Tim’s Medical Appointments

Hey friends, I’m typing this on behalf of my buddy, Tim Turrett. He’s one of those guys that will help others any way he can with no thought of himself. When I first sobered up 4 years ago, I was nothing to him, but I credit him for why my career is where it is. The “Phoenix” album was recorded and produced out of the kindness of his heart, and that record got me on APTN and Celtic Colours, and truly gave me a sound that was needed to get my career back on track after I had driven it into the ground.

Now… Jan 13th he woke with severe dizziness to the point that he thought he was going to pass out. He was taken to emergency in Fort Mac. They did an ekg, ecg, blood work, chest X-ray, and scheduled a CT scan. The chest x-ray initial findings were that it was pneumonia and gave him steroids as a precaution. After a follow up with the family doctor, he determined his blood pressure was high. That was the result of the extreme headaches he’d been having for months. His opinion was it was sarcoidosis, but the blood test determined it was negative. He was then referred to another specialist in Edmonton specializing in sarcoidosis for a consultation and lung function test which was normal. He has enlarged lymph nodes which is what they saw on the X-rays and a calcification to one of the arteries to the heart. The enlarged lymph nodes could be lymphoma “cancer” of the lungs. He then got scheduled for a biopsy to confirm the cause. The possibility is still there that this could be sarcoidosis and praying that it is. The biopsy will tell all. Results of the biopsy could take up to 7 weeks. He returned to the family doctor who referred him for an MRI, and a neurologist to figure out if there’s anything to find out the cause of the dizziness. He thinks it could also be a viral inner ear infection, “Viral labyrinthitis.” As you can see there’s plenty of possible diagnosis, but he’s in capable hands, it’s just a waiting game.

Tim drives Heavy hauler for a living and has been unable to work for a couple months. Because he’s a contractor he doesn’t qualify for disability. He’s going for tests in Edmonton from Fort Mac, and of course has the financial stress of all that. We are all nervous and hate asking for help, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Let’s hopefully take away some of the financial stress so he can focus on getting back to work and playing music.