Obituary
of
TERESA F. JOHNSON, M.D.
February 20, 1955 – October 8, 2010

Surrounded by her beloved pets (Louie, Lucy, Dodger and Alice), friends and loved ones, Dr. Teresa Fay Johnson stepped from this life into the ever-after on October 8, 2010, from her home in Winfield, Kansas. She was born on February 20, 1955, to Wilbur Smith Johnson and Imalee (Barrick) Johnson, at St Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. After her father, Wilbur Johnson, started preaching at the Minneola, Kansas, Christian Church in 1963, Teresa attended the Minneola Public Schools along with her brothers, Lynn and Galen, and her sister, Rebecca. Her youngest sister, Lisa, remained at home with her mother. Teresa graduated as class valedictorian from Minneola High School in May of 1973.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry, graduating with honors from Emporia State University in 1977. Her next step included completing medical school, graduating from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1981. Dr. Johnson completed her surgical residency in 1986.
She moved to Winfield in June of 1986 to begin her surgical practice at the William Newton Memorial Hospital, with her office at the Snyder Clinic. Dr. Johnson married Dan Flummerfelt, the Winfield Middle School principal, on November 5, 1993.
In June 1998 during a rafting trip on the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River, while hiking she fell approximately 80 feet and was instantly paralyzed from mid-back down. Due to multiple injuries received as a result of the fall, she was no longer able to practice medicine. Thus began another adventure in her life.
Her gardening buddies, quilting friends, nursing crew, book club members, friends, and close loved ones joined Dr. Johnson in her valiant crusade against ovarian cancer. She fought valiantly to her very last breath.
A favorite scripture of Dr. Johnson’s was Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Dr. Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Dan Flummerfelt; her brother, Raymon Lynn Johnson; her sister, Lisa Kaye Johnson; her paternal grandparents, Galen and Tempest (Smith) Johnson; and her maternal grandparents, Raymon and Ina (Chaffin) Barrick.
Those who remain to cherish her memory are her parents, Wilbur and Imalee (Barrick) Johnson of Ashland, Kansas; her brother, Galen, and wife, Kim (Mahan), of Rolla, Missouri, and their children, Elizabeth (Johnson) Markham with husband Matt and daughter Ariana of Troutville, Virginia, Nathaniel, Sarah, Seth, Hannah, and Timothy Johnson of Rolla, Missouri; sister, Rebecca (Johnson) Moller, and husband Lynn of Wichita, Kansas, and Rebecca’s daughter, Katharine Doyen, of Lawrence, Kansas; several aunts, uncles and cousins, and a host of friends around the world.
Dr. Johnson’s family gratefully acknowledges the many acts of kindness, love, care, and concern shown to her throughout her years in Winfield.
A celebration of Dr. Johnson’s life will be at the Winfield Grace United Methodist Church, 320 College Street, on Thursday, October 14th, at 10:00 AM. Officiants sharing in the memorial service will be Pastor John Martin of Winfield; Clyde Goff of Amarillo, Texas; and Leon Weece of Miami, Oklahoma. Dr. Johnson’s niece, Sarah Johnson, will provide harp music prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at the Winfield Highland Cemetery. Pallbearers are Eunice Borman, Dava Carrell, Debbie Casad, Lorri Greenlee, Kate Poovey, Shona Salzman, and Laurie Turner and Marvis Gaddie.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 13th, at the Swisher-Taylor & Morris Funeral Home, 803 Loomis, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with family present from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Memorial gifts may be designated to the William Newton Healthcare Foundation, 1305 E. 5th Street, Winfield, Kansas, 67156.

August 18, 2010

Teresa is back home again. I believe that a variety of family members are taking turns helping out. I'm sure she is glad to be back home. She is working at regaining her strength for transfers, etc. Those bad germs have created some havoc with her. There's no place like home.

August 12, 2010

Teresa is back in the hospital, again with infection. She was home a couple of weeks and the germs got her again.
She is in Room 250 at Wm Newton Hospital in Winfield.
I haven't seen her for several days. She has to be able to transfer before she can go home. I believe that she is working on this.

July 10, 2010 update

It's been a tough time for Teresa. The new chemo she started several weeks ago has been quite toxic. Eating and drinking has been a challenge. Last Saturday, she fell at home and hit her head. Fortunately, Dava was there and called for help. After getting her back in the chair, she insisted she was okay. To make a long story short, she was not okay. Her home health nurse called 911 on Monday, and she was admitted to Wm Newton. After some time in the ER, she has been in ICU for the past five days. It was unclear initially what the source of the problem was. Was it dehydration, head injury, cancer, etc.? Teresa was so confused and groggy; obviously not herself.
We now know that the problem is a urinary tract infection, and a wound infection. (She didn't show usual signs and symptoms of infection.) After five days of antibiotics, she is showing improvement. She can now hold a brief conversation. She gets tired very easily. She fed herself part of her breakfast this morning; always a good sign. They are moving her this afternoon to the medical-surgical unit. She told me she is hoping they will let her get up in the chair.
Rebecca and Galen are here at her side. New challenges now present themselves. At this point, she needs to much care to be at home by herself. They are looking at options: swing bed at Wm Newton, home care 24/7, etc. Teresa doesn't seem to be ready to have a conversation about hospice just yet.
So, we continue to visit, wait and pray. She has been so very sick, it has been so tough seeing her this way.

While I am not a fan of tatoos, I told her today that I thought of the perfect tatto0 for her. It should be on her forehead and it should say "If I am confused, I have an infection". Perhaps that would clue us in sooner. She chuckled when I suggested this.

All for now,
Lorri

I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG DELAY.

I MANAGED TO SURVIVE MY NIECE GRADUATING FROM MAIZE HIGH SCHOOL. DEFINITELY PUSHED IT TO THE LIMIT.

MY BROTHER AND HIS FAMILY WERE HERE FOR THE SAME EVENT. THEY PLANTED MY GARDEN . HALLELUJAH!!!!

REBECCA AND I WENT TO WICHITA ON TUEDAY FOR CHEMO. THE TUMOR MARKER WAS DOWN TO 888 (LAST MARKER WAS 1452). EVERYONE WAS VERY PLEASED! HAVE FELT PREETY GOOD TODAY, BUT DON'T WANT TO PUSH IT.

April 26, 2010

Well, I guess the biggest problem with the new bed is that there isn't room for everyone. When I visited yesterday, they were all happily hanging out together.
There is a road trip to Wichita tomorrow to see the Dr.

April 19, 2010

Teresa came home Thursday, the trip went well. I believe that Sonic was their first stop on the way home for Teresa to get her Lemon-Berry slush fix. She has a new fancy mattress. The cats sure were glad to see her. Home health will be there for dressing changes, nurse stuff, three times each week for awhile. I know that Rebecca was there this weekend, also.