The Beginning

Hello and welcome! The fact that you have found my blog and taken the time to read this means more than I can express. As I thought about what my first post should be, I realized the best place to start is right where I am today.

A Life-Altering Moment

In June of 2024, my world changed forever. I suffered a near-fatal hemorrhagic stroke.

What is a hemorrhagic stroke?

According to medical definitions, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain tissue or surrounding spaces.

The Day Everything Changed

It was a Sunday, and I had just finished preaching at our church, The Anchor. My family and I had driven up to Sunnyvale/San Jose for my son Jonah’s baseball tournament. Between games, we decided to stop by a store for some drinks and snacks. As we pulled into the parking lot, I suddenly started slurring my speech and feeling disoriented.

My wife, April, immediately knew something was wrong. Without hesitation, she called 911. Within minutes, I was in the back of an ambulance on my way to the ER.

From that point on, much of what happened is a blur. I don’t remember the details of getting to the hospital or the initial treatments. What I do know—thanks to April and the doctors—is that a CT scan confirmed bleeding in my brain. The extent of the damage was uncertain, but I was admitted to the ICU that night.

The moment I fully grasped that I had suffered a stroke was surreal. I was only 42 years old. In my mind, I still felt like I was in my twenties. How could this be happening? I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by strangers, completely dependent on others. Nothing made sense.

72 Days

I spent 72 days in the hospital. Thats 72 days without my wife and kids. 72 days away from home. 72 days of uncertainty, pain, and longing for normalcy.

It was the longest I had ever been apart from my family. Yet, in those difficult days, the Lord worked through doctors, nurses, and therapists to bring me back to a place of healing.

The last couple of weeks in the hospital were the hardest. I felt trapped, isolated, and desperate to be home. But finally, after what felt like an eternity, I was cleared to leave.

A New Chapter

I have now been home for a little over six and a half months. Adjusting to normal life again has been a journey filled with both blessings and challenges. Ive come to understand that life moves at a pace I can't always control but I can choose to lean into it and let God use it.

I dont believe anything we go through is wasted. Every experience past, present, and even the unknown future has a purpose. My prayer is that by sharing my journey, others will find encouragement in theirs. So, with that, I invite you to walk with me through the journey.

Welcome to The Beginning.