tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-232975922011-11-15T08:44:18.860-06:00My Dad, Tom Hardeman, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We will keep you updated and hope you will post encouraging comments to him on this blog. Keep praying, for our hope is in the Lord.Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.comBlogger791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-39944283084279732342008-11-27T01:03:00.003-06:002008-11-27T01:18:28.959-06:00Hot Summer days spent at Huntington Beach<br />Moonlit Fall night skies with stars in our reach<div>Lake Placid, The Tetons and Maui rainbows</div><div>The first perfect dew sprinkled lavender rose</div><div>The world was created our pleasure in view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.<br /><br /></div><div>Two separate lives brought together in time</div><div>Right from the beginning you planned us entwined</div><div>So uniquely different, twins deep in our soul</div><div>Love bound us together in one perfect whole</div><div>The mystery of marriage is awesome to view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.<br /><br /></div><div>Our firstborn, the promise of eternity</div><div>We sense your deep pupose in her destiny</div><div>Her husband a gift far exceeding our dream</div><div>With grandchildren added who make our heart sing</div><div>The world through their lives can see your point of view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.</div><div><br />A grandfathers vision the hope of his dad</div><div>Our son has exceeded each dream that we had</div><div>His true heart and soulmate you planned from the start</div><div>Their children reflecting the love in their heart</div><div>For the promise fulfilled with your purpose in view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.</div><div><br />Along came the bonus, our hearts dear delight</div><div>Sunshine and laughter with tears in the night</div><div>With her gifts she waited for your perfect choice</div><div>A husband and father who follows your voice</div><div>Redeeming love through their lives we can view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.</div><div><br />While this day we'll gather with those we hold dear</div><div>In body and spirit our hearts are brought near</div><div>It seems we can see past life's gulf to the shore</div><div>Where others are dining who've gone on before</div><div>Our Godly inheritance we pause to view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.</div><div><br />From your bountiful hand each gift we receive</div><div>Family, friends and the air that we breathe</div><div>Most amazing of all in our sin and our loss</div><div>You sent your dear Son in our place to the cross</div><div>The world through our lives now your glory can view</div><div>Dear Father, we take time today to thank you.</div><div><br />While others exalt Mr. Tom Turkey Day</div><div>And bow down with reverence as our Cowboy's play</div><div>We join with one voice; each heart pauses to pray</div><div>Lifting our face with Thanksgiving we say</div><div>We're overwhelmed when your full plan we view</div><div>Dear Father, for all this today we thank you.</div><div><br /></div><div>........Happy Thanksgiving with love, Eileen</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-3994428308427973234?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-147724215264333572008-08-22T00:00:00.001-05:002008-08-22T00:00:03.518-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">MASTERPIECE<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As she came towards him down the aisle with grace</div><div style="text-align: center;">A precious hush swept o'er that holy place</div><div style="text-align: center;">The organ swelled and music filled the air</div><div style="text-align: center;">And love enveloped all who joined them there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They came before the altar rail to meet</div><div style="text-align: center;">And to Almighty God their vows repeat</div><div style="text-align: center;">Untested yet by life, they knelt to pray</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a very special wedding day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Heavenly Weaver turned to face His loom</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plied expertly a willing bride and groom</div><div style="text-align: center;">With threads of gold and silver He began</div><div style="text-align: center;">And started weaving His eternal plan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With joy they faced the future side by side</div><div style="text-align: center;">The beginning of a high adventure ride</div><div style="text-align: center;">They purposed that their lives would outward reach</div><div style="text-align: center;">And to their world a silent sermon preach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Without restraint they rushed life to embrace</div><div style="text-align: center;">and shared with others God's amazing grace</div><div style="text-align: center;">They worked within the Master's harvest field</div><div style="text-align: center;">Their joint commitment by the Spirit sealed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blessing followed blessing year by year</div><div style="text-align: center;">They set aside the time God's voice to hear</div><div style="text-align: center;">A special path I have for you He said</div><div style="text-align: center;">And trustingly they followed where He led.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God's calling changed their family landscape</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Weaver saw His pattern taking shape</div><div style="text-align: center;">It followed His eternal timeless plan</div><div style="text-align: center;">He worked His purpose in by loving hand.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Threads of darker hue they weren't above</div><div style="text-align: center;">He added others blood-dyed by His love</div><div style="text-align: center;">They poured themselves like oil at His feet</div><div style="text-align: center;">And found His grace sufficient and complete.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our eyes see just a one dimension span;</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Master has no limits such as man</div><div style="text-align: center;">He lives ahead in time, and that's why when</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before they knew to ask, He answered them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Though parted for awhile in wrenching pain</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Weaver's tender care will still remain</div><div style="text-align: center;">Completing what he planned right from the start</div><div style="text-align: center;">He binds them close and joins them at His heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It doesn't seem it possibly can</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be fifty years since their life first began</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I am sure their storehouse up above</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is filled with golden treasure mined by love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The impact of their lives won't be revealed</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until eternal books have been unsealed.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Presenting white robed trophies at His feet</div><div style="text-align: center;">Without regret their Saviour they will meet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With unveiled eyes His Masterpiece they'll see</div><div style="text-align: center;">A wrinkled canvas, tangled hopelessly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They they'll perceive from Heaven's lofty height</div><div style="text-align: center;">A precious jeweled Shepherd's Crown of Life. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eileen Hardeman</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-14772421526433357?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-77538565869236099872008-08-19T23:55:00.000-05:002008-08-19T21:54:11.346-05:00"Why is tonight different from all other nights?"  I feel like a Jewish child asking the yearly question.  But, I have no answer.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-7753856586923609987?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-74000248677221048022008-08-12T09:34:00.024-05:002008-08-12T20:53:13.205-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/SKI8qQq18fI/AAAAAAAAAB8/WCIBmg6EBpM/s1600-h/Ida,+Tom+%26+Tommy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/SKI8qQq18fI/AAAAAAAAAB8/WCIBmg6EBpM/s200/Ida,+Tom+%26+Tommy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233812413684773362" /></a><div>What fun they must be having. Tom, his Mom &amp; Dad celebrating that birthday they shared back on earth (when time meant something). We still remember - celebrate - miss - and give thanks for that wonderful day God gave you to us</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">AUGUST 12</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">WHAT A HAPPY DAY</span><br /></div></span></span>From all of us still tethered by time to those released from earth's shackles<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);">                                                                                     HAPPY BIRTHDAY</span></span></span><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-7400024867722104802?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-29057091201767287732007-12-25T20:32:00.001-06:002008-11-13T06:51:21.178-06:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/R3HI8l6U2rI/AAAAAAAAABs/fxDs8teIp7Y/s1600-h/Upload.jpg"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148116792355642034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/R3HI8l6U2rI/AAAAAAAAABs/fxDs8teIp7Y/s200/Upload.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">It's been a joyous holiday, now it's the end of Christmas Day.<br />Gifts all opened; dinner past, the kids are gone; it's quiet at last.<br />There is a sense of timelessness, a fleeting touch of loneliness;<br />The Christmas candle flame burns low, my mind sees pitures in its glow.<br /><br />This is the season I love best; worth all the strain and lack of rest.<br />There's such excitement, smiles and fun, for just a while old hearts are young.<br />Loved carols we take time to sing around the tree in one big ring<br />Then someone reads, though all have heard, the timeless message from God's Word.<br /><br />It's been the same from year to year, the sacred story we all hear<br />Of angels singing Peace on Earth to celebrate the Saviors's birth.<br />Redeeming Love's eternal plan, as God's own son became a man;<br />Reminding each one once again where Christmas really first began.<br /><br />The river of of our life flows past, the current moving way too fast.<br />Your presences still feels very near, God-sent from heaven it is clear.<br />Our lives were blended from the start; we never dreamed we'd have to part;<br />I bless the life, unique and rare that we were priveledged to share.<br /><br />Though distance seems to lie between, it's not as far as it might seem,<br />For in the candlelight I see, the cord that binds you close to me.<br />Look there in heaven's candle glow, the cord you'll see, and then you'll know<br />In spirit we are not apart, I carry you right in my heart.<br /><br />Merry Christmas, darling Tom<br /><br />Eileen<br />December 25, 2007 </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-2905709120176728773?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-58519253528803658082007-08-12T22:32:00.000-05:002008-11-13T06:51:21.373-06:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rr_S2Y5dGOI/AAAAAAAAABM/6PjN_G56XFY/s1600-h/P1012514.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rr_S2Y5dGOI/AAAAAAAAABM/6PjN_G56XFY/s320/P1012514.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5098025135044892898" /></a><br />On the day that you were born <br /> the angels got together,<br />And decided to create a dream come true,<br />So they sprinkled moondust in your hair<br />And golden starlight in your <br /> eyes of blue...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-5851925352880365808?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-966337277996821052007-08-09T14:16:00.000-05:002008-11-13T06:51:22.120-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rrtp7o5dGNI/AAAAAAAAABE/M_gZ12W4GlE/s1600-h/Motorcycle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096783876611446994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rrtp7o5dGNI/AAAAAAAAABE/M_gZ12W4GlE/s320/Motorcycle.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Have you ever wanted to pinch yourself to see if the life you’re living is a dream? I remember being so happy in the moment that I was sure that one day I would wake up and find I had imagined the fairy tale ending my life had become. I really did meet the prince, he carried me off and we lived happily ever after. Well, happily after anyway – the ever part came to an abrupt end August 20, 2006.<br /><br />Sometimes when we tell Tom stories we tend to make him a super human person – he was so “larger than life.” Lately, I’ve been trying to go back and remember with honesty the man I met, the young, restless, undisciplined, wild child he was in 1957. I’ve been telling Tommy "Grandpa stories" of our dating days; the drag race champ, the water balloon throwing rascal he really was. I’m not sure his dad appreciates my honesty, but it’s fun to see his eyes grow round and his incredulous grin as he tries to reconcile his memory of Grandpa with the in-process reality of a teenage Patriarch-to-be. How did I miss the fact that this current generation doesn’t know “the story?” What a shame it would be to let all those lessons hard learned go to waste. Surely, some of what schooled us so painfully could be passed on so that a few might possibly avoid those pitfalls in their own journey.<br /><br />And so I relive the early days, opening doors in my memory closet long sealed. And find – oh yes, a fairy tale, waiting to be told.<br /><br />Once upon a time, in a land far way……….<br /><br />To be continued….</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-96633727799682105?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-58745620636077888162007-07-30T01:51:00.000-05:002008-11-13T06:51:22.267-06:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rq2KwI5dGMI/AAAAAAAAAA8/0AKsn7YoFNY/s1600-h/CIMG0674.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5092879313252718786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rq2KwI5dGMI/AAAAAAAAAA8/0AKsn7YoFNY/s320/CIMG0674.JPG" border="0" /></a>I woke up this morning thinking, a year ago today we were together in Maui, blissfully unaware of the tempest that awaited us upon our return to "home sweet home". We were nearing the end of our trip, returning to Portland on the 30th. On July 29th, Tommy arranged for Mom and Dad to have their portrait drawn by a local artist near and dear to Dad's heart (Dad had commissioned many of his grandkids portraits from him). This artist sat in the heart of Front street, and we made our way there for the appointment. I was dreading it because I figured it would be a boring hour or two. But the memories of that hour and a half we sat there stand out in my mind in shining relief. Dad was so healthy and tan. He didn't let on that he was having any discomfort. We had the impending surgery (to harvest the cancer tissue) and subsequent vaccine scheduled shortly after our return to Dallas. Then we could sit back and watch God work through the brilliant mind and hands of Dr Nemunaitis. All was right with the world for that moment in time -- it was as if reality and the world were put on hold for those 8 amazing days and it was just us again, Mom and Dad and us three "kids". Hector and Caleb were there for the first few days. But my amazing husband, who is so sensitive and discerning, decided after only a day or two to move he and Caleb to the Marriott and give the Puamana house to the five of us. I thought that was silly and argued the point, but he insisted. What a gift that was! Slow moving, lazy mornings with coffee and Good Morning America. Eventually we moved en mass t0 the "adult pool" (a/k/a the quiet pool) to read and get splashed by the waves just when a cool-down was needed. A little afternoon snooze for Dad in the recliner, snacking on macadamia nut caramel corn and spicy rice crackers. Getting ready for the latest culinary delight in our culinary tour of Maui, I think it was Plantation House that night. We gave Dad a hat or shirt from every one of his favorite places, and we hit them all on that trip. God gave us so many gifts during Daddy's illness, but this was definitely the cherry to top them all. Sweet lazy days with no distractions, just precious fellowship with one another. I know now why Jesus went away to spend time alone with His Father to gain strength. God granted us that time to gather our strength for the enormous trial that awaited us. He was gracious enough to allow us to be unaware of the intent of this oasis. I can close my eyes now and am transported back so clearly to those sweet Maui days with my laughing, handsome, tan, healthy Dad. How desperately I miss him! I read over the blog from the Maui posts up through those final days in the hospital. I sometimes long even for those times, God's presence was so near you could reach out and touch it. I can barely feel it now, but it's me who has moved, not Him. I finally came to realize that my image of God is so intrinsically linked with Daddy that I have mostly avoided my quiet times and intimacy because it is so painful. I can't spend time with God without missing my Dad. At the same time, I feel the closest to him then too. I'm really going to have to get over this! This would not make Dad happy at all, and I am quite certain God's not too pleased either. God is still so gracious and runs to meet me every time I get in his general vicinity: Christian radio, church, talks with Daisy about God (she is so passionately in love with Him, it's all she wants to talk about - she's like a mama bird predigesting the food for me and spoon feeding me -- literary license with that image because I can't stomach the whole throwing it up in the baby bird's mouth image). I was privileged to lead Daisy to the Lord and mentor her for a season, but she has carried me through this past year, giving me life-saving infusions of God and some of her passion to carry me along. God sends us what we need even when we're too weak (or stupid) to get it for ourselves. He remains gracious and patient, even during this long dark year-long winter of grief. Love to you all. Cari<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-5874562063607788816?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-48965566497716865802007-07-13T12:10:00.000-05:002008-11-13T06:51:22.459-06:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rpe8nnIrpsI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Fb_INsMVTxY/s1600-h/Hula.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086741692844582594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rpe8nnIrpsI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Fb_INsMVTxY/s320/Hula.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Well, folks the time is upon us. I have been pondering (yes that's a word) for months how I'm going to deal with August - all those celebrations (birthdays, anniversary, home going). My instinct says RUN!!!!! I've browsed all the web sites for exotic cruises, trips to the Orient, and seats on the space shuttle to avoid thinking about "the date." I keep coming back to the question, "how would Tom observe this occasion." Any of you who knew Tom for 5 minutes would know the answer (it was his answer for every occasion) - LET'S HAVE A PARTY!!! What did Tom like to do best to celebrate?? Eat, sing, dance and laugh. So.........come on to my house on August 18th between 2:00 p.m. and whenever to do all of the above. I need to do a little preparation so if you plan to come please post a reply and we'll expect you for a little music, a little Mexican (food of course) and a lot of remembering, laughter and maybe a few tears. Party Tom style.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rpe8D3IrprI/AAAAAAAAAAs/KYR9evHQKS8/s1600-h/01700107.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086741078664259250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/Rpe8D3IrprI/AAAAAAAAAAs/KYR9evHQKS8/s320/01700107.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><a><br />P.S. Haven't you heard? Dancing is no longer a sin. Tom is doing it in heaven right now!!<br /></p></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-4896556649771686580?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-17671518915433640142007-06-17T22:57:00.000-05:002008-11-13T06:51:22.774-06:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/RnYI3vfNJvI/AAAAAAAAAAM/rYQ7fcft7mA/s1600-h/SCAN0158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077255383639992050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_43Bp8iGCEIY/RnYI3vfNJvI/AAAAAAAAAAM/rYQ7fcft7mA/s320/SCAN0158.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is the Hardeman family as I remember it. Our lives were filled with laughter ... Even when times were tough, the first lonely years after we moved to a new state and didn't have friends. We had each other, and Mom and Dad had a way of making that enough. They filled our lives with purpose, fun, and work. But we actually enjoyed being together and Daddy was the life of the party, even when it was only a party of 5 (then 6, 7, etc.). I miss that so much! So today is Father's Day, and how do I compose a Father's Day card without being maudlin? I <em>want</em> to be maudlin, self-indulgent and pour out all the details of the agonizing emptiness of this day. But I won't (oh wait ... maybe I just did, a little). Anyway, I was looking back at the posts from last Father's Day (June 18, 2006) and reading the tributes to Daddy so beautifully expressed by so many who love him so much. The continuing theme is that Daddy pointed the way to God with his life. He is having a magnificent Father's Day with both his earthly father and his true Father. What a day this must have been for him!!! How envious I am! I am trying so hard to learn to find my refuge in the Lord, to allow him to be that Daddy I so desperately miss. The months that have elapsed since Daddy went home have been beyond anything I could imagine in the depths we have experienced and in the mere fact that we have survived. It was inconceivable to imagine a world without Dad (it still is), but here we are after all. And God still has a purpose and job for us to do. So like we were taught as children, we work first, then we play. The grief has been debilitating, but we truly desire to honor our father and Father with our lives. So it's time to pick up that life, figure out what we're supposed to do with it and get on with it.<br /><div></div><br /><div>One of the things I would like to do is compile stories of how Daddy impacted different people's lives. Whether it was a massive change of life direction, salvation, career stuff, whatever ... There are some remarkable tales out there and they shouldn't be lost. Someday, it may even be a book. A living illustration of God's desire to bless others through a life lived generously and "out loud" for all to see. A man bold enough to say "if you want to see Jesus, look at me". Far from perfect, but perfectly transparent with a heart that desired to please his Father and an acute awareness that the outrageous blessings God poured out on him were not his alone. He shared of himelf and his "stuff" freely, and God just kept pouring it on. If more people could grasp this, God's work would never lack for funding or volunteers. "Blessed to be a blessing" was the theme of my father's life. It's one I want to share, if God blesses me with inspiration and opportunity. Your lives are the canvas upon which this masterpiece was painted. This particular painting is done, and it's one that should be shared. Please take the time to email me your stories (<a href="mailto:crsepulveda@aol.com">crsepulveda@aol.com</a>). It's a father's day tribute I am longing to begin. </div><div> </div><div>And Daddy, I miss you more than there are words to express (and I have lots of words). I love you, I love you, I love you!!! I am so thankful you were my Dad, and pray the fruit of my life will bring you joy and many treasures in heaven when my race is finally run. I'll see you at the Bema seat soon. Cari</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-1767151891543364014?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-24716937697073253162007-05-07T21:32:00.000-05:002007-05-10T10:23:49.782-05:00The calendar says May, but it still feels like winter in my mind most of the time. The trees and flowers are blooming and thunderstorms roll through, so I guess the thaw is setting in. I (Eileen) have wanted to post an update for a long time now, but every time I sit down to write my mind shuts down and I spend the time looking at the slide show on my screen saver, crying, or just letting my mental hard drive run the loop of memories stored there for just such an occasion. It’s been over seven months of hard grieving, bittersweet times with the family together and apart, and coming to grips with our new reality. For me personally, it’s just the beginning of trying to find the person God intends for me to be in this new season of life.<br /><br />You all know how young I was when I met Tom – who I am today does not even resemble who I was at 15. I’ve thought a lot lately about God being the potter and us the clay. The shaping of the vessel I became was formed in the context of my life with Tom. Everything my life revolved around included his presence. That isn’t completely scrapped with him gone; I will always be Tom’s wife, just without him present with me now. I’ve been wondering though how much of what I think and do is motivated by who I thought Tom wanted me to be rather than who I really am.<br /><br />The last week in April, DeeDee, Cari, Suzanne and I rented a house on the coast in Oregon and spent a week together. They scrapbooked their brains out and I couch potatoed. We listened to music, ate, watched old movies, ate, cried, ate and they scrapped. I read a couple of books and then got out my poetry. First time since Tom died, and I was surprised to find I still have stuff in me that wants to come out. Several old ones and one new one kind of tell where I’m at these days.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">CHANGE<br /><br />Just when I’m certain I have it down pat<br />And think I’ve discovered where life’s really at.<br />God say’s to Himself it’s really a fact<br />She’s much too complacent to leave her like that.<br /><br />What good can come from just trusting herself<br />And letting her gifts lie unused on the shelf?<br />Let’s gather her up and take her on back<br />To the refining wheel in the pottery shack.<br /><br />This doesn’t seem fair I hear my mind roar.<br />This lesson was learned; I’ve been here before.<br />But God takes the layers of my life apart<br />And patiently peels them away from my heart.<br /><br />I wiggle and squirm and tear my hair out.<br />In anger I cry what is this all about?<br />There seems no response to the words that I pray.<br />He just keeps on working this misshapen clay.<br /><br />So slowly at first, then flooding in fast<br />Come truths long forgotten He taught in the past.<br />The process is sure, no mistake does He make,<br />His vessel He’s molding for eternity’s sake.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;">I AM HER<br /><br />When life intrudes and I feel stressed and burdens on my soul do press<br />I have a place I must confess, a soul retreat where I find rest.<br />I share this room inside of me with one whose face you never see<br />She is the person I can’t be, my other personality.<br /><br />She say’s the things that I cannot, this other person that I’m not.<br />She doesn’t cry, get mad or hot, she has the poise I haven’t got.<br />Her skin if fresh, it’s taut and young, her body thin and lean and strong.<br />She climbs the stairs, her stride is long, she exercises with a song.<br /><br />She stands up tall, looks straight ahead, can speak her mind without my dread.<br />She’s faithful and she’s Spirit led, this person living in my head.<br />I wish that I could be like her, so confident – so right – so sure;<br />Articulate with motives pure, take charge of life, not just endure.<br /><br />But I don’t know just who she is, this person who inside me lives.<br />Who reaches out and to me gives the hope that I could be like this.<br />Just now and then, not often true, I sense that I am coming to<br />A place in life, for me brand new, I’ll let my other self break through.<br /><br />I’ll take the mask off from my face. I’ll risk it all and pray God’s grace<br />Will hold me there in that new place - to confidently life embrace.<br />Then you will see a me brand new, renewed in mind and body too.<br />It is a dream that can come true; someday she will come shining through.<br /></span><br /><br />I wrote those a few years ago – long before my life storm. Isn’t it amazing how God prepares our hearts with the answers to the questions we don’t even know to ask yet. This one is new.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">MEMORIES<br /><br />I spend a lot of time these days remembering the past.<br />I contemplate the life I’ve lived that flew by way too fast.<br />In memory I walk the aisle and clasp the outstretched hand<br />Of one who was designed for me in God’s eternal plan.<br /><br />I feel again the warm enchantment of each babe in arms<br />And relive their accomplishments and marvel at their charms.<br />I’m overwhelmed with thankfulness for God’s amazing care<br />And each and every moment He allowed us all to share.<br /><br />I think about the places that we lived both far and near<br />About the friends we came to love, each one so very dear.<br />The seasons of our life became a treasure that we stored<br />Now drawn upon in reverie just like a rich reward.<br /><br />I hear again the melody of love’s angelic song.<br />It stirs to life my frozen heart once more to sing along.<br />For even though the life once lived is never more to be<br />I hold each joyful moment safe within my memory.<br /></span><br /><br />Hopefully in the next few days we can post a few pictures to update everyone on what we've been doing the last few months. Until then, thanks for all the cards, calls, prayers and encouragement. We couldn't have made it this far without you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-2471693769707325316?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1174979724447129672007-03-27T02:57:00.000-05:002007-03-27T03:15:24.460-05:00I'm sitting here, at 2:00 a.m., missing you sooo much tonight. It seems to come in waves now, rather than the sustained pain that never seemed to go away. I'm not quite sure when that changed. But it seems to make the pain even sharper when it hits because it's only then that I'm aware of the absence of it. The past three days have been so hard. I actually cried in my exercise class today because they were playing a Nora Jones song during the cool down and it reminded me of Eva Cassiday. Who in this family can EVER hear Eva Cassiday and not think of Daddy? I can't bring myself to watch Extreme Makeover - Home Edition either. Sometimes I cry when the commercials come on because I remember the sweet, soft look Dad would get when he would watch that show. He cried every time! And we all cried with him. Now I cry alone. It's kind of gotten to the point where I don't really call Mom or DeeDee or Tommy when I'm have a really tough time, just in case they are doing okay. I don't want to send them on a spiral. This is a lot more lonely section of the grief road because of that. There are some things that I can still remember about Daddy with such clarity. The way it felt when he hugged me and the exact place my head rested on his chest; the broken sound of his voice when he was deeply moved in prayer calling out to God; the half crooked schmoozy smile he got on his face when he sang (he looked like one of those heart throb crooner's from the '50s); the way I could always hear his voice in any crowd when we were singing in church; the way I could always find that gorgeous silver head towering above all the others in a room; the nightly annointing and prayer before he went to bed (those memories are soooo precious to me because they are shared by so few); his rituals: Casey's "W", dishes right after dinner, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, news, coffee, then hot tub, the constant thread of him whistling around the house while he did his chores. Tonight I'm not sure how I can live the rest of my days without these wonderful treasures that have been a constant rhythm throughout my life when I sometimes lost my way and went "home". I could always find that rhythm there. It was a sure as sunrise and sunset. Like so much else in Dad's life, he was trying to point the way to the sureness of "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever". But I do so miss the tangible image of my Daddy pointing the way with his life. Maranatha - come quickly Lord Jesus ... for this and so many more reasons.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-117497972444712967?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1170947686599825352007-02-08T09:13:00.000-06:002007-02-08T09:25:20.050-06:00A Year in Review<br />February 6, 2007<br />2:00 A.M.<br /><br />To say that this was “quite a year” would be the understatement of all time. While it is far too painful for me to recall all of the emotions I have felt over the past year, I have felt a strong desire to do my best to remember the journey that I have been taken on over the last 365 days. How the world can change in 365 days. 8,760 hours ago our world changed forever.<br />It has now been a full year from that fateful afternoon when I received a text while sitting in the library doing homework from my sister simply saying, “Call Dad.” I knew something was up, but would have never in a million years been able to imagine the significance of what I was about to hear. I immediately called my dad. “Bo, we got some tough news today,” he said. I had the feeling that someone had died, but hoped that it would be another call to arms to pray for a cousin struggling to find the Lord again or something of that nature. “We found out today that Grandpa has a form of cancer, and we’re not exactly sure how bad it is.”<br />The words rang in my ear for an eternity. In the moment before words could come to my mouth, I had twenty different scenarios play before my eyes. “This isn’t that bad and Grandpa will be fine in a couple of weeks.” “This cancer is worse than we thought, but Grandpa is going to find a way to beat it and will forever change how the world battles cancer.” “This cancer is the worst kind ever found, and God heals him miraculously and gets all of the glory” (that one was my favorite). “Grandpa is sicker than it seems and time is running out.” I erased the last one as quickly as it arrived. That was not a possibility. That couldn’t happen to us.<br />The next few hours were a blur, as I am sure they were for everyone when the first heard the news. I spoke with Grandpa on the phone, and for only the third time I can remember, I heard him cry. Being the man that I was at the age of 21, I decided that I would be strong during the conversation. I lasted 2.5 seconds before breaking down myself. He was scared, like the rest of us. It caught me off guard.<br />I flew to Dallas the following weekend. I needed to be with the family. We had all been praying in our separate corners of the world, but it was time to come together and take this thing before our Mighty God together. (He is still mighty, by the way.) There was something in the air that night as the family gathered in the living room. With perhaps 30 of us there, we began to call on the Living God. I believe He answered. We worshiped together, praising His holy name. We thanked Him for being a loving, caring God who has always provided. We asked Him to use His unlimited strength to heal our Grandpa. But more than anything, we asked for His perfect and sovereign will to be accomplished in our family. Though we all knew what that could have meant, looking back I think, “If I only knew what I know now, I am not so sure I would still have asked for that.”<br />One thing I have learned this year is that regardless of what we want of ask for, God still accomplished His perfect will. Sometimes I just fail to see what is so darn perfect about it. Fortunately, He is God and I am not.<br />The Holy Spirit met us that night, and I believe that from that night of prayer we found strength that would last us the next six months, and beyond. Each of us prayed for Grandpa, we anointed him with oil, we laid hands on him, and we surrendered our Grandpa to God’s will.<br />The next few months were more of a ride than any rollercoaster any of us had been on. There were ups, moments of good news, proper responses to treatments, and promising outlooks. There downs, bad news from doctors and disappointing responses to treatments. But through the entire process, one thing remained constant. We were on our knees before God the whole time. Moods changed. God did not. Neither did our devotion to seek Him through the entire affair. I recall one night in Dallas when at around 2 A.M. I came downstairs to lay on my face in the living room and cry out to God. My Aunt Cari was already there doing that very thing. I found another place to go.<br />Through the ups and downs, things were going as closely to plan as we could have hoped for. Grandpa was going to have surgery on August 10th. It was going to be a painful process, but they were going to get the cancer out and he would eventually be all better. We couldn’t wait. Things were already getting back to normal. We knew this because Grandpa was doing what he always did, which was to go to Hawaii. Little did we know that our world was about to come crashing down around us, and our bold praise of a Healing God would soon become whimper for help as we splashed around in life looking for a life-preserver. God would be that for us, too.<br />There are those who can give much more information on what actually happened at this part of the story (Dr. Cari). I am only trying to recall what it was like from my point of view. Grandpa was having stomach problems and went to the emergency room to have them relieved. That was all it was supposed to be. He was feeling great, was full of energy, was walking his puppy and was back in Texas making his usual trips to Costco. We had all figured out what God was going to do, or so we thought.<br />I was receiving up to the moment updates on Grandpa’s bowel movements from Dr. Cari and was doing my best not be alarmed by Grandpa’s trip to the hospital. As long as the eagle was still landing, everything was fine (medical terminology for Grandpa's B.M.s provided by Dr. Cari). I was at a movie with another pastor from my church when I received a phone call from my Uncle Tommy asking me if I could make it to Dallas in the next couple of days.<br />Apparently the eagle wasn’t so much the problem. This was a cancer related issue, and things were becoming more and more unsure. He told me that the family was gathering again and it would be good if I could make it. No matter how busy your life may be, it goes on hold at times like this. I think I was in Dallas two days later. I was not sure what to expect when I arrived, but I never imagined that we were just days out from the end.<br />The look on my Uncle Tommy’s face while picking my sister and I up at the baggage claim of DFW told me more than any words I had heard in the last few days. This was bad. Very bad. I thought I had prepared myself for the worst. This was worse. Uncle Tommy, Kristin and I went to the hospital the next morning to see Grandpa. Aunt Cari met the three of us in the lobby.<br />She gave us some details on Grandpa’s condition. I heard no words. My mind was mostly focused on keeping a constant dialog with God, anywhere between “I trust you with my Grandpa” and “You had better not do this to us!” I wonder if God laughs when the little creatures wave their little finger at Him in an attempt to have things their way. I bet I would.<br />There could be volumes written over the next 10 days. I do not have it in me to go into too great of detail. Each was spent in either the waiting room or the hospital room. Grandpa was tired, and in his very Grandpa-like way felt the need to entertain anyone around him. So we did our best to keep visitors to a minimum. Everyone wanted to see him. I doubt any person in the history of hospitals has felt more loved than my Grandpa must have felt while there.<br />Nights were my favorite time. I was at the hospital for only two, but I did my best to soak up every moment while in his presence. Night was when you could sit with Grandpa for hours. I did not know that people would sleep during their 2-5 A.M. shifts with Grandpa. I wouldn’t have anyways. I sat awake in his hospital room for hours and hours during the night. I type away on my laptop, saving my thoughts and feelings at the time. There are thoughts of peace and praise, confusion and hurt, and other thoughts that include language that would result in a mouth full of soap from Grandma. I also prayed. I asked God for help in the days to come. More than anything else though, I sat and stared.<br />I watched him sleep. Listened to his breath. Timed the noise of the pump sucking fluid out of his stomach. Saw him struggle with the various tubes going in and out of his tired body. Listened as he, in a morphine induced state, fired me from U.P.S., but reassured me that my loss wouldn’t be all that great to the company that the company would be just fine. Brown till the end, he was. I even saw him, using the air, write a few very important errands in his pocket secretary. I can still hear the soft background sound of Lorraine and Jubilee Six giving praises to the King.<br />I woke up on the morning of Saturday, August 19th on the floor of the hospital room surrounded by the cousins. We had had a sleepover with Grandpa one last time. I had to catch a flight back to California to get to school. I was a week behind in the year already. After getting dressed, I slipped into Grandpa’s room for one last precious moment with him. We knew we were getting close now.<br />What are you supposed to say in that moment? I have no idea. Knowing this would be the last time I would see my Grandpa alive, I knew I needed to say something good, something for him to remember me by. Instead, I just told him that I loved him, and that I would see him soon. I laid my head on his still strong hand and I cried for a moment. Then I gathered myself and walked out. After popping a Zanex, or whatever “helper pill” the family was using at the time, I went to put on my watch. The battery had died in the night. “A little to weird for me to think about right now,” I thought.<br />I flew back to California and did my best to get settled in. I actually never unpacked my bag. My mom called me around 11 o’clock that night. “It’s over,” she said. The next moment was a rush of so many different emotions that I dare not try to figure out what it was. I was back in Dallas that Tuesday for the funeral and a few days of grieving with the family.<br />The funeral was a wonderful time of worshiping and remembering, though it was the most painful thing I have ever done. I would say that God met us there, but in reality He didn’t have to meet us anywhere because He never left us. We hugged on each other, cried together, and clung to one another like never before. I think Grandpa’s legacy was visible in the flesh in the Bent Tree sanctuary that afternoon.<br />I then went back to California, and have been living my life ever since, whatever that means. Some days are good, some days not so good. Every month on the 20th I check off another tally on my mental list of “How many months since we gave Grandpa back to God”. Occasionally I have brief moments of panic where I realize again that Grandpa isn’t coming back, and there is no way on earth I can do this thing called life without him. Then I remember that it was never my Grandpa seeing me through life, but God through my Grandpa. That’s what Grandpa did. He allowed himself to be used by God in whatever way God saw fit. The Holidays were hard, but we all made it through in one piece (some more “sea” sick than others). And here I am, awake at 4:00 A.M., wondering what this next year may hold. What will I write on February 6th, 2008? Let’s just pray it isn’t another one of these.<br />I suppose after writing all of this, I should end with my giant, life changing revelation that I received through all of this. Try hard as I might, I can only come up with this well known, rarely understood truth: God is God; I am not God. He knows what He is doing, especially when we don’t. He won’t abandon us. He doesn’t leave us to flail around in the ocean of life. He may let us tread water for a bit, but we are never out of His reach.<br />Our Mighty God saw us through this last year. He will see us through this next year, too. At times the future seems to scary to walk into, but the same God who carried us through the last 365 days will see us through the next 365 days. And in the blink of an eye we will be face to face with our Savior, and over His shoulder, standing among the saints of the ages, will be our Grandpa, waiting to show us the house God had him build for us.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-117094768659982535?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1168117250911208002007-01-06T14:49:00.000-06:002007-01-06T15:36:15.683-06:00Wow, what a couple of months. Rachel got married November 4 and it was a wonderful, bittersweet affair. Then we had Thanksgiving here in Houston and Mom went to Oregon for about a month. Mom hibernated in her subterranean hideout (a.k.a. basement apartment) over Thanksgiving. Kristin ventured down there to keep her company every now and then. It was a tough Thanksgiving for her and the reality that surviving the holidays just means we come up for air only to realize that we have to survive the rest of our lives. There is no relief on the other side of our survival. She flew back to Dallas a few days before coming to Houston for Christmas. We left on Christmas Eve for a Christmas cruise on Carnival for 7 days. We went to Jamaica (man), Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The cruise was fun, but depression hit quickly on the heels of our desperate attempt at holiday cheer. It was so "un-Christmas", which is what we were striving for. But our hope lies in the message of Christmas and we lost the essence of that in our endeavor to escape the pain of the loss of our deeply cherished holiday traditions. We'll try to achieve a better balance next year. In the mean time, my family is so glad I've emerged from my funk and finally took a bath after three or four days (ooooooh!). I still haven't put on make-up or anything other than sweats, but we do what we can.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-116811725091120800?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1161058629862198712006-10-16T22:57:00.000-05:002006-10-16T23:36:37.790-05:00I am sitting here tonight, as most nights, after the kids have finally gone to bed, and I take refuge in my bath or my bed, trying to be as quiet as I can. I cry, as I do most nights (in some weird way, I look forward to this). I know intellectually that my hope is in the Lord, He is sufficient, Daddy is in the presence of God, enjoying the very first fruits of his reward. But the pain is unbearable, and it comes out at night. It lurks through the busyness of the day, patient but present. I feel it always, but can push it aside when work, kids, Rachel's wedding, husband, house and church press in to a welcome distraction of comfortable chaos. But when all else ceases, the house has settled down, stores are closed and I can't escape any more, the grief presses in. I miss him soooo much! His laugh, energy, drive, enthusiasm, expectation ... you all knew him. Dad was big in every way ... he filled a room, a house, a life. He filled my life with so much security and happiness. The hole is so immense ... sometimes I just fall in. Like tonight. I am looking down the barrel of the rest of my life without the imposing force of my Dad. BLEAK! I'm floundering here. C.S. Lewis said that no one ever told him that grief felt so much like fear. That was so profoundly true in the days and weeks following Dad's death. But now that has morphed into a yawning chasm of longing, hurting, missing, fearing the loss of the finer aspects of my memories of him. The angle of his hands, how it felt to hold them... the lines on his face and how he looked at different angles ... the sound of his whistle around the house when he did the laundry, dishes, worked in the garage, whatever ... hearing his beautiful bass in church when I was standing near him and hearing that wonderful voice totally mess up the words to most of the songs (it sounded great anyway) ... the timbre of his voice; the smell of Mennen skin bracer, Vitalis hairspray, and Chapstick (I cry every time I use Chapstick); picking up the phone to call him when I don't know what else to do; waiting for him to come into town to fix everything that is broken around the house. This time it's me that's broken ... and he isn't here to fix it. I am soooo broken. All the experts say you have to grieve, cry, etc. I am grieving in all the right ways, yet I am so completely broken. There is no fixing this. I can't remember my kids names half the time, forget appointments, don't really care about work or the house. The forgetfullness is the most marked. Maybe it's just early onset dementia! Feels like it. And I cry at the most inopportune times. Grief is like Satan, just waiting for the right moment to pounce. And inevitably the right moment is the most embarrassing one. Shopping helps! For about five minutes. Drinking definitely doesn't help! You know how drinking is supposed to lower inhibitions? Well, it also lowers any resisitance to pain, fear, crying, etc. Not exactly a respite. <br /><br />I know losing a parent and this whole process is supposed to be part of growing up and maturing, but it is highly overrated! I hate this more than anything I have ever experienced. I just can't see the upside. That's quite a departure for an eternal optimist.<br /><br />BUT ... praise be to God that my hope is not in this finite life experience! I can declare in faith, but a faith that is confident, that I look forward to the day when I will see the face of both of my fathers, Heavenly and earthly. The interim looks grim to me right now, but that's only because I fail too often to look to the horizon. I hate grief -- but love my God. He'll see me through this too. But I can't help praying "Lord Jesus, come quickly!"<br /><br />Cari<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-116105862986219871?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1159396450529575342006-09-27T17:34:00.000-05:002006-09-27T20:25:09.523-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Eileen.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Eileen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This has been a month of ups and downs for the whole Hardeman clan, including me (Eileen). I’ve heard from many that you still check the blog every couple of days to see if we’ve added to it. Sorry about the long delay, but as you will see we have much to report.<br /><br />We had a wonderful visit to Salem and held an outstanding Memorial Service for Tom on September 7th. It was similar to the one we had in Dallas, with Walt Edmonds giving a great tribute from a friend. The church provided a lovely buffet lunch in the family room and we stayed for a long time just visiting with friends and family.<br /><br />The next Sunday West Salem Foursquare Church held a groundbreaking service on their beautiful property up on the hill overlooking the Willamette Valley (actually there were 3 services – 1 Saturday night and 2 Sunday morning. The parking areas were leveled and graveled, and there was a tent for the worship services and 2 tents for Christian Ed. All 3 services were packed out and it was soooooo exciting.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tommy%20and%20Eileen%20leaving%20WSFC.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tommy%20and%20Eileen%20leaving%20WSFC.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My big news is that following the 1st service on Sunday, I donned leather jacket and chaps, climbed on the back of my son's Harley and rode off into the sun (the sunset didn’t happen for another 6 hours). YES I DID – (I have pictures to prove it)!!!! Tom rode his Harley to Salem from Dallas with Robert, so it was either let him ride home alone (what mother could do that?) or go with him. The fact that I didn’t feel I had anything to lose made the decision easier. If I was ever going to do anything stupid, now was the time.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Eileen%209.11%20Route%2014.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Eileen%209.11%20Route%2014.1.jpg" border="0" /></a> We went north on Interstate 5 through Portland and crossed the Columbia River to Vancouver. Tom had a map book with out of the way routes Harely recommends. We took Route 14 paralleling the river (we could look across and see I84 with all the trucks and traffic). Route 14 is just 2 lanes and meanders along following the river all the way to Idaho. We stopped for the night in Camas on the Washington/Idaho border.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0003.2.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0038.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/2006-09-27_0038.jpg" border="0" /></a>Monday we took another Harley recommended ride following Highway 12 across northern Idaho along the Clearwater River. It is aptly named – you can see clear through it to the rocky riverbed. Every bend in the road we would see fly fishermen having the time of their lives. It was a magical ride. We stopped Monday night in Butte, Montana. It took me awhile to stretch the kinks out, but we had a nice dinner and I was asleep before dark!! No, not too tired!!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20and%20Moose.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom%20and%20Moose.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tuesday we angled down through Yellowstone<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Yellowstone.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Yellowstone.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/2006-09-27_0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />and followed the Grand Teton’s to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0010.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/2006-09-27_0010.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>We stayed at the historic Wort Hotel right on the square, so we could wander over and peruse the famous statue of the cowboy by Bud Boller and take lots of pictures.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0005.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/2006-09-27_0005.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>Wednesday we backtracked a few miles and cut over 287 to visit Bud and Verna in Dubois. We had lunch with them and visited for a couple of hours, but since we heard the weather was turning bad Thursday we decided to head on over to 80 and spend the night in Rawlins. The problem is that when we rolled in at sunset, there was not a hotel room in the whole town, so we had to head on down 80 in the dark another 90 minutes to Laramie. Mama was not happy sharing that dark, cold road with all those 18 wheelers. That was the night we ordered room service (in Laramie that means Dominos). I was almost asleep before they delivered it.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0007.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/2006-09-27_0007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The next day we followed 25 down through Colorado and the beautiful, scenic part of trip was over. We hit wind and traffic all the way through Colorado and stopped just outside of Amarillo in Dumas on Thursday night.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20and%20Eileen%20in%20Texas.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom%20and%20Eileen%20in%20Texas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We got up early and hightailed it into Texas arriving at home about 2:00 p.m. Friday. We shocked Bo, who happened to be in Dallas for the week-end and my Mom who was staying at my house with Casey. I called Bob and Rhonda to tell them I was home and they actually didn’t believe it until they saw my “raccoon tan.”<br /><br />Everyone has asked me if I was scared and the honest truth is that there were scary moments (when the wind gusts would hit us as we were passing a truck on the highway), but they were few and far between. For the most part it was fun, exciting and sometimes peaceful. I had no responsibilities, didn’t have to tell anyone “how I was doing” and had no decisions to make for almost a week. Who could ask for more? And the bonus is my son made it home safe (what an accomplishment)!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-09-27_0006.1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/2006-09-27_0006.1.jpg" border="0" /></a> It didn't take long for Bradyn to remind Grandpa of the pleasures of home.<br /><br />We’ve been home almost two weeks and have begun the process of adjusting to life with Tom in heaven, but me still here on earth (not an easy task). We are all taking it slow and easy, but making some small decisions. We are facing the holidays with trepidation, and I have decided to go to Oregon as usual for Thanksgiving (and Robert’s 50th birthday). Cari’s family and Tom’s family and I will take a cruise over Christmas week (DeeDee and Robert and family cannot get away). We’re heading off to sun and surf and hopefully celebrating Jesus birthday in a new and fresh way.<br /><br />Well, enough rambling – enjoy the pictures, but I hope God has kept our madcap adventure from Tom. Otherwise, I’m going to get an earful when I get to heaven!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115939645052957534?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1157000138784490982006-08-30T23:47:00.000-05:002006-08-30T23:58:27.146-05:00<p align="left"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSCN2374.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/DSCN2374.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A TRIBUTE TO TOM HARDEMAN<br /><br />I’m sure that everyone that attempts to pay tribute to my Dad will say the same thing, there is no way to adequately put into words what he has meant to us. But here is my feeble attempt.<br /><br />My Dad was the greatest man I have ever known. Not just my Father, but my best friend. What I love about Dad is that he lived life to the fullest, he left nothing undone, and he invested his life in others and things eternal. I’m not sure that a more generous man has walked this earth. I’d like to pass on some of the life lessons he taught me, I’m sure many you will recognize if you spent any time at all with Dad.<br /><br />- There is nothing as important as having Jesus Christ as your personal savior. This is not about religion, it’s about a personal relationship.<br />- Mom is more important than anyone or anything on earth. It’s not a matter of just loving your wife and respecting her, you need to honor her.<br />- Be firm, but fair.<br />- Be an A.C.E.: Attitude, Character, Enthusiasm<br />- Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”<br />- The most fulfilling thing you can do in life is to serve others.<br />- It really is better to give than receive.<br />- Set goals and then actually attain them.<br />- Always pay for dinner.<br />- Have fun in everything you do.<br />- Hard work is good for you.<br />- Laughing makes everything better.<br />- Grandkids are more fun than kids.<br />- Never quit.<br />- Pain and exhaustion are only temporary and should never stop you from completing a task.<br />- Praise in public and discipline in private.<br />- Next to doing a project, going to Maui is the best thing you can do.<br />- If you’re on time, you’re 15 minutes late.<br />- Integrity is more important than reputation.<br />- God gives us material possessions to bless others.<br /><br />This is so inadequate. How can you put an entire lifetime of lessons into a letter? Dad showed me the character of Jesus Christ. What you saw of Dad at U.P.S., J.B. Hunt board meetings, church or working on a project was no act, that was him, he was the same wherever he was. Dad was the same if he was meeting with the President of the United States or interacting with the person serving him a hot dog at Costco. Dad walked and worked with some of the most powerful people in the land, but was just as happy teaching an orphan in Russia how to use his Dewalt, while putting in new bathrooms.<br /><br />Dad will always be larger than life to me. I watched him live what he said. He taught me how to care and love. I spent much of my life doing projects with him, his true passion. He was a man of action, you never wanted to mention to Dad that you wanted to do something unless you were ready to have it done right then! Oh how he loved his grandkids. His love, lessons and legacy will live on through them.<br /><br />The interesting thing about this tribute, is that it’s the last thing in the world Dad would want. He never sought recognition for the things he did. He did them because his passion was service. Dad’s life was a life well lived. He lived out Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize of which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”<br /><br />I love you Dad. I am blessed beyond all measure to have had the honor to call you my Father and to have shared you with so many. Thank you for the example you set. I will live my life trying to live up to that example. You gave each of your children and grandchildren your blessing and the heritage you have established will go on for generations to come. I long to see you again, to talk with you, to see your strong hands at work or to watch you pour your life into someone else. I miss you beyond measure and can hardly wait for the day I meet you in Heaven.<br /><br />Tommy </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115700013878449098?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156559103030669012006-08-25T21:21:00.000-05:002006-08-25T21:35:39.436-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20Program%20Picture.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom%20Program%20Picture.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday was a day to remember. We gathered, family and friends, to celebrate and remember. It was joyful, funny, worshipful and awesome. Our friend Jerry Pippin from Lorraine and the Jubilee Six days came from retirement in Colorado to play a beautiful prelude and sing, reminding us of our “roots.” Part of the West Salem Foursquare Church Worship team came to lead us to the throne in praise. Then Cari read a beautiful tribute to her Dad written by her brother Tom, and our friend Lauralee Farrer gave a ? (was that a tribute or a roast, Lauralee?) , and Robert did a magnificent job of reminding us of who Tom is and his impact on all our lives and presented an opportunity for those who hadn’t met the Master Tom serves to accept Him (I think 8 made decisions to follow Christ). Our friend Rusty Getter worked night and day since Monday to produce a fabulous slide tribute to Tom and we cried and laughed and praised together. Then we gathered in the back to eat and schmooze. Tom’s kind of party!!<br /><br />We were honored to have many fly and drive in from around the country and there wasn't enough time to spend with you - we loved the hugs, but needed some good "sit-down" conversation. We will be having another memorial service in Salem on September 7, so we hope to see many of you there. Thanks to everyone who made the trip to Dallas (in the Texas August heat).<br /><br />I do not have the words to thank everyone who has supported us to this point in our journey. We could not travel this road without you. We loved being with every one of you who were there and missed those who could not come. I am hearing every day from someone we had not contacted and for that I’m sorry. I have been moving through a kind of fog and every once in a while it clears and I remember someone I needed to call. Please forgive me.<br /><br />Folks are leaving now, heading back to their own lives. Cari and DeeDee will stay through the weekend and then I’ll settle in to my new reality. I am still following the mandate the Lord gave me back in February. 'Don’t walk in tomorrows steps, I’m here with you today and I have all you need for now.' I’m trying – but tomorrow is looming, so keep praying for me.<br /><br />We are still claiming “We Will Remember” by Tommy Walker as our “family song.” The second verse says:<br /><br />When we walk through life’s darkest valley<br />We will look back at all You have done<br />And we will shout, our God is good<br />And He is the faithful One<br /><br />We will remember, we will remember,<br />We will remember the work of your hand<br />We will stop and give you praise<br />For great is thy faithfulness.<br /><br />We have a lot to remember and we know God is good and faithful.<br /><br />Love, Eileen<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115655910303066901?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156389455053803882006-08-23T22:05:00.000-05:002006-08-23T22:32:02.573-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Airborn.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/Airborn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If you couldn't tell from Mom's amazing post, yesterday was their 48th wedding anniversary. For once in his life, Dad's timing was a bit less than wonderful on this occassion. We had a day of shopping topped off by a lovely dinner at Three Forks with us "kids" and Mom. It had to be an unbelievably difficult day, but she pulled it off with her usual grace under fire. This patient resilience was honed by years of Dad showing up with a dozen or so unannounced dinner guests, new cars he bought on a whim or any number of home appliances and furnishings from Costco. Her grace toward him and/or the recipients of his benevolent generosity was unfailing. It stood her in good stead yesterday and again today at the viewing. This evening was such a joyful time with friends and family who came to say "see you later" to Daddy. We had braced ourselves for the past few days for today and tomorrow. When we got to the funeral home, I kind of freaked out thinking "Oh my gosh, this is a <em>funeral home</em>." In my head I knew that's where we were going, but the reality of the hearses lined up and serious people escorting you back to the smell of lillies almost sent us running back to our cars. But then Mom and I got there (she was riding with me so of course we were late) and the faces of friends and family drove the terror away. Everyone was so perfect in their loving concern, support and desire to share their stories of Dad's impact in their lives. It was a time of much laughter and some tears. The amazing part is that the laughter far outweighed the tears. Their were people spilling out into the halls and other rooms, like a rowdy group of friends at a pot luck or party. This is the way Dad wanted his life celebrated. Thank you all for your concern and shared joyful grief tonight! We look forward to seeing God's hand move as we celebrate Dad's life tomorrow and watch God place the benediction on a life lived in service to Him. We hope to see all of you there who can possibly make it because it will be a party not to be missed.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115638945505380388?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156308601570864372006-08-22T23:50:00.000-05:002006-08-23T00:31:17.276-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/a079.jpg"></a><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hardeman</div><div align="center">August 22, 1958<br /></div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Bride.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Bride.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Toms Wife</div><br /><div align="center">When I was young and very green, he seemed a prize to claim.</div><div align="center">Amazing grace, he noticed me, and like a moth to flame,</div><div align="center">I fluttered 'round, his magnet drew me ever closer, 'til,</div><div align="center">Our hearts were knit; we surely knew 'twas ever meant that life</div><div align="center">Would bring us to the altar rail and I'd become Tom's wife.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">How proud to claim that title dear, it meant the world to me.</div><div align="center">I held his arm and circled near; he shared his life with me.</div><div align="center">We traveled happily through time, the babies came, he filled my life.</div><div align="center">As he began life's stair to climb, his stature grew without much strife.</div><div align="center">My world secure, my heart sublime, I was content to be Tom's wife.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">As children grew, and I explored a life removed from my safe shelf,</div><div align="center">I questioned; then sometimes implored, am I someone just by myself?</div><div align="center">I stepped out shakily to find a place to use my rusty mind.</div><div align="center">It was such fun, but, scary too, to find a realm where I was queen.</div><div align="center">He just looked on and smiled with rue, and shared the limelight spot with me.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">But even as my world grew large we always kept the view</div><div align="center">of what God planned and who's in charge and let Him do what He would do.</div><div align="center">And as my feeble star ascended, we felt our hearts unite. </div><div align="center">His manner never condescended, for underneath, not out of sight </div><div align="center">was truth which never ended; He was secure, I would forever be Tom's wife.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Time has moved on, the world has turned; our halo's silver gray.</div><div align="center">With family grown, some lessions learned, one thing has never moved away.</div><div align="center">The joyful surge, the heart turned light, when first he turned to say;</div><div align="center">I love you dear, come share my plight, and I said right away</div><div align="center">My answers clear, this is so right, for I was born to be Tom's wife.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">There's just one thing, just one thing more, that seems to bother me.</div><div align="center">It seems that on that heavenly shore, our home for all eternity,</div><div align="center">That God has planned, or so He said, we'll nether male nor female be.</div><div align="center">Does this seem strange, can it be right? I must admit some stress and strife.</div><div align="center">For heav'n to be endless delight, I surely will still be Tom's wife.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="right">Eileen Hardeman</div><div align="right">1999</div><div align="right"></div><div align="left"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115630860157086437?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156109088178925002006-08-20T16:18:00.000-05:002006-08-20T18:18:39.600-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Daddy.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/Daddy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />HARDEMAN, TOM<br /><br />Thomas Lindley Hardeman won his battle with pancreatic cancer August 20, 2006. With his family gathered in celebration, Tom passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Tom was born August 12, 1937 in Ventura California sharing that birthday with both his mother and father Thomas and Ida Hardeman. He married the love of his life Eileen August 22, 1958 and provided love, security and happiness for her and their three children DeeDee (Flores), Tom, and Cari (Sepulveda). He reveled in the pride and joy of nine grandchildren, Kristin and Bo Flores, Elizabeth, Tom and Julie Hardeman, Rachel, Tim and Sam Tenpenny and Caleb Sepulveda, as well as his great-grandson Bradyn Thomas Hardeman.<br /><br />Tom spent 38 years with United Parcel Service, retiring as Corporate Vice President. Retirement was a launching pad for the most fulfilling stage of his life as he poured himself out in service to others.<br /><br />Tom’s greatest passion was using his gifts and talents to advance God’s kingdom and work. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the WSFC Building Fund, P.O. Box 5928 Salem, Oregon 97304.<br /><br />The family wishes to thank Dr. Joe Kuhn, Dr. John Nemunaitis, the physicians and staff of the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center. They made our journey one of joy and hope and allowed Tom to contribute to the eventual eradication this disease.<br /><br />A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship. 4141 International Parkway Carrollton, Texas 75007. Aloha attire acceptable. Visitation will be Wednesday August 23, 2006 between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. at Restland Funeral Home.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115610908817892500?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156107668172617332006-08-20T16:01:00.001-05:002006-08-20T16:09:54.866-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Bo&BlakeLIFEGraduation5_06.7.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Bo%26BlakeLIFEGraduation5_06.7.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sitting next to Grandpa's bed for a week and a half gave me a chance to do something that all of us Grandkids were fortunate enough to do. I got to tell my Grandpa everything I needed to, I got to thank him for everything he had done for me (as if it could ever be counted), and I got to tell him that I loved him.I left early Saturday morning to head back to California to attempt to get my year started at school, only to find out that Grandpa had taken Jesus' hand that night. At first I was sick that I had left just hours before he died. I wanted to be there when he exited this world and began his Life. As the grief over took me (litterally laying on the floor), Jesus spoke something to me. Unlike people standing around waiting for him to go, I had truly said goodbye. Although I was not there to see him into the Father's arms, I had the unique opportunity of saying goodbye, knowing it would be the last time I would see my Grandpa on this earth. What a gift that is, to know that everything was said. He knew that I loved him, he knew that I appriciated everything he had ever done for me.But more than any of those things, my Grandpa knew that I was going to follow the path he had always dreamed for me. No, not an employee of the famed UPS, and no, not even a pastor. My Grandpa had dreamed of me, and all of my cousins, to live a life serving the Lord. Whatever that may look like for each of us, he desired for each of us to serve Jesus and to love Him with all of our hearts.And so with all (most actually) of his grandchildren gathered around his bed late Friday night, we prayed, and I leaned in close to his ear and prayed, "Jesus, please let Grandpa see all of his grandchildren here, seeking you, and let him know that we all love Jesus, and we will all serve Him the rest of our lives." Grandpa heard that, and I believe that he had peace.My Grandfather passed on from a life that was well lived. Pastor Pete once said (actually it was his dad), "There are two things that are most important to say about a man at his death. He was faithful to his wife, and he was faithful to his calling." My Grandfather was faithful to both. He loved my Grandma with a romance taken straight out of the Bible, and was faithful to his calling of providing for his family, and guiding them in the path of the Lord. I know what it means to serve Jesus because I saw how my Granpa lived.Though the grief is great, and there are many more tears to be cried, I have peace. My Grandpa is, at this moment, looking into the face of his Savior, and is hearing, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."What an example to follow.Bo (2nd Granchild)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115610766817261733?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156098251269860332006-08-20T11:31:00.000-05:002006-08-20T15:01:38.200-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Happy%20in%20Hawaii.1.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/Happy%20in%20Hawaii.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There are going to be continued posts, just because I have creative license and I can. Unlike the more private members of my family, posting my personal thoughts, feelings, and reflections is a catharses and I love to share those with anyone who will listen (for those of you who know me this comes as no surprise). I want to share a bit of yesterday's experiences, and will be just sharing funny remembrances and stories as they are brought to mind later.<br /><br />Yesterday, as Dad was preparing to go home to be with Jesus, we were trying to "help him" (since I don't know how not to DO something), we were telling him it was okay to go home and be with Jesus, to take Jesus' hand, his reward was prepared for him. And he was peaceful and fine until we began to talk to him about Mom. This is so funny, because on Friday evening, once Dad was at that place between heaven and earth, but definitely not here, Tommy told him Mom was going to be okay and we would take care of her. He got a definite scowl, and dad forcefully said "uuuh uuuuh". When Tommy tried to reiterate it he got a big growly grunt (those of you who know Dad's usual method of communication will understand this as Dad's version of "the look" from Mom). Tom backed off, but I didn't know he had done it and I did the same thing that night. I got the same response. As the day wore on yesterday, several people reiterated that Mom would be okay and no matter where Dad was or how medicated he was, he would rouse with a scowl and a growl or "uuuuuh uuuh". He promised Mom early on that he would fight, and he fought for her until his last breath. It was so clear that he was fighting for her, his love blazingly apparent to everyone in the room. We all have this image burned into our hearts and minds of Dad, arguing with us and even Mom as we tried to convinve him she would be okay. The medical staff were amazed as he defied the laws of medical reality and forced himself to go on for her. It was the clearest evidence of the enormity of their love lived out in the last moments of his life. This will sustain us all in the days and years to come.<br /><br />His famliy was lovingly gathered around, and over a dozen times, as we sang worship choruses, praised, prayed, loved, cajoled and begged him to go home to be with Jesus, he psyched us out a dozen or more times and wore us down. You all know Dad loved to laugh, loved a party and was always at the center of it. He HATED emotional scenes and weepy females, and his will must equal that of all three of his children combined from what we saw yesterday. We sat in awe of him forcing his body to wait until it was on his terms. Finally, at 11:00 p.m., exhausted and slightly punch drunk (we'd been watching every breath and facial expression since the early morning hours), we started telling funny stories about Dad. We had barely scratched the surface and had been laughing for about an hour when Dad decided it was time to go. He went on his terms, in the midst of the party and laughter, as he lived his life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115609825126986033?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1156060970081545462006-08-20T03:02:00.000-05:002006-08-20T15:17:10.736-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://www.tomhardeman.blogspot.com/"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,204,102)">Tom Hardeman</span></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,204,102)"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,204,102)">August 12, 1937 - August 20, 2006 </span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,204,102)">To be continued.........<br /></span></div><div align="center"><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Tom passed from death to life at 5 minutes to midnight tonight with his family and close friend cheering him on. We will post details soon. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115606097008154546?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155929340448525612006-08-18T11:05:00.000-05:002006-08-19T11:56:53.090-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/TomEileen06.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/TomEileen06.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is Mom and Dad just a few short weeks ago. Wow! How blessed are we? I know it's been a few days since the last update, but we've been in a wait and see mode and wanted complete information before posting it. Here's the complete picture: Dad's kidneys have failed. His blood pressure is slowly dropping and he is becoming more and more tired. This is the news we did not want to hear. His alertness and strength are limited. As a family, we have decided to try to preserve as much of this strength as possible. We would like to request that only family members visit him in the hospital. For family members, we are asking that your time in the room with Dad be limited to 3 minutes. All family are invited to visit and pray in the lobby area. There is plenty of room for family to congregate and share, pray and be together in that area, but the room connecting to Dad's is reserved for a few immediate family members to have quiet time together. Dad gets disturbed by too much noise in this room, so we are limiting the activity in this room. Your prayers are desperately coveted. Verdell Krisher said it best when she said we are experiencing "severe mercy". Your prayers are holding us upright and we are cushioned by a peace that truly does surpass understanding. Sandy Ginn (214-534-2686) is our point of contact for questions, updates and recent needs the family might have. Please forgive us if we don't return your loving and concerned phone calls. We are overwhelmed and appreciative, but we are sitting with Daddy and savoring each moment. We love you and appreciate all your outpouring of love and sacrifices you have made to visit, call and bring food. We are now pulling together as a family to conserve Mom and Dad's strength during the coming days. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/HardemanFamily06.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/HardemanFamily06.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There will be multiple blogs posted today by the Grandkids that have been taken from letters written to Grandpa on his birthday. Enjoy!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P9040496.2.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/P9040496.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115592934044852561?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155870147732381352006-08-17T21:58:00.000-05:002006-08-18T22:56:24.133-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/me%20and%20Grandpa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/me%20and%20Grandpa.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Grandpa,<br />From "Catch a Falling Star" to "We Will Remember," I have experienced 10 lifetimes worth of your love. My earliest memories are of playing tent and singing with you and Grandma under the covers. My most recent memory is of worshiping the Lord with you in a time of hardship. What more do I have to learn? Here is what you've shown me:<br />1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.<br />2. Love your neighbor as yourself.<br /><br />Grandpa, I have seen you live out our Lord's two greatest commandments in every aspect of life. My love for Jesus Christ has been shaped by the legacy you set forth.<br />In these past few days, you have demonstrated more strength and faith than I have ever seen. I feel like I have thanked you a thousand times throughout the course of my life, and today I have one more... Thank you for the gift of your love. It sometimes seems that becasue of your endless love and generosity, you are a grandfather to everyone you meet. But I am beyond grateful to say, that I will forever remain, my strong Grandpa's little girl. If there is any strength in me, it is because I first saw it in you. I love you!<br />Love,<br />Kristin<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/me%20and%20grandpa%202.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/me%20and%20grandpa%202.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115587014773238135?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155868353710536782006-08-17T21:31:00.000-05:002006-08-18T16:02:43.456-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010053.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1010053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Grandpa,<br />There aren't many words to describe how much you have influenced my life. It it wasn't for you I wouldn't have ever straightened my life out and after that you also showed me how to live a Godly life and there are no words to describe how much I love and appreciate you. I just wanted you to know how much I love you and how you have helped me change my life and are helping me by setting an example of how to live.<br />Love,<br />Tim<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115586835371053678?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155863311701440572006-08-17T20:02:00.000-05:002006-08-20T19:44:55.893-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/2006-08-20_0005.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/2006-08-20_0005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dear Grandpa,<br />I'm not even sure where to start this letter. I've been reminiscing all day and I can't express all my love and appreciation into this letter. You are by far the godliest man I know, and I love and cherish every pearl of wisdom you've passed on. The way you walk into a room is amazing because people just know you're there. The presence of God just follows you like a shadow and it is so comforting. Of course that's not all I think about when I think of you. The fun, slly grandpa also comes to mind. Always listening to that Christmas song by the Brooklyn Tabernacle every year (along with Santa Baby!), the donuts you would graciously buy on Saturdays, the fun drives in all of your sports cars, and the list goes on forever. And of course there's Hawaii. You have shown more generosity in those trips than most people ever do in a lifetime. One of the greatest years in my life was when I lived with you. The example you set of how to walk with God, what a marriage should look like, and in general, the love Christ has for me is something that will be with me forever! I can't even begin to thank you for all you've done. The legacy you have created is untouchable and I pray to God that we (the grandkids) will be able to keep it going. There is not one person in this world that has met you and not been touched by the hand of god. And I have been so blessed because I have you for a grandpa. You are undoubtedly the BEST grandpa ever, and I love you with all my heart. I hope that you have a wonderful birthday today and truly know how special you are to me!<br />Love Always,<br />Rachie<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115586331170144057?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155862922276345352006-08-17T19:58:00.000-05:002006-08-19T00:35:14.943-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Father"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/Father%27s%20Day%20Hug.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Grandpa,<br />When I started thinking about what to write, I could only think of wonderful memories. But, to write down all of my memories would take forever. So, I am going to share some of my most special memories.<br />The first memory is sharing the same name with two great men, you and my dad. I hope that I can carry on the legacy, that you and your father have set before me, through my son. My eagle project and all the help you gave me, Thank You! I love the picture of us when you had the Tommy shirt on, that picture is hanging in my room and I look at it every day. I remember spending the night at your house and then waking up early to go get donuts in your red Mercedes. Also watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and any little clip that you wanted us to see. But, one of my most cherished memories is getting to do all of those work projects with you, whether it be building a room or just painting a wall, the time we have spent together is Priceless and will always be remembered. I love you so much! I hope that someday I can grow up to be as nice and great as you are. I hope that when my son has a son and I become a grandfather, my grandson will look up to me just as I look up to you. I love you!<br />Love,<br />Tommy<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115586292227634535?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155858938263238882006-08-17T18:47:00.000-05:002006-08-19T01:32:29.276-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/liz%20grandpa.0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/liz%20grandpa.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Grandpa,<br /> I chose this paper to write your letter on because every time I am at your house, ths is the only kind of paper I can find in Grandma's office! I guess you can say that legal pads remind me of you and Grandma, in a round about way! Many things remind me of you - fun playful cars, brunch at Brookhaven, praise-and-worship music (and the "Grandpa Dance" I can see you doing in my head to the upbeat songs!), funny Jay Leno clips, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, grilled steak and chicken, and of course, Maui! Also, the rare occasions I go pick up doughnuts for the family! There are many things that remind me of you; the more I sit and write, teh more that come to mind! Above all these occurrences, what I love the most is <span style="font-style: italic;">what you remind me of</span> - Christ's love.<br /> I am so grateful to have such a wonderful example of the way God wants us to love one another. Your love is so unconditional and never ending, and it extends to everyone you meet! I am constantly amazed by all the people who say they look to you as a son does his father, or they consider you their grandpa too! I am so blessed to not have to look outside of my own family for the love of a father or grandfather, and that is because of you and your example. So, thank you Grandpa!<br /> Finding a middle name for Bradyn was a no-brainer for me! I chose "Thomas" as his middle name for three reasons, those being the three men in my life with that name. I wanted Bradyn to have a disposition like my brother and be accomplished at such a young age like Tommy was. I wanted him to have a mind like my dad, and have the quick, sassy and questioning ind that my daddy has. And of course, you are the third Thomas I am mentioning! I hope that Bradyn learns to love as you do. To love Jesus like you do and to love people like you do. I also pray that he exudes happiness the way you have always done. i have seen people's faces change from being upset and depressed to being happy and joyful within minutes of being in your presence. It is wonderful!<br /> I also want Bradyn to be tough like you, Daddy and Tommy are. I remember the many accidents you have had while doing little projects around the world! Still to this day I am scared of exacto knives and nail guns!<br /> Anyway, I wrote all of this to say I love you so much and I am grateful to you for accepting my mom and I into your family so many years ago! I am proud to call you my Grandpa and I have always loved that our birthdays were so close together! (I don't know why, but I have always loved celebrating my birthday with you and Grandma!) I hope you have a very happy birthday Grandpa!<br />I love you,<br />Elizabeth<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115585893826323888?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155858399754624892006-08-17T18:41:00.000-05:002006-08-19T01:54:15.416-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSCN1009_1.0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/DSCN1009_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Grandpa,<br /> I am having trouble getting this card started. Not because I am worried about the situation we are in, but because I am struggling to find the words to express my feelings for you. You have meant so much to all of us, but my views of you are slightly different than that of the other cousins. You and Grandma saved my life, through you I have truly seen the love of God. You have given me a real snapshot of the Father.<br /> Grandpa, you have set an example of walking with Christ that each of us will follow for the rest of our lives. I have learned so much from you. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I could never begin to count all the things you have done. <br /> Through this entire ordeal, my faith has never been stronger, mostly because I have been following your lead. I love you Grandpa.<br />Your Grandson,<br />Bo<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115585839975462489?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155858063341489972006-08-17T18:40:00.000-05:002006-08-19T01:40:57.420-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/julie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/julie.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Sitting here thinking of where to start<br />my Grandfather's story is the hardest part.<br />So much to be mentioned, stories to be told,<br />These unforgetable memories will never get old.<br /><br />Well, every tough man suffers from an injury.<br />Oh, Grandpa's had his share of seven... times three.<br />Nails through the leg, falls and broken linbs,<br />I was lucky enough to get this trait from him.<br />But this Tom Hardeman is never slowed down,<br />he still knows everyone; is the most well known in town.<br />Presidents, salesmen, anyone you name.<br />But it's only his compassion for this to blame.<br /><br />On top of popularity, he's also quite organized<br />so when dinner comes around, you should never be surprised.<br />When he pulls out his date book and starts to recite<br />where each person is sitting to eat that night.<br />And afterwards all are called to sit<br />to watch an interesting television clip<br />and sometimes even Jeopardy or the Wheel;<br />it's the perfect ending to every meal.<br /><br />But dinner's about the only time he sits down,<br />there's always ap roject, no matter where in town.<br />If you have a problem, no need to be sour;<br />He'll hit Home Depot and it'll be fixed in an hour.<br />Though this cancer has slowed projects for today,<br />we know it won't always be this way.<br /><br />For broken hearts ahve recently had a mend<br />when hearing John 2 say death is not the end.<br />Through this it will show all God's glory.<br />And Grandpa, one day soon, this will be your story.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115585806334148997?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155857930634006962006-08-17T18:36:00.000-05:002006-08-18T15:59:45.756-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/CIMG0208.3.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/CIMG0208.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dear Grandpa,<br />I want to wish you a Happy Birthday and pray that you feel better. No words can explain how much you mean to me and the family. Over the past 16 years you have shown me what it means to be a man of God. I can only hope to grow up to be half the man that you were. I have been praying for you and will continue to until you get better. I'm sorry I couldn't make this longer, but I hope it means a lot to you.<br />Love,<br />Sam<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115585793063400696?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155969842825918822006-08-17T01:42:00.000-05:002006-08-20T19:50:52.283-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Birthday%20015.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/Birthday%20015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Dear Grandpa,<br /><br />I love you. Happy Birthday.<br /><br />Caleb<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115596984282591882?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155788325047280882006-08-16T23:17:00.000-05:002006-08-17T18:36:16.823-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/GrandpaTom3%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/400/GrandpaTom3%5B2%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This was sent to Kristin from a friend who put this together as a reminder that we have an advocate before the throne this very minute. Pray for us and for Dad's kidneys to "wake up". Joy comes in the morning.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115578832504728088?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155757955604670442006-08-16T14:39:00.000-05:002006-08-16T14:59:20.466-05:00Not too much to report. We are holding steady, his white count is down (good), his electrolytes are improved and stable, he isn't in any pain, but kidneys are still not kicking. They are functioning at about 20-25%. In order for him to receive chemotherapy, his creatinine needs to be at 2.0 and it was at 2.6 yesterday. His creatine is at 2.9 today, which isn't too happy, but they are starting steroids which should "assist" his kidneys in improving their functioning. It is pretty unlikely that he will be able to receive chemo this week, which is disappointing. We are prayerful. This MUST be the focus of our prayers. He's pretty sleepy and has not strength. He is eating, and digestion has returned to functioning, PRAISE GOD! Sorry for the short update. But Daddy's calling.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115575795560467044?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155528451012099422006-08-13T22:54:00.000-05:002006-08-13T23:17:51.746-05:00We are rejoicing in it. After the worst day ever yesterday, I was awakened by Cari at 7:00 am saying "Dad wants to have coffee with you." I went into his room and he was sitting up and when Cari brought our coffee he took a few sips through a straw and fell asleep. It was a wonderful start to the day (and it was a busy, exhausing, eventful day), I think he had about 50 (no kidding) visitors. Of course, everyone didn't get in to see him, but the lobby, halls and living area of his room overflowed most of the day. <br /><br />The weekend doctor came early and said he wanted Tom looked at by a Nephrologist (Kidney specialist), because his kidney lab tests were too high, and it might indicate - well you know. However, we had two not one specialists and their conclusion was not that grave. They said his kidneys had taken a lickin but were still tickin. They are sending him for a sonogram tomorrow and running more tests and will make a determination as to the course of treatment. They seem to think prelimilarily that the kidneys may just take a nap and wake up working fine. Let's agree about that.<br /><br />The other areas of obvious concern are his bowels which haven't moved in over a week, his stomach which still requires a nasal tube to empty and his inability to eat. His nausea and bloating have been controlled by the tube, and they are giving him calories through the IV. <br /><br />Tommy, Robert and Hector are caring for Tom tonight and sent the girls home for bath and bed. Tommy called me about and hour ago and said Tom's bowels moved for the first time a few minutes ago. I feel like a Mom with a 3 year old who finally "got it" with the potty training. I'm sure Tom loves to see this in print!!! Don't tell him I told you.<br /><br />Well, I think I've revealed enough family secrets for one night. I do want to thank all our dear, dear family and friends who are holding Tom up in prayer. We are so blessed and feel uplifted by your intercession. I'm sure Cari will be back to give you more details tomorrow, but wanted you all to know you're prayers have not been in vain.<br /><br />I love you all, Eileen<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115552845101209942?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155419336011660532006-08-12T16:45:00.000-05:002006-08-16T23:59:05.436-05:00There will probably be more than one post today to update you as the day goes on. Dad slept fairly well until about 3:30 a.m. His lungs began hurting and he had to get morphine at 4:00. He only got three doses, and has been pain med free since them. While this is no fun, it isn't unexpected. While the fluid is gone, the conditions he developed as a result still have to be dealt with. Mom was up with him almost all night, not because it was such a bad night, she just likes to sit by his bed until one of us kids forces her to go to the room to sleep. Pray for her ... she needs some spiritual insulation. Exhaustion is tapping her reserves dry. He isn't able to keep much down, but isn't in much pain. We are continuing to pray for God's intervention. Pray with us!<br /><br />Dad is such an amazing man. Today, his birthday, is a day we have always celebrated with him. We are all blessed to be able to be in Dallas together today. He is still too weak to truly celebrate <em>with</em> him, but we can use the blog to celebrate <em>him, </em>and he can enjoy it when he is stronger. There are amazing men who have given much, done much for others, sacrificed much and made a mark on the world. Most of you know of Dad's incredible generosity with his time, effort, love and finances first hand, but I believe my Dad is exceptional because he did all these things while taking nothing from his family.<br /><br />Growing up, Dad worked a lot of hours at UPS. But when he came him, the office was left behind and he was truly with us. He had no outside hobbies that did not include us, dinnertime was sacred (at the table, TV off, all together), cheerful and involved in our lives. As a parent, I view our home life as nothing short of miraculous. What commitment and strength it takes to pull off that kind of consistently balanced home. Mom worked outside the home most of my life, but she pulled off the dinner at the table (I can't remember a meal that didn't have a full place setting, tablecloth/place mats, cloth napkins, correct utensil placement, the works), and a cheerful atmosphere. He drilled a couple of things into us:<br /><br />a) Relationship with God and family is paramount. Long before anyone told me this was how to order my life, Mom and Dad lived it via example, family altar nights (reading Cross and the Switchblade, Hiding Place and God's Smuggler), and church on Sunday a.m., p.m., Wednesday nights. Our social life centered around church services, activities and friendships. I can't remember one night when Dad called to say he'd be home late because he was going to happy hour or out with the guys.<br /><br />b) Work first, then play. Saturday mornings, we were up early (Tommy says 5:00 a.m., I think it was 8:00), doing chores, but then it was play time. We were off to the lake with the boat. Waterskiing was our family thing, and we loved it (except Mom, who couldn't watch for fear we would break our necks). When Dad skiied, you could literally feel him pull the boat back when he was cutting back and forth. It kind of reinforced the bigger than life, stronger than a 360 hp inboard boat motor, at least in our minds.<br /><br />c) We were made to find pleasure in work. This kind of goes hand in hand with the lesson above. I have loved every job I have ever held. I don't just think this is because I was lucky at finding jobs. My Dad taught me to find pleasure in the work I did and in doing it exceptionally well. He has a strong work ethic, but an equally strong sense of fun. He taught that the two are not mutually exclusive but are good partners for satisfying work. I know few people who have effectively communicated this to their kids, and they are doing them such a disservice.<br /><br />d) Party! No one loves a party more than Dad. He's the center of all the action, lampshade on his head and all (Mom standing to the side shaking her head and ejoying every bit of it). Where he differs in this mentality is that he parties without the need of chemically altering his mood. He takes complete joy in each moment and is able to sweep everyone around him along for the ride. I think that's what makes him such a magnet. He <em>is</em> a mood altering substance (kind of like a virus that infects everyone around him with joy). I've known many people like him in reverse, pulling everyone down around them, but he is unique in his ability to elevate those around him to greater joy and performance. If there weren't other people, we would have a party just with our family. I remember hours of playing games (Nertz, Killer, I Doubt It a/k/a B.S., board games, etc.) and our parents actually played with us.<br /><br />Is it any wonder that during the only time in his life he has been seriously ill, all of his children are eating, sleeping, praying, praising, and sitting by his bed willing him (if we only could) to get better. I know of other families who have to make a schedule to "cover" hospital shifts. Dad is the only one I know who has a physical line of people waiting to sit by his bed while he sleeps. There are at least two or three of us sleeping in the room with him, and more would be here if we could fit. If love, prayers, wishes, tears and begging could have him healthy and partying today, he most surely would be having a birthday blowout of unprecedented proportions. But the reward for Dad's unselfish generosity to his family isn't in that kind of celebration. It's eternal and yet to be enjoyed ("later, later -- not right now, right now").<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115541933601166053?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155338009207658722006-08-11T18:13:00.000-05:002006-08-11T19:06:50.380-05:00It's quiet here in Tom's lovely peaceful room. Tom (son) has taken all the grandkids to dinner, Suzanne is with Tom (Junior Junior) while he is recovering from removal of a lump from the lymph node behind his ear today (thankfully benign, but the biopsy report won't be in until Monday), Cari and Hector are at the Baylor Hotel taking a well deserved break, and DeeDee is at our house packing a bag to replenish all our wardrobes for the week ahead. She is waiting for Robert who will come roaring in on his Harley about 8:00 pm tonight He dropped her off in Souix Falls (or someplace like that) yesterday and she flew on ahead since she just couldn't wait to get to her Daddy. She arrived about midnight last night and was invaluable to Cari and me as we helped Tom through the night. About 8:00 pm last night Tom was moved from his room on the 9th Floor to a lovely 2 room suite on the 16th floor - and not a moment too soon. The hordes are decending!!!! We had all 9 of the grandkids in here today, just in time to celebrate Tom's amazing turn around after Dr. Kuhn and Dr. Cari got done taking out all that fluid. We gathered around his bed to sing praises (We Will Remember) and lift our voices together to thank the Lord for his lovingkindness to us!!!<br /><br />Now, it's just the two of us - I like it that way sometines. He is sleeping peacefully after eating his first meal in 4 or 5 days. Pureed potato soup and grape juice (hey, you gotta start someplace). I'm just sitting here listening to him take nice deep breaths and occassionally snore. I kinda miss the vivid morphine dreams he acted out (he led the choir, played the piano, wrote to-do lists and lifed his hands (playing, working and praising - his favorite pastimes when awake). We anticipate less and less need for pain meds, but taking one hour at a time. This hour is great!!!!<br /><br />Love you all and thanks for your support, prayers and calls. If I don't return your call, it's not that I don't love you or care. But, as you can see, I'm very busy - sitting here watiching my husband sleep. <br /><br />We Will Remember,<br /><br />Eileen<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115533800920765872?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155337889573441182006-08-11T18:02:00.000-05:002006-08-11T18:20:19.006-05:00Good news today! They placed a tube down Dad's nose into his stomach (okay, so Dad didn't think this was such good news). The tube was connected to suction that pumped out a large amount of air that had accumulated and inflated Dad's stomach due to the pressure on the intestines from the fluid in the abdominal cavity. This exacerbated the problems he was already experiencing due to the incredibly large quantity of fluid. It was a really rough night, with breathing taking all the energy Dad had. It was scary to sit there, trying to help him breath by practicing lamaze, and failing miserably to do anything to help him. We held on to the thought that joy comes in the morning. And sure enough, it did. The stomach tube alleviated some of his breathing discomfort. Then at about 2:00 Dr. Kuhn drained the peritoneal fluid (5 1/2 liters of it). Unbelievable!! I even got to help him, since the procedure was performed in Dad's hospital room. Dad is the only man I know of who can relate what it feels like to be 9 months pregnant. Hopefully he gave birth to a vaccine today. He is breathing deeply and feeling sooo much better already. He kept down orange juice and water. We will try Ensure tonight and only use pain and nausea meds when he feels absolutely necessary. We need to assess his pain level without all this fluid. His digestive system has to kick back into gear and he still has fluid around his lungs, so these things can definitely be painful. Continue to pray. He has to clear his lungs in the next few days, so that will take some work. We have more ahead of us, but he has the strength for the task now. Praise God for his faithfulness to us today. Praise Him! The battle belongs to the Lord. That doesn't mean we don't have to fight. Deep breath .... give a shout of praise .... now back on your knees (pleeeeaaase).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115533788957344118?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155254355089442352006-08-10T18:56:00.000-05:002006-08-10T19:02:01.460-05:00What a roller coaster ride we’re on. Yesterday afternoon, Tom sat up, smiled and proceeded to laugh, interact and insult the family and friends gathered around his bed to pray for him. His pain increased again later in the evening and he had to ask for the morphine every two hours during the night. He didn’t sleep much and early this morning the nausea overtook him and he was pretty miserable by the time Dr. Kuhn came to see him mid morning. After examination and consultation with Dr. Nemunaitis they advised that an immediate change of direction was necessary. We agree with them that Tom should immediately go back on the Gemzar chemotherapy, and a significant amount of the fluid in the peritoneal cavity should be drained. Dr. Kuhn will also try to drain the fluid collected outside the lung (both right and left involved now). This means we are not going to be able to wait for the plasma (virus carrier) to come in. The fluid in his abdomen is creating too many complications that pose significant health threats. Tom’s had an uncomfortable day, being wheeled across the street to the Mary Crowley Center, for the chemo treatment, back to his room, then downstairs in a wheelchair for x-rays. He is now resting, waiting for Dr. Kuhn to make the next move.<br /><br />Someone made the observation today, that Tom is like a moving target, and we concur. But we want the world and the evil one to know that he is protected by the full armor of God and there is an army of intercessors praying supernatural protection over him.<br /><br />Every step of this journey we have prayed for God to open the doors we are to walk through and close the ones we are not. We continue to do that, and He is meeting us and walking with us each step of the way.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115525435508944235?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155155949512726872006-08-09T15:32:00.000-05:002006-08-09T20:46:27.513-05:00Okay, some good news today! The pain in his chest dissipated around lunch time today. He developed sever pain in the lower back that was keeping him from sitting upright. The more he laid down the more his lungs developed fluid. Since most of his other pain had either gone away or diminished, this was the only thing he was taking the morphine for. Tom, Suzanne, Elizabeth, Bradyn, Tommy, Julie and Sam arrived at about 2:00 and laid hands on him and prayed for him. As they were praying, the pain completely left him and has not returned!!! PRAISE GOD! We were all completely in tears. Everyone thank God because he has shown up here today. It is a day for rejoicing.<br /><br />Next order of business is to pray for the vaccine. They can't drain the 1-2 gallons of fluid in Dad's belly until they receive the "plasma". This is the virus that has the bad stuff taken out so they can put his cultured cancer cells into it, radiate it and -- voila -- cancer vaccine for one, please. They anticipate that this will arrive in 10 days realistically. It could arrive as early as 3 days. Prayer warriors on your knees. This fluid he is incubating is the ideal medium for culturing cancer cells to make the most potent vaccine according to Dr. Nemunaitis. But they need the "first draw" to get enough cancer cells to culture. He said they almost never get a patient who hasn't had the fluid drained (due to the discomfort and risks). I wonder how this happened? We are just in time, albeit in definite discomfort, to culture these cells in the incubator of Dad's belly. His cure is inside him, waiting to be released in God's time. PRAY that the plasma arrives. We are specifically praying for Friday. The doctor, who we don't think is a Believer, knows we are praying over EVERYTHING. He said to pray, maybe it would show up early. The gauntlet has been thrown and Dad is still in discomfort carrying all this fluid around. Let's move heaven and earth on his behalf and bombard the throne of God with our petitions.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115515594951272687?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1155081985888122282006-08-08T19:06:00.000-05:002006-08-08T19:06:26.806-05:00<div class="audblog"><a href="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/115988/395528.mp3" class="audLink"><img src="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/images/audioblogger.gif" class="audImg"border="0" alt="this is an audio post - click to play" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115508198588812228?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1154811625115382912006-08-05T15:42:00.000-05:002006-08-05T16:11:49.183-05:00Okay, I’ll tell you the end of the story first so you don’t freak out. Everything’s okay! Dad has been having some intestinal problems (I won’t go into detail on this one, TMI) and the long and short of it is that he wound up in the E.R. Thursday night with a stomach that looked pregnant (not full term mind you, just second trimester pregnant). His digestive systems decided to go on vacation after we abused it in Hawaii and just shut down. Needless to say, he was having severe abdominal pain. The x-rays didn’t show much and he was scheduled for a CT scan the next day, so they gave him a shot of morphine, an enema, a pat on the head and the bill and sent him home. He went in the next morning for the CT and it showed that the peritoneum had thickened and that fluid was building up between the peritoneum and the stomach. This means the fluid was not crossing the normally porous peritoneum into the intestines. There are several causes of the symptoms Dad is experiencing (severe abdominal pain, distended abdomen, fluid build-up behind peritoneum, elevated white count, constipation, etc). When we began radiation, the doctor told us pancreatitis and/or other organ revolts were possibilities. They were using extreme treatments and they were combining radiation with a chemo that would intensify the effects of the radiation. The target of this treatment is generally not happy with this approach. Mad pancreas = pancreatitis and all the symptoms Dad is experiencing. The doctor just told us that his pancreatic enzymes were not elevated, but in fact low. That rules out pancreatitis. But other organs such as the peritoneum, intestines, stomach could be protesting resulting in problems. We just don't know. Another possibility is infection. Our friends Rusty and Gina have experienced exactly this with Rusty's mom. Joanna has pancreatic cancer and had the same symptoms Dad is experiencing during her treatment. Thedoctors had only gloom and doom prognoses to tell. Since she has pancreatic cancer, it must be that the cancer has spread! Noooooo. There was a pocket of infected fluid in one of her lungs. The final possibility (and my personal least favorite) is that the cancer has spread to the peritoneum and spread over the surface of it, encasing it, preventing the fluid to pass to the intestines. We don’t like this possibility, so we’ll just ignore this one.<br /><br />Please continue to lift up Mom and Dad during yet another time of waiting and not knowing. Dad will remain in the hospital for observation until the procedure is performed on Monday. We shouldl have the ultrasound and blood culture results (testing for some infections) on Monday. He is still in pain and nauseated (maybe he <em>is</em> pregnant). They are doing an endoscopic ultrasound on Monday to take a visual look at the peritoneum, stomach, intestines, etc. This will tell us a lot about what’s going on, so we will update you as soon as we know. As always, continue to lift Dad up in prayer. Our eyes are firmly fixed on God’s promises. God spoke pretty clearly to us at the outset that He wasn’t going to calm the storm, but He would take us through it and over it as we leaned in to Him and His strength. Time to lean in with all we’re worth!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115481162511538291?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1154476330624818282006-08-01T18:37:00.000-05:002006-08-01T21:02:18.093-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012656.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012656.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012657.0.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px" height="153" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012657.jpg" width="199" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, lots of information today. We met with Dr. Pearl, the vascular surgeon who will be in on Dad's surgery. He's responsible for removing the vein that is involved in the pancreatic cancer. He was so positive and encouraging about Dad's prognosis for a positive outcome. He will remove the cancerous portion of the vein and then will either attach the two ends or graft a portion of his jugular vein if needed. He did a physical exam and dad's stomach is soft (this is the only time that is actually a good statement) and lump-free. This is a huge relief since his abdominal pain was really worrying us.<br /><br />We just received a phone call from Dr. Nemunaitis about 15 minutes ago. They got the FDA approval for their production lab to begin making the vaccine yesterday (praise God)! This is a HUGE deal. The FDA is the master of their own universe and set their own timetable. Mary Crowley has been working 24/7 to get this approval. So now they can officially make the vaccine. The downside to this is they will not be able to produce it until August 21st at the earliest. The tissue for the vaccine has to be fresh and cannot be frozen. Therefore, Dad's date for surgery has been postponed until August 21. Needless to say, we are quite disappointed about this development. But Dr. Nemunaitis made it quite clear we could still have the surgery on August 10, we just couldn't have the vaccine if we did. Duh! Kind of a no-brainer. August 21st it is. We also went over Dad's recent stomach pain and other symptoms that have cropped up over the past three weeks. He reassured Dad that this is entirely consistent with the effects of the radiation. It causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. He reiterated that the treatments Dad has undergone over the past few months are quite extreme and his lack of side effects is remarkable. To be experiencing some now is of little concern unless their is a dramatic escalation in pain or changes in his body.<br /><br />So, in spite of our diappointment over the delay, all the reports are encouraging and the surgery is a go. Stay tuned just in case there are any unforeseen delays or postponements.<br /><br />Portland and Hawaii were awesome! The time with the family was sweet and it was a blessed respite before getting on the medical madness train. Here are a few pictures of our time away.<br /><br />Amazing sunset in Portland. Rivals anything seen in Hawaii. This one lasted almost 45 min. Pictures show Mom and Dad, DeeDee and Robert, Hector and Caleb, Tracy and Cari, Kristin and Lindsey.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012514.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012514.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012526.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012526.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012535.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012535.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012530.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012530.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012525.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012525.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Eating our way through Maui. First at the Gazeebo, then at Momma's with Lyle and Lydia and the Fam. What's not shown is Bubba Gump's, Maui Taco, Penne Pasta, Plantation House, Kimo's, BJ's, Maui Taco again, the Gazeebo again. The doctor told us to fatten Dad up, and we took that advice verrrry seriously (burp!). Pass the Pepcid AC please.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012599.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012599.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012691.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012691.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012702.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012702.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls (sans DeeDee who was wiped out in the room) at the Ali'i the first night, (and the boys, of course). The house at Puamana was trashed, so they put us up at the Ali'i for a night while they cleaned our place. A fortunate coincidence that Lyle and Lydia were staying there.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012546.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012546.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1012545.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1012545.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The final sunset of the trip: fat, tanned and happy!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1013166.1.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="228" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1013166.1.jpg" width="305" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115447633062481828?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1154061792560715772006-07-27T23:40:00.000-05:002006-08-01T21:05:47.176-05:00.......and so do we, especially Puamana, where the trade winds cool the hot rays of the sun as we watch the ocean waves roll in and out. This last week has been a wonderful oasis of blessing and joy to our family as we rest and get ready for the days ahead.<br /><br />We had a wonderful time in Salem (the two hottest weeks of the year)!! Tom managed to work in a project (new cabinets for DeeDee’s scrapbook room) but lots of rest and fun too. We spent time with Tracy who is working at the church for a few more weeks before heading off on her next assignment in Israel. Kristin is home for the summer and Bo flew in for a quick 3 days, and then Cari, Hector and Caleb arrived. Our basement tropical suite was the coolest place in the house and overall we achieved everything Tom wanted – a great time of rest and recuperation with family and friends.<br /><br />We arrived in Maui last Saturday, and Tommy met us at the airport. He flew in earlier in the day with Lyle and Lydia Cox. We have had a marvelous time of doing nothing all day and eating our way through Maui each evening. Tom had a list of about 15 restaurants he wanted to hit, and it’s been a challenge considering we are only here for 8 days. Amazingly we only have a few left, which pretty much tells the story of our trip to Hawaii. Bubba Gumps, Maui Taco, Kimo’s, Mama’s, Penne Pasta, The Plantation, Gazebo, etc. etc. etc.!!!!!<br /><br />Tom’s robustness and health have amazed all our friends in Salem and Maui who expected to see weight loss or illness. He has a healthy tan and appetite and loves to stroll Front Street and visit his favorite haunts. God is soooooooo good!!!!<br /><br />The last couple of days Tom has experienced moderate abdominal pain (mostly alleviated by Advil), which reminds us our enemy is still fighting and we cannot let down our guard. Please continue to pray for his immune system to fight hard and that the cancer will not grow or spread before surgery on August 10. We have peace that God is in control and His purposes will be accomplished and His name glorified.<br /><br />We have a couple more days here in Maui filled with………oh yea – nothing. Just more reading, relaxing and sitting by the pool (and eating!!!!). Guess, we’d better get to it.<br /><br />Until next week….Aloha Eileen<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115406179256071577?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1151760459537575862006-07-01T08:27:00.000-05:002006-07-01T13:32:12.180-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Happy%20in%20Hawaii.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Happy%20in%20Hawaii.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We have a date for surgery - five weeks from now. The doctor's called Tom (not sure how many were on the conference call, but we heard at least 3 giddy voices) and told him all he has to do the next five weeks is rest, relax and build himself back up so he's in peak condition for surgery. Of course, for Tom that meant Hawaii and the Puamana beach and Kimo's, to Eileen that meant back to ReLiv and Seabotic shakes. So, there'll be some comprises - a little aloha and a little nutrition. The reality is PARTY TIME!!! We'll be off to Oregon to celebrate for a week or two then on to Hawaii until the end of July. We'll be back in Dallas the first of August to have a the pre surgery stuff done. While we celebrate God's goodness, we know our enemy is still there waiting for an opportunity to reclaim the ground we've gained, so we plan to continue to stand on the Word and expect God to continue the healing. Thanks for standing with us.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115176045953757586?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1151530469530396382006-06-28T16:16:00.000-05:002006-06-28T17:05:54.766-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20and%20Dr.%20Senzer.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom%20and%20Dr.%20Senzer.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Disease Free State. </strong>Roll that around on your tongue for a minute. Savor it. Let it sink in. No it's not wine tasting. It's what was said during our discussion with Drs. Nemunaitis and Senzer this afternoon. They were meeting and discussing the battle plan as we enter the next phase of treatment. The words Dr. Nemunaitis said were actually that we are ready to move forward with surgery and anticipate getting Daddy to a "disease free state". The feet of these two men are truly beautiful today. ("How lovely on the mountain are the feet of those who bring good news.") If you haven't listened to the audio post from earlier today, the MRI showed no new cancerous areas. Dr. Senzer (pictured above giving Dad the good news) said we are ready to move forward with surgery. We will be hearing from Dr. Kuhn in the next week or so to firm up the date for surgery. We have no doctor visits until a week or two before surgery, so we can party for the next month! They are anticipating the week of July 31-August 4. Happy birthday to Mom and Dad. Disease free state for birthday month. We are still moving forward with the vaccine and genomic characterization following surgery. We pray that will deal with any microscopic remnants of the disease. Today is a day to raise an ebeneezer (altar of remembrance) to the Lord. This is one of the days we will look back on and remember when we sing "We Will Remember". Today we have truly seen the work of His hands.<br /><br />Steve and Sandy Ginn came over last night to pray with Dad. As we prayed, the Lord spoke very clearly that His word would be the instrument He would use to separate the healthy from the unhealthy cells (darkness from light, wheat from chaff). We are to return to praying the Word over Dad in the coming days. Pray that the answer to our prayers would not be slowed or stopped, but would come quickly and without delay. Bathe him in the Word. This is the weapon of warfare God has told us to use right now (our Godly "cyber-knife").<br /><br />REJOICE!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115153046953039638?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1151512509513137552006-06-28T11:35:00.000-05:002006-06-28T16:57:05.260-05:00<div class="audblog"><a href="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/115988/377496.mp3" class="audLink"><img src="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/images/audioblogger.gif" class="audImg"border="0" alt="this is an audio post - click to play" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115151250951313755?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1151424501618717152006-06-27T11:08:00.000-05:002006-07-01T15:27:17.373-05:00<div align="justify">Tom had his MRI at 7:30 a.m. this morning (yawn!!), then blood work and radiation. And now we wait....and trust. We see Dr. Senzer tomorrow after radiation (about 11:00 a.m.) for the results. Cari will arrive this afternoon and Tommy will meet us there tomorrow. As soon as we have the results we'll post them - in the meantime we really don't know what to do. We've already prayed, believed and know that God is in control. So, now what? I've been listending to Tommy Walker's Breakthrough CD and this song seems to fit.<br /><br />When I Don’t Know What To Do<br /><br />Lord I surrender all<br />To Your strong and faithful hand<br />In everything I will give thanks to You<br />When I don’t know what to do<br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">I’ll lift my hands</span><br />When I don’t know what to say<br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#99ff99;">I’ll speak Your praise</span> </span><br />When I don't know where to go<br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">I’ll run to Your throne</span><br />When I don’t know what to think<br /><span style="color:#99ff99;">I’ll stand on Your truth<br /></span>When I don’t know what to do<br />Lord I surrender all<br />Though I’ll never understand<br />All the mysteries around me<br />I’ll just trust your perfect plan<br /><br />That’s what we’re going to be doing in the Hardeman Family until tomorrow….See you then.</div><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115142450161871715?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1150919546730677692006-06-21T14:52:00.000-05:002006-06-21T19:18:10.120-05:00A Father's Day celebration to remember ...<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20with%20Denny%20and%20Wayne.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="142" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Tom%20with%20Denny%20and%20Wayne.jpg" width="191" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/With%20DeeDee%20on%20Her%20Birthday.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="142" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/With%20DeeDee%20on%20Her%20Birthday.0.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a><br />.......with Denny and Wayne ....................... with DeeDee<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20with%20Bob%20and%20Rhonda.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="146" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Tom%20with%20Bob%20and%20Rhonda.jpg" width="195" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom%20with%20Carolyn%20and%20Johnnie.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" height="145" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Tom%20with%20Carolyn%20and%20Johnnie.jpg" width="196" border="0" /></a><br />........ with Bob and Rhonda ....... with Carolyn and Johnnie<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/A%20Word%20From%20Dad.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/A%20Word%20From%20Dad.jpg" width="192" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Father"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="141" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Father%27s%20Day%20Hug.jpg" width="190" border="0" /></a><br />....with Tom and (aaagh) Cari ......... with Tommy and Julie<br /><br />Tom went in today for his 21st radiation and his weekly visit with the doctor. The first part of this week his feet began bothering him. Apparently one of the common side affects of Xelodia (the oral chemotherapy he’s taking) is “hand and foot syndrome” (really!!). Small amounts of the drug leak out of very small blood vessels called capillaries in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. . It’s also known as Palmer-Plantar erythema and initially looks like sunburn. Heat and friction has caused soreness and peeling of the soles of his feet and makes walking painful. They took him off the chemo Monday, which will alleviate the problem eventually, but we haven’t seen improvement yet. Dr. Senzer said today that this is not unusual and patients often only take Xelodia the first and fifth week of radiation. The fact that Tom has tolerated it for almost 4 weeks is excellent in his view. It is also the source of the congestion he’s been experiencing for almost a week. He thought it was a cold and we were relieved to hear that it’s his body responding to the irritation of the mucous lining of his throat and esophagus. So, he’ll take the sniffing, snorting and hacking in stride and keep lots of tissue handy. They will reevaluate the situation next week and may or may not put him back on the chemo. His last radiation is scheduled for next Friday (6/30) and the Wednesday before he will have another CT scan to see whether we go forward with surgery or have more radiation. Please continue to pray and believe with us that the cancer has not spread (or that it’s gone completely), and that Tom’s medical team will agree to proceed with surgery and the development of the vaccine.<br /><br />Carolyn and Johnnie, Denny and Wayne (Tom’s sisters and husbands) have been here for almost and week and left this morning. We had a great visit, but now have nothing left on the calendar but a date with the LaZBoy. Tom is snoozing there now with his sore feet elevated. My job is to keep him from getting bored so he’ll stay there. I’m off to Costco to find a few videos he might like (why. oh why, can’t he play computer games like the rest of us???).<br /><br />Thanks for all your notes, messages, cards, phone calls, love and prayers. We couldn’t do this without your loving support.<br />Eileen<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115091954673067769?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1150672769132192872006-06-18T17:35:00.000-05:002006-06-18T18:24:29.683-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Ida,%20Tom%20&%20Tommy.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Ida%2C%20Tom%20%26%20Tommy.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ida (Grandma), Thomas W. (Grandpa) and Thomas L. Hardeman (Daddy)<br /><br />The following article was written when Thomas W. Hardeman was the editor of the Life Bible College publication in 1945. For Father's Day, we wanted to words from our past to resonate into the future. If you visit this blog because Dad has had an eternal impact in your life, the words and desire of his Dad's heart are written here. I never met my Grandpa, but I can look back on his life and see the effects of his faithfulness in the blessings his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoy. <br /><br />A Challenge To Carry On<br />By Thomas (W.) Hardeman<br /><br />God in His infinite mercy and planning, saw the need of man down through the ages, and prepared a means or pattern for us to follow. He gave His Word through Holy Men as the Spirit directed them to declare unto us the Word of God. A perfect patern to all who would hear.<br /><br />God has accomplished great things in the hearts and lives of men and women who have yielded to His will. The heritage given to us is more than a coincidence, it is God's gift given to us through the faithfulness of righteous men.<br /><br />God gave His Son as a living example, sent from His glory into a world of sin, and He who knew no sin was made a perfect sacrifice to redeem the world through the shedding of His blood as an tonement for our sin.<br /><br />Millions have accepted God's plan of salvation, and their lives have been transformed into lives of righteousness. Though the forces of sin and satan attempt to destroy the finished work of God, christians are kept by His power in righteousness and faithfulness to His call.<br /><br />We stand in awe at the wonderful works of man, as God has permitted him to develop them. We are thrilled at the modern inventions and achievements of science, education and literature. The telephone, radio, electrical appliances, great ocean liners and airplanes all stand as a credit to this modern age. Yet as wonderful as these accomplishements are, they cannot compare to the miracle of God's saving grace. The power and Spirit of God abiding in our lives with sin and unbelief all aorund us, are far greater and more lasting than the things we enjoy in a commercial world.<br /><br />Great men, so-called, have often exploited the lives and rights of their follow men. Great nations have risen to power and fallen, and no eternal good has been accomplished. God is not necessarily looking for great men, but rather for righteousness and holiness in the lives of men. "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." -- Prov. 14:34<br /><br />The greatest achievements of men are accomplished where Christian influence has molded the character of people and nations. In our present day, the greatest historoy of all time is being made as we emerge from the world's greatest conflict. The world in confusion and darkness is in need of the Gospel message. The greatest challenge of all time is before us. It is now up to us ... the challenge is ours, to work while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work.<br /><br />We cannot fail, the torch is in our hands. No other period in history has offered so great a challenge to bring the gospel of salvation to every tribe and nation, thereby fulfilling our Lord's great commision to "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."<br /><br />As our beloved founder and Sister has completed her glorious rebuilding program for Him, and laid down her working tools, we intend, by His grace, to pick them up and build solidly on Jesus Christ, our glorious Saviour, Baptizer, Healer and Soon Coming King.<br /><br />Only eternity will clearly reveal the design and completed building we have been urged to "Carry On". God help us to be diligent, faithful and courageous laborers, fulfilling His will till He breaks through the Clouds of Glory.<br /><br />P.S. There are two posts today, one Dad wanted posted as an encouragement to his loved ones, and one we posted as a tribute to him. Please read on for the mushy one.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115067276913219287?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1150614316966624842006-06-18T01:32:00.000-05:002006-06-18T16:05:27.216-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage-16.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ScannedImage-16.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Birthday%20005.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Birthday%20005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, I've just had the best beginning to a Father's Day in all my 43 years. Hector and I are in Dallas and we just had dinner with the whole family (Mom, Dad, all the kids, Carolyn, Johnny, Steve and Sandy) at Tommy's house. What a feast Tommy and Sam prepared! Mom and Dad went home early and we got home about midnight. I was staying up for a bit to prepare this "Ode to My Father" blog, and went in the kitchen for a little sustenance to stir up the creative juices. Dad comes out of the darkened den. He was restless and couldn't sleep. I went and grabbed the anointing oil, Hector and Caleb. Together, we started Father's Day by anointing Dad and praying over him. What a privelege! (A true miracle that Dad was awake past Leno's monologue.) On this day to honor fathers, I had the chance to honor my most honor-able father by lifting him before his Father. When God created dads, they were designed to be a window to our relationship with Himself. (Theology 101, a la Cari.) They are supposed to reveal to their children the love, wisdom, judgement, justice, compassion and patience of our heavenly Father in a way that enables their children to accurately view God in all his complex awesomeness. And they say a mother's job is a tough one!!! Needless to say, my view of God is one of an accepting, patient, funny, joy-filled, scary, big, protective, forgiving, compassionate, generous, really generous, bigger-than-life King of the universe. As a child this was my perspective of my dad. Adulthood has only served to confirm these perceptions (well, maybe not king of the universe, but certainly of <em>his</em> world). Daddy has a way of doing everything with his unreservedly. He taught us to work first, play after, and do both with without holding back. He gave up his outside interests when UPS began to consume a lot of his time. If he wasn't working, he was doing something with us. He didn't sit in front of the TV, he bought a boat and we spent evenings and weekends skiing and eating Grandy's fried chicken while we watched the sunset from the boat. It never dawned on me that he might want to go hibernate in his room or watch the news. He actually took his vacations and we would drive all over the country to see Cape Cod, New York, family in different parts of the world (Hawaii came later). Or we went camping in the motor home with our 150 lb. german shephard sitting in the front dash. We got more than a few double takes. For those of us with children, how many would voluntarily spend two weeks in a car with three kids driving and seeing historic sites? Greater love ... We played Nertz and Killer on New Years Eve the first year we lived too far away to go to California for the holidays. Jenny and Tracy came to visit and Mom and Dad planned a huge party for us. We wore striped one piece long john pajamas and drank non-alcoholic champagne. We laughed until we cried that night. Excuse my reminiscing, but I've said all this to make a point. I don't know anyone, including my own children, whose childhood experiences rival that of DeeDee, Tommy and me. God told us to be salt and light in the world. Daddy is definitely a very bright light, and Mom is the salt that adds the savor. Two halves that make a spectacular whole. I know of no words spoken by mouth that can express my gratitude and love for you. They can only be known by heart. I pray you speak "heart" so you can understand the impact you have had on the ones who have seen you every day and say from experience and intimate knowledge, "Well Done".<br />Happy Father's Day, Daddy. I love you. Cari<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSC00133.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/DSC00133.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tom, I just want to take a little time today to Honor a Great Father!!!! There have been only two great Christian men who have served as roles models in my life and you are one of them. Thank you for your faithfulness to GOD. I am glad that you and your family have welcomed me into and have allowed me to be part of a family with such a great Christian heritage and legacy. For the last twelve years It has been a true blessing to be part of such a wonderful family and be a recipient of many of GODS blessings that I know have come my way because of me being grafted into a family with such a great Christian heritage. - I want to thank you for ALL that you have done and will do for me and my family. I have never know people as generous as you and Eileen. I know that the LORD has blessed and will continued to bless you because of your faithfulness and good stewardship. I pray that someday, I may be more like you in this area of my life. - I want to thank you for all your advise you have and will give me during my marriage regarding ALL areas of my life. I pray that someday, I may be as wise and available and more like you are in this area of my life. - I see and admire how your children and grandchildren admire, respect and love you. I pray that someday my relationship with my children ad grandchildren will be as rewarding as yours. - I see how you use your life and life's situations to share GOD's good news with others, I pray that someday I will be as effective with sharing and witnessing to others as you are. I see that you live your life to honor GOD, again I pray that one day, I will do half as good as job as you have done. May the LORD Bless and keep you, may the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; May the lift his countenance upon you and give you peace.<br />Happy Fathers Day. Hector<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage.1.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ScannedImage.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSCN2182.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/DSCN2182.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I don’t think you can ever really say there is an upside to cancer. It just sucks, every way you look at it. However, the last couple of months have been an amazing journey as we as a family have faced a really dire diagnosis. The great part is that nothing’s really changed other than the fact that we’re more intentional about making sure we express our love on a regular basis. The reason nothing’s really changed is because Mom and Dad taught us from our earliest years that we trust God, no matter what. We haven’t had to learn that lesson in the middle of the crisis, we just practice what’s been modeled for us every day of our lives.<br /><br />When I was twelve or thirteen, we would go camping in our motor home. Yes, it’s true. We camped. In a motor home. We weren’t very good at camping – after we’d finish water skiing, we’d go inside the motor home and bake brownies and play Nertz (Tracy and I will still kick all your butts). No hanging around a campfire for us. Sometimes we’d drive really far to find a good water skiing lake (remember Wind Creek?), and we’d drive into the night. Everyone else would crash out in the back, and I would sit up with Dad and we’d talk while he drove. He talked to me about the things of the Spirit, and the thing is, I can’t really remember what he told me. His words of wisdom just went deep down into my soul and became a part of me. That’s a big piece of who I am today.<br /><br />All of you who know my Dad know this: if you hang around him, he rubs off on you, and you’re a better person for it. That’s because he’s loving, kind, generous, godly, funny, interested in others, wise, courageous, smart, creative and good. He loves his wife, loves his kids, and loves his puppy (probably, but not necessarily, in that order). And, he’s always up for a party. There is no better model on earth for how to be a good Dad. Watch him, and you’ll see.<br /><br />It’s Father’s Day, Dad, and you know words always fail me when it’s crunch time. I’m at peace, though, because I know you know I love you. Hurry back to my house and we’ll go get clam chowder at Sea Hag and let our puppies run on the beach. I’ll be waiting. And by the way…thank you. DeeDee<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage-3.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="196" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ScannedImage-3.0.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage-13.1.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ScannedImage-13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Fathers Day Dad!What do you say to your Dad when all the world is reading the card? Everyone who knows you knows you've been the best Father anyone could ever ask for. What an honor to call you Dad, I've always felt it to be a great privilege and responsiblity to bear the name Tom Hardeman. Of course in the last few day's we've been struggling with our usual problem of "what to get Dad" for Fathers Day, because what do you get the man that has everything? But I've come to realize that it's us that's had everything, at least everything of importance. Dad, you and Mom have given us everything we need and more. Heritage, Legacy, Godly example, Honor, Integrity, Discipline, Joy, Fun, Material possessions...pick a word, your life has exemplified it.This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I am glad and rejoicing, to have the great blessing to spend it with you. Dad, be blessed today. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be healed! No man every deserved the honor and love of his children more than you, so receive it. We love you so very much. By the way, I'm not going to spend a long time in this Blog reminiscing, but I do want to correct DeeDee's comments by saying, her a Tracy are NOT the king's of Nertz...Dad and I will take you any day.Happy Fathers Day Dad, I love you.Tommy<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage-15.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="123" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ScannedImage-15.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a>Dearest Daddy Tom,I have been most priveleged to have you as my father from the heart. You loved me before I was even part of the family and as I have told you before, this has always meant the world to me. I couldn't have wished for a more loving, generous, accepting, caring, fun-loving father-in-law. I am truly blessed! Thank you for being such an awesome father to my husband! He definitely learned how to be a great father and husband from watching you. This has made me doubly blessed! May this day be a blessing unto you as you see with your own eyes the life-lessons you have lived out. God has surrounded you with many children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren as an inheritance in glory! Enjoy!With much love, Suzanne<br /><br />This is our love letter to you, from all your loving family.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage-5.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/ScannedImage-5.1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/a004.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/a004.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSC00132.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="147" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/DSC00132.jpg" width="193" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/IMGP0729.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="145" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/IMGP0729.jpg" width="192" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/IMGP0731.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="146" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/IMGP0731.jpg" width="184" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ScannedImage-14.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ScannedImage-14.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Birthday%20004.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Birthday%20004.jpg" width="189" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSCN1538.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/DSCN1538.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115061431696662484?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1150437547221913712006-06-16T00:50:00.000-05:002006-06-16T00:59:07.236-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Blog%20Pic.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Blog%20Pic.jpg" border="0" /></a>It’s been a while since we posted, so you may be wondering what’s been going on. These days, no news is good news. Dad is in the middle of his radiation therapy and it’s going very well. Driving down to Baylor 5 days a week makes it kind of like a part time job! He is tolerating the treatment, with the only real side effect being extreme fatigue. In combination with the radiation, he’s doing oral chemotherapy. He finishes radiation on June 30. After that the plan is to do surgery 3-5 weeks later. We’re anxious to get going on the vaccine and gene therapy. We are grateful to the Lord for how well things are going. Dad looks great and feels good most of the time.<br /><br />Mom and Dad made a quick trip to Oregon last weekend for my (DeeDee’s) birthday. It was awesome to see them, and they surprised me by bringing Kristin from LA. We had a wonderful, quiet visit. The picture above was taken by our friend, Lindsay, while we were listening to our “Family Anthem”, We Will Remember, by Tommy Walker. It’s on his new CD – you should get it if you haven’t heard it. We’ve adopted this song as a declaration of God’s faithfulness. If you stop by their house, you can be sure they’ll play it for you!<br /><br />Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Dad. This is a journey of faith, and we are trusting God for grace for each day. He’s faithful every day, and good all the time. Your notes and emails and postings on this blog mean so much to Dad and are very encouraging to him. Thanks for the love you’ve lavished on us all.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-115043754722191371?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1148430337396630792006-05-23T19:25:00.000-05:002006-05-23T23:47:39.950-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tranquility.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tranquility.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The picture doesn't have anything to do with the treatment, I just really like this picture (it's called "Tranquility" and it makes me feel that way. Anyway ... (this part is from Cari)<br /><br />Tom began taking oral chemotherapy (3 pills with breakfast and 4 with dinner) and had the first of 28 radiation treatments this morning. The doctor told him he might experience nausea, fatigue and a long list of other side effects from the therapy, but (PTL) he has felt great today. He, of course, has gotten used to his afternoon nap, but didn’t seem to be any more tired than usual. His radiation is at Baylor in downtown Dallas at 10:30 a.m., so we will miss the traffic. We’ll just consider this a short term, part-time job!!<br /><br />Dr. Nemunaitis called Cari last week and told her Tom’s MRI results were “very encouraging,” and that there was no sign of cancer cells apart from the two primary sites. We have determined that our attitudes will not be based on medical reports but our hope is in God’s Word. Having declared that however, we must admit we love those good reports from Dr. Nemunaitis.<br /><br />We have been receiving lots of cards and emails from Tom’s UPS partners (an email went out to the UPS Retiree’s group). It has brought Tom a lot of pleasure and encouragement to hear from so many old friends.<br /><br />Rachel had her heart procedure, which was completely successful, and has moved out of our upstairs grandkids incubator. She is happily getting settled in her new apartment in Panama City, Florida sporting her new engagement ring and planning the November wedding. Thanks for all you prayers for her. Keep ‘em up – she and Trey are beginning pre-marital counseling and making life impacting decisions in the next few months.<br /><br />DeeDee and Cari are back home with their families and Tommy is busy with his big McDonald’s remodel, so life is pretty much back to normal. What a wonderful thing!!<br /><br />Love, you all, and thanks for your continued prayers.<br /><br />Eileen<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114843033739663079?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1147492894779759102006-05-12T23:01:00.000-05:002006-05-12T23:01:34.853-05:00<div class="audblog"><a href="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/115988/356836.mp3" class="audLink"><img src="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/images/audioblogger.gif" class="audImg"border="0" alt="this is an audio post - click to play" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114749289477975910?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146889265841153392006-05-05T22:36:00.000-05:002006-05-05T23:41:12.700-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/pic25561.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/pic25561.jpg" border="0" /></a> No, this is not some weird chemo side effect. Nor is it the illustrious Dr. Senzer. Just a good picture for a much needed smile. Sorry for the delay in getting the update posted. I was traveling yesterday, and today was a down day. It's harder not being with Mom and Dad or having to be strong (keeping the old chin up) for anyone. I kind of fall apart for a day or two after coming home. But on to the news ... we met with Dr. Senzer after the group of doctors determined that surgery was out of the question for right now. We went with a load of questions and skepticism as to the wisdom of this decision. Dr. Senzer is the Scientific Director of Mary Crowley Research. He is very blunt, and is the definite realist (a/k/a wet blanket) in the group. So here is the factual data that was the basis for their decision to postpone surgery.<br /><br />1. In order for surgery to be of any benefit at all, they MUST have clear margins (no cancer beyond they incision site). No microscopic cancer cells can be left. At this point, they only have a 15% chance of achieving clear margins. Radiating the pancreas will increase this percentage to 75% (pretty good odds). The reason clear margins are so critical is that the increased blood flow and growh factors that the body produces as part of the healing process rapidly facilitate the regrowth and soon, the cancer is further and more aggressive than before.<br /><br />2. They must make sure there are no additional, very small cancer growths other than the one large currently present. If there are small cancerous areas, they will attempt radiating and other options. The problem is that while they perform the radiation, they will have to reduce the strength of the chemo. Typically, chemo is maximally effective for 3-4 rounds (4 weeks per round). Dad is on his third round with wonderful results. The reason the efficacy slows is that the weaker cancer cells respond fairly quickly and die, resulting in good initial results. Unfortunately, the weaker cells compete with the more resistent cells for growth factors, basically supressing their growth. Once they are killed off, the resistent cells grow unimpeded, usually at an exponential rate. We are fighting against time to complete 5 1/2 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. Then healing for 3-5 weeks. Then, if no new cancerous areas emerge, surgery to remove all cancerous areas.<br /><br />3. Major problem is that the lab for producing both the Genetic Vaccine and Genomic Characterization medications will not be complete for 4-6 months. This is contrary to the information we recevied from Dr. Nemunaitis during our initial visits. He indicated we could have the vaccine cultured while we were waiting the 4-9 months (this was back in February) for the genomic characterization. Dr. Senzer made it very clear that with typical pancreatic cancer, it is a race with time. Most pancreatic cancers don't last 6-9 months to have the genetic precedures that don't have a proven track record (since they are experimental) of legitimately offiering curative measures. He said the FDA takes a dim view of cutting on patients for experimental protocols that may not have any benefit, even if the patient wants it.<br /><br />This was a very sobering visit, but here are a few things to remember. First, and most important, Dr. Senzer isn't factoring God into the equation. This visit was a very real reality check for us. Had we shifted our hope to Mary Crowly, the <em>place</em> and <em>people</em> God had provided for us? He will have no other gods (or hopes) before Him. We must be firmly anchored at the cross and the healing that was provided for Dad there. Second, we still very mucsh need your prayers. The storm is definitely raging around us.<br /><br />Specific prayers: that there will be NO MORE growth areas in the liver; that the radiation is dramatically effective; that God will supernaturally and completely heal Dad before the doctors can get their shot at him.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tim%20009.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 169px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 136px" height="139" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Tim%20009.jpg" width="172" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tim%20010.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="136" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Tim%20010.jpg" width="179" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tim%20012.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Tim%20012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />While you're at it, I have two personal prayer requests. Dad's illness has thrown his grandson Sam for a loop (he is shown here getting baptised by Uncle Robert in Hawaii this past summer). He is questioning his faith and his belief in Christ. At first he questioned God's existence, but then came to terms with that and is doubting the diety of Christ. This has been agonizing and we covet your prayers that Sam's eyes would be opened to the truth.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010030.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010030.jpg" border="0" /></a>Second, Rachel is having heart surgery on May 12. Please pray God's protection over this procedure. It is done through the arteries, and they don't have to open her up (unless they have to put in a pace maker (10-15% chance). Lots going on in the middle of this storm.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114688926584115339?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146707730113732412006-05-03T20:48:00.000-05:002006-05-03T21:00:50.410-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Garrett.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Garrett.jpg" border="0" /></a>We have some very sad news to share with all those who love Tom and have held our family up with your prayers and loving concern. Yesterday, Bob and Rhonda (Eileen's brother and his wife), received tragic news that Rhonda's son Garrett was killed in a car accident. Garrett was 21 years old and was driving from Dallas to California to visit friends and family. His car flipped and he was thrown from the vehicle and killed instantly. Please, please lift them up in your prayers. Mom, Dad, Bob, Rhonda and Gram will be traveling to California for funeral services tomorrow. The funeral will be Saturday, with a grave-side service to be held on Monday in Escondido (an area just outside of San Diego). Your prayers are the only hedge they will have against overwhelming grief in the coming days.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114670773011373241?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146603763832562182006-05-02T16:02:00.000-05:002006-05-02T16:09:42.546-05:00For those of you who have had trouble playing the audio blog today - let not your heart be troubled, it's not your computer, or your skills - it's blogspots problem. Don't know why, but it just ain't workin'. Sorry.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114660376383256218?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146583174095592012006-05-02T10:03:00.000-05:002006-05-02T10:55:57.440-05:00Okay, Dr. Nemunaitis called this morning, and he had met with Dr. Senzer and Dr. Kuhn re: the results of Dad's ultrasound. They have decided that they don't want to perform the surgery now. They all feel that the boundaries of the pancreatic cancer are not clearly enough defined. They want to use the "cyber-knife" to "outline" the cancer parameters so they can get all of it without disrupting any of the cells and releasing them into the blood stream. Dr. Nemunaitis indicated this is a very difficult surgery under any circumstances, but that this will help insure the success to a greater level. So Dad will finish his chemo (tomorrow) and then we find out when his appointment with the radiologist (Neil Senzer). The radiation will be five consecutive days, one or two rounds of this treatment. Then they will wait 4-6 weeks for the surgery. While they are radiating the pancreas, the liver tumor will be left untreated.<br /><br />PRAY that it does not grow or create new lesions. Dr. Nemunaitis indicated that new tumors in the liver would make surgery "not an option". We don't know if that means until they can do another round of chemo or at all. We don't want to find out. So prayer warriors, mount up! Time to do battle yet again. Pray against the deceiving lies of the enemy that whisper fearful and discouraging lies even in the midst of the Lord's faithfulness. Pray that God would exchange a garment of praise for a spirit of heaviness. Most of all pray for the cancer to be pushed back into full retreat. It's so funny because we fight against waiting for news of the next phase of treatment, when we should be using the time to rest in preparation for the next phase of the battle. The next battle is here. It's not the news or the fight we wanted, but since when did we have the choice? So this is the call to arms. Thank you, thank you, thank you for standing with us.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114658317409559201?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146506757413219212006-05-01T13:05:00.000-05:002006-05-01T13:05:57.496-05:00<div class="audblog"><a href="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/115988/351652.mp3" class="audLink"><img src="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/images/audioblogger.gif" class="audImg"border="0" alt="this is an audio post - click to play" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114650675741321921?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146351172452637432006-04-29T17:52:00.000-05:002006-04-29T17:52:52.456-05:00<div class="audblog"><a href="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/115988/350733.mp3" class="audLink"><img src="http://www.audioblogger.com/media/images/audioblogger.gif" class="audImg"border="0" alt="this is an audio post - click to play" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114635117245263743?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146189685456791802006-04-27T20:50:00.000-05:002006-04-27T21:09:01.323-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DSCN2260.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/DSCN2260.jpg" border="0" /></a>Okay, so we waited for over three hours to see Dr. Kuhn today ... and it was worth it. What a wonderful doctor! He is a precious believer who happens to be an incredibly gifted and brilliant surgeon. When we expressed our appreciation for even considering to perform an extremely difficult operation, he said he would use his God given gifts to the best of his ability, and God would take it from there. What a blessing to be in hands so anointed and rare humility of spirit. He gave us new meaning for "being the hands and feet of Christ". Pray for him that he would be abundantly blessed ... and that he would have eyes to see a path through the cancer that others cannot.<br /><br />The nuts and bolts are that the CT did not show him what he needed, so we wait yet again for the endoscopic ultrasound. He said he hoped have Dr. Millat perform it before Monday. There are two things that need clarification before he will proceed. 1) There appears to be either a clot or cancerous tissue growing in the spleenic vein. If it is a clot, no biggie, we can proceed. If it is cancerous tissue, they need to see if the vein below it is clear. If it is, they can bypass it using a vascular surgeon, but they would need to have one in the operating room at the ready. 2) Ensure that the artery leading from the large intestine to the heart is clear enough to either remove whatever cancer may remain or bypass it also. The last endoscopic ultrasound showed that this vein was cancerous and too close to the upper limit in size for Dr. Kuhn to be comfortable removing. With the amount of shrinkage Dad has experienced, we are hopeful that this will not be a problem. If there is any cancerous tissue they cannot get, they are considering the alcohol ablation (or the other techniques detailed in yesterday's blog).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114618968545679180?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1146100253358567692006-04-26T19:25:00.000-05:002006-04-26T20:20:28.260-05:00Dad had another round of chemotherapy today, had a CT of just his pancreas. We took the disc from the CT to Dr. Kuhn, the surgeon. He told Dr. Nemunaitis that he won't perform surgery until he reviews the CT and has probably has another endoscopic ultrasound of the pancreas to make sure he knows what he's dealing with before he goes in. He is hoping (and we are hopeful) that he can remove it all, but he is extremely thorough. This is good, thorough is very good! If he cannot remove it all, we are hoping for surgical intervention ASAP anyway. What we are praying is that he will remove everything possible and ablate (or burn) the remaining cancer with alcohol, freeze it or radiate it with the "cryo-knife" (oooooh, impressive name-it's really just very directed radiation). We are then on the road to the G-Vax and Genomic Characterization therapies (see earlier post from February). We are meeting with Dr. Kuhn tomorrow at around 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. We had the privilege of talking with David Shanahan, President of Mary Crowley Research Center. He talked at length about the vision of managing the patient's care now, not just gathering numbers for the FDA. Their passion is the patients they are treating, not a singular breakthrough that may, or may not occur. He sees their role as a series of "nudges" that will make a significant impact on the overal treatment for cancer. While it is every researchers dream to have the big breakthrough and find the cure, they don't lose focus on the patients they are treating now. They seek out medical trials that are tailored to their current patient roster and with an eye toward what they need after they complete their current treatment. He is a wonderful man of God, very open with his faith and trusting God to provide for this amazing facility. What a privilege to be in the hands of a group of people who are so full of faith and willing to go way outside the box of traditional treatments when necessary. Pray that God will bless them with finances and His mind to see their way through to a miraculous treatment for this debilitating disease. Dad is feeling good, his spirits are up, and I had to run to keep up with him when we were walking down the halls of Baylor today (all good signs). We'll let you know more tomorrow or Friday.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114610025335856769?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1145912343543094702006-04-24T15:59:00.001-05:002006-04-25T02:24:25.013-05:00Dr. Nemunaitis called Tom at 3:30 p.m. to say that he has talked to Dr. Kuhn about the CT scan. Dr. Kuhn still seems reluctant to do surgery based on his review of the scan because it appears there is still a lot of vein involvement. He (Dr. Kuhn) is reviewing Tom’s case with several colleagues this afternoon and will get back to Dr. Nemunaitis later today with his recommendation. Dr. Nemunaitis has also reviewed Tom’s case with a number of other doctors and received varied recommendations. Several have recommended starting radiation immediately, a couple said absolutely no to radiation. Tom and he discussed our desire to move forward with surgery and moving directly towards the vaccine and genome solution. He is in agreement, if Dr. Kuhn will agree to do the surgery. He said whatever direction we take we should begin no later than Wednesday. He said as soon as he talked to Dr. Kuhn hewould call us back, no later than tomorrow. And so, again, we wait……..<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114591234354309470?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1145571112043080102006-04-20T17:08:00.000-05:002006-04-20T17:14:02.526-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010967.1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1010967.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tom had his CT scan yesterday and we've been on pins and needles waiting for the doctor to call with the report. We heard from him a few minutes ago and are overwhelmed with the results. The tumor in the liver is smaller, but the tumor in the pancreas has shrunk dramatically. The combined volume is down approximately 70% (originally over 400, down to 80). PRAISE GOD!!!!<br />There is always a but, and he did say that the there is still cancer in the vein, but he can't tell if that will preclude surgically removing the rest of the tumors without Dr. Kuhn, the surgeon, looking at the scan. He is in surgery all day today so the doctor asked Tom to be patient over the weekend and decisions will be made next week. We, of course, want to proceed with surgery because that will allow the vaccine preparation to go forward, and outside of God zapping it entirely, that is our best bet that the rest of the cancer will be eradicated.<br /><br />We'll keep you posted - in the meantime we are rejoicing!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114557111204308010?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1145480484520503692006-04-19T16:01:00.000-05:002006-04-19T16:02:49.963-05:00<a href="http://tomhardeman.blogspot.com/">Tom Hardeman</a><br />Tom had his CT this morning. They gave us the CD, but said they weren't sure when they would have the written report, but the doctor could call right away and the radiologist would give him a verbal report. We hand carried the CD to Mary Crowley, but when they called they were told their "equipment" was broken down and they didn't know when it would be back up. A cursory view of the CD indicated some shrinkage according to Dr. Mike Nemunaitis, but he couldn't be sure until a radiologist gave them the report. He said as soon as they hear they will call Tom - hopefully today, if not it will be tomorrow. Next steps won't be decided until then. We'll keep updating as we get news, and stand on Isaiah 40:31 "those that wait on the Lord will find new strength."<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114548048452050369?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1145251670598149872006-04-17T00:27:00.000-05:002006-04-17T23:16:19.226-05:00<a href="http://www.tomhardeman.blogspot.com/">Tom Hardeman</a><br /><br />This is Eileen at my first attempt to update the blog. As I write this Tom and I are sitting in DeeDee and Robert’s living room looking out the window at the wonderful evening sunset over the valley. <br /><br />Tom had his last chemo on Wednesday. It’s a good thing this was the last one because it took them 6 tries to get a vein. <br /> <br />The doctors said Tom shouldn’t travel while he was taking chemo, so as soon as he had his last treatment, he said well, that’s over – let’s go. So we hopped on a plane Thursday and came to Oregon. Kristin came in on Friday and Grandpa loved that.<br /> <br />We celebrated Resurrection Sunday with the WSFC family at the Salem Convention Center. It was electric! 2,000+ singing and praising our risen Lord in the heart of downtown Salem. <br /><br />We had brunch at Bentley’s right in the convention Center with Tracy and some friends. What a treat. We came home and spent the afternoon in spiritual contemplation; i.e., an afternoon nap. <br /><br />We leave here Tuesday. Wednesday Tom goes for another CT scan. THIS IS THE BIG ONE. We talked to Dr. Nemuniaitis last week and he wants us to hand carry the CT CD and report to him. They will review it to see how much the tumors have shrunk and depending on what they see, schedule follow-ups for ultrasound and surgery consults. Please pray specifically that there will be significant shrinking and that it will be completely out of the blood vessel.<br /><br />I promise, someone will update the blog Wednesday evening (hopefully with pictures - I couldn't figure out how to do that this time),so we can all be praising the Lord- no matter what. Whatever the medical reports – God Reigns Supreme. HE IS RISEN. HALLELUJAH<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114525167059814987?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1143822599186697012006-03-31T09:32:00.000-06:002006-03-31T10:29:59.253-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010150.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1010150.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>This picture says it all! We just got the results of the CA19-9. As I said before, his starting number was 37,474. As of Monday, his number is 26,362. Praise God! Dad is feeling great. Whistling around the house, energetic, very little snoozing in the chair (like the first weeks of chemo). He's doing projects (against our stringent objections) and laundry and dishes as usual. Here are some wonderful scripture that Kelli Quinn brought when she came to pray with us. The Lord quickened these to our hearts as we prayed and we wanted to share them so we can be in agreement as we continue to lift Dad up.<br /><br />"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).<br /><br />"My Son, attend to My words; incline thine ear unto My sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health (Lit. medicine) to all their flesh." (Prov. 4:20-22)<br /><br />"How blessed is he who considers the helpless (poor); the Lord will deliver him in a day of trouble. The Lord will protect him, and keep him alive, and he shall be called blessed upon the earth; and do not give him over to the desire of his enemies. The Lord will sustain him upon his sickbed; in his illness, Thou dost restore him to health." (Psalm 41:1-3)<br /><br />"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)<br /><br />"Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:12-13) (We are also praying for Mom's arthritis, because her knee is getting so painful.)<br /><br />"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:35-36)<br /><br />Hang your hat on these scriptures with us and have a day full of rejoicing, this is definitely one of the good days.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114382259918669701?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1143681158981935552006-03-29T18:57:00.000-06:002006-03-29T20:48:18.520-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20205.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20205.jpg" border="0" /></a>First we'll get to the nuts and bolts of the doctor visit, then on to the therapy update. He's continuing to do well, his weight is holding steady, no pain, no changes, yeah Jesus!! Because of the drop in his blood count two weeks ago, they are going to reduce his chemo medicing by 25%. This is the protocol, and since we are in a clincal, there's not arguing with protocol. His blood count was 2700, which is only a slight drop from last week. They drew the blood on Monday for the CA19-9, but didn't sent it off (duh) so we won't know the results until tomorrow or Friday. So you'll have to keep holding your breath and praying. I'll update as soon as we get the results.<br /><br />Here's the next therapy del dia: "Next Year, In Jerusalem". Next summer, with West Salem Foursquare Church, the whole fam is going to Israel and Dad is going to dance with Torah down Ben Yehuda (sp?) with his grandsons. Okay, so it's a bit sexist, but who am I to argue with thousands of years of tradition and God over whether the granddaughters can go too. They'll be there in spirit (or in reverse-drag). <br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20237.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="142" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20237.jpg" width="192" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20382.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="141" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20382.jpg" width="185" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20172.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20172.jpg" width="193" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20358.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20358.jpg" width="183" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20138.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="139" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20138.jpg" width="182" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20607.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="146" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20607.jpg" width="189" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20046.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20046.jpg" width="187" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20039.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/ISR.%20N%20TUR.%20039.jpg" width="180" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114368115898193555?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1143601093437597092006-03-28T20:47:00.000-06:002006-03-29T18:55:05.876-06:00Okay, okay. I know I already posted today, but I'm an idiot. I had saved the last post as a draft instead of posting it, so you get two posts today. Lucky you! Dad is doing amazingly well and today is the first day in a week he's felt a bit under the weather. His stomach is hurting, but he's not nauseous. He had blood work drawn yesterday, and we will have the results tomorrow. The critical one is the CA19-9, which was over 37,000 when we first found out he had cancer. We are praying it has at least dropped in half. I say at least, zero would be good. He has a complete physical tomorrow, so pray for his strength and a good report. It's too funny to see he and Mom with matching hair, white with dark roots. Still no pain and his weight is holding steady with zero weight loss. PRAISE GOD!! Please don't get weary in well doing. Your prayers are holding us together. The shock has worn off a bit and the road is looking long and rough without the encouragement of those who love Dad.<br /><br />Here is another therapy update. The therapy du jour is the hug therapy so beloved to all who enjoy Dad's enormous, all-consuming hugs (hard not to be all consuming when he's 6'4" and 200+ lbs).<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/More%20Hugs.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="145" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/More%20Hugs.0.jpg" width="192" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Hugs.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="145" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Hugs.0.jpg" width="194" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Hanah%20Hugs.1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 144px" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Hanah%20Hugs.0.jpg" width="190" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1011316.2.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="136" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1011316.1.jpg" width="178" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010490.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1010490.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Okay, so the last one doesn't have Dad in it, but it's such a great hug picture, I just had to include it. Creative license, what can I say?<br /><br />More tomorrow after the doctor visit.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114360109343759709?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1142962119880764062006-03-21T11:15:00.000-06:002006-03-28T21:00:16.143-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/DeeDee%20Dad%20Kiss.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/DeeDee%20Dad%20Kiss.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yippeee!!! Dad went yesterday and got his blood work done and the results are great! His ANC (which is the overall blood count) went from the 1200's to over 3000. His platelets went from 93 to 273. His white blood count went from 2.9 to 5.2 (still under normal range, but we'll definitely take it). So all you prayer warriors out there fall on your knees and thank God because he has answered our prayers.<br /><br />On and interesting side note, Mom was at lunch with Dad on Sunday and she noticed he had something black in his hair. She told him to look down so she could inspect more closely. She asked him if he had gotten black paint in his hair? Nope. He has dark hair growing in all over his head! Okay, I know chemo has some weird side effects, but regenerating the pigment in hair is not one I've heard of. I don't know about anyone else, but this gives me the chills. It speaks of life and not death. So take today as a day to rejoice and give God the praise and thanks He so richly deserves. More later.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114296211988076406?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1142547959207673062006-03-16T15:56:00.000-06:002006-03-17T21:40:16.153-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Birthday%20006.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Birthday%20006.jpg" border="0" /></a> "Sound the alarm! The battle lines are drawn, the location and time are set for the enemy to be destroyed and cast down and out. The battle is the Lord’s and the victory is ours as we reign with Him!"<br /><br />Tom went in for his weekly chemo this morning. We really feel the chemo has been working – his pain has completely disappeared and other than fatigue the first week he hasn’t suffered any side effects (PTL!!!).<br /><br />They do a Complete Blood Count before every treatment to make sure his white and red blood cells and platelets are high enough. Last week it was a little low but adequate for the treatment. This week his count was too low to allow chemo. They advised him to be careful around crowds and stay away from anyone obviously sick as he will be more susceptible to infection. He is to come back Monday to recheck his CBC; they feel sure he will be able to resume the chemo next Wednesday.<br /><br />We are calling on all our prayer partners to specifically pray that God will stimulate Tom’s immune system and that his blood count will rebound miraculously this week.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Birthday%20010.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Birthday%20010.jpg" border="0" /></a>Bo and his girlfriend Blaik are visiting this week from California. Tomorrow is Cari’s birthday and also Blaik’s. We are going to Houston to celebrate with the Sepulveda family. We anticipate a grand time of celebration and fun, let’s call it Laugh Therapy. We'll keep you posted on his progress; in the meantime - KEEP PRAYING!!<br /><br />Love, Eileen<br /><br />P.S. The scales were wrong last week. Dad hasn't lost one pound. PRAISE GOD!!! (The only time those words are uttered in relation to the lack of weight loss.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114254795920767306?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1142045161462334962006-03-10T20:27:00.000-06:002006-03-11T12:20:09.303-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1011205.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1011205.jpg" border="0" /></a>Okay, the chemo seems to be working and we are all praising the Lord. Unfortunately, even when pancreatic cancer responds to chemo, it eventually becomes resistant to the treatment and stops working. Then the cancer begins to advance again. So while we wait for the genomic treatments, we are attempting some "alternative" therapies. Dad is drinking "Reliv" shakes (Dad's niece Denise and her husband sent), which are helping his energy immensely. He just started taking something Jeff and Leah Cox sent that has all kinds of good stuff and seems to be helping his stomach. The juicing has been rough going because we didn't know what we were doing, but Leah gave us some helpful hints and we will persevere. Kristin and Bo have called for Wednesdays to be a day of fasting and prayer for anyone who would like to partner with us in that. Some are fasting food and various other things. God has me fasting my computer since I seem to be addicted to that. If I pray as much time as I spend on my computer, I'll become like Sandy Ginn, Suzanne and Gram (a high calling indeed). We are also using some more "creative" approaches developed on purpose or by default by various family members. I will be reviewing these in the next couple of posts. The first treatment began long before we knew there was cancer, but proved very therapeutic nonetheless. We call it a "Maui state of mind".<br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1011172.1.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="145" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1011172.1.jpg" width="186" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Family%20@%20Lahaina%20Yacht%20Club.3.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Family%20%40%20Lahaina%20Yacht%20Club.2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Nutritional Therapy: Plantation House, Lahaina Yacht Club</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P8050360.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P8050360.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/bubba%20gump.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="113" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/bubba%20gump.jpg" width="186" border="0" /></a><br />More Nutritional Therapy: Bubba Gump's (Always First Night Tradition)</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Lahaina%20Sunset.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" height="134" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/Lahaina%20Sunset.jpg" width="178" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010668.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010668.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Relaxation Therapy: Sunset - The Nightly Ritual</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010053.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010053.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/CIMG0208.0.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" height="178" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/CIMG0208.0.jpg" width="182" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Hangin Loose Therapy: Sunset w/Tim, Sam's Hawaiian Baptism<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tim%20014.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tim%20014.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Flower Power Therapy: Okay, This is Just an Excuse to Use This Picture of Robert</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010552.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 114px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 104px" height="143" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010552.jpg" width="148" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010554.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 118px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" height="134" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010554.jpg" width="166" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010555.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 103px" height="136" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010555.jpg" width="170" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Contemplation Therapy: Where Else Can You Get Dad to Sit Still?</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010675.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" height="135" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010675.0.jpg" width="174" border="0" /></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1010967.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/200/P1010967.0.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/P1011183.0.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/P1011183.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center">Eileen Therapy: Nothing More Healing Than Time w/His Favorite Girl</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">More Therapies to Come. Stay Tuned. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114204516146233496?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1141954509738629492006-03-09T19:22:00.000-06:002006-03-09T22:58:01.863-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Hardeman%202006%20Pictures%20072.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Hardeman%202006%20Pictures%20072.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, here is the latest scoop on Dad's treatment and progress. First and foremost, keep up the praying. The scriptures posted earlier today are our arsenal. Please keep it up because God is answering and Dad's pain has gone away!!! Last week, about midway through he realized that, although his stomach was a bit upset, the rib cage pain (the only real symptom he had of the cancer), had gone. The tiredness, most likely a by-product of the Talabostat because it lowers his blood pressure, persisted throughout the week. When he got his blood work done, his hemocrit and red blood counts were up (the Talabostat is working) - this is good. The transport mechanism is working well. His platelets and white blood counts are down, but still within normal ranges. This is what they expected to happen, so no surprises. He had a CT of his pelvis done last week before he could start the the treatment, and they were able to get the abdomen also. So we had an updated look at the tumor (it had been 3 1/2 weeks since his first CT diagnosed the cancer, so we had no idea how fast the tumor was growing). The pancreatic tumor grew approximately 1 cm. from 7-7.5 cm on the first scan to 8.3 cm on this scan. The liver tumor grew about .5 cm from 3.5-4 cm on the first scan to 4.3 on this scan. While no growth was preferable, this was encouraging as pancreatic cancer can advance a lot more quickly than this. And that's before we ever started any treatment. We got the results of the CA 19-9, which tests the amount of cancer antigen in the blood. The higher the numbers are not good. His CA 19-9 (taken the first week he was diagnosed) was 37,479. While this number is quite high, we all knew his condition when we started this journey was grave. We will have another blood test taken at the mid-point of the chemo (3 more weeks) and this should give us some indication of how he's responding to the treatment. Tomorrow, I'll post updtaes on all the additional therapies we are utilizing to enhance the care he's receiving at Mary Crowley. All this has been checked with his wonderful doctor, Dr. Nemunaitis. We have received his blessing for all that we are trying. Continue leaving posts as Dad gets these directly to his email each day and they are such an encouragement. Most make him cry, but don't tell him I said that. (He doesn't always read the blogs, just the comments.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114195450973862949?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1141912027263444872006-03-09T07:47:00.000-06:002006-03-09T07:47:07.310-06:00<a href="http://tomhardeman.blogspot.com/">Tom Hardeman</a><br /><br />Matthew 18:18 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.<br /><br />III John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.<br /><br />Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities, WHO HEALS ALL YOUR DISEASES, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.<br /><br />Psalm 118:17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.<br /><br />Jeremiah 30:17 For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.<br /><br />Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.<br /><br />Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.<br /><br /><br />Dad, I stand with you today claiming these promises from God's word...believe it and receive! Tommy<br /><br />One last thought, I love Hebrews 11, I'd encourage you to read it...but I'll put Hebrews 12:1-3 here.<br /><br />Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off EVERYTHING that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race MARKED OUT FOR US. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT GROW WEARY AND LOSE HEART.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114191202726344487?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1141407560068092902006-03-03T11:22:00.000-06:002006-03-03T11:39:20.076-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom_and_Eileen.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom_and_Eileen.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, we're at the 48 hour point, which is when Dad would get sick if he was going to. He just called Uncle Bobby to see if he wanted to go to lunch and is energetic and cheerful. He's so amazing! Your comments are so wonderful and Dad is blown away by everyone's response. And thank you so much Tommy for making all of us cry. Jeez! The best word for the day came from Tommy (a/k/a Tom since he's grown now) in an email this morning. This is a wonderful word for us all to be praying. Here it is.<br /><br />"Ok, once again the Lord is encouraging me through Jack Hayford’s “Moments with Majesty”.<br /><br />March 2 – “Empty graves are in a league of their own. Jesus’ resurrection categorically EXCLUDES any hopelessness in any situation and INCLUEDS anyone who opens to His life-gift. This is something more than life beyond death; it is life beyond hope.<br /><br />March 3 – “God’s declaration that He shall “rise up” and work an unusual deliverance is ultimately confirmed and manifested in the resurrection of Jesus. When hope fades, life expectancy can rise again. When shadows crowd you, expect the unexpected. Easter is the evidence that such expectations are reasonable.<br /><br />Amen,<br /><br />Tom"<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114140756006809290?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1141320509500471832006-03-02T10:59:00.000-06:002006-03-02T15:49:57.183-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom___Casey.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom___Casey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As many of you know, we went through many oncologists, surgeons and other doctors, none of whom gave us any hope except managing this disease with chemo and radiation. Many people who are intimately acquainted with the medical community in Dallas told us see Dr. Nemunaitis at the Mary Crowley Research Center. He is involved with the cutting edge research utilizing experimental genetic therapies, usually combined with traditional treatments. This seemed like a win-win since we didn't have to forego traditional treatments (which offered no hope) and could try some exciting new treatments that are in the clinical trial stage. With one call from Suzanne's dad, Scott, we were in that day to see Dr. Nemunaitis. We are so thankful for all of Scott's intervention in getting Dad into MRI's, CT's, doctor's, etc. The treatment program Dr. Nemunaitis has suggested is as follows (and this is a lay person's interpretation, so I may not get the interpretation totally right):<br /><br />1. Clinical trial using chemo (gemcytabine) combined with Talabostat. This is a drug that excites the cytokines (which basically tell the body's cells when to die). Talabostat contains a PT-100 molecule that stimulates this process. It basically dumps massive quantities of what is already in your body in the hopes of kicking the body's natural immune system into overdrive and enhance chemo's ability to kill the cancer cells. Pray! This will be 7 weeks of chemo and 8 weeks of Talabostat.<br />2. If the chemo shrinks the pancreatic tumor enough to free up the major artery from the bowel to the heart. This is currently cancerous and the tumor has engaged 1 1/3 cm of the artery. This needs to be clear in order for Dr. Kuhn to be able to remove the cancer from the pancreas and liver. This needs to be done in order to develop our two experimental genetic therapies.<br />3. If the tumor is not sufficiently small, they may still operate to remove the cancerous tissue, or they may use radiation in an attempt to further shrink the tumor. Then they will harvest the cancerous tissue.<br />4. G-Vax. This is a vaccine created from the cancerous tissue and placed in an adenovirus (virus with the bad stuff taken out) and injected to get it to the cellular level. It works like a flu vaccine. It tells your body the cancer is the enemy and gets your immune system engaged in the battle.<br />5. Genomic Therapy. This is a really exciting clinical trial that has never been tested on humans, but has shown exciting results in the lab. They take healthy and cancerous tissue, break it down to the protien molecules, identify the 5-6 protiens that are different from the healthy tissue and responsible for the cancer's ability to reproduce. They then disable or destroy (not sure) these molecules. This is introduced into the body via adenovirus again, that keeps the body from destroying the medicine before it can get to the cellular level. If this works, it is mind boggling what this will do to cancer treatment.<br /><br />As of yesterday, Dad had his first chemo treatment and feels fine. He didn't get sick at all and begins taking the Talabostat today. We are so relieved to have this process started and praying and waiting anxiously for God to move, either by His hand or the doctor's.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114132050950047183?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23297592.post-1141318250540658112006-03-02T10:40:00.000-06:002006-03-02T17:28:04.380-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/1600/Tom___Eileen_Celebrate_45_Years.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5732/2382/320/Tom___Eileen_Celebrate_45_Years.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My Dad, Tom Hardeman, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that matastasized to the liver on Feb. 6, 2006. It sent a shock wave through the many people who love him around the country and even some places abroad. We are starting this blog to keep all those who are praying so earnestly for his healing and recovery. I will try to keep everyone updated on his treatment and progress. Dad is one of the most generous, giving and loving man I have come in contact with. He has lived his life to serve God and done it with an infectious enthusiasm and joy. The people he has come into contact with at church, working for UPS, charitable work and even going to Costco have all been deeply impacted. For all of you who love him and are praying, thank you so much from the whole family. Please feel free to post blogs, encouragements and prayers. Dad will be checking regularly. We know God is able to heal Dad. But following the example of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, even if we go into the fire, we will serve Him.(Daniel 3:16-18).<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/23297592-114131825054065811?l=tomhardeman.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Carihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05190019647998463390noreply@blogger.com31