Terry's Service

We will be celebrating Terry's life as family and friends at 1:30 Saturday, Jan. 30th at Calvary Baptist Church at 3318 River Road, Chemainus B.C.  The phone number of the church is 250-2469121.
As his family we wish to thank each one of you for your support along Terry's last journey.  All your kind thoughts, cards, and prayers have been deeply appreciated and have touched our hearts deeply.  We look forward to seeing those of you at the service that are able to make it.

Terry's Journey End

As many of you likely already know Terry made his grand entrance into heaven this morning.  I know he was welcomed by mom who was very excited to see her son come home.  We here on the other side have had a hard day saying our farewells.  Terry was surrounded by his family to the very end.  Margaret was with him as he very peacefully slipped away.  Our dear friend and pastor, Norm, was with us after Terry passed and shared these very beautiful verses from Rev. 21:4  "He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes.   There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  We rejoice in the knowledge that Terry will have no more sorrow, no more pain, only joy and rejoicing.  We will all miss him so much, he was the best father, a very dear brother, a loving uncle and the perfect other half for Margaret and to many of you a very cherished friend.
I will post details of his memorial service as soon as they have been confirmed.

Coasting to the end of the journey

Today Terry took what is likely to be his last adventure.  He was taken by ambulance from his home to the Lodge on 4th Ave. in Ladysmith.  On the way they stopped at the hospital so blood tests could be taken then over to the palliative room at the lodge.  He is now resting more comfortably and has good nursing care.  Family is with him around the clock supporting and loving him.  The last few days have been an enormous struggle for him and for those of us trying to care for him.  He has made sure that we all know that he is very ready to meet God and he wants to be in his heavenly home as soon as possible.  Pray for peace for Terry for his anxiety, rest for Margaret and strength for all of us to help him make it to the end of his final journey.

Wow 62 Happy Birthday Terry

Terry had quite a busy day today.  Many people called with their birthday wishes and a few dropped in with cards and gifts.  It was great being here to be a part of it.  We had his favorite roast chicken dinner, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing, he didn't even have to eat his veggies!  Troy and Angela were here for the day and were great help.  Terry's very old friend Norm came to have dinner with us too.  He brought Terry a beautiful had carved cross of olive wood from his visit to the holy land.  Victor, Brett and Holly, Terry and Margaret's neighbours,  came over for a piece of the delicious peanut butter ice cream cake that Troy and Angela brought.  It was a great day.
Terry seems to be having a very hard time sleeping, pray that his nights will be peaceful and he will be able to rest.
Happy Birthday dear brother I hope your day was O.K.

The Ride!

Terry was off to Duncan today for the chemo consult.  Seems the "professional" drivers weren't quite as professional as they advertise.  When taking Terry down the stairs in his wheel chair they let him slip out of the chair and onto the stairs, hmmm doesn't sound like the best of rides to me.  All is well, Terry wasn't hurt but everyone else was pretty edgy.  Seems Troy did a double gainer over the bannister to help stop the fall. Well, I may be embellishing a bit, about Troy that is, but it was not that great.  They headed to Duncan Hospital, after arriving 15 minutes late, then met with the oncologist. It was decided that it would be best if Terry did not have the chemo.  Now the ride back home.  It was decided not to let the "professionals" take Terry back in the house.  Victor was summoned and between Troy, Sarah and Victor along with Margaret holding doors and directing they all made it back in the house safe and sound.  The last I heard they were all having a drink and saying their farewells to Sarah who headed home tonight.  I'm heading over tomorrow morning and will be staying till Sunday, so will be able to help celebrate Terry's birthday on Saturday.

A New way of Life

Terry has had an interesting week.  The Occupational Therapist has been to visit a couple times and home care cones to help out a couple times a day.  As usual Terry seems to be surrounded by the ladies! Sarah arrived on Weds. for a week and along with Troy they were trained in the fine art of using a portable lift to move Terry around.  Now he flies through the air - well not quite but now he is much more mobile.  He is able to get into a wheel chair and has even been out on the deck when it's not pouring rain.  Both Troy and Sarah have been a great support to him this week.  Colleen was able to make it out last weekend and joined in too on all the happenings at Terry and Margaret's house.  Terry has had a lot of visitors this week along with his family.  Max and Gail were over for a while one evening, Terry's old friend Norm has been by a number of times supporting Terry in prayer and conversation.  Doug and Janet were expected today for the evening and my daughter Jess and I will head over for a quick visit on Sunday afternoon.  Please continue to keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers for safety and energy as we are all doing a fair bit of traveling in our efforts to support and love Terry.

Travelling along the Road

Terry came home from Jubilee Hosp. in Victoria yesterday by transfer ambulance.  They did an MRI and also another radiation treatment. The doctor's finally agreed to release him if Margaret had someone there to help.  If they hadn't released him I think Margaret would have driven the truck down herself and kidnapped him.  Colleen arrived for the weekend and Troy and Angela are there today to help.  Terry is resting as comfortably as possible but now has lost the use of both his legs.  An OT came in yesterday to help them learn how to move Terry to make things a bit easier.  Terry's not sure how successful that was but they are all coping for now.  Changes seem to happening very quickly, please pray for Margaret for strength and rest, for Terry for peace and release of fear.  I know it is hard for all the kids and our families to see Terry going through this, if we could take it from him any of us would gladly do so.  We all love Terry so much. Pray for Terry's kids, Travis, Troy & Angela, Sarah & Mike,  Colleen & Rick and Robyn for emotional and physical strength as they go through this with their dad.

Changes

Things have been changing and happening for Terry over the past few days.  The radiation on his back and legs seems to have worked somewhat as the pain has definitely subsided.  The big concern at this time is the fact that Terry has lost the use of his right leg and his left leg is getting weaker.  Today he had an appointment to do an MRI in Victoria to find out why.  Late yesterday afternoon Terry got a call letting him know that it had been cancelled without a reason.  Doc Broc came to the house today and talked to Terry and Margaret for about an hour.  Then later in the day with talking to Dr. Fitzgerald his oncologist it was again decided that he would go back down to the Victoria Cancer Center for an MRI, possibly a few more tests and likely more radiation.  There is a possibility that he will be there for a couple days.  So, Terry has asked that we all take time tonight and over the next couple days to pray for his legs, it would mean so much to him if he would be able to get around a bit while the pain has subsided so he can take care of a few things that are very close to his heart.  He would dearly like to make it to Alberta and Saskatchewan to see his grandchildren.  Please pray.

The first day of 2010

Wow, hard to believe the first day of 2010 is almost ended.  The best news today is that Terry is home from the hospital.  They put him on a steady drip of saline and flushed out the offending calcium.  He was very happy to make it home and back into his recliner chair where he can rest and sleep more comfortably.
Terry will wait now for about 2 weeks then start chemotherapy.  The chemo they will be doing will not have the same side effects that so often occur. They've been told that he won't lose his hair, so all you guys out there may not have to shave your heads in support afterall!  They also say that it will not cause nausea that traditionally is associated with this treatment.
Terry is doing a lot of resting, the best thing to do after radiation treatments.  Margaret is glad to have him home where she can again take great care of him.
Happy New Year to you all.