On December 7th, 1999, JJ had an aneurysm that burst and put him in the hospital.   Here's a quick synopsis of where things are at and a little history of his progress.
(scroll to the bottom for the newest update.)

December 25, 1999
My mom and I spend all day at the hospital and when I arrive back in New Haven after an hour plus driving home I'm usually toasted. Sadly, things are not going very well. We are very discouraged and it is hard to talk about. Although his vital signs have stabilized, and in many ways he is recovering from the hemorrhage, it appears that he's also had a stroke, and is semi-comatose. He has been so for 6 days now, and the longer things are like this, the more likely this is how it will be. As you can imagine this is very painful to face.
My mom is having a hard time, and in many ways is in denial. She goes home at night to an empty place after 44 years of sharing her life, and one cannot blame her for having hope for a miracle. We have more or less been told he will not recover enough to mind his body functions, or live unsupervised. Mom cannot face this.
I am very close to my father, and for my whole adult life he has been my best friend. The loss of him to this vegetative state has been devastating. I could never put my grief into words.
Please understand that it is hard to come home at night and talk on the phone about his circumstances--as it is my mom and I are not able to return calls to family and friends because we are exhausted and cannot relive the details nightly.
I am happy to keep in touch with you by email, but understand I'm only able to check in about every week or so--again, it all too overwhelming. Your interest and support of his recovery has been greatly appreciated. I will certainly let you know if things improve.
Regards, Maryann

December 30, 1999
I had a very upsetting conversation with the doctor yesterday. He said that my Dad likely has permanent brain damage to his brain stem. He is one grade up from comatose and he said this is probably where he'll stay. Last night I was talking to the nurse and she said not to believe everything a doctor tells me. Many are proven wrong. Although I have not lost faith, I feel very confused. They will move him out of the ICU within a day or two, because medically he has improved--accept his breathing is still troubled--so they'll wait a day or two for that. From the next unit they'll wait a week or so, then discuss long term care with us. I can hardly face this. My mother will not accept this at all. Everything feels like one big mess.
I do believe in prayers. Please continue to help us by keeping him in your thoughts. He is such a wonderful man--he doesn't deserve to live this way. I cannot imagine my life without him in it. My prayers are that he will somehow be able to live at home, mind his body functions, and recognize all of us who love him so much.
Regards, Maryann

January 11, 2000
I got word today my dad was accepted into Gaylord Hospital for Thursday. This is an answered prayer. Now we will see him rise to the challenge of rehabilitation--if he can fight the Japanese, this should be a piece of cake, right?
Please keep him in your prayers, and thanks for everything.
-Maryann

January 18, 2000
He's doing a little better since he's been transferred to Gaylord. He has a terrible bed sore on his butt that they are trying to get to heal, plus a urinary tract infection, and a staph infection in his trachea. These things are all being treated and once they clear up they can be more aggressive with therapy. He now stays awake for a good 4-6 hours, which in itself is a miracle. He is very disoriented and confused. He can talk, but nothing makes any sense--part of the problem is his concentration--he has none. You can only hold his mind for about 2 seconds before he'll start to go off on something non-sensical.
A few times he seemed to be talking Navy talk--about pressure, and meters and such. We've been told to always orient him to the present reality--then help him when he can't answer a question. For example: I said "What is the Bergall?" He looked at me and seemed blank and helpless. Then I said "Is the Bergall a car or a submarine?" and he said "A submarine, of course!" These are the moments he does well. He got a card from Carl Weber. I gave him the envelope, he looked at it. I said, Can you read your name on here? " He couldn't. I said "It's from Carl Webber." He said "Oh, yeah? Then I read the note, and he seemed pleased. For a split second. Then it goes away. But I feel encouraged! We've got to start somewhere! Just having him keep his eyes open is major progress.
Thanks again for your prayer and thoughts. I'll write again soon.
Maryann

January 25, 2000
Things got crazy again. Last Friday the doctor's found a blood clot in my father's right leg. He had to return to Hartford Hospital to have a special filter put into his vena cava artery to block it from going to his heart or lungs. It was scary to think of him having surgery at a time like this, but it couldn't be avoided. Thankfully he came through with flying colors and returned to Gaylord yesterday.
He is doing better! He is now sitting up in a wheelchair, and is able to brush his teeth (sort of)! He has no short term memory, but can have a short conversation and respond to simple questions. There is still some non-sensical speech, but even that has improved. I feel he is solidly on the road to recovery--I am amazed! The program at Gaylord is wonderful, and just what he needs. I also believe that all the prayers and good thoughts have made a huge difference for him.
Thanks for your support. -maryann

February 13, 2000
Hi Bergall Boys,
Good news!! Mom and dad Visited JJ Ott today and things are looking up. He seemed to be very aware of things that where going on around him during the visit. According to mom he was even better when his family was present. Dad showed him the "Bergall's Girl" patch and asked him do you know what this is?? He said, "Yea Bobby Sox Falselt draw that." He may have to be moved due to HMO stuff, but he is in a beautiful place right now anyway. If there is any change I am aware of Ill let you know. Gentlemen.......STAY WELL
Best wishes Dick and Warren

March 6, 2000
I have been in touch with Lucy Ott and though her husband has had to leave Gaylord's, he will be going to another place that her doctor recommended and with which she is very pleased. I will try to get in touch with her in a few days and see if she is still happy with the place.
Angela Van Akker

March 8, 2000
My dad has been transferred from Gaylord to a convalescent home in Middletown, CT called Wadsworth Glen. We expect about 2 more months of therapy and hope he can come home! Keep your fingers crossed.
thanks, Maryann

March 16,2000
He's doing better, but progress is slow. The doctor called him Lazarus.
He is receiving physical therapy at Wadsworth Glen (30 Boston Road, Middletown, Ct. 06457) which is really a nursing home. It was very scary at first because he wasn't being properly watched and had 3 falls in 4 days, one leading to a black eye and the other calling for a trip to the emergency room for a CAT scan. If it's one thing he can't afford, it's further head injury.
His biggest challenge is cognitive. He still has no short term memory. He does remember the Navy and can tell me stories I'm not sure are true. It's funny because he uses Navy slang for words in every day use and it makes everyone laugh (such as referring to his underwear as "skivvies").
I want to thank all of you who have taken time out to say they care, say prayers and send their good wishes...Everything has mattered!
Maryann

April 22, 2000
Sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your request for an update on my Dad. Time gets away from me so easy! There has still been a fair amount of running around and getting things straightened out for my Dad living back at home. His insurance ran out in early April, so it seemed it was time to do our best to have him where he would get the love and care he deserves. We had to begin by hiring a live-in care taker who is with my dad 24 hours a day. This may seem like a bit much, but we had to start out conservatively and work our way from there. It's actually been more of an adjustment for my Mom than my Dad. You can imagine it's hard to live in close proximity to a total stranger and be totally dependent on them to take care of the person you love. Because my dad can't walk without assistance, he must always have someone available. He can't seem to remember that he can't walk alone, so he suddenly pops out of a chair and the next thing you know he's on the floor. We all live in fear of him breaking a bone, or banging his head.
Today (Saturday) we went and looked at an adult day care center. He can go there from 9 to 5 and get lots of interaction and challenge. Since he's come home he hasn't done much but sit on the couch and watch tv. As you can imagine, this wouldn't be good for anyone's brain, let alone someone who's got his problems...So hopfully next week, maybe as soon as Wednesday, he will be there in the day and at home in the evenings. We'll have someone to help my mother in the early am and at night to put him to bed. I hope it works. Otherwise, he's good. I would say he has reached a plateau as far as his progress goes. Physically we're still working on the walking, but his balance is a big an issue as his strength. It may be that an inner ear thing happened with the stroke--or that it's just going to be a lot of work to get it back to normal. This is his only physical challenge--otherwise he is medically very stable.  Mentally, he still has the short-term memory thing. He cannot remember in the afternoon what he did in the morning--or from one day to the next. But he is very present in the moment, and talks freely about what ever you want him to. Much of the time he can be confused, say things that don't make sense, or answer a question with the wrong answer, but overall he's fun to talk to. You can call him sometime--I know he remembers you. Just call before 9pm and expect him to say things that don't quite make sense. It might be good for him to hear your voice.
On May 1st they are moving to another apartment in the building next door to where they are now. This is a bigger place, with a handicap bathroom, and other features that make it better. I'm sorry Dad will miss the reunion in May. He was so looking forward to it before he got sick. If it were in June or July, I bet we could have figured out a way to have him go, but May is too soon with all the other chaos we have right now. Please plan another one! I'd escort him myself!
By the way, I printed all the stuff on the Bergall site and brought it to dad. He looks through it all the time (each time it's like he's seeing it for the first time), and really enjoys it. Well that's all for now, my typing isn't fast enough to do long emails.
Thanks for all your support and prayers. Happy Spring. Maryann

Oct. 2, 2000
John is feeling so much better and has recovered so well and even his short term memory is improving.   He still can't walk unassisted but my children and I are going to take him to the reunion in St. Louis.   We sure hope to meet more of his friends.  
Lucy

You can E-mail J.J. through his daughter, Maryann, at mott@newalliancefoundation.org.