S3E6 - The "Real Life" Emily

Summary

Podcast Summary: I Witness – Season 3, Episode 6: "The Real Life 'Emily'"

Title: I Witness: Between Two Worlds
Episode: Season 3, Episode 6 – "The Real Life 'Emily'"
Release Date: June 23, 2025
Host/Author: Northwest Christian School, Red Five Media
Description: In this poignant episode, "I Witness" delves into the real-life story of Mike and Brooke, whose harrowing experience mirrors the fictional narrative of Emily in the season's ongoing audio drama. Through candid conversations, the episode explores themes of faith, community, and resilience in the face of life-threatening adversity.

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1. Introduction: A Meeting of Minds

The episode opens with hosts Chris Gardner and Chris Zimmerman welcoming guests Mike and Brooke, whose personal journey served as the inspiration for this season's narrative arc in "I Witness." Chris Gardner introduces Chris Zimmerman as the creative force behind the Eyewitness podcast, highlighting the unique collaboration between the hosts and the guests.

Chris Gardner [00:15]: "We are privileged today to be sitting with Mike and Brooke, who were the inspiration behind this season's journey."

2. Guest Background: Long-Standing Friendships and Faith

Mike and Brooke share their longstanding relationships, tracing back to high school days at Mountain Ridge. Their enduring friendship, strengthened over 15 years of marriage, forms the backbone of their support system during tumultuous times.

Mike [02:15]: "Mike and I always kind of knew each other. It wasn't until this situation that we really got close."

3. Brooke’s Medical Crisis: From Headaches to Life-Threatening Surgery

Brooke recounts the onset of severe headaches that led to an unexpected hospital visit. Initially suspected to be job-related, the situation escalates when doctors discover a cerebral mass, later identified as an aneurysm. This revelation shifts their lives into a state of uncertainty and fear.

Brooke [08:57]: "It wasn't a tumor. It was an aneurysm. I had no idea what an aneurysm was..."

4. Faith and Community Support: The Pillars of Strength

Amidst the crisis, Mike and Brooke lean heavily on their faith and the unwavering support of their church community at Christchurch of the Valley (CCV). Brooke emphasizes the tangible assistance received—from groceries to emotional support—that was pivotal in navigating the ordeal.

Brooke [05:13]: "They kept me going... They were everything."

5. Parallels to "I Witness": Embracing the Story of Emily

The guests draw direct connections between their real-life experiences and the fictional narrative of Emily in the podcast. Chris Zimmerman explains how Brooke’s resilience and faith influenced the portrayal of Emily’s journey through a coma and spiritual questioning.

Chris Zimmerman [16:23]: "Mike started writing the conversational aspect of Emily's representation of Brooke and Jesus."

6. Brooke’s Recovery Journey: Hope Amidst Challenges

Brooke details her prolonged hospitalization and the multiple surgeries that followed. Despite the severity of her condition, including aphasia and mobility issues, her gradual recovery showcases the triumph of perseverance and divine intervention.

Brooke [32:43]: "Brooke's able to walk... She can still walk and do that. She's continuing to work on her speech."

7. Messages of Hope and Faith: Words to the Weary

Towards the episode's conclusion, Mike and Brooke offer heartfelt advice to listeners facing similar battles. Their messages emphasize unwavering faith, the importance of community support, and the sustaining power of hope.

Chris Zimmerman [29:58]: "Hold on to God. You just never let go."

Brooke [31:21]: "Just keep your eyes fixed on him... continue praying."

8. Season 4 Tease and Community Support: Looking Ahead

The episode wraps up with a glimpse into Season 4 of "I Witness," promising continued exploration of faith and resilience. Additionally, Mike and Brooke share a GoFundMe link to support their ongoing medical and rehabilitation expenses, inviting listeners to contribute to their journey.

Mike [36:27]: "If you'd like to support Mike and Brooke's journey, there's a link to their GoFundMe in the show notes."

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Key Takeaways

• Resilience Through Faith: Mike and Brooke's story underscores the profound impact of faith and community support during personal crises.

• Real-Life Inspiration: Their experiences provided a authentic foundation for the fictional narrative of Emily, enriching the podcast's storytelling.

• Encouragement to Listeners: Through their trials, Mike and Brooke offer solace and guidance to those enduring similar hardships, advocating for unwavering faith and community reliance.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Gardner [00:15]: "We are privileged today to be sitting with Mike and Brooke, who were the inspiration behind this season's journey."

• Brooke [08:57]: "It wasn't a tumor. It was an aneurysm. I had no idea what an aneurysm was..."

• Chris Zimmerman [16:23]: "Mike started writing the conversational aspect of Emily's representation of Brooke and Jesus."

• Brooke [31:21]: "Just keep your eyes fixed on him... continue praying."

Conclusion

"I Witness: Between Two Worlds" Season 3, Episode 6, "The Real Life 'Emily'," masterfully intertwines personal testimony with creative storytelling. Mike and Brooke's candid recounting of their medical and spiritual journey not only enriches the podcast's narrative but also serves as a beacon of hope and faith for listeners facing their own adversities. Through immersive dialogue and heartfelt insights, the episode exemplifies the profound connection between real-life experiences and artistic expression.

Transcript

[Brooke]

Foreign.

[Chris Gardner]

Ladies and gentlemen, what a unique and very special privilege that we have today. We are joined, of course, I'm sitting with. With Chris Gardner, co host of the Kingdom Culture Conversations podcast, as well as Chris Zimmerman, the brains and the brawn behind the Eyewitness podcast that folks have been listening to. And we've just finished season three. Unbelievable journey. But we are privileged today to be sitting with Mike and Brooke, who were the inspiration of behind this season's journey. And so Mike and Brooke, welcome guys. We're so glad you're here.

[Brooke]

Thank you.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Thank you so much.

[Chris Gardner]

This is a privilege, but I. I want to start with. With Chris Zimmerman. Chris, you are, as I said, you're the brains and the brawn. You're the one that, that kind of conceived this whole idea of Eyewitness and the Elysium and the characters. And for the most part, this has been a completely fictitious series until this season. You have a. Have a relationship with Mike and Brooke. And I remember as you were were walking through this, I remember you would often reference this, this amazing couple. Do you want to talk about Mike and Brooke? You want to introduce them? Who are they to? To Chris Zimmerman. And I know that they play a big role in your life.

[Mike]

So. Brooke is my wife's best friend. She was maid of honor at our wedding almost. And she even lived with us for a little bit when she was in between places. And then her and Mike met. Oh, you guys are on year 14 of being married. 15.

[Brooke]

15.

[Mike]

15.

[Brooke]

Yeah, 15 this year.

[Mike]

And Mike and I always kind of knew each other. And then it wasn't really, to be honest, it wasn't until this situation that happened with Brooke where we really got close.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And our kids had been friends before, but then they all got super close as a result. But they've been in our. For decades and Brooke has been in Michelle's life for as long as I've seriously known Michelle. And you know, Brooks Brothers went to school with me. We were in the same grade and all local band type stuff. You might know them too, with your affiliation for local scene. Desolate.

[Chris Gardner]

Interesting. Small world. Now, was this it Greenway High School, or was it Northwest Christian?

[Mike]

This is Mountain Ridge.

[Chris Gardner]

Mountain Ridge.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

Okay.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yep.

[Chris Gardner]

Over at Ridge.

[Mike]

And. And it's. It was actually. It's been cool to see because from the outside, you know, I knew Mike before Mike was a believer. And to see the. The change in him when Jesus came into his life and how he is now is nothing short of phenomenal.

[Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah, it really is. Yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

Mike Mike has searched. That's true.

[Brooke]

And yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

And Brooke is also vigorously nodding her head yes. Maybe there's a series of questions we should ask there, or maybe not if.

[Brooke]

You want to open. But.

[Chris Gardner]

But Mike, you are now a pastor at ccv. And I think that's the amazing thing about this story, is the power and the potency of the local church. Because as I look at it, here's a relationship that was born out of one church, Palmcroft Church here in Phoenix, Arizona. And then, Mike, you're now over at Christchurch of the Valley. You serve in the Midtown campus. But can you imagine walking this journey without the compatriots, without the friends and family of the church?

[Brooke]

Yeah. No. Yeah. I lived something similar to this when I was younger. My mom had passed away from cancer when I was 11 and we were into our faith, we didn't go to church, things like that. So going through that and then growing through this felt very similar, but it felt not easier, but it felt better because I had friends and family and my faith especially.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow. Now there were. And I'm just going to, I'm going to go there right, right from the beginning, you lost your, your mom to cancer. And this probably, this whole misadventure had to be. That had to be a huge point of reference for you. And as I understand it, there were some real touch and go moments where you probably thought you were losing Brooke. And I want to tie you back to the local church. Can you talk about the role that the local church, I mean, you're a pastor within the CCV community, but talk about what friends and family and again, your compatriots at ccv, what they meant to you personally during this time?

[Brooke]

Yeah, I mean, they were everything. They kept me going, especially just my local church with Midtown. I, I work with so many great people and I have a lot of great volunteers and a lot of great members that would reach out, call me, stop by, bring, bring us, you know, groceries or if we needed dinners or drop off gift cards or text messages, I mean, I literally didn't really have to. They helped clean the house. There were so many great things that, you know, when I was trying to be a husband to Brooke, where I was not at home trying to be with her, there were so many people that just reached out, text me that they're praying for us, you know, called us, sent, sent letters to us from people that were not from here. Her aunts have friends all over the world that, you know, text Brooke from, from Brazil, from overseas, from Germany. Just saying that they're praying for us and just giving me, keeping me fed every day of just knowing that, like, God's in control and just keep looking at him, even though the storm's happening around you.

[Unnamed Host]

I'm going to chime in, Mike and Brooke, as someone who has not listened to season three yet, and I did not grow up with you two, and I do not know your story, what we're even talking about right now. I know that sounds like there was some kind of medical emergency with you, Brooke, but can you kind of just talk about again, what was the inspiration, what happened, and just kind of fill. Fill me in a little bit as I just kind of walk in and met you two minutes ago. It sounds like it was really amazing, and I want to hear about it.

[Mike]

Yeah, real quick, too. The season would be 15 to 30 episodes long if we actually mimicked everything that Brooke went through with the character of Emily. But for the sake of story and time, I did not do that. But go ahead, Mike.

[Chris Gardner]

Well, I want to ask this way. You know, the beginning, it's been said, is a very good place to start. And so I want to go to Brooke. Brooke, at the very beginning of this adventure, when the symptoms first began to manifest, can you describe that, that moment? What did you experience?

[Chris Zimmerman]

All I experienced going into it was a lot of headaches, more and more headaches than I had before. But then it got worse, and I actually don't have any memory of that. So I ended up in the hospital, and I ended up with the doctor and everything, and I don't remember any of that.

[Brooke]

Yeah, I can walk you through it. That's okay. So July 16, Brooke went to the hospital leading up to this. For the past year, Brooke does hair. And so she used to get a lot of headaches. And seeing her doctor, they thought it was more just, you know, she's done here for 20 years. They thought it would just be more related to the job. So July 16, Brooke had a really bad headache, so he took her to the hospital. You know, with young kids, we unfortunately had to drop her off after she got checked in. So I get a call around 2 in the morning that she says that the doctors found a mass on her brain, and so they need to basically go in there and find out if it's cancer or not. You know, nobody wants a phone call at that late at night, especially when it comes to your. Your spouse. So I think it was a day later they. They went in and they kind of let us know, hey, these are the things that we're going to do to check to see what's going on with kind of if it's cancer or not.

[Chris Gardner]

Now, Brooke, were you conscious at this point? Were you registering any of this?

[Chris Zimmerman]

No, I was not registering any of it.

[Brooke]

So, like, leading up to the surgery, you know, she was, you know, we were just making jokes and just talking and things like that. And so it came to find out where. When they went into the surgery, they actually went in to see what it. What it was. And the doctor came out and he told us it wasn't a tumor. It was an aneurysm. So at that time, I had no idea what an aneurysm was. I was just more focused on what the tumor was because it's either tumor is benign and we can fix it, and then tumor is not benign, and she has months to live, so.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

So, you know, there's a. There's a scripture that it sounds. In moments like this, it almost sounds too trite, but it's not. It's Romans 8, 28. All things work together for good, for those that are called by God, that love God and are called according to his purposes. As I understand it, there were moments in this journey where even in the very beginning, God's hand of providence demonstrated itself. Can you talk a little bit about that? What. How did God's hand in that. I mean, that had to be such a dark moment for you specifically, Mike, to realize. Okay, I've walked this journey before with my mom. I know what it feels like. I know what it looks like. And now suddenly, here you are, forced back down this same path.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

But yet God's hand started to reveal itself in some special ways. Can you talk a little bit about that?

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And by the way, with a child the same ages Mike was when.

[Brooke]

Yeah. When your mom passed, all of this. All of this was at the same age. My. My mom passed me. So mom passed away 42. My dad was 40. I was 40. Brooks 42. You know, I was 11. I have older brothers. And so my daughter's 12 now. And so it's just like. It's all very scarily being the same thing that I prayed for my entire life and never to happen. So, yeah. Yeah, I would say the. The first big one was when we were. Before we got to the first surgery to find out what it was. We were down in pre op room, and, you know, nurses are asking for questions, you know, why you're here, and things like that. And, you know, as people of faith and, you know, that's all we can rely on and which is. Should be everything that we need. Before she went out, the doctor was in there. I was like, hey, you know what? Before you go, can I just pray over the surgery? Just make sure that, you know, the best results possible.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

So we got to. We got to pray over the results. And the. The first big miracle that God gave us was when the doctor came out, he told us that, hey, you know, she doesn't have a tumor. It's an aneurysm. And so just kind of all taking it in at the. At the time of, like, okay, I don't know if this is good or bad. And so he told me. After telling me this information, he told me that he didn't know why he did the surgery differently, but he normally would go behind the ear, so. So it's on her left side. It would go behind her ear for the cut to find out where the. The aneurysm is. Actually. Left side here. Sorry. And so what he would do is go behind the ear and then go on that way, but basically, he went through the front way, and he told us that if he would have went in the normal way, he would have cut the aneurysm, and she would have bled out and died.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow. And that's. I think, cz. Chris Zimmerman, you did an amazing job of representing that moment in the character of Emily.

[Mike]

Attempted to. Yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

Well, you. You really did, because it. That was one of the pieces, and I think it was the second episode or the third.

[Mike]

Mike would probably know better because mostly the second.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

And it just. It really grabbed me where here's a man of science who can't explain why he did what he did. And we know that our God is. Is a very loving father, and he guided the physician's hand to go in a different way, and it saved Brook's life.

[Brooke]

It very much did. Yes.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow. Now is. You know, we referenced Emily, and in the story, Emily goes through this amazing adventure. She's in, I guess, either a medically induced coma, or she's gone unconscious in the story, and she begins to experience what I would think, Chris, is your way of coping with the information. You're watching your friends, your dear friends endure this unbelievable storm, and you're coping with it almost artistically, and you're thinking through, man, I wonder what's happening in Brooke's mind. Well, we are privileged today. Brooke, what do you remember during that season, did Sean Kohner, is Jesus approach you?

[Chris Zimmerman]

No, I didn't realize it till later. I didn't realize Any of it going on. I was just so, like. I don't know, I just am blouted by it. I just.

[Mike]

But it has to be, has to be a good thing that her brain is protecting her from Occurred because there were moments that Michelle would come home and say, you know, she smiled at me, you know, hearing things of what you said she would do and how she would respond non verbally. So we know that she was there.

[Chris Gardner]

Oh, so there was a lucidity, There were moments where you were conscious.

[Brooke]

Yeah, a few. Yeah. Unfortunately, the, the whole process, like I would say, you know, there was. There was times where I wouldn't get anything and there was times I would get a smile or a handhold or something like that. But mostly it was her just healing, I guess, or how long was this.

[Unnamed Host]

Season where she was in the coma or.

[Brooke]

Yeah. So everything all told, she went in July 17th. She came out November 3rd. Okay. So a little over. Yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

Very long time.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yeah.

[Mike]

There was, there was a point where Mike and Brooke's kids were with us at our house and Michelle and I were sitting, talking after everybody went to bed. And, you know, Michelle's just pouring out her, you know, sorrow for what's going on with her friend and for you, supporting you, Mike, and saying that while she was sitting there in Brooks unconscious, she thought and said to their other friend Leslie, who came out from Tucson a lot to support, you know, and be present with you. Yeah, I wonder if she's having any conversations with God. And that stuck with me. And so after that is when I pretty much started writing a lot of the conversational aspect of, you know, Emily representation of Brooke and Jesus. Put it in the perspective of somebody who wasn't really a believer though. But that was. That was a key moment to hear Michelle have that kind of thought process of, you know, is God revealing himself to Brooke in any sort of subconscious method or way?

[Unnamed Host]

Yeah, yeah, Mike, I. I just. We've said you, you were 11, your mom passed away.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Unnamed Host]

Your kids are. That's a long time to be without their mom. Like, what's, what's going. How are your kids doing at this time?

[Brooke]

Yeah, great question. You know, I don't think, I don't think anybody prepares you to, when you're a parent to deal with your spouse, you know, clinging, I'd say clinging to life. You know, there's times that that happened. But having to go home and completely change your being that things are happy and mom's okay. That was really hard for me to, to be positive in front of my kids and just let them know, hey, mom's fine, things like that. And I did. And meanwhile, you know, I'm panicking in the background of, like, how do I stay sane and happy and make my kids still have a normal childhood? Things like that. But, you know, talking with them, you know, we. We told that, you know, for the original surgery, mom. Mom had a booger in her brain, and we. We need to get that booger out and just make a little bit light for them and so not to scare them. And you know, every day coming home, just really trying to just be the best dad that I could at that time. You know, thank God for Chris and Michelle because, you know, they were a majority of the time. And it really protected my kids from some of the realities that were going on. And I can't thank them enough for that. You know, we. We call it Ellie land. So, like Disneyland at Chris and Michelle's house. And so, you know, they would go over there, they would play games all day. They would. The kids would play. So, like, if. If I had to take a temperature of, like, if they knew what was going on, I don't think as much, but really kind of coming home and when I would pick them up, you know, mom's doing great today. She, you know, she did X, Y and z, really just try to put the things forward of like, hey, you know, she's doing really well. And, you know, they. They would ask like, hey, is she gonna come home soon? It was like, well, she's just still trying to get that booger out and things like that. And so just really trying to make it a positive thing for that and then just continuing letting them know that it's going to be okay?

[Unnamed Host]

Yeah. And what are the doctors telling at this time? Is there hope? Or they. Are they just saying, hey, we gotta wait. Is there a timeline or they even have any idea what's happening?

[Brooke]

Yeah, so the, The. The second miracle I can go into it is so after she had the surgery and the doctor, you know, opened up to see what was going on in the aneurysm, he had a doctor at Banner University downtown that is world renowned. And so he reached out to him saying, hey, this is kind of what's going on. This is the effects of the surgery. Do you have any openings to, I guess, treat her? Very, very awesome neurosurgeon, you know, and so he actually had a. Only. Only one opening. And so they were able to transfer down to the band university. And this doctor, I can tell you there are people that travel from countries to come see this doctor. He's worked on very, very many, many people. But when she got there, he kind of told us what was going on with the aneurysm because the original doctor was just a researcher. He's the specific doctor for it. And so the aneurysm was very large and so they were perplexed on how it hadn't burst yet. And so basically what he told us is that, hey, we have to do a 12 hour brain surgery to, you know, do all the, the specifics of making sure that, you know, things happen. And we got to take a vein out of her, her arm to put in her brain to do a bypass and make sure that that works and make sure the blood flows to where it should so that way, you know, she can have proper blood flow to the brain and, and all that stuff. And so, you know, he was an amazing doctor. There was never really anything when he talked to us was like, hey, this is a hit or miss. He was very confident of like, he can do this. It's just going to be a very long procedure. It's going to be a long recovery. You know, he's seen great results, he's seen not great results from it, things like that. So what he told me was very reassuring and he felt very confident and that made me feel confident in his abilities.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow. So at the end of the journey, as you approach the end, was there, was there a moment where you, you realized we're gonna be okay? How long was the season of. How long was the season of not knowing?

[Brooke]

You know, if I were, to be honest, I'm not there yet. And when I say okay, like yes, thank God for my wife and she's, you know, there's, there's lots of things that she has gone through that there was times where I'm just like, I don't know if this is what she's going to do to becoming home or, you know, what we're going to be able to do for her. You know, when, when she's going to come home, what she's going to be like, Is she going to be the regular mom like she was? But there were times where I didn't think she would come home. I thought she would, unfortunately, due to the brain issues and things like that, have to maybe go like a skilled nurs facility where she need more care. But again, all the doctors and nurses, you know, did such a great job taking care of her and you know, just for the will of God, thankfully, you know, got her to Come home to us. You know, back in November.

[Mike]

Well, there was, there was a moment too that is reflected in the story of Eyewitness where they go in to check her pupils, Emily's pupils, and they're not dilating.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And that was a moment that Michelle and Leslie were together.

[Brooke]

Yep.

[Mike]

And Mike was at home trying to get some rest because he was present with Brooke just all the time.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And even the kids, you know, he. Yeah. So I know Michelle had to call Mike and say, this could be it, you need to get down here.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And that was, I think, probably the scariest moment.

[Brooke]

Yeah. So we, at that time, I was at Walmart with my kids getting stuff for school because, you know, Brooke had done that before. She's the awesome mom. We got all the kids ready for school, so that falls on me. And so we're at Walmart and Michelle calls me and she says, hey, what are you doing? And I said, hey, I'm just out shopping with the kids, just trying to get ready for school. She's like, hey, you should come up here and hang out with us. And you know, in the two and a half months that she was there before, like, she'd never asked that. And I'm like, what does that mean? And she's like, hey, you should come hang out with us. And so at that time, Brooke's brain was swelling against her skull. And so there's, there's two things that can happen. One, it swells too much and the brain basically just doesn't get blood flow and then she dies. Or two, they have to basically take off a part of her skull so it can swell out and then swell back in once it's done swelling. So I ask her because it's never happened before, and I was like, why do I need to come up there? She's like, the nurse thinks you need to come up here. And I, and I knew right then and there I was like, okay, this is not good. So luckily Chris was home. I was able to drop the kids off on the way up there, just continue to pray and just. I don't even remember the drive. I just remember being there, going up there. And then before I get in there, one of the doctors is like, hey, we just want to let you know that we're going to do the procedure. This is a life saving procedure, so if there's something that you want to do or tell your wife now, this would be the best time to do it. And I had to prepare myself for that moment. Going in to the room, lots of Doctors and people hooking her up to, you know, tubes and things like that. And meanwhile, thankfully, thank God, Brooke has no idea what's going on. She's out. So all I'm doing to her is just kissing her on the cheeks and just praying her and tell her how much I love her. And it was really cool because Michelle was there along with Leslie. And Michelle basically just tells everybody to stop, and then they kind of look at everybody like, what do you mean stop? And so she's like, we just want to pray right now over Brooke and guiding everybody's hands tonight. And so Michelle does an amazing prayer, and then they take her off to. To surgery and, you know, to remove the skull. And then, you know, the. The main neurosurgeon who did her first or second surgery comes in and, you know, basically told us all the risks that were involved. And so every risk that was possible, they didn't run into, and they said it couldn't have gone better. So it was one of those third miracles that we appreciate God, you know, lending our hand on with Brooke about, like, everything went as good as it can be, and now it's just going to be the time of, like, okay, hey, we need to really just. Just get her to be calm for a few weeks, to let the brain swelling come down and let the. I guess let. Let her body heal, if that makes sense, because she had so much trauma and so. So she. So few amount of weeks.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow. So, Brooke, when this. This whole thing was happening, you were. You were not cognizant? You are not lucid?

[Chris Zimmerman]

No.

[Chris Gardner]

What is the first thing you do remember?

[Chris Zimmerman]

Just coming out and seeing Mike. He was just there, and I just knew him, and I knew him so well. I just felt really safe. I just felt safe knowing he was there.

[Chris Gardner]

And Mike, when was that? How long after that third surgery?

[Brooke]

Probably a couple of weeks.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow.

[Brooke]

Yeah. I mean, because after that, that was the major. That was the second major surgery that she had. So during the whole time, you know, I would look at her and tell her love her and kiss her and hold her hand and just, you know, her brain was. Was healing. So I don't know if she saw me, if she. She felt who I was or things like that. And so it was just more of, like, when I would be there, I would just sit next to her, hold her hand and just, you know, try to look at her. Look at her and know that I'm here and just tell her about the kids and really just try to be around as much as I could. If I could get. I mean, at that time, I was on empty, and I was just praying for just a blink, a handhold, a smile, a quiver, whatever it was. I was just looking for something. So definitely, it was probably a few weeks after that, so.

[Chris Gardner]

So Brooke, we've been. We've been sitting here and we've been talking through. Through a series of horrific events. Oh, and this one is. The one that is. Is Mike is relaying. This is visibly having an impact on you. What was it about this third surgery? I mean, it's. Obviously, it's. In retrospect, you're hearing about this much later, but now is. As you think about that season in Mike's life, the season in your family, what is it that's. That's moving you about that particular moment?

[Chris Zimmerman]

It just feels like such a. I don't know, just an aha moment of God and, like, just working through us and working through it. And he. He brought Mike to me, and he just. I don't know, he just brought it all together, and it just made sense.

[Chris Gardner]

Wow. Yeah, I love that because in a. As we've been, you know, enjoying the adventure of. Of Emily, as. As she endures what she endures on the podcast, there are words, you know, there are. There's this conversation, fictitious as it may be, an imagined conversation between she and. And Jesus. But I think seeing you now, what happened to you was as real and as dynamic as it. It could have been.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yes.

[Chris Gardner]

Just such a powerful thing.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yes, it was.

[Mike]

Well, there really was. There's so many other roller coasters that occurred with Brooke that Mike's not revealing. All the blood thinners and blood thickeners and all the clots and not clotting.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Brain swells and angiograms.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Stroke and another mini aneurysm that was discovered, and everything was just up and down and up and down, and it just seemed like it was one thing after another.

[Brooke]

Yeah. Satan was really trying to knock us off.

[Chris Gardner]

Yeah. So as we. As we wrap up today, I want to ask you both a couple of questions, and I think it's been fun to watch this podcast, Eyewitness. And, folks, if you've just stumbled across this podcast and you're not really sure what Eyewitness is, go to eyewitnesspod.com and. And this is the third season. It's just a beautifully written, beautifully actored, you know, series of stories that have been put together by Chris Zimmerman, Red 5 Media. And then students hit Northwest Christian School. It's very, very powerful, and I love it. But I want. You know, as you think about this, there are probably people that are listening either to this podcast or to your story that possibly are enduring similar circumstances. And, Brooke, I want to start with you. If you could say something to a family or to a person that's enduring something similar to what you endured, what would it be?

[Chris Zimmerman]

Hold on to God. You just never let go. Never let go of him, ever. He just loves you so much, and he just cares so much about you. He would do anything for you.

[Chris Gardner]

You know, I love that there are so many people that would. Would weather a season like this and wonder, where is God? They would. They would maybe even become indignant and say, why would God allow this to happen? But this was a season in your life that I think I hear you saying that it was your reliance on him.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yes.

[Chris Gardner]

And the fact that you leaned into your relationship with God, your father, that really got you through it.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yep. Absolutely. I 100% believe. I believe in faith this whole time.

[Chris Gardner]

I love it. Well, in my difficult question for you then, as well, is if you're talking to a husband or a father or a child of somebody that's out there listening today and they're walking through a similar moment, they're watching somebody walk through something that, for the world, you wouldn't wish on an enemy, and maybe their story isn't going as well. Maybe their story doesn't end well. But what. What words would you say to that individual?

[Brooke]

Yeah, you know, kind of. Brooke nailed it on. On the point here where, you know, just holding onto your faith is, you know, people say, like, you know, if faith is all you have, that's all you need. And so I think if you can really just focus on that storm of, like, God tells you storms will happen. Just keep your eyes fixed on him.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yep.

[Brooke]

Just continuing reading the Bible, listening to your Christian music, Bible plans, you know, talking with friends and family and confidants and really just focusing on, like, okay, what can I learn from this? What can I. What can I do if things aren't going as well? It's just continue praying. There was. There was a moment before Brooke's first surgery that I'll never forget that we. We had to have the hard conversation of, like, hey, like, if this doesn't go well, what. What are your wishes? And I'll never forget. And we've talked about this in our marriage multiple times, but, like, I'll never forget Brooke saying she's like, hey, just know that if it doesn't work out, I'm good. I'm with. I'm with Jesus. And that gave me a lot of peace, because ultimately, at some point, we'll. We'll hopefully meet him in heaven and just know that if you continue fixing your eyes on him, either way, either going to be hopefully healed or getting on the track of health, or you'll be singing praises in heaven.

[Unnamed Host]

Yeah. Before we kind of wrap up here, what's. What's Brook's health like right now?

[Brooke]

Yeah. So, you know, we. We didn't know if she'd be able to walk, talk, or do really anything again, as she wasn't mobile.

[Mike]

Yes.

[Brooke]

Yeah. Yeah. So really through a lot of. An amazing. A lot of amazing physical therapists over the last few months. You know, Brooks able to walk. What. Basically, great. She has a cane, but, you know, sometimes she doesn't use that. She can still walk and do that. She's obviously just continuing to. To work on her speech because the, the part of the aneurysm was. Was by the. The language part. And so she has aphasia, which is basically just like your. Your way of saying it. She understands it, but when she says it, it's just kind of different words come out. So we're just trying to tor. Work on that. And so from the stroke, her right arm is getting stronger. So, you know, we're just. I have a prayer every night before I go to bed. Just continue breathing life into my wife like she was. And we're just hoping to get there. And if, you know, I, I, I'm just very happy that I get to be here sitting next to her, and she can see me and smile and, you know, those are the things that, like, I just love so much about her.

[Chris Gardner]

It's a miracle that we're having this conversation.

[Brooke]

Amen.

[Unnamed Host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Well, something else, too. It was that Mike was never shy about them being a family of faith in the hospital.

[Brooke]

That's great.

[Mike]

And since then, one of the nurses that walked alongside Brooke, her name also, Brooke ended up going to church at Midtown.

[Brooke]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And got to see Brooke.

[Unnamed Host]

Come on.

[Mike]

And not a believer. Correct.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yeah.

[Mike]

So a seed was planted with that, and I think that's really cool.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yeah.

[Brooke]

Yeah. People talk about, like, you know, what was your. Like, why. Why did. Why did God let this happen? And I fully believe, just for myself, that from day one, from the first surgery to the last one, every single nurse, doctor, anybody who came in the room, try to talk about faith as much as possible.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Right.

[Brooke]

Their faith. You go to church, you know, hey, we have a church down the street. You know, I'M glad that you go to a church, you know, and just. Just try to show them, like, hey, like, even in the hard times, they have a really hard job and just a hard time asking them, like, hey, how do you guys. How do you guys deal with, you know, losing patience daily? Do you guys pray? Is there anything I can do for you?

[Chris Zimmerman]

Right.

[Brooke]

Invite as many people as I can to church and just. Just show them, like, hey, like, right, this is a terrible situation, but, like, God's got his hand on it either way.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Y.

[Unnamed Host]

Well, first off, this is a sacred time. I didn't even really know anything about you before we came in here. And I am going to listen to Eyewitness, and if you're listening, please give that a shot. But just thank you, Mike and Brooke, for being here, and thank you for sharing, as we've heard from Chris and from you, part of your story, part of your story of God, and keep that going. Thank you, Chris, for putting this into a media form to be available to other people and Mr. Brown, for being a part of that as well. But just thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing with us today.

[Brooke]

Yeah, we're just humbled to be a part of it. And just hopefully somebody hears our story and just know that, like, God's got you. God's. God loves you.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yep.

[Chris Gardner]

Well, as we close up today, Chris Zimmerman, Season four.

[Mike]

Oh, yeah.

[Chris Gardner]

I saw a script. I saw a script. How are we looking?

[Mike]

We start recording tomorrow.

[Chris Gardner]

Start recording tomorrow. So is. Is the date July 28? Is it still doable?

[Mike]

It's. It's not doable. It's happening.

[Chris Gardner]

It's happening.

[Mike]

All right, 30th.

[Chris Gardner]

July 30th.

[Mike]

July.

[Chris Gardner]

Okay. July 30th, season four of eyewitness. And what's going to happen? Are we back in the Elysium? Do you know? Can you. We have no idea.

[Unnamed Host]

I think he does know.

[Chris Gardner]

I hope he does.

[Unnamed Host]

I think we have to tune in.

[Chris Gardner]

I've seen the script.

[Mike]

The other thing, too, that I mentioned, too, we want to be able to share that. If you'd like to be able to support Mike and Brooke's journey of the extensive, extensive financial aspect of Brooke being in the hospital, as well as extensive rehab. There's a link to their GoFundMe in the show notes.

[Chris Gardner]

Yeah. And we'll have that available on Kingdom Culture conversations as well.

[Mike]

Feel free to. To please, you know, help them alongside this journey.

[Unnamed Host]

That'd be wonderful.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Thank you.

[Brooke]

Thank you guys for.

[Chris Gardner]

Thank you. Yeah, thank you, G. Exactly correct. This has been sacred, done thanks for sharing it with us.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Yes. Amen.

[Chris Gardner]

All right, folks.

[Chris Zimmerman]

Thank you.

[Chris Gardner]

Take care.