Tuesday Morning Update

As you know, Ev O'Toole-Johansen suffered a massive stroke in the early hours of Monday, 9/1/14.  She was transported to Belmond's hospital and then transferred to Mason City.  Later that day, she was transferred into hospice care.

Dad called this morning.  He is doing okay and is, as usual, facing the situation with a calm and accepting manner.

Dad is very pleased with the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit where Ev is resting.  He was able to sleep in the same room with her last night, and he got several solid hours of sleep.  The staff is watching over him, and that's added comfort for we Johansen kids.  Dad likes the staff and how they are caring for Ev.  He said it is a miracle place to have.

Dad told me that there is no change in Ev's condition. She seems to be resting peacefully with the exception of some movement in her Right arm and feet. Dad thinks she is listening to her own music and keeping the beat.  

Dad said that he spoke to the house doctor today.   He asked the doctor if there is any prediction of timeline, but the doctor told Dad that there is no way to know.  This was important to Dad.  

 I chuckled a little when he said that a minister was to be stopping by the hospice sometime today. Dad said to me "That's fine, I don't know what church he's from, but I told them here that my church is in Northern Wisconsin."  The West Denmark roots are deep, eh?

About how he is doing, Dad said that he is at the point where he accepts it, realizes he can't do anything about it and now just needs to get the right attitude about it.

Jumping ahead, no funeral is planned.  We Johansen kids have talked about a celebration of a life well lived later, we all know that she loves parties.  But for now, there will be nothing formal.

So, I won't be sending any more updates for now.  Please keep Ev and Dad and all the O'Toole kids in your hearts.  Your support and concern is priceless and when the time is right, I will share any reply emails with Dad and the others.

I've attached a gallery of photos of Dad & Ev.  

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Wanda from my iPad