Friday update on Van Eastlund; prognosis good

Jefferson Class of 65er Van Eastlund, rural Nelson, is in a St. Cloud Hospital after a stroke and possible heart attack. Van attended the reunion August 6. He's pictured above with Judy Herdan at the Aug. 6 reunion. Coincidentally, Judy used to work in the ICU unit Van used at the hospital.

Photo by Lorlee

The latest. . . .

John Herdan checked up on Van Thursday night. He writes: I went to see Van again today. I talked to him and his wife Jeannie. It all started when Van was having surgery for a herniated disc in Alexandria. When they inserted the tubes in his throat before the surgery he ended up having two strokes. There was no heart involvement. They kept him for two days before transfering him to St. Cloud.

He is suffering from general overall weakness and is still pretty much unable to talk because of swelling in his throat caused by cranial pressure from the stroke. He was, however, able to get out two names, Rick and Bonita.

Rick Floding from Detroit Lakes is Van's cousin and he has called a few times. Bonita Gilbertson sent a card that I saw. Van is very grateful!!!!!!

Van starts physical therapy today (Friday) and the prognosis appears good. Nothing a lot of prayer couldn't help with. I'll keep you updated. As a side note, Van and Jeannie went to kindergarten together in Nelson before she moved to California. When she returned to Minnesota a few years ago, she and Van reconnected when she started working with him at Fingerhut and the rest, as they say, is history.

John

Send Van a note at:
St. Cloud Hospital, Van Eastlund, 1406 6th Avenue North, St.Cloud, MN 56303

Bonita Olson Gilbertson writes: I felt so bad when I read about Van this morning. He is such a NICE guy. I became reacquainted with him and his cousin Rick Vendel at the reunion and we had so much fun talking about when we were classmates in 6th grade.
I didn't know until then that he was a Viet Nam vet who had been wounded.
I just wrote out a get well card and had a thought, wouldn't it be great if ALL of us Class of 65ers sent him a card? He's such a shy, unassuming guy I think he would be overwhelmed (hopefully in a good way). Patty and Rick, please keep me posted at my email site. The address is pdswmec@rea-alp.com.
Later..
Bonita Gilbertson