Sunday, November 22, 2009

Iron Range News

We left at 7:30 with Ruth on our ride.  Went first to the former Arrowhead Health Care
Center in Virginia, now under a new name.  We were on our way to see Lauri Kaurala.
First one we saw were Chris, Gabe and Josh.  Haven't seen Josh for a long time, he has
stretched.  Then came Josie, her husband Tom Ward and daughter Naomi.  We are
going toward Lauri's room which is way, way down a long hall.  (Place has been
enlarged since I worked there as relief.  Also saw our former neighbor, Bonnie Bohne,
on her 30th year as a nurse there.  Jon Sarkela was wheeling his mom, Elsie, back to the
Eveleth Arrowhead where she lives).  Saw Joan.  Saw Rachel and her youngest, Eric ?.
Lauri has a rare form of stomach cancer and has had a stroke.  He is on H2O.  I went up to him first, spoke very loudly in Finnish.  He opened one eye, told him to open the
other one.  Isä came up and also spoke in Finnish.  He tried to say something but could
not make it out.  If he doesn't start taking in more water and food he won't last long.

Then we went to Tristan's 4th birthday party.  Kathy, Brian, Heather and Heidi, Elizabeth, and Gary were there.  Also Cody.  Found out he is Jim Novak's son.  Told him to say hello to his parents from Reino and Diane.  Doubt he will remember.  Of course Laurie, Ruth and the two of us were there.  Sang "Happy Birthday", he blew out
his candles and opened gifts.  He seemed a very happy and excited 4 yr. old.

We wanted to get home before too late as knew there was going to be fog and there was fog.  Called TX to bring them up to date.    Hope you all had a good day.

8 comments:

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Lauri was on oxygen. Don't know for sure what H2O is - air? dk

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

H2O is water.... Rachel's youngest son's name is Alex. Her children are Eddie, Lydia, and Alex.
Please keep us updated on what you hear about Lauri!
Heather

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

I didn't mention that Sylvia was
there also. I think Isä heard from
Joan that because her mom had walked so badly for way too long her spine is bent. So a warning to
everyone, don't put off surgery for
too long. A resident in the Ev.
nursing home had surgery also on her back but had waited too long. dk

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

As Heather said, please keep us updated! Depending on what I hear, I will try to stop in on Friday when I take a break at the shelter.

How are the Texans doin'?

~jen~

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

I am sure you all got the message but I will put it on here anyway. The funeral is on saturday.

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

I was going to go on here to say he
passed away this afternoon. (Mon.)
And you already know funeral is on
Sat. from Babbitt. Don't know all
the details yet. dk.

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Funeral will be on Friday instead of Sat. Cost is $300 less if on
Friday and they will put the $300 toward a vault which is required at
that cemetery. Got a peace lily from Sylva's siblings and fall
colored glads from our family.

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Went to the funeral. Long story in
the Newsletter. Read that. Sylvia
said it was $1,000 less to have the
funeral on Friday instead of Sat.
and $300 less to have it in the
morning instead of the afternoon.