Overcoming A Brain Tumor: A Fire Chief’s Faith, Family And Recovery

For Eric Funkhouser, service is more than a career. It’s a calling. “I started in the fire service back in 1999. My mom saw an ad in the newspaper for volunteers at the fire department, so I applied,” Eric shared. At the time, he was an electrician by day — following in his father’s footsteps — and a volunteer firefighter at night.

Years of hard work paid off. In 2004, Eric became a full-time lieutenant. By  2006, he joined the Bargersville Fire Department, and he’s served there ever since. On  Jan. 1, 2019, Eric accepted the role of Fire Chief of Bargersville, Indiana.

His life revolved around family — his wife, Brooke, and their twin sons, Dylan and Caleb, both full-time firefighters. For Eric, life was full. But on Labor Day weekend 2024, everything changed.

A Seizure That Changed Everything

The weekend started like any other. “We were spending the holiday with friends, having a pool party and lots of fun,” Eric said. The next day, an errand turned life-altering. “I remember pulling into the store parking lot, and that’s it. The next thing I know, my wife is calling 911, and paramedics are taking me to the hospital.”

At the ER, a CT scan showed a mass on his brain. He transferred to Franciscan Health Indianapolis, where an MRI confirmed a large tumor pressing on his behavioral lobe.

“When I woke up in the ICU, I didn’t know what was going on,” Eric said. But Kushal Shah, MD, a neurosurgeon practicing at Franciscan Health, walked into the room. “Dr. Shah took the time to sit with my family and explain everything. We had options. We could monitor the tumor, do a biopsy or have surgery to remove it completely. As a family, we decided on surgery.”

Life-Saving Brain Surgery At Franciscan Health

In moments like these, trust means everything. “If someone’s going to open your brain, you want them to be confident,” Eric said. “Dr. Shah was exactly that. He explained every detail and made us feel secure.”

Just seven days later, Eric had a craniotomy (surgery to open the skull to get to the brain). “Dr. Shah told us it would take three hours, and it was exactly three hours,” Eric said. Dr. Shah successfully removed the tumor that was the size of Eric’s fist.

“When I woke up, Dr. Shah told us he was confident he got it all. He did exactly what he said he would.”

“Getting surgery scheduled quickly was great,” Eric said. “I didn’t want to wait long — our lives flipped upside down that weekend.”

Franciscan Rehabilitation Therapists Help Eric Regain His Life

While the surgery was a success, recovery brought challenges. “I had left-side deficits,” he explained. “I couldn’t recognize or focus on things to my left. I couldn’t even solve a five-piece puzzle.”

Eric spent 13 days in Franciscan’s inpatient rehabilitation unit, working with a dedicated team of team of therapists, alongside Sachin Mehta, MD, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, who became like family. “They pushed me every day — speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. They never gave up on me.”

One moment stands out, Eric said. “My therapist asked me to skip down the hallway, but I couldn’t. Skipping uses two parts of the brain, and my coordination was off. By the end of my therapy session, I nailed it.” Those small victories meant everything.

Community Support, Family And Faith: The Keys To Eric’s Healing

Through it all, faith and community carried Eric forward. “At Franciscan, faith weaves into everything. Prayers played over the speakers. Chaplains came to visit every day. It reminded us that we weren’t going through this alone.”

The fire service community also rallied around Eric and his family. “On the morning of my surgery, 100 people stood outside cheering us on. Firefighters across the state wore t-shirts in solidarity. It was overwhelming to see how many people cared.”

Brain Tumor Monitoring

Eric is back at the firehouse part-time. “Three months ago, I had brain surgery, and now I’m here, back at work. It’s crazy to think about.”

With the tumor removed, Eric’s care team has a plan in place. “Right now, we are going to monitor it for the next few months. It’s treatable, not curable, but we’re ready for whatever comes next.”

Eric feels reassured by the relationships he built with his oncologist, Meghana Raghavendra, MD and radiation oncologist, Craig Schneider, MD. “We call it our all-star team. If anything changes, they’re ready with a plan.”

For now, Eric focuses on healing, family and getting back to the life he loves. “Step by step, I’m getting back to normal.”

Gratitude For The Journey

Looking back, Eric said the people who supported him helped him survive. “Franciscan Health treated us like family. From Dr. Shah to the therapists to the nurses — they cared. They explained every step, pushed me when I needed it and helped us through this.”

For Eric, the journey has been one of resilience, faith and gratitude. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’ll always remember what they did for me, and I’ll spend the rest of my life paying it forward.”

Eric’s Message: Show Up, Be Present And Keep Moving Forward

Eric said his experience has given him a new perspective on life. “The biggest thing I learned is that when someone’s going through something, don’t second-guess yourself — just show up. Whether it’s bringing food, sitting in the waiting room or just being there, it means more than you realize.”

Eric is full of hope for the future. “Our lives turned upside down, but we’ve come out of this stronger and closer as a family. I’ll never forget what Franciscan Health did for me and my family.”