Jeff's Brain Journey

05/04/2026

A Path Forward & Lessons Learned
We had our telehealth follow-up with the Amen Clinics in Seattle today, and we wanted to share where we are in this process. While we are still waiting on a definitive diagnosis, the appointment provided us with much-needed clarity and a concrete plan for managing Jeff’s day-to-day struggles.

The "Why" Behind the Journey
One of the most significant takeaways from our testing is the potential impact of a head injury Jeff sustained while playing football as a child (about 7/8 years old). It appears this injury may be one of the primary contributors—if not the biggest factor—in his current brain health challenges.
We cannot stress this enough: Never ignore your health. If you or your children ever experience even a slight concussion, please do not take it lightly. The symptoms can look very different in children versus adults, and understanding those differences is crucial. We’ve learned the hard way that these things can have a very long tail.
A Request for Space
As we navigate these next steps, we kindly ask for your continued support and, importantly, your patience. This is an incredibly taxing process for Jeff. We ask that you please give him the space he needs to focus on his health and processing this news as we move through each stage.
Thank you for standing by us. Knowing we have our Fairbanks community (and beyond) behind us makes the road ahead feel much more manageable.
With Gratitude, The Hulls

04/24/2026

We definitely hear you; why can't they just cut this thing out? Yes, that would be the easiest thing - cut it out and then we can move on. However, we don't know for certain that procedure will fix everything, and we don't want to cut into Jeff's skull unnecessarily. Especially if it won't "solve" the problem.
This has been a sobering reminder that "shaking it off" back then can have real consequences decades later.

What we would like to share with you are resources:
- cdc.gov/heads-up How to recognize symptoms (which can differ by age), helmet safety, and step-by-step recovery guides for parents, coaches, and adults. The gold standard for clear, actionable info; "Return to Play" and "Return to Learn" protocols
- https://biausa.org/ Personal stories, long-term support, and resources specifically for caregivers and adults dealing with the "invisible" side effects of brain trauma.
- https://www.concussionalliance.org/ Nutrition for brain healing, the importance of sleep (and when not to wake a sleeping patient), and the risks of "thinning the blood" with certain pain meds shortly after an injury.
- https://pediatrictraumasociety.org/resources/concussion-guidelines.cgi Specifically for parents dealing with youth football or school sports, these guidelines provide the "Management of Acute Symptoms Algorithm." Understanding that children often require longer recovery times than adults and how to coordinate with schools for academic accommodations during recovery.

The PTS is a professional organization for all healthcare providers interested in improving outcomes for injured children through development of optimal care guidelines, education, research and advocacy. PTS is the product of the collaborative vision of many pediatric trauma healthcare providers fro...

04/23/2026

80 days. Today is the 80th day since Jeff's initial syncope episode.

Our Washington Trip
We recently returned from Seattle, where Jeff underwent three intensive days of testing and scans at the Amen Clinic. Thank you to my sister and brother in law for helping out during that time. It was an exhausting stretch, but we are grateful to be working with a team that is digging deep into the specifics of his brain health. We are looking for every possible piece of the puzzle to guide his treatment moving forward.

A Weekend at Home (and a New Look)
This past weekend was a bit of a "tethered" experience. Jeff had a 24-hour EEG done, which meant staying home and carrying around the monitoring equipment. If you’re trying to picture it: imagine Voldemort carrying around a TV screen. We’ve found that if we don’t laugh at the absurdity of the equipment, we’ll just be overwhelmed by it, so we’re leaning into the humor where we can!

What’s Next
Tomorrow, Friday, April 24, is a big day for us. We have our follow-up appointment with the doctor to review the results of the Seattle scans and go through everything we've tested and scanned for the last several months. We are hoping for clarity and a solid roadmap for the next steps in this fight.

Thank You
Your support—whether it’s a donation, a shared link, or a kind message—continues to be our fuel. This journey is long, but knowing we aren’t walking it alone makes all the difference.

We will share more once we’ve had a chance to process the news from tomorrow’s appointment.

With love and gratitude, The Hulls

03/30/2026

It has been 56 days since Jeff’s initial syncope episode.
This past week brought a bit of forward motion in Jeff’s journey. We were able to schedule additional testing in Seattle, and while we still don’t have a diagnosis, we are doing our best each day to manage his symptoms and keep moving one step at a time.
We’re deeply grateful for the kindness, patience, and support so many of you have shown our family. In moments like these, it becomes even clearer how fortunate we are to be surrounded by the incredible community we’ve built here in Fairbanks. Your messages, meals, check-ins, and quiet acts of care mean more than we can express.
Thank you for holding us in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate the unknown. We will continue to share updates as we learn more.

These two unintentionally matched this weekend as we got some grocery shopping done. She’s not a sour as her face gives the impression of.

03/23/2026

We wanted to share an update on Jeff’s health and thank you for the care, concern and kindness so many of you have shown us.
This past week Jeff had a couple of appointments: with a neurosurgeon at The University of Washington, and a neurologist in Anchorage.
After further testing and consultation, we have been able to rule out a fast-growing cancerous brain tumor. This has a meaningful source of relief for us, and we are grateful for that clarity.

That said we are still in a period of uncertainty. At this point, we do not yet have a definitive diagnosis, and there are still unanswered questions about exactly what we are working with. Our medical team is continuing to evaluate next steps, and we’re taking things one step at a time.

We know uncertainty can be hard to sit with - for us and for those who care about Jeff - and we are choosing to stay grounded in what we know, while allowing space for what we don’t yet have answers to. We will share more information as it becomes clear.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and respect for our need to move through this carefully. It truly means more than we can say. Thank you to everyone for all the support extended towards Jeff and our family during this time, we appreciate the continued prayers and hope.
With love, The Hull Fam

03/11/2026

Recently, I received the life-changing news that I have a brain tumor. As I begin this journey, I am facing many medical visits and the possibility of surgery. The uncertainty and challenges ahead are overwhelming, but I am determined to do everything I can to get through this with hope and strength.

Because of my symptoms and current condition, I am unable to work and have had to take extensive medical leave. This has made the financial burden even heavier as I focus on my health and recovery.

The costs associated with my diagnosis are significant. I will need to travel extensively for appointments and treatments, and the expenses are quickly adding up. Your support will help me cover my living expenses, medical bills, and the many travel costs that come with seeking the best care possible. Knowing that these essentials are taken care of will allow me to focus on my health and recovery.

If you are able to contribute, your generosity would be a true blessing to me and my family. Your support offers us security and peace of mind during this difficult time. Thank you for considering helping us—every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to stability and hope.

Recently, I received the life-changing news that I have a brain tumor. As I begin this jo… Jeff Hull needs your support for Support Jeff’s Brain Tumor Journey