael Lozano and his wife Valerie run the War Horse Ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It's a place for people who've experienced trauma.

For years, Wilcox did not connect his brain hemorrhage with his military service. Then a friend told him about another Marine gunner with an AVM. Michael Lozano and his wife Valerie run the War Horse Ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It's a place for people who've experienced trauma.

Lozano grew up in Ventura, California, skating, surfing, a happy childhood.

Lozano grew up in Ventura, California, skating, surfing, a happy childhood.

Lozano grew up in Ventura, California, skating, surfing, a happy childhood.

That was in 1991. More than a decade later, after 9-11, he was sent to Iraq. Lozano shows me a video. His squad is rescuing a disabled tank on a bridge. Lozano is in a Humvee.

That was in 1991. More than a decade later, after 9-11, he was sent to Iraq. Lozano shows me a video. His squad is rescuing a disabled tank on a bridge. Lozano is in a Humvee.

That was in 1991. More than a decade later, after 9-11, he was sent to Iraq. Lozano shows me a video. His squad is rescuing a disabled tank on a bridge. Lozano is in a Humvee.

Lozano left the Marines in 2004. Then came the hard part.