Thursday, February 5, 2009

In Loving Memory

Rick Nevels
6/21/52-1/26/09
Loved and Missed

When I started blogging a little over a year ago, I never intended to post a personal picture or to write about my personal life. In fact, when I first "discovered" blogs, I was too afraid to even leave a comment on anyone else's site. My how a year changes things.

My husband, Rick, passed away unexpectedly a little over a week ago. Rick was a talented and passionate photographer and had gone up to Covington, KY on Friday, 1/23, to attend a Photoshop workshop with a friend of ours. He grew ill after lunch, was taken to a local hospital, and by Monday evening he was gone. Because his condition deteriorated so quickly, the hospital performed an autopsy that showed the "worst case" of pancreatitis they had ever seen. The pancreatitis was caused by "sludge" in the gallbladder getting trapped in the duct leading into the pancreas, and the pancreatic enzymes backing up into the pancreas. It was a quick and devastating process.

I share this information with you in hopes that it may help prevent the death of someone you love. Rick had been having severe abdominal pain for about a month, and had gone to see his doctor on Thursday. Even though his blood work from Thursday was within normal ranges, his doctor had set him up for an ultrasound to look for gallstones on the Monday he actually passed away. The episode that sent him to the hospital on that Friday was "attack" number five. According to the doctor who performed the autopsy, Rick was already exhibiting signs of pancreatitis when he began seeking medical attention for the stomach pain. The only thing that could have prevented his death is if he would have had his gallbladder out long before this past month.

Words cannot express how much I will miss him, nor what a wonderful relationship we shared. Our love of photography and the outdoors is what brought us together. In fact, the reason I started blogging is that Rick started a blog at the same time (a story I will share sometime). You can see some of his work on his blog, Photography in the Bluegrass. I will do my best to continue his work and to honor his memory and my love for him through our photography and his website.

Now that I've moved from the impersonal to the personal, please know that my intention is to continue this blog as a way to share my love for needlework and to not dwell on the personal. Circumstances, however, have a way of making life and relationships all the more meaningful. Rick and I have been blessed by the love of many here in the Louisville area. I know, too, that the online community cares as well. Please don't let someone you love die from a stomach ache.

Rick & Teri

18 comments:

Erica said...

Oh my gosh Teri! I am so sorry!
I have enjoyed your blog so much and always felt we had so much in common, same age, background, likes and dislikes.
There are no words that will help you get through this, but please know that there are many of us out here is cyberspace that are feeling for you. I will say a prayer for you.
If there is any time you want to talk, please feel free to email me at ec graham @ aol. com (take out the spaces).

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry for your loss Teri {{{hugs}}}

Ranae said...

So Sorry to hear of your loss.
My condolence!
stay strong!
((hugs))

Barb said...

Oh my goodness. I just put your blog in my reader recently. I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine.
Thanks for the warnings about stomach aches. I will always remember this.

mainely stitching said...

Teri, I only discovered your blog recently, so you probably don't know me from Eve but I just need to say how incredibly sorry I am for your loss. Thank you for being brave and warning other people to watch out for what might seem like a harmless recurring bellyache. Please take care.

Courtney said...

So sorry for your loss.

Sally said...

Teri I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lori said...

Teri, that is so sad. Prayers are with you.

Sheila said...

You don´t know me but I wanted to say how sorry I am to hear this terrible news. Hugs.

Deborah Kaye Photography said...

Teri, we will all miss Rick in our own ways. He was a dear friend to me and many others. You know I have already said so, but I am here, call me if you need. Love ya! Deb

Kim B said...

Oh Teri! I am so sorry for your loss! Please know you are in our prayers.

Hugs to you.

Sharon said...

Hi Teri, I saw your comment to Vonna and I wanted to come over and offer you my sincere condolences. Though, I have never lost a spouse-I lost my dad to a heart attack 13 years ago quite unexpectedly. That unexpectedness makes things like this all the more difficult. Take care and God Bless.

Kit said...

I am so sorry for your loss, and how amazingly thoughtful of you to think of others at a time like this. You and your family are in my prayers.

Michele B. said...

Teri,

You are a very generous person to share your experience in the hope that it will help others. May your happy memories of your wonderful husband sustain you now and always. I am so very very sorry.

Anonymous said...

(((Hugs))) I will say a prayer for strength and comfort for you.

samplerlover said...

Hi Teri,
I am so sorry to hear of your sad loss.
I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prays. - Sandra.

Andrea said...

Oh Teri, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a shock....words just escape me right now. My heart goes out to you and I will be thinking about you and praying for you....
hugs and love,
andrea

dany said...

Coucou Teri
Je suis contente de voir ton visage
Un gros bisou !