*HelpTJRecoverBrainSurgery

Hi everyone! 

Sorry for the gap in updates, as I myself had a bunch of major events. TJ is home now, resting and recovering. 

He initially was discharged from the ICU and transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Tucson. Unfortunately, you know how these facilities can be if you’ve ever had a loved one in there and this one was no different. He advocated for himself and was released to recover at home and to start out patient PT. 

TJ can get around his home by himself pretty well. He has a wheelchair because he gets tired and has had some balance issues. He’s also still having some vision problems. 

He is scheduled to meet with his neurosurgeon at the beginning of March to discuss his progress and schedule his open brain surgery. 

Please continue to keep TJ in your prayers and send him all the good healing vibes.

1/24/26 Update 

it has been a few days since my last update. Unfortunately, the drain that was placed last week was prematurely pulled out when TJ sat up and it got caught on the bed. They replaced the drain for yet a third time on Thursday evening. Thankfully the drain is working properly and he’s also gotten a feeding tube. They’ve done some CT scans and other tests and it seems like TJ is making an improvement. They are going to try to clamp the drain to see how he does and in the event of him experiencing headaches and fluid buildup, they will put in a permanent shunt. He was more alert today and even was up for a photo. Please continue to pray, send good vibes and share this donation site.

We are so very thankful for each of you and your well wishes! 

Tuesday update: 

TJ’s team of doctors and nurses have been trying to manage his blood pressure because it is elevated. They are trying some new methods and medications. The drain in his head is still in place and they plan to keep it there until the fluid output slows. They intend to do another CT scan in the next day or so. Today, he was able to stand up out of bed twice with physical therapy’s help! He’s restless and hates that he’s in bed. 

Please continue keeping him in your thoughts and send him all the healing vibes. I can’t wait for him to read all the amazing things everyone has written for him and see what an incredible community he has supporting him in so many ways. We, his family, are beyond grateful of the outpouring of love, kind words and donations he’s received. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you🩷 

Monday update: TJ is in stable condition. He has a catheter in his head to help remove the cerebral spinal fluid.  The fluid in a person without a brain bleed is clear, TJ’s is still tinged with blood but it is not as dark as it was on day 1. Some friends of his came by yesterday and he talked with them and even ate a chicken tender! 🤘🏻

Last night he woke up some to talk to the student who was getting a lesson from him when the brain bleed occurred. We are ever so thankful for his student and the timing of this regular Tuesday lesson. TJ would have been alone if he had canceled. TJ fed himself a triangle of a chicken quesadilla for dinner. His girlfriend has been holding vigil by his bedside and has slept in the room with him for a few nights. Please keep her in your thoughts too. 🩷 

Today, TJ has been snoozing most of the day. He had a bite of scrambled eggs and two pieces of bacon 🙌🏼. They’ve made some adjustments to medication and hoping things are moving the right direction.

The team tells me that he will be in ICU until the drain is removed which will be a few days at least. I’ll continue to update as much as possible. 

Please continue to pray for TJ and share the spot fund. He needs all the support and encouragement he can get.