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