Welcome to Jump David Jump. It's probably the majority of your first time here. It's just a personal blog that I've done a few things with here and there.
So first off, thank you all for the kind words that you have given to me over the past 1-2 days. I am so appreciative of them. You kinds words are with me here in the hospital.
So, here's what happened....
1. As a development partner with Dot&Cross, we went to the "Experts Academy" in San Francisco, a conference to learn more about how to promote people as experts and develop their platform. I am lucky enough to work with Dot&Cross as we create media (which works with different 'experts' we look to impact the world by creating media for their respective fields. So in learning about this, I've spent the last week in San Fransisco. Expert Academy went great, but on Saturday night... everything changed.
2. Saturday night, I visited Josh and Sarah Shipp and their amazing new baby in San Jose and took a train to come back to the Hotel in South San Francisco. I ended up gettng there about 12:30 am. Over the next hour I hung out with my business partner Brett VanTil and we all sit around and discussed what happened at the experts academy with some fellow attendees that had become new friends.
3. As an ongoing joke I had going for a couple days when someone asked me for what field of topic I was in an expert in, I said "Kung-Fu". As a joke, this new friend came at me with some sweet fake kung-fu moves. And as a professional recipient of his fake Kung Fu move should, I pretended that he actually had kicked me in the hopes that everyone else would think we were starting a bar fight. (I'm sure none of you could even imagine me doing this...) As I turned around, I hit a concrete pillar holding up the roof of this hotel lobby. I hit it just to the left of my left eye. Ouch! I'm not going to lie. It's wasn't THAT bad. But it definitely hurt. I had a weird experience where after I hit, I continued in conversation but had a little difficulty finding my words and actually apologized to the person I was talking to unclearly. I ended the conversation and proceeded to bed.
4. Next morning - I was feeling OK and had a couple conversations where I thought my speech was a little better. I got down stairs to the final day of the conference. About maybe 3 minutes into it, I actually went into a 3-5 minute seizure. I don't remember much after that, except going to the hospital via ambulance with a lovely women who I need to get the name of. Later I found out that out of all 400 of the people in the room, 3 of them were medical 'experts' and all 400 of them prayed for me. Amen.
5. Arrived at Stanford Hospital and Clinic at about 9:30. They knew about my head traumas near my left eye and put me under x-rays. Sure enough, bleeding in the brain. This is where I posted to Twitter / Facebook (photo courtesy of my business partner who thought I was crazy as I twittering between scans, etc.. :). Thank you all for your amazing comments. It was really nice to read them between the tests I had to go through.
Well, that is a pretty good story for a great way to get blood on your brain. Then is gets worse...
6. The person who looked at the MRI came back in to tell me that, yes, there was indeed blood on the brain as they expected. The problems with my lack of speech abilities, along with a few moments of numbness on the right side of my body could be the fact that this is from the left frontal cortex of my brain.
7. The bleeding in the brain isn't by itself. I have an Oligodendroglioma, a brain tumor.
8. This has probably been growing in my brain for 2-3 years. Up until my seizure yesterday, I have never seen any of the symptoms involved with this. It appears that running into concrete as a 'Kung-fu' expert may have actually been the incident that caused the swelling to affect the tumor which caused me to seizure. Yes, if I hadn't hit my head, I may never have found out about this. It could have be 5-7 years down the road before this tumor grew enough to actually effect me. In other words, my kung-fu mishap allowed me to see this. I recently relieved an email from Thomas, the Kung-Fu Gentlemen who caused all of this. I am so happy to report that this crazy experiment may save my live.
9. I now have several options. I may stay here in Stanford for surgery (an unbelievable place to end up after a seizure) or go to Minnesota (most likely Mayo, which is an EVEN BETTER place for this treatment). Either way I will get the 'awake surgery done', where they would open up my head and tell me what is actually going on and test their hypothesis by talking to me throughout the surgery and then move to immediately fix what they find. They may recess the gene. They may see if I am eligible to do chemotreatment, etc... I guess the MRI can't quite tell them right now.
10. Above all else, I have a wife, Amy, who is the dearest thing to my heart. She dropped her photography workshop of 20 photographers each coming to Grand Rapids from around the country. I know she will make it up to them, but she isn't going to spend one more minute away from me. I pray that you have and appreciate someone like this in your life. It's unbelievable. Amy is flying into Palo Alto today (Stanford) to come visit me and most likely take me over to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
All of this to say, I'm happy. I really truly am. As this blog indicates, my life has been several crazy jumps from one area of life to another. From growing up in England and being thrown back into elementary school in Omaha, Nebraska knowing nobody. From knowing everyone I graduated with in Omaha and then going to Cedarville University in Ohio where I once again knew nobody. From moving out from knowing everybody at Cedarville, I moved to California with Amy where she and I struggled to find our place before moving back to GR where each of us started our own companies. We have both done extremely well and this point, but... it's time for another jump.
I know that God is going to do something with this as it has already blown my mind that all of these things have transpired to bring me to this epic moment. I'm excited for what God is going to do with this. I'm serious. Without any doubt, it will be very different from what I imagined, and that's okay, my own imagination has it's own weak limits.
I leave you with this, because well... I can:
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
**Thanks to Brett Van Til, business partner who is here to edit this considering my speaking / typing capabilities have gotten a little rusty until surgery, etc.. Without him the last last two days would have been very lonely.
I promise this is the only time I'll ever say this, but I'm really glad you hit your head...
My gosh, life can be a crazy thing. Please know you've got a massive, massive amount of people praying for you and who will all do just about whatever we can in the days ahead for you and Amy... Take it as easy as you can, safe travels, and God bless...
Posted by: Chuck | June 08, 2009 at 02:59 PM
thinking and praying for you and so so glad to be part of the dotcross family walking beside you. we love you and amy so much. besos from LA! Wendy and Brie
Posted by: 1eyedmonkee | June 08, 2009 at 03:22 PM
David -
I am so encouraged by this post. Thank you so much for sharing so openly all that is going on. Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers are with you and Amy. Please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do.
I just spoke with Sam and she asked that I relay that she is praying as well...
I know it's not politically correct to tell a co-worker that you love them, but that's just too darn bad... We love you and are equally as excited to see what God is going to do with this!
Posted by: Sue | June 08, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Hey David. I wanted to let you know that word spreads fast and prayers are in Texas for you and Amy. Creighton called me today who talked to Dan Jackson. We're thinking of you and I'll be checking your blog!
Posted by: Katie "Bryan" Thomas | June 08, 2009 at 04:24 PM
Brandon and I have you in our thoughts and prayers. We miss you and can't wait to see you again! We love you so much. It's amazing that you, yourself, can be encouraging to me, who should be encouraging you, through all of this. Your bravery and hopefulness are an inspiration. Love, Melissa Geary
Posted by: MELISSA GEARY | June 08, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Wow, David. That's amazing. What a powerful testimony!
Praying for you and Amy!!
(I'm friends with Jon and Kristen and went to Cedarville with Lisa.)
Posted by: Marla Taviano | June 08, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Dave, it's Susan from the BC artist's retreat. Only you could turn a kung fu siezure and tumor into an inspiration. My hubby and I will pray for you all. Thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Suzn | June 08, 2009 at 05:11 PM
David...saw this post and got a pit in my stomach. Know that Teressa and I will be praying for you.
Posted by: Aaron | June 08, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Praying for you, Amy, and all of your family.
(I, too, am a friend of Kristen's.)
Posted by: Jennifer Austin | June 08, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Dave:
I am just thankful they found something in your head when they did the MRI - I've been wondering for years if there was ever anything in there.
HONESTLY, we are praying for you. Love you, man....
Jeff Beste
Posted by: Jeff Beste | June 08, 2009 at 05:44 PM
David,
Hopefully you're laughing at Jeff's comment, or I'll definitely think that something is wrong...
As always, you're making your mark on the world in your own unique way, and I, along with many others are inspired by your courage and faithfulness. I am shooting some prayers up for you, knowing that our God is great, and the ultimate Healer.
If you need help with transportation or want to get someone up to see you in Minn, let me know. My mom is a flight attendant, and get's very cheap tickets. We'd give them to you in a heartbeat! Take care of yourself!
Sara
Posted by: Sara Timmer (Murphy) | June 08, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Prayers sent to you and your wife. Know we are hoping for the best.
Posted by: Regina | June 08, 2009 at 07:54 PM
What a lucky couple... you have a beautiful thing in one another.
Posted by: Liz | June 08, 2009 at 08:11 PM
I'm definitely praying for you and your family.
Posted by: Boybarian Dad | June 08, 2009 at 08:28 PM
David,
You're certainly in our hearts and thoughts. Life sure can be unpredictable, eh? All the best to you for a speedy and complete recovery.
Posted by: Jen Proctor | June 08, 2009 at 09:05 PM
I've posted everywhere else, so might as well here, too.
In addition to the evident strength and faith displayed in your above blog, I am equally moved by the support and love from all those that know you and Amy. What an amazing blessing!
Your faithful perspective makes me think of one of my favorite passages when all looks like shit.
Habakkuk 3: 17-18--"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Posted by: Alycia and CJ | June 08, 2009 at 09:07 PM
David, you don't know me, but I follow your wife's photography blog. (In fact, I'm pretty sure she doesn't know me either!) Please know that prayers are being lifted up, including mine, that you may receive swift healing and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Posted by: Sarah Long | June 08, 2009 at 09:27 PM
thoughts and prayers are with you and amy. be encouraged! safe travels...
Posted by: kathy | June 08, 2009 at 09:33 PM
David.. letting you know that we are thinking and praying for you. Got the email from your dad today. And we are praying for Amy. Hope you have a good nights rest. Margaret, Allen Harold-Allen and Skyler Vaughan
Posted by: Margaret Vaughan | June 08, 2009 at 09:34 PM
Holy smokes, David--John Campbell forwarded me this post. This is unbelievable.
Stay positive--keep praying--we'll all be praying back here in Omaha for you. If you need ANYTHING---just let us know, alright?? YOU'LL GET BETTER--YOU WILL.
We'll be thinking of you!!!
Posted by: Brandi Petersen | June 08, 2009 at 09:37 PM
David,
My prayers are with you during this trying time. I had some health issues with my thyroid back in December - confused speech and thoughts were all part of it. If there is anything that I can do for you back here in GR, beyond praying, please let me know via email or phone or have Brett get in touch.
Posted by: Adam Beasley | June 08, 2009 at 09:40 PM
David,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Amy.
Unfortunately, I know, first hand, what you guys are going through and my heart goes out to you. My sister has been fighting a brain tumor for the past 5 years.
I pray for precision, accuracy, wisdom, patience and peace for you, your family and the medical team.
keep us posted.
Posted by: Kyle Chowning | June 08, 2009 at 09:43 PM
On Sunday, my dad preached about worship and about how we have to have a grateful heart in order to really worship God. He told the story of my grandma who had epilepsy and bags under her eyes so long that they went all the way down her face. She was sent home and doctors told her there was nothing else they could do. As she laid in bed with my grandpa one night, preparing for her to die, they began to recount the things that God had done in their lives and the ways they'd been blessed. They began to praise God in the midst. And then my grandma felt warm and tingly and she knew God had done something. She got out of bed and sure enough, the bags under her eyes were GONE! Later they discovered that she'd been healed of the epilepsy. Continue to praise God in this. I have so much admiration and respect for the way you are doing that already! I will pray for you, for your wife... and for God's miraculous, unexplainable HEALING! May God do a miracle that will touch the people around you and in that hospital! :)
Posted by: Diandra | June 08, 2009 at 09:59 PM
David,
My family and I will keep you in our prayers. I will continue to check the blog.
Robbie
Posted by: Robbie Jensen | June 08, 2009 at 10:00 PM
You have a fantastic attitude about all of this. I'm praying for complete healing and peace of mind and comfort for both you and Amy! In Jesus' name! Amen,. :)
Posted by: michelle sidles | June 08, 2009 at 10:10 PM