In Memory of Terry Preece to Help with Final Expenses

My name is Robin Parker, and I've created this fundraiser for my Mother, Sharon Preece, to help with expenses from her son (and my brother's) recent illness and death.

A couple months after our Father's death in February, my brother moved to Florida with his long time partner, Nadina. Terry loved living in Florida, and was having a wonderful time there. On May 9, Terry awoke Nadina and asked to be taken to the E. R. Terry was diagnosed as being septic, had severe pancreatitis, and had multiple gallstones blocking multiple ducts. He was admitted to the ICU and placed on dialysis and given antibiotics and pain medication. He was also placed on a ventilator after having difficulty breathing. He was too sick to operate on at that time.

My brother then went through a series of operations over time, removing necrotic tissue and washing out infection. We almost lost him multiple times. His condition would begin to improve, then fail. We also were told differing things about his conditions by his caregivers. It was extremely hard for my Mother (who is almost 81) and I to know exactly what was going on because of so much conflicting information.

Terry eventually became stable enough for him to be airlifted to an Acute Long Term Care facility in Hazard Kentucky to begin an estimated 6-12 month recovery. He still needed another surgery, possibly 2.

Terry was at Hazard a few weeks and had one really great day. Because he had a tracheostomy, it was always difficult to understand him, but he communicated a lot that day, smiling, joking a little, and showing his personality. We were all thrilled, but shortly after, his condition worsened to the point that he was transferred to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital ICU.

Once at U.K., we were told there was nothing that could be done surgically. More testing found that Terry had a fungal infection in his bloodstream, and that the veinous TPN " nutrition" that had been given him was stopped because it was the perfect food to multiply the fungus. Terry's last CT scan also showed he had multiple fistulas and multiple abscesses that were tunneling towards each other. A team of Doctors told us he had three choices, but as I saw it, they all would end in the same way. Terry took a couple days, but ultimately decided on hospice care and was moved to another building.

Once there, taken off all life support, antibiotics, and food (he was allowed to eat, but there was no way for his body to benefit from it), his condition deteriorated rapidly. He communicated in the early morning hours on Tuesday, August 6 for the last time and passed later the same day.

My brother put up a tremendous fight. He also suffered terribly. We are so thankful that many loved ones had time to call and visit before he passed. We know he wanted to talk to many more, but he was just too weak. Communication took so much effort. Messages of love were relayed. Terry knew he was being prayed for and loved very much, and he talked to clergy at the hospital. He also managed to eat some, relishing every bite with obvious pleasure. Everyone in the room at the time were joyful, watching him eat. He'd been months without any food at all. His last food request was for dark chocolate, which I fed him the day he was moved to hospice.

Terry was fortunate in that he had some time to say goodbye and to relate his final wishes. Some never get that.

If you knew Terry, he was a fly by the seat of his pants 'kinda guy. He didn't leave much. My Mother and I incurred many unexpected expenses related to emergency travel. Flights, hotel stays, food while traveling, gas, etc. Now Terry's cremation and associated services will require additional funding.

My Mother and I would like to thank all who supported Terry and all of his loved ones in whatever manner you could. We deeply appreciate your heartfelt messages of love, your prayers, and your support. Terry had many people in his life who loved him deeply. I'm sure he was thankful for each and every one of you. My Mother and I are thankful to have "met" some of you through phone calls and texts. We hope to meet more of you at his service, which will be delayed. in order to do the very best we can to fulfill Terry's last wishes. We hope to have something arranged by the end of September, possibly sooner.

If you can donate to help cover expenses, we appreciate it. We understand that many would like to but are unable to do so, but you can also help by sharing this fundraiser. ❤️