I am incredibly sad and heartbroken to report that at 1pm today EST Terry left us. We were not well prepared for this event today; we have been blindsided. At 7am today his doctor was talking to Terry and he was fully alert and okay. At 7:20am Terry went into sudden and complete cardiac arrest. It took them 30 minutes to get Terry's heart working again and during this time there was significant brain damage.
By noon things were looking mighty grim; the kids and I all went in to ICU to see Terry and be with him. The doctors did try to reverse the brain swelling and perhaps the damage done, but alas it was not to be so. In accordance with Terry's wishes, we all agreed and the doctor also agreed that it would be best for Terry if we removed all life support. As the doctor suspected, it did not take very long for Terry to stop breathing. We were all with him the entire time and it was very peaceful. Terry is in a better place and not in pain.
Of course, our hearts are breaking. We are trying to be strong but we do break down quite frequently. We are here for each other and oh thank God for that. I cannot imagine if I had been alone. The kids are doing great, get lots of strength from their Dad. We will all miss Terry's presence in our lives so much.
Some or all of the kids and I are talking about getting to the boat asap; hopefully over the weekend. We are not sure of the flights and all but will figure it out (no, we are not going to bus there). The Embassy folks are of course here for us; they have been at the hospital since before noon. They are helping with arrangements, including cremation which will happen tomorrow around noon our time. We have an appointment to pick Terry's remains up at 3pm tomorrow.
We might leave here as soon as Saturday but it is too soon to know. I am unsure at this time as to when I will return to the USA - I have a scheduled flight from Ecuador on September 20th so I would say that would be the latest I would return. There is so much to absorb right now, we really were not prepared for this. The doctor's also were very surprised by this turn of events, Terry was doing so well. I'm so glad I had the quality time with him yesterday ...
With love and thanks for all your prayers and thoughts,
Tammy
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10 comments:
Tammy,
We are so sorry to hear about Terry. We really liked him in the short amount of time we got to know him. If there is anything you need us to do to help with the boat or anything else, please let us know. We are thinking of you.
Kent and Heather
Hiatus
Tammy and Kids
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Terry. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you
All our Love
Aunt Joan
To Hollice, Tammy, and everyone. I can't express how sad I am for your loss. My heart is aching for you in your grief. Brandon and I send our love - you all are in our thoughts and hearts.
Besos,
-Di
Tammy & the kids -
We are so very sorry to hear about Terry. If there's anything we can do for you now and in the months to come, please don't hesitate to ask. May your memories sustain you through the difficult times.
Our thoughts and hearts are with you.
Mary & Pete Nelson
Tammy,
We were devastated to hear of Terry's sudden passing. We were so sure he would overcome this obstacle as easily as he used to sail out of any other tight situation. The skippers of Blew Moon, Che Bella, Encore, Mita KuuLuu, and Nakia raised tequila glasses last night in honor of Terry. All of us in the cruising community extend our deepest sympathy to Terry's family, and we are here to help you in any way we can when you return to Secret o' Life.
Linda and John
S/V Nakia
Tammy,
We are so very sorry to hear about Terry...You and his kids are in our thoughts and prayers.
-Sarah, Kim, Dakota & Traci Bendigo
Tammy, we are stunned by the news of Terry's passing - our thoughts and hearts are with you right now. We're glad that he was well enough to have some quality time with you and the kids before he died, and that the kids had time to fly out to be with him.
Please don't hesitate to ask for any help with the boat, or anything.
Eric & Sherrell
Sarana
Tammy,
I was absolutely shocked to learn of the untimely passing of Terry. My thoughts are with you and all of Terry's family and friends.
I befriended by Terry in 2000 when he was the acknowledged "Mayor of Tenacatita", a community of 50-65 boats that year. I enjoyed his company immensely on a bus trip we shared to Guadalajara.
Terry will be sorely missed by likely hundreds of cruisers whose lives, like mine, benefitted from his friendship.
My condolences to all his family and friends.
Bob Smith
sv Pantera
My wife and I hung out with Terry on and off in Mexico in 2000, and we still have tremendously fond memories of him. It's hard to believe that someone who was so full of life can have left us. My profound sympathies to the family.
David
I've know Terry since 1968. It's our 40th anniversary this year. He introduced me to what was called "underground rock" on *FM* radio -- can you say, The Doors, Cream, Grateful Dead, and our favorite Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention? Our friendship continued into the '70s where we went camping in matching VW buses named Red Bed (Terry's) and Flash. And we never stopped being friends. Who knows why because we couldn't have been more different. Throughout our lives my wife and I always said that no matter what new pursuit or adventure Terry would attempt, he would always come out of it "smelling like a rose". I absolutely can't believe that this episode of his life didn't end up the same.
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