From Chena:

Niilo is continuing his hospital stay and not able to enjoy Fairbanks Memorial Hospital’s fine food until his surgical incision heals a bit more. It’s pretty painful going in with an open incision in the upper abdomen so he’s been doing some floating on limited amounts of morphine. He also wasn’t able to tolerate the feeding tube, so the drugs and glucose drip are having to serve for food, not the best of worlds.

Joan and Chena visited and oohed and aaahhhed over his nice long white bandage covering his gut. Chena wore a very colorful Finnish hat to the hospital and, because Niilo loves to wear a cap to bed, left it on his head. He looks so cute!

Visitors are probably welcome, but don’t expect great reparte.

The family is really touched by the messages from those far away. We have also heard from people directly (shy types, who don’t want to post) and this is heartwarming. Dad is such a people person: it is wonderful to hear that people remember him. We encourage you to relate stories of days past on the blog to share with all.

His mail is piling up big time at home. It is amazing the wide variety of periodicals and other mail
he receives, covering so many interests.

Heather’s birthday is Thursday. Then Joan’s in a few days. Dad was 80 in early March. All his kids and some of the grandkids were together for the celebration. They didn’t find any birthday cake in his blockage though.