Terry Turk & Family

This all began on April 26, 2021 with Karen, Spencer and Katie having symptoms of COVID 19.  That evening, Spencer and Katie told Karen that they had lost their sense of taste and smell and they just knew they had COVID and were tested positive shortly after. 

Terry's symptoms started two days later on April 28.  His coughing progressed rapidly and he was rushed to the Wainwright ER on Monday, May 3. Within an hour of Karen and the kids dropping him off, he went down hill very quickly and had to be intubated and put on a ventilator in order to survive the ground ambulance trip to the Red Deer ICU, where he as been ever since. It was confirmed that Terry had the UK variant of COVID.

On Saturday, May 22 he was stable enough to pull the breathing tube out and was able to speak the kids names.  It was very raspy and in true Turk fashion, was able to complain to the nurses on how unhappy he was.  He even managed a thumbs up as Spencer explained to him how he got there. 

Unfortunately, he was too weak to cough and the breathing tube and ventilator were put back in on May 26. Currently, they are working on stabilizing for a tracheotomy which will move the breathing tube out of his mouth and directly into his throat which will allow his mouth, throat and tongue to heal. This surgery will be very advantageous as it will eventually allow him to talk and eat as well as allow the nurses more control over his recovery.

Terry has been at the Red Deer Hospital ICU unit for 30 days.  Of those 30 days he has been on the ventilator (life support) for 26 days.  Recently, the family was notified that Turk would be in the ICU for weeks if not months and then the hospital, weeks if not months and then rehab will begin. This has been so stressful on his family and is taking a toll on them financially.  Any help would be greatly appreciated and would go towards medical bills, ambulance trips and other unforeseen costs now and for their recovery.

For Terry's family, life after their own COVID experiences has been extremely difficult.  With Terry being in Red Deer and the family living in Wainwright, there are many added expenses, including gas, hotels and meals for when the kids visit their Dad. 

Terry, we all love you!  

FIGHT HARD TURK!!