Thank you for the tributes on John’s caringbridge page. We want to clear up some confusion on the tributes. To clarify, tributes go directly to the caringbridge website, which is a worthwhile cause. These donations help fund the caringbridge website but do not go to John and his family. If you made a tribute to John’s caringbridge page but meant to donate to John and his family, please call caringbridge 651-452-7940 and they will refund your donation. Thank you so much for your love and support and know John’s family would only ask of your prayers. ❤️
Hello Family and Friends of John, Erika, Jackson, Lexi, and Nicole. ❤️
We created this page in hopes of keeping you all updated with John’s condition.
As many of you are aware, John was hospitalized one week ago today on the evening of Friday, October 28th. John has had a condition for many years called Hydrocephalus, which is an accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) deep within the brain that causes increased pressure in his skull and on his brain. He was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus at the age of 22. John underwent surgery to have a shunt (hollow tube) placed in his brain to drain the CSF to be absorbed in his abdomen. Unfortunately, just about every year over the next 11 years, John would suffer from a clogged shunt and end up in emergency surgery to have the shunt replaced. In 2008, John, Erika and their children moved to Omaha, NE where he ended up in the hospital for the 12th time due to a clogged shunt. They met with a neurosurgeon at Omaha Methodist Hospital who helped pioneer a new procedure called Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV), where a tiny hole is made at the bottom of the third ventricle to help drain the CSF and relieve pressure on the brain. The ETV procedure was successful, and John was able to live a normal life for the next 13 years.
After John arrived at the hospital last Friday (October 28th), things quickly spiraled downhill. John began having troubles breathing and was placed on a ventilator. An MRI showed that John suffered a stroke that caused damage to his brain stem and to the back right portion of the brain.
A neurologist was added to John’s case yesterday (November 3rd) and his words were “cautiously optimistic”. He cannot guarantee that John will not have permanent damage but doesn't see anything that points toward it and is happy with the progress he sees. He wants to give John more time and says he will need a lot of time to heal. So far, John has opened his eyes some, squeezed the nurse’s hand on command, moved his head some and we think he waved at us the other day. 🥰
The neurologist came in this morning (November 4th) to give the results of the EEG, which showed signs of wakefulness and signs of sleep. It also showed damage to the brain stem and the back right portion of the brain. So far John isn’t doing much today, so the neurologist is a bit discouraged by that. Respiratory is keeping John on the breathing trial (where the ventilator is turned off for four hours to allow him to breathe on his own) as long as he'll tolerate it.
An appointment for palliative care will be set up soon to help us understand what John is going through and goals of care.
John is a very spiritual man who loves God. He is such a wonderful and dedicated father who loves his children (Jackson 17, Alexandra 15, Nicole 11) so very much. He is a sweet, loving and kind husband to Erika. His “moocha” doggies, Luna and Sierra, are missing their smooches and doggie walks every day. He is a special son, who was at his mother’s side as we had to say goodbye to our father. Our brother, our dear sweet brother, please find the strength and will to recover and come back to us. 💓
We will try to provide you all with updates on John’s condition. Please feel free to leave messages for Erika and her family here as well.
Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers and support. Please continue to pray for John and his family as they continue down his road to recovery.
One year ago today, our beloved John looked up and smiled right before taking his last breath. This will forever give us peace knowing where he went must be good. 🕊️
John’s family didn’t deserve to lose such an amazing dad and husband. To honor him, they are vacationing to one of John’s bucket list trips, the Grand Canyon National Park. They toured Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and the Grand Canyon. While in Sedona, Nicole spotted this brick at the Stupa! We believe the brick is referencing an Irish Blessing:
“MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH HAPPINESS TO KEEP YOU SWEET, ENOUGH TRIALS TO KEEP YOU STRONG, ENOUGH SUCCESS TO KEEP YOU EAGER, ENOUGH FAITH TO GIVE YOU COURAGE AND ENOUGH DETERMINATION TO MAKE EACH DAY A GOOD DAY.“
Life will never be the same without you, sweet John. Your family and friends miss you like crazy. Thank you for leaving these words for us. ❤️
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