Update #22

It’s been a real roller coaster with Nick the last few days. Some good and some items of concern.

He is still in the coma. BUT he’s showing signs of trying to come out of it. More on that later.

Last night was rough, as they tried to wean him off the ventilator. In that process he stopped breathing three times. Pretty touch and go. But today he seems to be breathing more on his own. Hopefully that will continue to improve as he gets his strength back.

At 9am today the nurse noticed that his pupils were two different sizes - not a good sign. They continued to change sizes, sometimes the same size and sometimes different. But they weren’t that concerned because his other vitals and such looked good.

So they did a CT scan today to see how it looked inside. They said nothing has changed, which, at this point, is good, since they could deteriorate.

On Friday they did an electrical current test, which checks the nerve highways to the four extremities. The two arms and right leg seemed fine! But there are some blocks to his left leg. They will keep watch on that closely.

His white blood count is coming back to a safer range.

But, even though he’s still in a coma, and his muscles are having a hard time because they’re so atrophied, there are some slight, subtle signs that show that this boy is fighting!

His pupils, in the very slightest sense, seem to be tracking movement in the room. As someone walks they seem to be following, ever so subtlety.

Also, the audiologist says that Nick’s hearing is working, though it’s delayed. So he is hearing something.

The doctors are convinced that “he is there” and trying to come out of his shell, so to speak.

While this is encouraging news, there is still a loooong way to go. The doctors said this process – of coming out of the coma, getting his muscles to work again, rehab, etc. – is not like a light switch but more like a dimmer switch.

Good thing we know the Light of the World.

Update #21

From mom Lisa...

Update as of 6 am Monday:

Over the weekend the new white blood cells (these fight infection) went down to 0 but came back up to 300 yesterday - this is still low. The lower left lung collapsed but is trying to recover with lots of "lung therapy."

Today is day 25 and he still not responding.

My heart just wants to say to those that may not believe in God or are just not sure, this is not a litmus test to whether or not God is real! No matter what the outcome God's Word is True! And we are called to have faith in the good times and awful times of life. I know that this journey is stretching many - that's great - let God turn you into a Stretch Armstrong! Please do not grow tired of praying.

I look at Nicholas like a caterpillar. We can't see what is going on inside that chrysalis, but I am believing he will emerge as a beautiful butterfly!

One of Nick's nurses has nicknamed him" the Tortoise" from the Tortoise and the Hare - "slow but steady wins the race!"

CAUTION TORTOISE CROSSING!

ALSO...

While at the hospital we have met Richard and Cynthia. They have a little boy (11 yrs.) named Christopher who suffered a brain trauma when he fell off his skateboard. Christopher was in a coma over a month but he did wake up. He was able to answer questions by blinking and was even able to talk. He was making great progress.

On Thursday, May 24, 2007 he had a stroke and on Friday, May 25,2007, he passed away.

Richard and Cynthia have been a source of encouragement to us as we have been here with Nicholas. Our family is asking that any help you were giving to us, please send it their way to help with the cost of the memorial.

Here is Christopher's blog

God Bless,
The Brinkerhoff Family

About Nick

Realizing there are so many people following Nick's progress who have never met him, his mom, Lisa, prepared this summary and photos...

Nicholas is the 3rd of 4 children. He can be a pest - "a typical little brother" to D.J. (16 yrs) and Amanda (14 yrs) but he looks up to them and wants to be just like them. He is also a proud big brother to Connor (2 1/2 yrs) and loves to teach him new things.

He is a 7th grader at Literacy First Charter School. Nick is an ASB leader and in the school band. His favorite subjects are Language Arts (writing poetry) and Art, but he hates homework.

Nicholas is very sociable and a friend to everyone. He loves hanging with his buddies and talking on the phone.

His interests include WWII history and its planes, riding his quad in the desert, camping at the beach, listening to music, drawing, watching the Padres, Red Sox and St Louis. He also likes football (the Chargers). He loves pizza and bacon cheese burgers and his favorite colors are black and red. Nicholas has been a Scout since the first grade and wants to be an Eagle Scout. He dreams of going to High Tech High School for high school (where D.J. & Amanda attend), then into the Air Force Academy and then becoming a FBI Special Agent.

He enjoys going to youth group at CCC and volunteering for any service work - he has a heart for little kids and the elderly.

Nicholas loves God, his family and friends.

PHOTOS

With dad Dwight and brother Connor

Camping at the beach with cousins

With dad Dwight

With bro Connor

With sis Amanda

With bro D.J.

The Brinkerhoff kids

The fam (Christmas '06)

Update #20

More good news!

Nick is responding to pain stimuli! That means that when he’s pinched or they pull a toe, he’s pulling away. You can just imagine how good that news is!

They’ve decided to wait until Monday to fully take him off the ventilator.

The doctors said his skin color is good and he seems relaxed.

Dwight and Lisa thank you all for your prayers!

Update #19

Nick opened his eyes today! He couldn’t follow commands, though, but he was blinking and attempting to move them himself. Stay tuned.

They have not taken him fully off the ventilator. When they try, his breathing stresses too much. They’ll continue to monitor that.

His white blood count is low again and they’re not sure why. They’re working to bring it back up. (When it’s low, the prospect of infection is very high.)

Update #18

Not a lot of signs that Nick is coming out of the coma yet. But plenty of good things going on...

- His ventilator only kicks in when needed now. So he's starting to mostly breathe on this own.

- His body is now absorbing the fluid around his brain. The drain hasn't been needed for a day or so. They're planning to take it out soon.

His brain is having a hard time keeping his body temperature regulated correctly. So they're monitoring that closely.

Since the drugs that kept him in a coma are totally out of his system now, it's his body that keeping him in the coma. That's exactly how God created our bodies, to allow us to heal. So, the fact that he's not coming out of the coma is not a bad thing.

Update #17

Dwight told me yesterday that Nick has a couple signs of coming out of the coma, like an occasional cough reflex, and periodic breaths on his own apart from the ventilator.

Also, here's an update from Nick's mom, Lisa - plus a very tangible way you can help the Brinkerhoffs!

Today is day 16 since Nicholas had his stroke. The coma inducing medication is completely out of his system and still there is no movement. He has had a fever for the past 3 days between 101 - 104.

He is still unable to absorb all of the fluid in his brain. His blood pressure varies from very low to very high and his heart looks like it will beat right out of his chest. He has many other things that vary all the time - too many to bore you with. But on the up side, the left cerebellum (which is where the stroke took place) looks like it is healing. This is not by any fluke. Nicholas has had some of the best doctors, but I keep telling the doctors and nurses that they are being prayed for everyday and being guided.

My point in writing this to you is to ask you to please share the hope and faith that I have. I believe in his healing. It may not be the exact healing that a mother hopes for her child to have. I know in my own family we have other forms of healing taking place. And it has been shared that healing of spiritual, physical and emotional issues are happening in others too. So please do not become discouraged because we aren't seeing what we had hoped to see, but instead stay strong in your prayers for him and my family and allow God's healing to ooze into the deepest part of our lives. God is doing a work in all of us.

Saying thank you is not enough for all of the prayers, cards, meals, house cleaning, running errands, baby sitting and jamba juices we have received - but THANK YOU! It is humbling to be in the place of receiving so much love.

For the Lord,
Lisa

HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Gina Vildibill had a great idea...that is to buy gift cards for their essentials. That will take some pressure off their finances (Dwight owns his own business, which he runs by himself).

If you don't have a way to physically get it to them, you can mail them to the church:

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

Here are the main places they go:

FOR FOOD:

• Costco
• Albertsons (only available in stores)
• 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

Thanks!

Update #16

The prayer service tonight was amazing. Over 90 folks of all ages, and covering so many areas of Nick's life...gathering in one heart and mind believing together for Nick's full recovery!

Here are some photos...(you can click on each photo to see a larger image):

John Houston opens in prayer

The CCC youth group attended

Dan & Janet led in praise songs

Students read Scripture requested by the family

People could pray (aloud or silently)
then add a flower to a growing bouquet.
Nick's dad, Dwight, pauses in front of the display.

Clay prays

Nick's friend adds a flower

Nick's grandpa and cousin tie knots on Nick's prayer quilt

Folks from Nick's school

Nick's brother DJ

Nick's sister Amanda

More of Nick's friends

Passionate prayer offered up

The last scripture is read...the armor of God!

Closing in prayer

A sweet fragrance to the Lord

Nick's prayer quilt, made by CCC's Robin Macy

AMEN!

Update #15

We had over 90 people at the prayer service tonight! What an amazing time.

I'm going to post photos to the blog later. I'll let you know when...

Update #14

The doctors are going to hold off on dialysis. Nick's kidneys are starting to come around, so they want to give it some time.

Their main efforts are in preventing infection, which someone who has been in a coma this long is very prone to. Nick had a bit of a fever yesterday, but they got that in check.

So we can focus our prayers on his kidneys and infections - and, of course, the process of coming out of the coma, which continues...and the family.

Update #13

The doctors are finding some, in their words, "predictable" results of Nick being on so many meds for so long. His heart is very tired, so they're monitoring that closely. And his kidneys are operating at 20%. So he'll have dialysis at least twice a week for a while...

Update #12

We're going to have a special prayer service for Nick and the Brinkerhoffs this Wednesday at 7pm at Community Covenant Church in El Cajon, CA.

Get directions to the church

All are welcome!

Update #11

The doctors think the brain's swelling has run its course. They're also concerned about infection and organ damage with the prolonged coma. So they're starting to take Nick out of his coma. They said it will take about 7 days for the coma-inducing medication to fully leave his system. So by next Friday or so, they should be able to get a good read on his status.

Of course, Dwight and Lisa are very apprehensive, since they're now closer to knowing just how much (or little) Nick was impacted by the stroke.

They did have an encouraging talk with another doctor today who said they were fortunate to be in one of maybe 3 pediatric hospitals in the country that would be so aggressive with Nick's situation. He said most would just wait and see how he did after the stroke, and never would of done the initial, risky surgery and other things they've done.

Let's pray this boy through the next week, huh?

Update #10

Dwight and Lisa met with Nick's neurologist today. He said the MRI didn't tell them anything new. (MRIs are more detailed than CTs.) There are still no bleeds in there, which is really good news. They also confirmed that the damage from the stroke is limited to the right cerebellum, not the left.

He said the brain's swelling will peak in the next few days then start to go down. They still think another 10-14 days to leave him in the coma. Until the swelling goes down, they just can't get a good read on the state of the brain.

But he talked in depth with them about the possibilities in the future for Nick - all the way from mild damage to severe. Obviously, severe could mean a vegetative state. That hit Lisa very hard. Dwight's response? "He didn't make it through that surgery to be a vegetable!" Amen!

On the other end of the spectrum is that he comes out with little to no rehab needed.

Finally they heard these words from a neurologist..."There's a lot we don't know." He said that the brain is powerful and complex and hard to predict.

So we hold on to that...and the hope we have in God...

Update #9

Dwight just called. They got the results to today's CT scan. It shows no change at all, which means the brain's swelling is not reducing. So the doctor's are thinking he'll be in the coma for 10-14 more days.

While that may be what his brain needs to recover, all the issues surrounding the situation (little sleep, crazy schedules, not knowing, etc.) are so hard for the family.

They also said there were some minor blood pressure issues, but they're dealing with those. And tomorrow they'll do a MRI. We'll let you know how that goes.

Update #8

Now it's time to ask for help for the Brinkerhoffs.

First, and most important, we ask that no one contact them. They're quite overwhelmed right now and, while the calls are very kind, it's just too much for them. If you have messages for them, you have two options:

- Email them to Gina Vildibill: bng4him@cox.net

- Send cards/letters/etc. to CCC, ATTN: Brinkerhoffs, 1835 Granite Hills Dr, El Cajon CA 92019

Second, every Monday will be house cleaning day at the Brinkerhoffs. If you can help, please email Gina. We're hoping to get enough help so the same people aren’t doing it every week.

Third, we also need some folks to do occasional grocery shopping for the family. They'll give Gina a list of what they need and she'll pass it on to that team. Email Gina if you can help.

Fourth, someone asked if there's an account set up to donate too, especially for those who can't physically help. It's a great idea and will most likely be necessary in the near future. Stay tuned...

Update #7

Not a whole lot new to report. Nick has some digestion problems yesterday, so they're treating that.

I won't send updates unless anything changes or needs arise - no news is good news, eh?

But please keep Dwight and Lisa in your prayers. Now that the "worst" has past, the hard stuff remains - the long, tough road of mental and relational strains, like sitting in a hospital room all day just thinking through "what if's," "what about's" and "what will's."

Update #6

Lots of good news today!

Dwight had a great meeting with the weekend neurologist this morning! They got a complete report from last night's CT and it's showing that the damaged area on the brain from the stroke is actually allowing some blood flow! Apparently this is pretty rare. It also showed that the clot has completely dissolved.

So we're all rejoicing!

The doctor considered Nick "out of the woods" so to speak. He said now we're focusing on the long healing process. They will keep him in a coma until the brain's swelling and fluid are gone, at least a week, if not more.

Nick still has strong vitals. He's getting some bed sores on his feet so they're going to put him on one of those moving air beds.

He had some minor respiratory issues this morning, but they seem to of cleared up.

Sorry, I was wrong last night. (I need to watch "House" more.) The damage is not on his right cerebrum, but his right cerebellum. This is the area controlling motor ability/muscles, so they estimate a few months of intensive rehab to hopefully regain movement. And since the tongue is a muscle, he will probably have problems speaking. But his mental/thinking abilities should not be affected.

Obviously he has his youth, resiliency, and fighting spirit to help this process. (Look how well he's done already!)

Dwight and Lisa are very concerned about how he'll be when he wakes up - most likely very scared. So that's a point of prayer.

WHAT NICK HAD

Nick had Basilar Thrombosis. Here is some info, in case you're interested:

http://www.alasbimnjournal.cl/revistas/5/mena5.htm

http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/citation/37/9/2438

The doctors say this is caused when the neck is suddenly turned/jerked to one side and the artery tears, thus creating the clot. Considering how hard Nick plays, this could have happened while playing football or something else.

PHOTO

Some folks weren't able to get the photo of Nick I attached to last night's email (taken at this 13th birthday party last month). In that case you can go to this page to save the photo to your computer:

http://www.atkinsonfam.com/friends/brinkerhoff/nick/100_4376-1.jpg

Craig had a great idea...to put this photo on your computer's desktop so you're reminded often to pray for him.

HOW TO HELP

Gina Vildibill is coordinating all the helpers. The Brinkerhoffs will need help driving kids to school, meals, watching Conner (2 yrs old), and cleaning the house, so they don't have to worry about it.

We don't want to heavily frontload the volunteers, since this will be a looooong process. They will most likely need our help for months.

In the immediate, we need a few people to do some light cleaning in their house tomorrow morning starting at 11a. If you can help please contact Gina - bng4him@cox.net

If you can't do that, but want to help with one of other needs or at other times, please email Gina and let her know your abilities and/or availabilities: bng4him@cox.net

If you don't hear from her within a few days, give her a call.

IN CLOSING

As Francine told Craig this morning, from her experience neurologists do not know much in the end. They take educated guesses, stabs in the dark really. One of Heather's neurologists was honest enough once to say that the brain is very complex. It'll do whatever it wants.

God will, too.

Thy will be done...

Update #5

DJ Brinkerhoff, Nick's older brother, just sent me these - a recent photo of Nick (over in the right column) and a summary of what's happened the last couple of days:

About a week ago my little brother Nick started to get a headache. This headache lasted a week and then on Thursday, turned into what we thought was a violent case of the flu. However, at about six o’clock that night, he stopped responding, his face was pale, and his eyes rolled back a bit. This is when my parents took him to Children's Hospital and he was immediately admitted.

Two years ago Nick had a cold. His body attacked his brain rather than the cold, and he started to lose memory and motor skills. Most children are permanently dam-aged but Nick bounced back within a month or two and was fine. For this reason, the doctors assumed that was what had happened again, only worse.

Friday morning they did an MRI and an EKG to check his brian, neck, spine etc. What they found was not what they were expecting. Nick had a stroke due to a blood clot that moved to the primary vein that supplies blood to the back of his brain. On the results you could clearly see the black patch on his brain. The doctors told us that we had 30 minutes to make a decision. Either let him die in about 2-4 days in a coma, or, try to remove the blood clot with a 1% chance he would live. My parents to decided to try and save his life. We went into the OR and said goodbye to my little brother. It was the hardest, and most surreal experience in my entire life. My Uncle who is a pastor, came in and prayed over Nick and the surgeon (which we had been doing for a long time), and we left. They told us the procedure would take about 30 minutes. Instead it took 1 hour. As my uncle was reading a bible verse about our prayers being answered (he didn’t even get to the answered part yet) the doctor walked in said he made it through, rock solid, no complications. To me, this was the best news possible and I couldn’t stop smiling. However it is by no means over,

They informed us that the next six hours would be critical, then 12, then 24. If the artery where the clot was didn’t burst by then, and the brain didn’t have a bleed out, it most likely wouldn’t happen. We have passed the 24 hour mark and nothing has happened. He will remain in a drug induced coma in order to keep his blood pressure low and allow the brain to heal.

So now, if you believe in prayer (or even if you don’t) pray that he does not have a bleed out, that the artery heals on its own, and that he has no brain damage. All of your prayers are greatly, and sincerely appreciated.

Yours In Life, DJ Brinkerhoff

Update #4

Not long after my email this morning, things turned worse for Nick. In case you didn't get it, here's Craig's message about that, then an update from me:

Hey everyone,

It's 12:40 on Saturday and things have turned yet again. Nicholas' swelling on the brain is getting worse and it is life threatening. They have to drill and put a tube in within the hour. Dwight and Lisa were told that the swelling will kill him and the operation could cause another stroke and kill him as well. If you get this, please pray sometime in the next hour for Nicholas and the family. We're back to "do or die" time again. Let's pray that God shows Himself in some way here. These are so very hard to know what to pray for.other than the prayer, "Oh please, let him live." We'll keep you posted.

Craig

The procedure was successful and Nick came out of it stable and with strong vitals. They put in a tube to drain the fluid building up on his brain and it's working great.

He's had two cat scans since then and both are positive. No bleeding and no additional fluid build up.

The doctors still say the first 48 hours are the most critical for Nick. That's until 2p tomorrow, Sunday.

They had a new neurologist tonight and he was quite bleak in the picture he painted of Nick's future. Dwight and Lisa were pretty shaken. The damage to the brain is in the right cerebrum, which will most likely affect his physical abilities and some speech. He will probably be in rehab for months and still a great amount of uncertainty about his abilities.

Lisa is home with the kids tonight. Dwight stayed at the hospital.

We're still figuring out how folks can help. It will most likely be centered around food and keeping their house up, so when they do go home they don't have to worry about laundry, cleaning, etc. They have enough food right now. So we'll let you know soon.

Update #3

There is some swelling, but they completely expect that. Nothing to worry about with that.

The neurovascular surgeon who did the procedure came to see Nick after the test and expressed his amazement at Nick’s progress. They are all literally blown away!

The next big milestone is at 24 hours, which is 2p today.

We’ll keep you posted.

They wanted to thank everyone for your prayers, support and love…

Update #2

Talked to Dwight this morning and he said Nick was rock solid all night. Very stable.

The Vildibills took Lisa back to the hospital last night after she caught a few hours sleep. Then Dwight went home to sleep a couple hours.

They'll be doing another cat scan on Nick this morning to make sure there's no bleeding. We're coming up on the critical 24 hour mark.

Keep praying!

Also, we're going to help Dwight and Lisa later today come up with a schedule for the help they need over the next week. I'll let you know about that as well.

Update #1

From the Brinkerhoff's pastor, Craig Knudsen of Community Covenant Church:

To those who know and care for Dwight and Lisa Brinkerhoff,

Today has been a day of infamy for Dwight and Lisa and I'm writing to you to please be in prayer for Nicholas and the family (DJ and Amanda also).

Nicholas was having headaches all week that turned into a fever and vomiting, finally leading to pupils of the eyes going different directions and becoming more incoherent. He was brought to Children's Hospital last night and it was discovered that this 13 year old young man was having and had a stroke. Two small blockages and one major one in an artery that fed the 2 halves of the cerebrum. Today at 1:00 PM Dwight and Lisa were faced with a choice: Take him home and he dies or operate and 99% chance he'll die. They asked the doctor what he would do if he were his son. He said, "I'd do the Hail Mary."

So, one hour later they went through Nicholas' leg and pulverized the 3 blocks .AND HE'S ALIVE at this moment (4:35 Friday).

One reason to thank God.

He's not out of the woods. The 6 hour mark; the 12 hour mark and the 24 hour mark are crucial. He still could die in this time span. Doctors believe if he makes it past this the chances of survival go way up. It doesn't answer the "what will he be like after he wakes up because of the brain damage" question. We'll have to wait and see. He will be left in the drug induced coma state for probably several days because any sudden raise of blood pressure could rupture the artery that was worked on.

So, having just come from the hospital, Dwight and Lisa are doing ok. For having been pulled out of school and being told to say good bye to your brother.DJ and Amanda are hanging in there.

Everyone, I don't need to say it but please be in prayer on this one for the next 18 hours. Dwight and Lisa would deeply appreciate it. Nick's in ICU so no one but family can see him, but I'll try to stay in touch when things change. Appreciate your support for them at this time.

Craig