On behalf of the Johnson family, we have collectively decided to create this account for all of those that love Joan and want to contribute in some way due to her recent medical condition.

Mom/Grammy/Bad To The Bone/Sister/Daughter/MIL/ Cousin/Friend/Joan/Joanie…a woman who wears many hats and is loved by so many! ❤️ Our family has been humbled and are incredibly grateful to those who have reached out looking for ways to support her during this difficult time.

Our beloved "GRAMMY" traveled to Utah at the end of April to celebrate the college graduation of 2 of her grandson’s who coincidentally graduated from her Alma Mater (GO COUGS)! While in Utah, she was able to celebrate her 50 year college graduation with some of her dearest college friends, spend time with friends, time with family - along with her sweet nieces and their kids. It was a week not to soon to be forgotten!

The night before Grammy traveled home from Salt Lake to San Diego, she found out that she is going to be a GREAT GRAMMY in October of this year. If you know Grammy, you know that there is nothing more important to her than her family, grandkids and now great Grand-Baby GIRL!

While traveling home on April 28th, Grammy had a layover in Las Vegas, NV. Upon landing, she immediately noticed an intense headache along with nausea. She got off the plane and was rushing to try and make her connection when she lost full mobility on her left side. At this point, EMS was called and she was rushed to the hospital where she was immediately put on life support - she had suffered a severe brain bleed in the right frontal lobe that has left her paralyzed on the left side of her body. This is medically known as a Hemorrhagic Stroke. After lots of hard work and determination, we were thrilled that the team of doctors were able to extubate her and she eventually began to breathe on her own. It was 2.5 weeks later that she was transported by ambulance from Nevada back "home" to Carlsbad, CA. She has been in a skilled nursing facility since. She has very limited mobility on her right side and no mobility on her left side.

Grammy raised 5 kids on her own and has dedicated her life to her family. Grammy celebrated Mother’s Day and her 72nd BIRTHDAY while in the hospital fighting for her life. There’s no coincidence that these 2 celebrations fell upon the same day this particular year! She’s the very BEST!

We all know that she has the determination to beat this. But, not without the love, support and prayers from all of those who know and love her! Due to the location of the brain bleed, she is suffering from an enormous amount of excruciating nerve pain. While she has an incredible team of doctors, it has been very difficult to watch her suffer.

Grammy recently retired after working for 40+ years! We laugh because, although she "retired", she could never fully quit working. She is still employed and is a brilliant woman with a brilliant mind! However, this retirement did cause a change in medical insurance which has left her in a difficult financial position due to the extreme medical costs incurred due to this devastating diagnosis. For now, she will remain in a facility where she has full time medical attention around the clock. We are hopeful that she will be able to return home at some point, but she will need indefinite care.

She feels the love and prayers from all of those who love her, have sent cards, flowers, made time to visit, or check in with family. Our Grammy has a heart of GOLD! She has served her family and community for many years and know that she will be humbled to have any support...even a simple note of encouragement that we can read to her on a discouraging day. We are beyond grateful for the love, support and generosity over the last 6 weeks as we are learning to navigate a "new normal".

All Our Love,

The Johnson Family

VENMO: @joanjohnsonfive5

Please leave a note or a favorite memory - we will put a book together for Grammy!