Co-President Tom Thompson hosipital

[copper]

This is an E-mail sent to David Ray and Myself from Tom Thomosons wife. He is in Marin General and Dave, Tony or I will check in with her mom later today.

David:

I just sent an e-mail to Terry with some bad news. Tom had a massive heart attack on Wednesday (3/31). Because they had to do an hour of CPR, they told me he probably wasn't going to make it. But he's strong and he's still here.

They did a triple by-pass, and he's doing better each day. He is not stable yet, but he took a big step yesterday. They took him off the balloon pump that was helping pump the blood in the heart. He still is on the ventilator and about 8 IVs. The nurse said he broke her record when he had 12 IVs. They've basically had him in a drug-induced coma. But now that the balloon pump is out, they're going to try to let him wake up over the next few days.


Linnea

[Randy Rosenberg]

Terry,

Please let Tom's family know that Tom and his family will be in our thoughts and prayers. We hope for a quick and speedy recovery.

Regards,
Randy R...

[copper]

Tom’s heart is working on it's own.... Some small improvements and some set backs today.

His wife and her mom know, that you all are sending your thoughts and prayers his way. I said we knew that Tom would fight and that she and the family had our support in any way they could request.

She is expecting me to call every other day to check in and she has my numbers to reach out with any requests or information.

If anyone needs me to pass on anything private please fell free to e-mail or phone me.

With much Hope,
Terry

[Tony Ripepi]

Thanks Terry,

Let Lianna know that anything she needs to have done......picking up people at the airport, kids stuff, helping her parents while thay are watching the kids, etc. etc.

We stand ready and willing to do.

Good thoughts to Tom and his strong will to enjoy life and all it has to offer,

Tony R.

[Randy Klein]

Here is a repost of something Tom wrote to us awhile back:

"Cobras, RIP?

I don't know many of you except by your posts, but still consider most of you to be friends, people I'd rather not see maimed (or worse) in a Cobra mishap. What happened to Lew the Taxman is sadly reminiscent of a number of stories I heard as a teenage car nut back in the 60's. We are all very lucky that he did not meet the same fate as the club member who was drag racing a few months ago. Most of you will recall the story about how the guys at Shelby back in the early days used to make bets on how long it would be before a 427 Cobra would come back in a crumpled heap, to be rebuilt if possible. Dark humor, indeed, but prophetic. You'll also recall that a fair number of racers met their end in those days, not surprising in view of the primitive safety equipment available to them.

My own story is that I sold my Contemporary largely because my wife was concerned that I was starting to go fast enough that a mistake, or mechanical failure, could have very serious implications. Yes, as in Lew's car, the roll bar was securely fastened, and I expect it would have held in a roll over. Realistically, however, there is little else to save you in these cars. Quoting in part from the waiver I required the buyer of my car to sign: "Vehicle is not a modern automobile and does not comply with or otherwise conform to state or federal laws and regulations, and contemporary standards of, automotive design and manufacture, including, without limitation, driver and passenger safety. Some examples of design and safety features Vehicle does not have include, without any limitation whatsoever: frontal and rear impact protection in the form of engineered collapsible and/or crumple zones, anti-intrusion steering column, anti-intrusion side impact door beams, supplemental restraint systems of any sort, including air bags, an inertia mechanism as a part of seat belt restraints, rollover protection for passenger, rollover protection for driver in conformance with the aforesaid laws, regulations, and contemporary standards, and any and all other safety features generally found in modern automobiles."
And that, my friends, is fact.

In my view, I'll never have skills or reflexes close to those professional drivers who have lost their lives; I daresay the same is true for most of you. Randy Klein, a gentleman whose intellect and abilities far exceed mine, gets it. The guy who stole his beloved Mariah didn't live more than a few minutes. Every time he hears of yet another serious incident, the pain and anguish revisits him, and he reaches out to all of us and begs us to pay attention.

It took a load off of my misplaced middle-aged macho-pretender mind when my wife told me how worried she was becoming. In truth, I had become increasingly concerned the faster I went. Yes, you can get yourself killed in just about any car. But the Cobra is particularly unforgiving.

For myself, I've made the commitment that when I get the next Cobra, GT40, or Coupe, it will have a full cage. I won't care whether people think the cage ruins the lines of the Cobra, in particular. I won't care at all.

Let's not give the insurance companies and tort lawyers any more ammunition to take our hobby away from us.

Please, be safe.

TT"

Well now the same back to you good buddy...do everything safe and right to get back here to us!

Your friend,

[Brent Mills]

Very sorry to hear about this....Just a reminder of how fragile we all are. On the brighter side, it's good to know that we all have an extended family in the Cobra community, and I am sure it means a great deal to his wife/family/relatives. Wishing the best for you Tom!

[ChrisH]

Our best to Tom and his family. We will keep them in our prayers. Please feel free to call on us for any help!

Anne and Chris

[copper]

"Tom is still sleeping," is the message on their answering machine today.

I will try later today or tonight to pass on your messages of support and hope. And hopefully get an update on Tom's progress.

Thanks to all of you for your private messages I will surely add them to these public notes and communicate them to the family as soon as the appropriate situations happens.

Thanks,
Terry

[Rich]

Please tell Tom we're all hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

[copper]

No change. They are waiting to bring him out of sedation.
Soon they hope. The family passes on their thanks and the promise to not be bashful and will ask for help.
Thanks Terry

[Randy Rosenberg]

Any update on Tom?

[Jamo]

I've been gone and just saw the thread on all Cobra Talk. Tom is one of the good guys and I love him dearly.

Let's hope for the best and a speedy recovery.

[copper]

In general no change.

Still sleeping -- with the ventilator on..
A quiet weekend with the family around.

To keep our hopes up: His heart is beating on its own and he has many fewer IV's now.

The family may need some help with more arrivals at the local airports. E-mail me your availability and contact numbers.

I was able to talk to Tom's mother-in-law and they know of our readiness to help in any way.

[copper]

Talked to the family today and there is no change.
They expect to run some tests on Monday or Tuesday, maybe we will know more then.
Please light some candles for Tom. (or your choice of action of hope)
The Family knows that we stand by to help with any need.
Terry

[copper]

The tests suggest minimal brain activity.
I can't think of any smooth way of writing this.
Tom is going to be moved to a care facility probably at the end of the week. He is breathing on his own and his heart is pumping strongly. No cognitive signs.

Once he is moved, we will arrange some visits. From the family it sounds as though it should be a quiet time for them these few days before the move. The family knows we are wanting to come visit Tom when the time is right. We will know more on Wed.

Sorry to have to pass this on in a so abrupt fashion.

Regards Terry

[Jamo]

Terry

There was no good way to put it...thanks for letting us know.

[Randy Klein]

Thanks Terry,

I continue to pray that he will recover.

[mikiec]

While I do not know Tom, I wish him well and hope he pulls out of this.

My thoughts and prayers go to him and his family.

Mike

[Randy Rosenberg]

Terry,

Thanks for the truth, as bad as it is. Tom continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Regards,
Randy R...

[Tony Ripepi]

Thanks T,

In my mind I see Tom in his solid Red cobra....walking in the paddock at Sears Point in his well worn Red and White driving suit, coming in and out of the parking lot at Athens in both the Cobra and the Z06. All of this with a toothpick in his mouth to substitute for the cigarettes he gave up long ago.

My prayers are to see him that way again..........I look forward to seeing him now and pushing those buttons to bring him back to those that care about and love him.

We all need to support Tom's wife in the difficult days ahead and the decisions she needs to make for the welfare of her family.

Tony R.