Support David Tompkins Jr.'s Fight Against Cancer

Update: Last night our family learned that the neurosurgeons are unable to operate for the swelling and brain bleed caused from dad’s stroke. Because of this dad is no longer going to be a candidate for any type of cancer treatment. Please pray for our family as we are now focusing on keeping him comfortable and spending as much time together in the time we have left. We really appreciate all the support and prayers. 

Hello everyone,

My name is Angela Tompkins. This is really hard for me to write and share but my family is currently in some need and I am hoping this can be of some help for them.

On Thursday, February 27, my father in law, David Tompkins Jr. , had a CT scan. They found a tumor on his brain and sent him immediately to the ER for more scans. Upon these scans they found more tumors in his brain, his kidneys, his lungs and his pancreas. He was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma and spent 4 days in the hospital. We were scheduled this coming Thursday to begin radiation and treatment and possibly chemotherapy in the future. Last night, in the middle of the night, my father in law suffered an inter cerebral stroke. He was taken, by ambulance, to Metro health where it was determined he has a large bleed on his brain from one of the tumors. He is responsive and alert however, he is in an immense amount of pain that hasn’t responded to any pain meds. We are waiting on the swelling to go down and the pain to subside. However, the bleeding is persisting. We are unsure of how long we will be in the ICU or any further ramification's from this. We are trying to advocate that the neurosurgeon take him to surgery to drain the pressure in his brain.

This has been especially difficult for the family as it has come as quite a shock. He had still been enjoying his hobbies and working full time up until the original CT scan 2 weeks ago. Last week, after being discharged from the hospital, his diagnosis basically forced him into retirement.

He has been blessed with almost 42 years of marriage to his loving wife, Debra Tompkins. He is his sons, Andrew and David’s best friend and an amazing papa to all his loving grandchildren. He is such a devoted and interactive husband, father and grandfather. I have been fortunate to know him as my dad as well for the last 14 years and to watch him love on my children has been the biggest blessing.

We are unsure of anything the future holds in the coming hours, days and months or what we need to plan for. We have so many different aspects we and the medical teams are dealing with at this time. The last thing I want my mother in law to worry about right now is all the medical bills which is why I am reaching out for help to at least alleviate that concern. Anything would help at this point. Even if you are unable to give financially we would be greatly appreciative for any shares we can get to reach as many as we can. Most important, we would covet any prayers to lift Dave and the family up. We pray the Lord will touch is body and take this pain away. We pray for the comfort of those who love him and care for him. We are praying that he has the strength and spirit for the fight ahead of him- our family is ready to fight along side him.

Thank you for your time reading this and for all the support.

The Tompkins Family