TC’s Journey
In the darkness, green lights flashed on and off, on and off, on and off. A horrible, repeating thump filled the air. Thump. Thump. Thump. My body felt as if a thousand bees were stinging me, tiny but painful stings from my face to my toes. It seemed to last forever, and no matter how painful or frightening the nightmare was, I couldn’t wake myself up. Flashing green lights and black, thumping darkness, relentless. Whoosh, thump, whoosh, thump, over and over. The stinging covered my entire body. I could not open my eyes or make sense of the horrid dream.
It was my LifeFlight helicopter ride to the hospital in Cleveland, as I learned five days later when I finally woke up.
According to my family (I don’t remember any of it), I shouted, “I can’t breathe! Please help me, I can’t breathe!” at the paramedic attending me as I lay helpless, strapped to a gurney. As they wheeled me out to the ambulance, my heart stopped. Cardiac arrest. I was dead. The paramedic began CPR immediately, and a few minutes later they got a pulse back. The ambulance raced to the local hospital in eight minutes, where I was intubated and stabilized. I’m told they gave me propofol, fentanyl, antibiotics, and other medicines. I was in critical condition and needed the expert care that only a large, well-staffed hospital could provide, so LifeFlight was summoned, and I was flown to a major hospital in Cleveland and placed in the ICU.
Five days later, I woke in a hospital bed with my family all around me. My oldest son asked whether I had seen the football game on Saturday. I was confused; to me, it was still Tuesday. To my family and the rest of the world, it was Sunday. Days had vanished, and I had no memory of time passing. The breathing tube had been removed from my throat the day before, leaving it raw and making it hard to talk.
My Health Issues Started at the Beginning of August
My descent into serious, complex health problems didn’t begin with the cardiac arrest. It started near the first of August, when I developed a severe UTI. Tests revealed an acute kidney injury (AKI) and sepsis. An ambulance took me to MetroHealth in Cleveland, where I was admitted for 11 days. After a week in the ICU, I was moved to a standard room as the UTI improved and the sepsis cleared. Eventually, I was sent home.
Four days later, I developed horrible abdominal pain. At our local emergency room, scans revealed not one hernia but two. One was so serious and complex that none of the doctors at our local hospital had ever seen anything like it. Once again, I was taken to MetroHealth and placed in the ICU. Several doctors examined me and scheduled surgery, but the procedure was postponed five times over eight days.
The Seven-Hour Surgery
The double hernia repair was supposed to take about three hours. It took a little over seven. The repair was far more complex than the surgeons expected and required extensive internal work.
I began my recovery in the ICU and moved to a regular room after three days. I was there for only a day and a night, and thank goodness, because my roommate in that Medicare-provided, semi-private room spoke a foreign language and decided 3:00 AM was a great time to call his girlfriend or wife and yell into the phone for two hours. The woman on the other end was so loud that I could hear her too, though I couldn’t understand a word she said.
I Want to Go Home
I begged the doctors to let me go home, telling them I felt much better than I actually did. After endless pleading, they discharged me with a “little pneumonia” and some antibiotics. Barely 48 hours later, my lungs filled with fluid and I couldn’t breathe. My heart stopped. It was not a little pneumonia; it was HAP (hospital-acquired pneumonia) and MRSA.
I don’t remember struggling to breathe, the EMS arrival, the ambulance, or the helicopter. I don’t remember dying.
For the next 25 days, I lay in hospital beds across two facilities, spending the last few days in physical and occupational therapy. I wanted desperately to go home, but my family urged me to let the doctors decide when I was truly ready. Between August and September, I spent more than 50 days in hospital beds, growing weaker and weaker until I could barely stand or walk.
As I recovered, I worried I wouldn’t have a job to return to. But Darcy held everything together and gave me time to recover gradually (a process I’m still working through), so I could manage a few hours of work each day for Cloudeight.
I get stronger every day; I can walk using a walker and a cane. I work more on Cloudeight and do more household chores as time goes by. The doctors and therapist told me it could be six to eight months before I get back even close to normal. I’m trying! It’s the fight of my life, and I’m determined to win.
Thanks to Darcy and all our wonderful Cloudeight friends, whose encouragement and prayers have helped me so much, Cloudeight is recovering too. God willing, we’ll have things back to normal by the first of the year.
The daily newsletter is back, and the weekly newsletter will resume on Friday, November 6, 2026. We hope to resume our computer repair service soon. The emotional support and donations from our friends and subscribers have kept us going through this immensely difficult time.
So, I thank my family for being by my side every step of the way and for all the love they show me every day.
I thank Darcy for keeping things going when I was in the hospital. And I thank all our friends and subscribers for sticking with us. And I thank God for helping me through this painful and difficult journey.
My youngest recently wrote in an essay, “Mattering is knowing someone would notice if you were gone.” It’s good to know that you matter.
So glad you are back at work. It takes time to heal. So take yur time and get back to normal. We are all here for you and our Prayers are always with you, I had a widowmaker heart attack and it is scary,. Like you I don’t remember much,,which I look at as a blessing, So happy you are doing nicely. Take care
Sharon Spann
My famiy and I will continue praying for you, and Darcy too! Thank you for updating us on what happened. My family and I are so sorry you had to go through all of this, but as you said, Thank God He brought you through!
You are definitely in my prayers. God’s got this so don’t try rushing him. It’s great hearing all about your journey but sooooo traumatic. I’m sorry that you and your family and loved ones have had to go through this. I absolutely LOVE what you and Darcy provide for us. Sheila Colbert
Wow, T.C. That was really a scary journey. Never thought for a moment that it was that terrible. I believe that it
was a miracle that you survived such traumatic events. Our good Lord must still want you around for awhile longer.
Much love and continued prayers for a full recovery. J.P.
Prayers….One day at a time…
OMG. I am so sorry Darcy. I am very new to this site so I had no idea.
Best wishes for a complete recovery.
Oh, TC, I have been praying for you, my computer friend. You have been through so much. God is good. He isn’t finished with you yet, because he brought you back through it all. He has more good things planned for you. He knows how loved by, and good you are to everyone and how important you are to me and so many like me!! Heal, TC. My computer and I need you badly.
Oh TC, your experience sounds horrible, I wish you and your family (and Darcy) the very best! You are so important to all of us! I’m so glad you are on your way back to healing. Don’t try to rush it, listen to your doctors, family and friends! We are all wishing you back to health. Thanks for telling us about your journey, take care and keep getting better!
I found this site years ago when I was a little old lady needing all the tricks, tips, widget and wonders of the new fangled thing called the Internet. It was as if you took my hand and showed me so many bells, whistles and secrets of the vast knowledge of the Universe. Well, I’m still a little old lady, now 83 ,and I’m still amazed and enthralled with this wondrous fount of education. Still, to this day, you continue to fill my brain with glorious details, and I appreciate every one of them!
Eat well, get well, and hopefully, you will enrich our minds for many years to come. Thank you very much for all your years of teaching us what we need to know to thrive in the 21st century!
I also started using Cloudeight when it firststarted and like youit helped an old lady get with the internet program.I am now 83 and still learning my way in the technical world and thanks to Darcy and TC I am still learning.Rest and look after youself.Thank heaven for your very positive mindset and remember to live each moment to the fullestYou remain in my prayers
Caroline Griggs
Ditto every word you said. I am 75 yo and Cloudeight has guided me through it all. Wishing for the best for TC!
God’s got you in the palm of His hand, so don’t rush Him. He has a lot of experience with this stuff. He’s brought you this far, and He won’t give up until the job is done to His satisfaction. I know at 83, when the doctor says to slow down and rest more, that is hard to hear and even harder to do.
Hang in there, TC. He has a plan for you, and it is one you need.
God’s love and my prayers are with you.
Susan P
I just don’t have the words to say how happy I am that your are recovering. Keep the faith! You will get there!
Oh my heavens, TC.!!!
Happy you are doing better & continue to improve. But what you have been through is… I don’t even have any words!!!
Please take whatever time you need. Your family & Darcy are right there with you & all of us will be here when you’re feeling much better. God sure has been watching over you & has plans for you.
Sending, lots of prayers, love & hugs.
Take care,
Pam
Nice to see you are on the mend but your health is the most important thing so just take it easy and remember every day is a bonus ,we can all wait a wee bit longer for you to make a full recovery .thinking about you from down here in NZ .
Oh my goodness, gee whiz, you sure have been through hell and back….don’t you go anywhere, we need and love you and Darcy. Just take care of yourself, don’t push too hard. Glad you are on the mend. We will be here waiting for you…God Bless
Thanks for the update. It seems your “journey” was a bit more perilous than I had imagined. Thank God for answered prayers. Your health is tantamount so please don’t stress about getting back to work. I think we’ve shown you that we’re here, so no rushing required. And Kudos to Darcy for keeping it together single handedly, she’s a rockstar.
OMG…what a time you have had TC…so glad you are getting better. Time is now on your side, take it slowly and talk to your family and Darcy, if you need to. There is a Facebook group for Heart Attacks and Stents (which I had both 3 years ago), sharing and reading others stories really helps. You have been missed. Darcy has been a rock. Thank you for sharing your story, what a story!…Take care of yourself and come back when you feel able to…you have been missed. Cloudeight all these years has been so important to all of us.
Jane
You are clearly still needed, that’s why you’re with us. Great for your family is supporting you, even Darcy lol. Next time let the doctors check you out (former healthcare worker). It’s easy to get frustrated and think you’re fine when you aren’t quite there yet. Hang in there keep doing best you can and we’ll see you back at full strength when you’re ready. Prayers for you and your family.
Oh my gosh TC, what a frightening experience. I’m so happy to hear that you’re recovering and slowly getting back to work. I look forward to the weekly newsletter starting back up. We missed you so much. Be well my friend.
I’m SPEECHLESS…..and thru all this you and Darcy did your best to help US !! You are UNBELIEVABLE and
the Lord has truly been with and blessed you! Thank you so very, very much for being YOU ! May you only have
a healthy, GOOD life ahead of you ! God bless!
Continuing prayers.
I live in Cleveland, TC, and we are blessed with several good hospitals (with doctors which are in short supply these days). Good luck with your recovery and keep the faith. As I tell folks (and myself) it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be on the trail again doing what you love – Chet
I am still recovering from sepsis and cellulitis and it dates back to the end of February. Am so glad you are doing well and we missed you.
Hi, Sue, thanks. I had sepsis in August 2025 and it took a long time to heal. So I wish you the best.
Oh my word, what a journey. Its so hard to believe a person can go through so much and still be alive. Like some of our friends said: God’s not done with you down here yet.” Obviously. Take your time getting better. Darcy has done a good job keeping this Cloudeight running. Thanks Darcy. Now you TC get yourself back to good health. Eat right and exercise as the doctors and your family are surely telling you to do.
We are all pulling for you. Praying for you, Darcy and your family.
Welcome home, TC!
What a horrific, scary “nightmare” you went through!
So, so grateful you are “on the mend” and let’s hope that there are no more future nasty surprises.
This experience proved you were fighting for your life, our prayers were answered, and we’re happy you are back with us again.
Keep resting & doing what is needed for a gentle but full recovery. You & Darcy are our rocks, our treasures in this life, and we all are eternally grateful for keeping us safe & informed.
Thank you sincerely!!!
Sending warm wishes from Canada !
Mercy, what terrible experiences, and what a testimony! You have much for which to be thankful, as do we, for even through this battle you remain willing to be our friend and mentor. From my heart to God’s heart: Father, heal, renew, and encourage. Bless both TC and Darcy powerfully.
It’s amazing what the human body can endure. What you went through was truly amazing. So glad to hear that your on the mend. Prayers and good wishes.
TC you had quite a scare. Be sure you are taking care of yourself first and foremost. Everything else will fall into place. So happy you have survived this terrible scare and are on the road to recovery. God certainly has work for you to do here as he just proved. Take care of yourself! We are happy you are back!
Miracles still happen and love that you received one. Cause God knows we NEED you TC. Thank you for sharing your story. Truly sorry you had to experience that and so thankful you are on your road to recovery. You and Darcy will never know what you mean to us, who but for you would be lost in the dark about computers and technology. I know love is a strong word, but I truly do love you both and so thankful God chose to leave you here with us,
What a journey TC. God Bless you and keep healing. Thank you and Darcy for being there for us.
11/6/26 Mr TC, I am just now learning of your illnessess / recoveries. I am sorry you’ve had to go thru all of that but I am eternally grateful you are on the mend. You are a very special person and are loved by many.
Father God, please watch over my friend. Send your Angels to wrap their wings around him and keep him safe. Please help him to recover completely and return to his usual jovial self. Let him know that you are there for him. Please help his family during this trying time as well. I ask this in your Son’s precious name, Christ Jesus, AMEN
I had no idea how serious your condition was (is). Thank you for sharing those details with us. Most of us, as we get older know our bodies will eventually fail but do not know what is around the corner or, for that matter, what the signals will be and how much time we have to decide if its a medical emergency or not.
Your experience and how you dealt with it will help everyone. I think you have brought us all a little closer together.
TC, although I have never met you I feel like you’re more of a friend now and a fellow traveler through these years of aging and uncertainty.
God bless you. I wish I could look into your eyes and let you know how genuine my, and others, sentiments are toward your recovery and feelings about the future for us all.
These past months had to be stressful and frightening for Darcy as well. We’re here and hopefully that makes a difference.
You have been through SO much. I’m so thankful and happy that the Lord knew we needed you and has sent you back to us. We’re not ready to let you go home yet! But please, take care of yourself first and go slowly. You’ll get there. We always want things “yesterday,” but remember who won in the “Tortoise and the Hare.” So don’t push yourself. We’ll be here.
So glad you are getting better! You were so missed and I’m sure your family went through so many emotional moments, they too are happy you are healing and feeling better. My husband had almost the same experience, only it just started at the pneumonia part. 10 days on life support, and it took about a year before he could take care of himself. What people don’t understand is that once you are stuck in that bed, on all those medications, your body atrophies at an alarming rate. A young man can end up an old man physically. It’s been almost two years and he is back to his old self. We have no family left, so I’ve been playing full time nurse, cook and bottle washer, held down a full time job and I admit it was exhausting! LOL I hope your recovery is much faster and glad you have family to support you and care for you. Darcy was the best and kept us in the loop, so prayers and well wishes were sent as often as possible. Welcome home, welcome back.
Wow, I can’t even imagine going through all of that. Stay strong and rest up. You are in our prayers TC. 🥰
So many bumps in the road that is our journey. I’m glad things are beginning to smooth out for you and sincere wishes for your recovery.
So glad you are doing better…what a journey indeed. But your chapter here in life s certainly not over yet. And we are all glad. I’m sure no one has told you; whenever you’re on an antibiotic, it is essential to replenish the gut bacteria (good) back with a probiotic. Actually, taking one or two daily for lifetime is even more key to a healthy life. I am 64 now, and started taking probiotics daily several years ago. I’ve heard so many horror stories on MRSA and sepsis being acquired from patients who simply were admitted for routine tests, etc.. Wishing you continued healing.
Praise to the mighty King, the Lord Jesus, for a wonderful, strong family, a great business partner, and all of us supporters who are still praying for you. God bless, and stay positive. Big Hugs.
Thank you, TC, for this complete explanation of all you have gone through thus far. Thank God for keeping you with all of us in the IT community. I have been a subscriber to you and Darcy since 2004 and have been in the IT business myself since it was called Data Processing back in 1965. You both should be awarded with Academy Awards for all the unselfish and caring information you both have provided our career field. May God bless you both and your families, and the Cloudeight business, and I will look forward to your weekly newsletters at whatever pace is comfortable for you. We continue to keep you all in our prayers.
Oh my God TC. You have helped me out over the years. I am 92 years young and am always grizzling about getting old but your journey has been horrendous and I am glad that you are on the road to recovery. All the best.
Hi TC, hugs to both you and Darcy and so glad you are on the path to good health again, you have been through a lot so be realistic that is going to take a long time for your body to heal. Be guided by your doctors and “listen” to your body. It takes a long time to heal after what you have been through so there is no hurry, we want you back and we will wait….Hazel.
glad to hear you have recovered from the most scariest situation you were faced with….my prayers are with you to get the strength you need to continue your journey and to stay as healthy as you can…there seems much support around you to encourage you along…and i am glad you are still with us…take care and stay well
What an ordeal you have been through. I appreciate you sharing the details and how hard is has been for everyone! As you said each day you are getting stronger and I will pray for your recovery but for you also to feel the God’s encouragement and all the caring coming from all of us. That encouragement will help you move to the next day when you get tired, frustrated or depressed. You can keep making improvements and moving forward. I was in coma for just about 4 days but I remember my brain spent months trying to reconstruct the missing parts!
Dear TC: Just learning about your terrible health issues, and hope, with the Grace of God, that good health follows you and you continue to heal. I too have had to deal with bad health issues these past six months and are on the mend. Please know you are in my prayers for healing and bless Darcy too for keeping Cloudeight together.
A long time patron,
Judy Lewis
I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know how bad. I Praise God for Him being right by your side through this ordeal. And thank God for the doctors and nurses and their knowledge and expertise, It’s a beautiful day to open my computer and read your update, you have been missed and prayed for dear internet friend. I look forward to more and more updates and reasons to sing! Thank you.
So happy to hear you are on the mend, but am sorry to hear about the terrible time you have had. I know all us subscribers out here have been missing you and Darcy. Lots of hugs and good wishes for a good recovery from us here in Western Australia.
Take care from Wendy.
Oh my God TC you have really been through so much. We are so glad you are on the road to recovery and that each day you improve more. So many things happened to you all at once. Just take your time getting well rest often your body will let you know don’t push it go slow. I am glad the Lord heard our prayers and brought you back to us I hope you continue to get stronger a little more each day. Take care.
Wow! You have had quite the journey. It’s great to hear that you are recovering. Continued prayers.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery! Wanted to share one thought as your’re moving around with cane or walker. The last thing my physical therapist said to me as I left on my walker after months of rehab – “TAKE YOUR TIME!” It’s tempting to try to go faster or make moves you’re not quite ready for, but you have to be patient! You have to push yourself a little of course, but always be careful!
Oh, my goodness, TC! You have been put through the wringer with all this. I’m so sorry you have had such an arduously long and difficult time with all the health issues. I’m very heartened by your determination, which comes through very strongly, despite all the challenges you have been facing. The one thing of the utmost importance is to keep plugging away at a full recovery, whilst being extra careful not to try to outpace yourself… a slow, but steady improvement is much more desirable than pushing yourself to the point of any setback. We’ll all continue to hold you close in thought and prayer. Thank you for being vulnerable enough to share all of this with us.
When I first heard of your illness, of course I was shocked! As all of us understood, this seemed a lot more serious than an average emergency trip to the hospital. You had a lot of us praying for you and I believe that really helped, you know when more people are praying for a certain goal and the power in prayer. You have been through a lot more than we all realized but you are back and we are all thankful!
As others have written, please take it easy and look after yourself.
Hugs from across the ocean.
You are a trooper TC. Thanks for the update and best wishes on your continued recovery from the Great White North.
I am so thankful and grateful and thrilled to read this…..I had no idea any of this was going on…..Prayers for continued healing, and it just ‘shows to go ya’ how our lives can change in a second! Glod bless your MANY doctors, nurses and staff and so good to hear from you. God Speed!
Yes TC it is comforting to be able to say “Welcome Back”. You know we all missed you, and I want to emphasize the YOU part. Of course, we missed the newsletters & everything about them, but it is YOU & everything about you that was truly missed. I think you’ll be surprised as your doctors estimated that it could take eight months or longer to fully recover when that time comes around & you’ll think to yourself how quickly that time passed. I’ll still continue my prayers for you & look forward to reading more good news as you continue on this tough road of recovery. Don’t make me come up there! May God continue to have mercy on you.
Oh, my goodness, TC. I am so sorry you had to go through this but so very thankful to God that you are still with us. I know He was right there with you helping you through. And He will continue to help you along the way. My prayers for you and for Darcy continue. Take good care of you. We need you both.