Update #46

As you may know a group of the Brinkerhoff’s friends are doing a golf tournament to benefit Nick’s continued medical and therapy expenses. It’s on Friday, January 11 in El Cajon.

You can get all the info here.

Good news! As of today we’ve broken even for our expenses with the golf course! From here on all golfer registrations go completely to the Brinkerhoffs.

Some amazing people have donated incredible auction and raffle items (like a week in a Maui condo, a jersey signed by Tom Brady, etc.).

First, will you consider participating that day – either as a golfer or just attend the dinner & live auction?

Second, would you let your golfing friends here in San Diego know about it?

Third, would you consider volunteering on the day of the tournament? We need a couple dozen folks to help us pull this off. If you can help, please email us.

This is a very tangible way you can help with Nick’s continued recovery!

Thanks!

Mike

Update #45

From Nick’s mom, Lisa:

Triumph
Tragedy

"Triumph Over Tragedy" is the name of an up-and-coming band at my son and daughter's high school. I love that name. Those words float through my mind every once in awhile, which then leads me to think of all the blessings that have come from Nick's stroke. I hesitate to say that because not everyone feels that way right now, but that has been the leading of my heart through all of this.

Nick loves planes. On November 17th, Nicholas participated in Challenge Air. It was awesome! Kids with physical challenges take a half-hour flight class and then volunteer pilots take them up (with 2 family members) to fly over San Diego for 1/2 an hour. Nick was given the controls for 15 minutes of the flight! The goal of this day is to give kids the vision of going beyond their wheel chairs and seeing that the sky is the limit.

Triumph
Tragedy

We have mentioned some alternative therapy for Nick, well on November 20th he started receiving 90 minute treatments at the Hyperbaric Center. A group called Gracie’s Hope gave Nick a grant for 100 treatments! He goes 5 days a week. They have great hope for Nicholas.

Triumph
Tragedy

The other day we were at the mall and out of nowhere an arm was wrapped around my shoulder. The person was in my "blind spot" so I couldn’t see who it was. I just felt this "big embrace." It turned out to be someone we have been in scouting with for many years who stopped to say, "You have been in our thoughts and prayers." As I went to sleep that night, I could still feel her "big embrace" (and she's tiny). It felt like a hug from God!

This reminded me of how important touch is to us. While Nick was in his coma, I would give him a head-to-toe massage twice a day (healing touch). And as I did this I would have worship music playing in the background (trying to touch his soul), and I would talk to him about past events and of the future (trying to touch his mind and heart). There were very few moments when we weren't trying to touch him.

A friend shared with me that her dad , who has dementia, loves to have his head stroked (touched).

There were many who believed and touched Jesus' clothes and were healed (Matt. 9:21, Matt. 14:36). Jesus welcomed the children to touch him (Lk.18:15). And he invited his disciples to touch him after his resurrection (Lk. 24:39). But it is with Thomas that I see myself at times - he couldn't believe until he touched the wounds of Jesus (Jn. 20:25). God knows how kinesthetic we are - he knows we have got to be all over it! Not all people "just believe" - some of us have to touch Him - over and over before we get it. He is Real. He is here.
And we need to keep touching one another in many ways.

Blessings, Lisa

Update #44

Golf 4 Nick Tournament info!

From Lisa, Nick’s mom:

First, thank you for being patient with the lag in updates.

Second, thank you for your support in all forms. Some of the blessings have come in the form of a guy at my brother’s work who sent us a check (and we have never met), Jamba Cards and Yogurt Mill certificates (my kid’s favorite treats), cash that was given to us without the family knowing exactly why they were led to (it was the perfect amount for our consultation with the hyperbaric specialist), the beautiful bathroom that was completed 3 weeks ago, to the staff at Literacy First (Nicks’ school) and his friends who love and support him (they are so cool!), cards, emails and texts messages to each member of the family, our van payment taken care of till Feb. (anonymous servants!), seeing an old friend at the grocery store or a new friend at church telling me how they continue to pray (I have no doubt that these prayers have been the reason some mornings that I was able to get my bones out of bed), and having men and women come talk to me with tears in their eyes and boldly share how through our experience the Holy Spirit has strengthened their faith.

I am thankful that each act of kindness humbles me - I don't ever want to be at a point in my life that I am not WOWed and speechless by such love!

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Nick completed all of his school testing and they have come up with a workable plan. Starting Nov. 5th he will be at school all day, but will go to the first 4 classes and then in the afternoon he will do his speech, occupational therapy and resource (which is extra help in class work) - this is all through the school district. The medical side will see him after school which is physical therapy, occupational and speech. This is through the Sevick Center and Children's Hospital.

Nick uses his walker around the house. And he can now stand for 3 minutes unassisted. His goal is to walk with a cane at his 8th grade graduation this year. He thinks he wants a companion bird so he has been doing the research to convince us that this is a good idea. He will be getting a sport wheel chair in December and is looking at adaptive sports. He goes to youth group and the movies with friends.

Nicholas is looking forward in hope for a complete recovery, but living today in faith.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Update #43

From Lisa, Nick’s mom:

On Friday, Sept. 14th Nicholas went to school with Shelby, the Child Life Specialist at Children's. Shelby helps both the returning student and the other students feel more comfortable with the reentry into school. She recapped everything for them and then did questions and answers.

Nicholas did great; he would call on the kids by name and then answered their question. He was able to show them he was still Nick - he just talks differently and is in a wheelchair.

The following Monday he started 8th grade. He goes from 8:00 - 11am and is taking Language Arts and Algebra. He came into the middle of a novel and a review of the past month in math, but that didn't stop him from raising his hand to answer questions (some were right, some wrong). I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I was! He continues to pleasantly surprise us. He will be adding more classes as the weeks go by.

While I enjoy going through 8th grade again and faking my way through Algebra, this week the school is interviewing for his aide. This will be great for him, since he really doesn't enjoy having mom around!

The next couple of weeks will be filled with testing from the medical and school end of things. It would be nice if they could share their results with one another but that's not how the system works.

The East County Posse continues to make changes to the house. They have widened his doorway, and gutted the bathroom. They will also be pouring 3 concrete ramps. We are so excited for these changes. They will give him the independence he craves.

Update #42

From Nick’s dad, Dwight:

Miracles: What are they? Webster says this: A highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.

I say that a miracle could be as small as a slice of bread with peanut butter falling off the counter landing peanut butter up. Or as ginormus as some one’s life being blatantly spared when there was virtually no chance. We have all witnessed the latter with my son Nicholas.

We went from saying “Goodbye” to him; to now laughing with him and witnessing his miraculous recovery -I feel truly blessed to be part of it. Why God has chosen our family for this testimony I don’t exactly know, but I’m beginning to say, “Why NOT?”

You see, I personally struggle with feeling worthy of God’s love, but what I’ve seen in our church and family and from people we don’t even know, I can now say I feel “completely soaked” with God’s love. “Thank you all” to everyone for the love, prayers, and financial support. Thank you for being the messengers of God’s love to me and my family.

Words will never do justice to the gratitude we feel. Although the struggles are not over, I am surely convinced that God continues to have great plans for me and my family through this. I truly feel blessed to be a witness to such an amazing miracle.

Nick has been home a week now. As you can imagine we are happy to have him home. The adjustment process is settling in and just the depth of what he has been through. As Nick’s Dad, we enjoyed many outdoor activities together. I’m finding it very hard to grieve the loss of that part of my relationship with my son. I’m not saying I can never enjoy some of those things again, because I don’t know that, it’s just different now. What truly does make it easier is his spirit. He has been blessed with a lightheartedness and humor that is so amazing to me. It really helps me when I start to feel overwhelmed by seeing him struggle physically; as much as I deeply love our “new Nick,” I so miss the “old” one.

Some of his adjustments at home are things you would normally take for granted. Like being able to get up to get a drink or pick something up off the floor that you have dropped, or fix yourself something to eat. The adjustments we pray will be less and less as Nick gets stronger, but for now we all help him with his daily needs.

The East County Posse is remodeling the bathroom to be more accessible. They are widening some doorways and building ramps for easier access in and out of the house. What a blessing this group has been to us. Thanks so much to them!

Nick continues to get stronger, but it is very slow going. He can’t wait to get back to school. He starts today. He’ll be going for about 3 hours a day to start with and hopes to get to a full day A.S.A.P., although his Mom and I don’t see how that will work with all of his therapies.

Lisa and I are continuing to research what “other” therapies are out there for Nick that are “outside the box of medical protocol.” We are learning a lot. We will be getting a consultation at a renowned stroke clinic in Mission Viejo some time in the next couple weeks. We’ll keep you posted. The problem we’ll have with “alternative” therapies is that insurance will not cover them, so we are looking into fund raising strategies. A great friend from church, whose wife and him have been a great help to us with organizing meals and help at the house, is working on a golf tournament in January. Thanks so much Bob!

I apologize for being somewhat silent through all this turmoil of events, I just don’t articulate my thoughts and feelings very well. It takes a while to sort things out, especially when you are in survival mode. I do just want to reiterate my deepest thanks to everyone for all the help with gas cards, grocery cards, money, dinners, prayers, childcare and visitations. We would have sunk without them.

In closing, as we get into this part of Nick’s recovery we continue to ask for prayers of strength and wisdom. And as we let God help us to figure out our “New” life, and make choices to help further Nick’s recovery.

In the God we Trust,

Dwight

Update #41

From Dwight, Nick’s Dad:

Over the past three weeks, Nick has gone from standing on his own 10 seconds to 1½ minutes! He’s walked about 30 feet with a walker and very little assistance. Other than that not a lot more to update on his progress.

Nick came home last week and he’s doing a great job of getting used to getting around the house.

The Wednesday before he came home, our church’s middle school group came to visit Nick in the hospital – yes, the whole group! They sang songs, played silly games, and ate cupcakes. Nick loved it! You can see photos of that below.

We also have photos of him coming home below. We thought it only appropriate to bring him home in the same car he came home in when he was born. He was very excited to come home in the “Red Car.”

It’s great to have him home in spite of the adjustments…

Update #40

From Lisa:

Nick went to church for the first time last Sunday, August 26th. While he was happy, he was also trying to figure out where he fits in now. Nicholas has always been one of those kids who is out playing football, games and rough housing. Now he has to learn how to reach out and have fun from his wheelchair and others need to learn how to reach out to him. It will take time but I'm sure he will do it. He has a great sense of humor and a tender heart going for him.

Nick was also sick on Sunday. He was vomiting throughout the day. This has been going on for a few weeks - ever since his g-tube was taken out. His blood pressure has also been bouncing about so his Dr. decided to run some different tests during the week. He had an upper GI, renal sonogram, echo gram and an o2 sensor for a couple nights. We received the results of those tests and his MRA (like an MRI but with dye injected to show the blood flow through the arteries) and all of the tests came back negative.

Also God healed the dissected artery COMPLETELY! He has 100% blood flow through that artery again! He will be taken off lovinox (a blood thinner) and put on aspirin. So while all of that is wonderful news, we will be leaving the hospital this Friday, Sept. 7th with no answers as to why Nicholas had a stroke. This is very hard for me. I want answers. The doctors at Children's have been wonderful. They listen patiently as we ask "what about this" questions, but there just aren't any concrete answers. My oldest son says God is trying to break me of something. I know he is right. There is this fine balance of doing everything you can for your child and trusting God with what you can't control. "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

We had a great meeting with the Rehab Team at Children's and with Nick's principal and school speech therapist. Dwight and I left there feeling so blessed to have so many people supporting our son and helping us to take this step by step. Nick will have at least 1 week between discharge from the hospital and starting back to his school (yes the school he was attending before the stroke). This is an amazing undertaking for the school! They could turn him away and have him go to a school "more suited" for him, but they have taken the attitude that they can be a very important part in his rehabilitation. They are getting him an aid, a lap top, possibly an occupational therapist at school, adjusting his schedule, and whatever else he might need - just for Nicholas. I will also be attending with Nick (more of a fly on the wall) to help with his transition.

Our family continues to be amazed at the kindness of so many people. Thank you!! My eyes and heart well with joy and tears and I keep standing in awe at what God has done and continues to do.

Lisa

Update #39

The Brinkerhoffs were told today that Nick is being released from the hospital and fulltime rehab on 9/7.

They'll meet with all his doctors on 9/6 to discuss their recommendations for what's next - what kind of rehab, how long, etc.

They requests prayers for discernment as they'll have a lot of decisions to make at that time.

Nick is SO excited to come home!

Because of his advancements, life should be a bit easier than the last time he was home. But there will still be many challenges.

The El Cajon Posse has offered to come in and make modifications on the house to accommodate Nick's wheelchair. Hopefully they can get that done before the 7th.

Nick's doctor sent some of his blood to the Mayo Clinic, but the results aren't helpful in trying to determine the cause of all this. Children's just did some scans to see how the affected artery is healing. They should have results in a week.

Nick's improvements continue to be gradual - speech and movement slowly advancing.

Dwight and Lisa wanted us to see some photos of Nick's progress - an awesome picture of God's powerful, merciful hand at work in the life of this wonderful young man:

With his sis

Off the respirator!

First wheelchair ride

Just out of ICU

Smiling!

Thumbs up after his first pizza

Tearing up the halls on the trike

Update #38

Nicks’ a star! He appeared on a local newscast this weekend when the World’s Smallest Horse came to visit the kids. You can see the video here.

His progress continues to be gradual. They’re mostly working on strength and endurance conditioning.

He can now take 3 or 4 steps on his hands and knees with no help! He’s up and walking every day with the bars for balance, which he has very little of still.

He got to go home Friday for 4.5 hours for his brother, DJ’s, birthday. He went in the pool and had a great time.

And you can still help the family! Gift cards, gift cards, gift cards! Please either take them or mail them to the church:

Community Covenant Church
ATTN: Brinkerhoffs
1835 Granite Hills Dr
El Cajon CA 92019
(619) 447-2675

FOR FOOD:

• Costco
• Vons/Safeway
• Whole Foods (only available in stores)

FOR GAS:

• Arco
• 7/11: You can buy a Convenience Card at a store and put any amount on it

Update #37

From Lisa…

What Nick’s been up to:

Nick had been bugging his doctor to take out his feeding tube - he even tried to bribe him by telling him he would wash the doc's car! So the doctor had his g-tube taken out last Thursday right there in his bed! I videotaped the whole thing. He had a hole about the size of a penny in his stomach. It's closing up but he has been sick everyday except Sunday. They aren't sure why. Oh, and he didn't have to wash his doctor’s car.

They sent off blood work to the Mayo Clinic to see if he has any underlying cause for the stroke. Nothing was found. They decided to run a couple more blood tests, so we will wait to see.

He can feed himself 75% of the time (his hands shake). He can also make a phone call, ride a trike, and tie his shoes pretty well. Amanda and I do 7th/8th grade math and English with him.

• 14 weeks and 6 days ago Nicholas had his stroke.
• 5 weeks and 2 days ago he started talking.
• 3 weeks and 2 days ago he returned to rehab.

These numbers blow me away! We are amazed at the healing that God continues to bring Nicholas each day. And along with it, a beautiful attitude and spirit. Day after day he tackles his goals with a smile and determination. Whatever he accomplished yesterday is not good enough for today - he wants to work on the next goal. As I watch him learn to hold a fork, learn to stand, put one foot in front of the

other, turn a page in a book, or practice the /s/ sound, I am in awe.

I never realized how much I took for granted. He is such a miracle.

Three years ago Nick played football. I asked him what was harder - hell week or his healing process? He said healing is so much harder!

Last week Rehab received a trike for the big kids - this is Nick's new favorite toy! The first day he wobbled through the halls, but the second day he looked like he had been riding awhile - just like being on a quad! :) When his physical therapist asked if he was tired, he said, "No, I'm dead tired!" This is now known as Nick's Famous Quote in Physical Therapy.

Nicholas is not the only one that surprises me - D.J., Amanda, and Connor are also quite amazing.

In May, when Nick had his stroke, D.J. and Amanda continued to keep up their school work, take tests, do projects, travel back and forth to the hospital, deal with their feelings and still ended up with excellent grades (all A's & 1 B). Through the summer they made their own travel arrangements (by plane, train and bus) to visit family, colleges and went to camp (thank you to everyone who helped with the housing and financial end of their adventures). They help care for Connor, hang out with Nicholas, and run errands for me.

Before Nick was sick, Connor's job was to wake up Nicholas every morning. The other day he looked at Nick’s bed and in a sad, longing voice said, "Oh, JoJo's at the hospital." (JoJo is what Connor calls Nick). Connor has learned about loss. And he has learned about gain with all of the new people in his life. He has also learned how to make the hospital a playground!

But the greatest gift I have received is watching all 3 children love and accept Nicholas no matter what their brother's abilities have been. From the first days of the coma, they have talked, prayed, read and played music for him and they continue to find ways to make him feel "normal."

How can one mom be so blessed to have four courageous angels?

MORE…

This is from Rick Padelford, who works at San Diego Imaging – the surgeon who initially worked on Nick works there as well:

I just got a note from Dr. Clint Nichols, the interventional radiologist who operated on Nick. Dwight and Nick came over to the hospital this weekend to see Clint and he just happened to be on call. Clint was literally speechless. He said that he got so choked up that he couldn’t say anything.

He was so stunned with Nick’s progress and it meant so much to him that they came by.

A lot of our physicians in the practice have been tracking his progress….Some through the blog. He is one of those amazing cases that come along once a decade.

Update #36

After two solid weeks in rehab, Nick is making slow but steady progress. (Remember the tortoise analogy?) For instance…

• They have Nick standing and walking every day now, using the bars or a walker. They continue to work on building up his stamina.

• He’s able to sustain himself with food now, so they’ll be taking his feeding tube out soon.

• His dexterity is increasing, as he can now put his clothes on, but can’t do buttons or zippers yet. His arms are steadier and he can also move his thumbs much better.

• His speech progress is slow but steady.

The doctors are encouraged and Nick’s spirit continues to be strong and resilient.

By the way, they were able to get a van that accommodates a wheelchair before he went back into the hospital. They took him to go see the Transformers movie and he loved it! It’ll come in handy when they’re able to temporarily take him out or home for the weekend.

Thanks to all for your continued support and prayers!

Mike

Update #35

Nick had a great first week in rehab! He’s a real champ and working hard. He’s very driven and focused. And this ain’t easy stuff they’re putting him through.

He’s getting strength faster in his legs than in his arms. So they’ve been getting him in a walker to learn how to stand and walk again.

But his arms are also gaining strength. They’ve put him in a manual wheelchair and he can wheel himself down the length of one hallway before he gets too tired. Plus he’s feeding himself more and more!

He still has to eat soft food because his throat and mouth muscles aren’t fully functional yet. But he did get his pizza the other day!

Nick gives a thumbs up after his pizza!

Dwight and Lisa have noticed that his hearing and sight is more acute. He did great at a cognitive test and will be taking a grade-level test this week to see how much he’s retained.

Of course they’re back on the rotating schedule of someone with Nick at all times, so that brings its own set of stresses and such.

Last week Lisa told me that Nick wanted to see the Atkinsons. So we went in Thursday late afternoon. It was SO cool to see him. (The last time we saw him was just after they moved him to rehab from the hospital.) He’s come SO far! He was talking and laughing with us. It takes some work to understand him, but it was great to hear his voice.

The coolest part – and the fact which shows that Nick really is in there – is that he can still differentiate our twin boys, Jeremy and Joshua. (He’s one of the few people who can.) He still knew which was which. Just blew us away!

There’s a group of business people in East County of San Diego called the El Cajon Posse. They help out families with needs, and they’ve been awesome with the Brinkerhoffs! They’re putting air conditioning in the house, they donated money (along with other folks) toward the wheelchair van, and they’ll be putting ramps and wider doors in the house. (Of course, we hope those are ultimately unnecessary!)

And you can still help the family! Gift cards, gift cards, gift cards! Please either take them or mail them to the church:

Community Covenant Church
ATTN: Brinkerhoffs
1835 Granite Hills Dr
El Cajon CA 92019
(619) 447-2675

FOR FOOD:

Costco

Vons/Safeway gift cards

Whole Foods (only available in stores)

FOR GAS:

Arco

7/11 (gas): You can buy a Convenience Card at a store and put any amount on it

Update #34

From Lisa, Nick’s Mom, written last night:

Well, we had Nicholas home for 16 days, a much shorter time than we anticipated (we had hoped for the summer). When we first told him that he would be returning he did not want to go and then it changed to not wanting to sleep there, but the last couple of days he started counting down. He is determined to eat, walk and talk . Of course, he will also be learning all of the daily living skills needed.

Today he arrived at the hospital about 10 am and was evaluated throughout the day by all of the doctors and therapists. Speech was so impressed with his swallow that they allowed him mac -n cheese and peas for lunch (he never used to like peas:)) and spaghetti and green beans for dinner. For now his food is diced but he really does not care! They will continue to work with him on different foods and nothing could make him happier.

Everyone wants to know if we are happy about his progress. Of course we are, but at the same time we are still processing what has happened to our son over the past 13 weeks. We have gone from saying goodbye to our son, to each day being in awe as God continues to keep his promise to me and heal him. It is a strange place to be for me.

I am dealing with the loss of who Nicholas was before the stroke and praising God as he knits together a new creation right before my eyes.

I will be honest to share with you that for me it has been easier to be a part of Nick's journey, and to believe without ceasing, than to be a part of my own. You see, a week before he had the stroke my family was hit with another crisis. We were unable to even begin to process it when this happened. But God has a way of not letting things go and it must be faced. While I don't believe God did any of these things he did allow them and for some reason in this order. As I said, believing God for Nick's healing was never a question for me, but now my faith is being challenged in a way that I don't think I can stand up to. After all we have been through I should be able to walk through this desert and cling to my God without any doubts.

Pride gets in the way. How can I allow God access to certain parts of my life but not all? I am sharing this with you for a couple reasons. 1) In my 40 yrs. (isn't that how long they wandered the

desert?) I have learned that I must always be real 2) and so I humbly ask for prayer for me and my family 3) I also just want to encourage each of you in the work God has been doing in yourselves.

When you are in the middle of a crisis it can be easier to call out to God, but as the days pass and the crisis isn't so intense, we can get lazy and go back to our old ways.

May God continue to rehabilitate each of us no matter what our handicap might be.

Thank you to each of you, for the love and support you have so unexplainably shared with my family. I have been so negligent in proper thank you notes, but please know that we have cherished every prayer, card, meal, gift card, phone call, house cleaning and many other gifts. THANK YOU!

Lisa

From me, Mike:

What an amazing spirit Lisa has. It reminds me of an article I read yesterday. It’s written by Tony Snow, the White House press spokesman, about his bout with cancer. Maybe you’ll be encouraged by his words in conjunction with Lisa’s:

Cancer's Unexpected Blessings: When you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death, things change.