Tara Jean Smith
Jan. 31, 1976 – Feb 1, 2012
Tara J Smith
Iv user, age 36, dying of heart failure
Please spread the word. Tara wants to prevent others from her fate
Will be 36 Jan 31, 2012.
She has 1-10% chance of living more than a month.
Infection ravages her heart muscle and abscesses are between her two valves, and around her aorta valve. Because of the weaken muscle around the aorta valve, the valve could explode at any time.
Last fall she had open heart surgery and her valves were replaced. Right after Christmas she was brought in almost dead. The infection had gotten worse.
For a week she was sedated, so the doctors could give her ivs as well as put a tube down her throat.
Fighting cocaine addiction for years, her use of ivs probably caused the massive infections in her body and in her heart. She finally went clean this year.
I met her and her brother, Rob, and sister Tami, 30 years ago. They were full of energy and life and creativity. All three of them worked with me. Tara worked for several years, managing my office, editing slides, propping and styling rooms, and handling cameras and lights. She was ideal for this work. And I so loved her and having her part of my life and business. She got married and later divorced and has two strappling sons.
After her mom died, in 1998, friends introduced her to cocaine. And it has been downhill ever since. Lying, stealing, not showing up for work. Until recently, I never could understand the way the brain works with a person addicted to cocaine.
Tara wants to tell her story, to help prevent someone else from following her path. So, if you have a publication that would like to interview her, please call soon. (802) 238-4213.
And in the meantime, prayers work. There is a very slim chance, according to Yale Univ. studies, that her heart could repair itself. Wouldn’t that be wonderful.
Peace
Carolyn
Jan. 26. 2012
Tara’s 36th Birthday
Tara “had a blast” at her 36th birthday party, wearing a fancy hat with candles on it, gift from her support group at the hospital. And then slept peacefully until 8 pm om Feb 1, 2012, with friends, family ministers, nurses, doctors, support group from FAHC. Thank you everyone for all the love and warmth you have given to her especially during these last few months of surgery, hope, pain, and finally peace. Because of all of you she was finally able to go clean from street drugs, and return to the Tara we had grown up with.
This is Tara’s son, Justin, with her sister,Tawnya.
Your Comments:
“Beautiful. I’ll inqiure.” Mike
“How sad… A valuable story to share….” Kathy Holmes
“A beautiful woman.” Anita Socinski
“…I know how difficult this can be. My prayers are with Tara, you, and all those that love & support her.” Victoria
“I am so very proud of my little sister for her strength and bravery in this time in her life. I am so happy that she is clean and wants everyone to know her story! Tara you are giving me so much strength! I love you to the moon and back! You make me feel honored to be a big sister to you!! … I just want add, that Tara is being very strong through of this. It takes a very brave person to do all of this knowing that you are near your end of life! I am not a drug addict, but Tara has taught me something. She has taught me to live life at the very fullest, even when you know it may not be long. She has taught me to be brave when life takes those nasty turns. I am honored to write this comment!! Tara I love you with all you to the moon and back!!” Tamara Lynne Smith Felton, her sister
“Thanks for sending, cb. I know you’ve loved her for a long time, and I’ll keep her in my thoughts, hoping for the best.” ElBel
“Carolyn, so sorry about your friend…” Craig Dicken
“Carolyn, I am so sorry to hear about Tara. I wish you the best, I know it can be quite hard. I lost someone, for the first time, really close to me this time last year.” Emily
“My thoughts and prayers are with her..I have thought of her often since reconnecting with so many people on facebook. I wish her the best she can have.” Adrienne Bombard
“wow Tammy i am so saddened to hear this…..i havent talked or seen Tara since we were in high school, we were both pregnant at the same time and had bets who was gonna go first….it was her but i followed a few hours later and we had our babies on the same day! :)” Jennifer Bassett
“So very sorry to hear of your sister’s health at this time. I know you are very close and could never imagine the possibility of losing my sister. I hope that she stays strong and has enough strength to fight this. You and your sister are in my prayers….” Debbie Dickson
“Tami you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers……” Judy Stephens
“Tami I am so sorry that your family is having to endure this. My heart and prayers are with you” Terri Marello
“Will keep Tara in my prayers.” Isabel M Tessier
“So sorry to hear this…I wish her and you the best.” Brandy Grattan
“Please tell her i say hi and thinking of her” Jennifer Bassett
“You could try posting this to HARO (Help A Reporter Out) to see if you can find anyone interested in interviewing her.” Susan
“Wow, I never knew. Thinking of you, I know you’re strong.” Darshon A. Wolters
“Here is a miracle.. there is an acupuncturist based in Boston who can help her… http://www.tomtam.com/posts/category/media/“ Anne Rothwell