I've been crying my eyes out for an hour now (very serious here) ...

[Thumper]

The first time I met ol' T.W. years ago, we hit it off right away. A group of us got together for some walleye fishing and had a great time of it. After the weekend, everyone else flew home and I stayed behind. Terry and I really got to know each other during that time and he became a VERY dear friend to me. We didn't talk about it much here, but a very strong friendship was established. That was the first trip ... another followed. In the early days, we'd stay up into the wee hours of the morning just b/s'ing. When I went to Russia, I sent him a little "surprise" package ... it was never mentioned here as it was just between us. When I was in the hospital, he sent me a package. Kind of an old joke between us ... but it meant a lot to me during a time I was feeling about as low as one could get and it put a smile on my face. Again, it wasn't mentioned here.

When he got sick, I begged him to keep me informed as to how things were going ... but recently, he's "gone silent". I e-mailed him yesterday and got a response from him today. I didn't ask his permission to post this, but I'm hoping he won't mind. I really love that old fart Canuckian and I'm really torn up over this. Anyway, here's the e-mail I received earlier tonight. (DAMN this hurts)

Hey Jim. Haven't been feeling all that good for a week or two. Saw the Oncologst this morning and got some bad news. Cancer is throughout my liver. He's given me a couple of weeks to a couple of months. The chemo has no effect on it, so stopping all treatment. Surgery or radiation are not options. Shook Marg and I up pretty good. I was so proud of the way things had been going. Down in the dumps now. Take care of yourself and your family bud! You just never know what's around the next corner.

Glad to hear your surgery went well. Nothing else scheduled?


Thanks for your support pal, it means a lot. Catch you on the flip side.......Terry

[Arty]

The hell with you crying, I can't imagine what he and his family are going through...man that's tough.

Sounds like he is stating what will be...versus what he hopes will be. And (fuck grammer), that's the scary part.

TW - I don't know you. But I don't know the big lug that posted this either. What I DO KNOW is that fighting is half (or more) of the battle.

Don't give up man. Canuckian or not, your a good feller.

FIGHT.

[Sunshine]

TW if you are checking in here and just lurking, I want you to know I'm still praying for you.

I hope whatever is coming your way will be peaceful and know every single one of us care about you.

I'm not giving up and I'll never say goodbye.
Please don't just give up, but if you choose to I understand.

I also believe in a wonderful after life and if that's the path you take, I know you will be fine!!!


((((((((((((((((((( Giving you a huge hug))))))))))))))))

My prayers are with you and your family.

[BarryBobPosthole]

First time I saw The WhiskyJack he was sitting in the Sioux City Airport with a giant hockey bag full of shit in front of him and that one of a kind grin on his face. We were going ice fishing in SW Minnesota. We hit it right off. We only had a sixty mile drive but decided to buy a little beer and take the backroads. Three hours and several beers later (yes it was foolish but seemed like the right thingto do atthe time) we hit the VFW in Lakefield, Mn like a Canokie tornado. Stayed there till very late, met up with the person we were meeting, and headed over to his house. Terry tripped on his way in and dive a half gainer into a coffee table. How can you not love a guy who makes those kinds of entrances.
I can't write seriously about this right now. Jim said all I could say.

BKB

[Thumper]

I'm going to have to dig out some old pics and get 'em scanned (they're all on 3 1/2" floppies now). That first trip, after everyone else left, he and I drove the beer cart at a golf tournament his company helped sponsor. BIG mistake! By the end of the day that ol' cart was pretty much driving itself and we were just "passengers". :D

(Ya' ever laugh and cry at the same time? It seems weird ... but I'm doing it now. Maybe it's good therapy)

[Thumper]

On the second trip to Lesser Slave Lake, there was some pretty heavy drinking going on. In fact, I don't think we ever stopped drinking until the rest of the crew basically passed out. Around 3:00 am TW and I decided to go "fishing" (we were the last ones standing). We dug the worms out of the hotel ice machine (we buried 'em in there to keep 'em fresh ... glad nobody discovered them!). We went out to the parking lot, hooked up the boat and headed for the lake. He turned down the "road" to go to the lake and we came to a stop right in front of a building! We looked at each other and wondered where that dang building came from. About that time, we realized we'd pulled into a strip center parking lot! He swore me to secrecy btw ... but I'll tell on him (us) now. We got the rig turned around and headed out and back down the road until we somehow managed to find the lake. We unloaded the boat (he fell in and was soaked), then he went to park the Jeep and trailer. He came back to the boat and climbed in.

I said, "Terry ... I thought you were going to park the rig". He said he did! I looked again and "something" just didn't look right. We stared at it for a while and once we got our eyes focused, realized he'd parked the rig right in the middle of the access road to the parking lot/boat ramp! Back to the Jeep and we finally worked it into a proper space. Next, we headed out onto the lake. We decided the smartest thing to do would be to drift instead of cruising all over the lake trolling. We shut down the motor and started drift fishing. BIG mistake! Once the boat started rocking, all the chumming started! It was well past dawn when we finally gave up (didn't catch a thing) ... went back to the ramp, loaded up and went back to the hotel to wake up the rest of the crew so we could go fishing!

I know, I know ... it wasn't the brightest move and there wasn't another soul on the road at 3:00 am, but he swore me to secrecy (didn't want people to think badly about him). It's still a fond memory and I've laughed about it a zillion times whenever I think about it.

[Niner]

Well, my eyes have dried enough that I can attempt to post "something". I've never had the privilege of meeting ol' Terry face-to-face as they say. I've only known him through GoodHunting. However, like most of the rest of "youse guys" that I have not personally met, I feel I've known him for years, just the same.

When he first sent news that he'd gotten sick, I'd had my surgery and was still taking chemotherapy here locally. I sent him a long email about my bout with the big casino, and encouraging him to keep a positive mental attitude even when the going gets tough. I pray that those words of encouragement have helped him.

I feel kind of guilty now for posting up my good news updates. Looking back, maybe I shouldn't have been doing that. Might have come across as "bragging" or somesuch. Certainly wasn't my intention.

I'll catch y'all later. I've got some praying and thanking to do............

[Sunshine]

No it wasn't bragging.

You were just letting us all know how you were doing.

Just like we expect everyone, having a rough time, to keep us informed.

Good or bad news, we are there for each other.

We laugh together and cry together.

Its nice knowing, someone out in there, cares how you are doing, which helps give you strength to fight.

[Captain]

Like most of y'all I never have met TeeDub face to face but i did have the privilege to talk to him several times on the phone.
It's very hard getting news like he got and I'm sure he and his family are going through a lot of emotional times right now.
We as friends too are touched by this and certainly the ones of you that had the honor to spend outdoor time with him will be hit the hardest.
Goodhunting prayers to him from us all and thanks for all the wonderful tails and stories! He will always be with us here!
Take Care, Captain

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Thumper]

You know something? I don't know what's right and what's wrong in situations like this. I don't handle grief very well ... sometimes people think I'm "cold" ... other times I come off as an emotional wreck. I can't explain it myself. When my dad died (and we were VERY close), I was upset, especially since it was sudden and totally unexpected, but I took the bull by the horns and did what needed to be done. It was like a delayed reaction and didn't really sink in until later. I miss him every day and I couldn't tell you how many times something comes up and I wish I could call my dad to ask him about it ... or even remind him of it, depending on the subject. But I can't and I'm starting to get used to it. Doesn't mean I don't think of him though.

When Mauserman went through this, I was driving my truck. I never even had the pleasure to meet that old fart face-to-face ... but like some here, I felt I KNEW him anyway. It got to the point we were talking every night. He got to know my schedule and would call regularly around a certain time. Sometimes it would be during the day for a short chat, then he'd ask when I planned on shutting down for the night as he'd call me then. The reason we became so close toward the end? He explained that in detail. The docs had basically pulled the plug. There was nothing else that could be done and the cancer was spreading throughout his body. When I talked with him, I talked with him knowing he wasn't going to get better and he actually appreciated that. He eventually got to the point he cut all communication with his family, including his brother whom he was very close to. The reason he gave me? He told me he was sick and tired of hearing all the "hang in there ... things could turn around" ... or, "Darn Bill ... you're looking better today, you may lick this thing yet", etc. etc. etc. He appreciated the fact I didn't try to sugar-coat the situation.

In the early days he was a fighter. He sought out the aggressive treatments and went through every test and treatment available. He fought it for quite a while ... sometimes stopping the cancer, other times simply slowing it down, but it seems there are times when that crap either goes out the window, or other times, turns on you, and once it makes that negative turn, there's not much you can do to fight it ... it simply becomes a matter of time. Bill would call me EVERY night and we would talk. He knew (I made SURE he knew) he could call me at ANY time of the night ... I didn't care. He'd tell me how tired he was of his friends and family telling him he was going to be ok when he knew it was an impossibility ... he could FEEL the changes ... he KNEW what was happening inside of him. At night we'd talk about the preparations he was making so his wife would be set as (financially) well as possible once he was gone. Ol' MM was self-made man, a bit uneducated in a lot of ways ... an old Pennsylvania coal miner ... but he was sharp as a tack in many ways. He was a savvy investor and made quite a bit of money on stocks. He was an expert on Mausers and could build a gun from an old pipe and a few screws. People from all over the world consulted him regarding Mausers. He had a full machine shop and could do ANYTHING with a gun ... especially Mausers. When he'd start telling me about the stuff he was selling off toward the end, it made my head swim! He had shipping containers FULL of old Mausers ... containers he'd had for many years and never even opened the doors on. He had tons of investments and his assets were paid off.

Many nights we'd talk about 'Nam ... I heard all his war stories ... things he'd never share here. He was an infantryman (where people with few "marketable" skills usually end up). He was a staunch non-racist and he told me about the black kid who saved his life by dragging him out of a foxhole to get him to a medic during combat. Everyone else thought he was dead. He said he was laying there ready to die when he saw a black hand reach down to grab him and pull him out. Another time, he'd been pretty shot up ... I called him 'Ol Lead-Bottom" as he'd been shot in the ass! ;)

I heard the story of the mining accident that cost him his leg (among other injuries) and it's a wonder that old fart even lived ... only to see that frigging "C"-word do him in at the end.

I remember just before he passed, we were talking one night and he had just bought his wife a new car ... loaded with all the bells & whistles. He said he wanted to make sure she didn't have to worry about going through that car-buying process by herself for a while. That conversation led to us talking about our "dream cars". He said he'd always wanted to have a brand new Ford (I know, I gagged too!) pick-up and do all sorts of "custom work" to it. I asked him if there was any reason he couldn't do just that. He thought a couple minutes and finally said, "No reason at all Jim". I told him to just DO IT! A few days later he told me about the brand new Ford pick-up he'd just purchased. He got every option Ford had for a p/u. The dealer had to locate it for him and have it shipped in. Then he started doing his "custom" work. It was NOTHING that I would have done personally, but it was what HE wanted and what HE liked. He had those big aftermarket running boards installed. Some sort of custom grill. Clearance lights across one of those goofy sunshade thingys across the top of the windshield. He had it totally pin-striped and graphics installed ... I called it his Pep Boys Special! The really odd part of all this? He was so sick he couldn't even drive it! But it was something he'd always wanted to do. His family and friends thought he was crazy for even thinking about it, but he appreciated the fact I told him to JUST DO IT! He told me THAT is the reason he talked to me every day and won't even speak to his closest friends (or brother) any more. He didn't disown them, he was simply tired of hearing all the "You'll get through this's" when he knew it wasn't going to happen. That truck was therapy for him and they poo-poo'd the idea as craziness. I asked what his wife thought about it and he told me she LOVED the truck and he couldn't keep her out of it. When he had a doctor's appointment, she'd leave her car in the garage and drive him in his truck. He was never anything but a passenger ... but that truck was great therapy and made him happy until the end. I've always wondered who ended up with that truck ... or if his wife kept it for some reason.

I'm babbling here and I apologize. I wish I could just run over to Terry's, hook his boat on the back of my truck and take him out Walleye fishing! Heck, even better yet, we'd get drunk that night and pull into a strip mall thinking the driveway was the road to the lake .... just for old times sake. :(

[HideHunter]

Damn.. Pulling for you Dubber!

[Chicken Dinner]

Other than to keep you in my thoughts and prayers, words escape me.

[Big Skyz]

I didn't read through all the posts except for the first one Jim posted. TW if you read this, you also helped me out at a time I was feeling pretty low. You probably don't even remember it, but the important thing is that I do. I hope I can leave a positive legacy behind, like you have done so well, through out your life. In short, my life is better for having listened to you when it was needed.

[Buckrub]

Buddy, I'm praying hard. I will forever more see our group sitting around your deck in Stony Plains, with that big old cedar tree, and it being a nice 70 degrees, where I'd left 110F behind.

In 65 years, you were the easiest guy to meet that I ever met. Bar none. You made two trips up there special, memorable, and wonderful.

You are a good person, Dubber. I don't have any other words. I used to think I was good at words, but I'm not.

Hang in there. Thinking of you daily.......

[TeeDub]

Thanks again for all the kind words and good memories. No, I most certainly haven't given up the fight and don't plan to. Just facing the facts, which I think is an important part of the fight.

Jim your memory is shorter than your pecker, or so I've been told! We left the motel room that night with the full intention of catching our limit and bragging to the rest of the crew in the morning. We did exactly that, caught the last eye at about 5 am. Of course you don't remember................. you slept the biggist part of the trip. I was wet and frozen but I'll be damned if I was quitting. Stupid thing to do, I know, but it's not the first time I've been a dummy and I'm sure it won't be the last. And Barry, if it hadn't been -30 or so the night we fished out of the truck we might have done something foolish as well. Hell........... maybe we did!

Thanks again for all the kind words everyone. Starting to get stir crazy here. What's it going to be like tomorrow with no Sprint Cup Race to watch? Might have to sip on a couple of cold ones out on the patio!

[Thumper]

Well, look who the dog dragged in! I checked in to update everyone and find you slipped in the back door.


We did exactly that, caught the last eye at about 5 am.

Ha ha! Either I was too drunk to remember catching all those fish, or you are a true fisherman (full of b/s)! We limited out? I'll have to check with the rest of the crew for verification. :D

It's great you checked in Terry. Wonderful hearing from you here. I hope you and Marg can make the Banff trip. I drove my truck all the way across Hwy. 1 from Ontario to Vancouver once and felt like I was on a paid vacation. Man that's some beautiful territory up there.

Keep the fight going Dubber ... we all love you here big guy.

[Thumper]

Oh yeah ... and the MOST dangerous thing you and Barry could have done, on that ice-fishing trip, would have been to roll the windows up! Man-o-man ... I never thought I'd meet a couple dufes who could out-fart ME! ;)

[Thumper]

I guess bof'a youse dufes have short memories. I recall a little something about the VFW that seems to have slipped BOTH your memories according to what I've read above. But I ain't goin' there! ;)

[Gunther]

Love ya ya old Canuck ya. Pulling for ya buddy.

[Fido]

Prayin for you BIG TIME Dubber!!

[johnboy]

Hey Terry, currently in the wilds of Manitoba at my sil's farm with pretty spotty service so just got the news yesterday. We're heading back tomorrow so will call when we're back on the Island. Talk to you later.

[jb]

We're thinking about you here too, sorry we never met, from what I hear from everyone else I missed meeting a very special person, don't know what else to say.

[Penguin]

So very sorry to hear this. I'll keep you in my prayers. SO many good folks here that I have never met.

Will

[Bwana]

Though we have never met it has always been apparent to me that you are one of those special people who knows how to have fun and enjoy yourself. Have been praying for you for quite some time and have no intention of stopping now. Keep after it Whiskey Jack!