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Brain Surgery – Origin Story

Posted on May 30, 2022June 11, 2022

I do not have the mental fortitude to make this post as descriptive as it needs to be.  Sorry for that in advance.

Summer has been having headaches off and on over the past few months.  She has seen every doctor and medical professional along the way making complaints that they keep coming back.  We even took her to our clinic in Tremont when she was in town last week to try and nail this down.

Saturday, we came down to Carbondale to start a long holiday weekend in Southern Illinois with her and her boyfriend Nate and she was already complaining of being in pain.  She held on to Nate as we walked to dinner and complained of being dizzy.  The next morning, Sunday, she said there was no way we could go running around looking at Indian mounds because she was throwing up and had another massive headache.

We headed to SIH emergency room to try and get this sorted out… Again!

From 9AM till 4PM we waited as they did a barrage of tests.  There was a skull abnormality on the x-ray… Maybe that was it?  Then they did an MRI…  And that’s when the problem showed up.  A blockage at the Cerebellum that was making it hard to let fluid exit the brain…  Thus causing pressure because it cannot escape.  The source…  A tumor just over 1″ in size that is growing in this area.

The cerebellum controls many automatic functions of the body, and it was determined that the pressure this was applying on her brain could be life-threatening.  SIH in Carbondale wanted to send her to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis…  We petitioned to be closer to home and Carle was found to have availability.  St. Francis in Peoria was a week out.   Summer was life-flighted to Champaign and has been at Carle ever since.

Further MRI testing today showed the growth is just in the brain.  That’s good.  They were checking to make sure nothing was in the spine.

Tomorrow, at 8AM, she will have brain surgery to remove the growth.  They will shave parts of her head.  They will make a new hole in her head.  They will remove the tumor and have it sent to Mayo for analysis.  The surgery is 5 to 6 hours long.  Dr. Mustaffa was very professional and gave us a rundown of all the risks.  There are plenty.  Fortunately, she is young and healthy and that will help with healing.

After the surgery is over…  She will still be in Intensive Care for a few weeks while they check her vitals and regain the ability to maintain regular pressure in the brain.

Ang and I are trying to figure out the best way to stay beside her and stay close in Champaign.  Tonight it’s a questionable hotel since we have to be up at 5AM.  After the surgery, maybe we can rent something for longer.  I don’t see us back home with her for several weeks.

That is all I know…  Going through the motions is a lot easier than sitting and thinking about all the “what-ifs” that could happen.  She is with great people and our family has been overwhelmingly showing support (as they always do!) when things get tough.

Thanks for thinking of her.


This morning, Dr Mostaffa said an emergency patient had come in and needed surgery immediately. This means we are out off until Wednesday.


I am approving comments…  Sorry…  They are normally turned off!

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15 thoughts on “Brain Surgery – Origin Story”

  1. Julie says:
    May 30, 2022 at 10:28 pm

    We love this girl so much. We’re right beside you through it all ❤️

  2. Leslie says:
    May 30, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    A former co worker of your Dad Tim. Brain surgery is scary, went through it with my sister. Stay strong she will need you. I will certainly have her in my prayers. God is Good and He will sustain you. Take care of each other, remind yourself to breath. Love to all.❤️

  3. Stephanie says:
    May 30, 2022 at 11:58 pm

    Prayers for comfort and healing for Miss Summer.

  4. Dale and Cathy says:
    May 31, 2022 at 6:28 am

    Prayers for Summer and for the doctors performing her surgery!!

  5. Kristi Kohlmann Wykes says:
    May 31, 2022 at 6:48 am

    Prayers are with you, your family, and your daughter’s medical staff!

  6. Viki says:
    May 31, 2022 at 7:42 am

    Eric, know that you and your family are being sent love and light all day in all ways.

  7. Chris Bluhm says:
    May 31, 2022 at 8:39 am

    tons of prayers are going up for you Summer..we all love you and will hold you close in prayer thru out the coming days and all of your family as well..let faith be your great friend now and forever..much love and many hugs..Chris Bluhm

  8. Cvickers says:
    May 31, 2022 at 9:07 am

    God Bless! Angels protect!!

  9. Marc Bubert says:
    May 31, 2022 at 10:19 am

    Will be praying for Summer! Also praying for the entire family! Keep the faith and keep believing!

  10. Dick and Kathy Brush says:
    May 31, 2022 at 4:47 pm

    Eric and Family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with Summer and your family for a positive outcome and a speedy recovery,
    Dick and Kathy Brush

  11. Halee Robinson says:
    May 31, 2022 at 6:00 pm

    Hi, I’m Nathanial’s Aunt Halee. I’m thinking about all of you! I have sent this link on to my sister that works at Carle. She reminded me that we have a nurse friend that works for Dr. Mostafa and she speaks highly of him and his work. Also Carle does have a guest house that may have an opening, you should ask. That will help out so much if it’s available. Stay strong Summer (& parents). We’re cheering for you in Mt. Zion!! <3

  12. Luann says:
    May 31, 2022 at 6:45 pm

    Eric n Ang Aidan, n Summer, Tim n Jewels, don & dawn, dan n court, syl n Bear. Prayers coming to your family. So scared for you praying for the Dr. Nursing staff n Summer. We have every faith in god to heal this issue for you. LuAnn n Paul n Cara n Blake n rest of our vacay people.

  13. Cindy Koehler, Warsaw High School says:
    June 3, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    Sending prayers for a successful surgery and complete healing.

  14. Cauriana Link says:
    June 13, 2022 at 6:11 pm

    Hey y’all,

    I know it’s been years since I’ve seen/talked to you all especially Summer. I’ve been following these updates since the day I found out and praying for you all. As I read, I enjoy imagining how Summer responds based off our years as friends. Summer has always been one of the toughest gals I know. I have so many memories from high school to back that statement up. You’ve totally got this Summer. The things you’ve already gone through… how you’re responding to all this, it’s amazing to read about. Honestly, you are the strongest girl I know. You can’t tell me any different. I can’t even imagine being in your shoes or even in your parents shoes.
    I want to send some encouragements if I can from this fairly new Bible thumper, take this as you will.
    “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””
    ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:3-4‬ ‭
    “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.”
    ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬
    “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

    Like I said take this how you will. I will continue to pray for you all on this journey. I wish I could do more for y’all, but for now I’ll be an intercessor of prayer.

    Thank you so much for all the updates so that people are aware of the specifics that we can pray for.

    Blessings!

    1. Eric says:
      June 13, 2022 at 10:10 pm

      Thanks, Cauriana, I read this to Summer tonight.

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