How to handle thread termination

thread_exit.cpp

QTimer* timer = new Qtimer();
connect(timer, SIGNAL(timeout(1)), thread, SLOT(threaCode));

// will get called every 1 milliseconds
void threadCode()
{
    timer->stop();
    tryReceiveBytes(5, bytes);

    if(dead)
        return;
        
    if not receive anything
        timer->start()
        return;
        
    // received message AND not dead
    // --> should do processing
    
    finally {
        timer->start()
    }
}