Please Help David Carroll and his Family

Dear all,

Our dear friend David Carroll and his sweet family are in need of help. Dave began to show unusual symptoms a few days ago, which were largely masked by flu symptoms, which he also had. In addition, he also had severe lower back pain. It wasn’t clear until over the weekend, when he began to show cognitive and physical impairment, that there was something wrong with his brain. Amy and Eva rushed him to the hospital at that point. There, they found out that he was bleeding in his brain. He was transferred to an ICU in Redwood City on Monday morning, and there the doctors found that Dave has had a minor stroke, and that the bleeding was from a tumor that had burst. More will be discovered from an MRI that is happening Tuesday, February 7th.

Dave has been a precious, integral part of our friend family for decades and our daughters are best friends. But, for those of you who may not know, Dave’s brain is like a cat, and it has lived through several of its nine lives! His first brain tumor was removed when he was in high school, via the upper palate in his mouth. Then, in his early thirties, he was diagnosed with melanoma that had metastasized to his brain. Two surgeries, many treatments, and a heroic self-healing process later, Dave was pronounced cancer free. His brain scans have remained clear for the past ten years, right up to his last MRI three months ago. Brain-wise, Dave is a walking miracle!

Dave will be having brain surgery again on Thursday, February 9th. In the meantime, his wife Amy and mom Deb are staying in the south bay right near the hospital and visiting him whenever they are given permission to do so. His daughter Eva has been with him every step of the way but will be staying with us and doing school for the remainder of this week. Their dog also has a home for the week with friends. Dave, Amy, Eva, and Osa are surrounded by the love of their friends. But they also need our financial support as, of course, neither Dave nor Amy will be able to work for a while, and medical and household expenses will begin to pile up starting immediately.

Let’s come together and show up for this beautiful family, as they have shown up for us all our lives!

We will keep you updated as to Dave’s condition. In the meantime, please hold him in your hearts, and please do what you can to keep things rolling practically for them.

With love and thanks to all!

Allison