Joe Johnson

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. 


 Joe's health saga began in early April while on a ski trip to Salt Lake City. He developed some shortness of breath and went to the hospital where they discovered a significant pericardial effusion and later, a pulmonary embolism.  The pericardial effusion was tapped and he was started on anticoagulation so that he could get home to Bremerton.  A week later, more fluid had accumulated around his heart. He was admitted to the hospital where they placed a drain and a few days later he underwent surgery  to create a "window" between his pericardium and thoracic cavity.  


He was discharged and spent nearly a month at home before becoming symptomatic again. He was re-admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, 5/24,  where they placed another drain in his pericardium. It turns out that he had a significant infection in the space around his heart  so he was started on antibiotics.   He had also accumulated more fluid in his lungs, which tested positive for the same bacteria that was in his heart.  They placed a drain in his lung  to help evacuate the infected fluid.  All of these interventions are complicated by the need to keep his blood thinned so that he doesn't develop more clots.


 The subsequent journal entries will give you an update on his status day to day. He is very fatigued and while your visits and phone calls are so meaningful and uplifting, he is finding that his opportunity for rest is few and far between.  Please use this site to offer your well wishes and we will let you know when he is up for more visitors.  If you do stop by to see him, we ask that you keep your visit short.  We are so thankful for your friendship and support during this very stressful time.