After getting him to the hospital, the doctors ordered a scan of his brain since he was not coherent enough to talk any more and they told us the unfortunate news that the tumor in his brain was hemorrhaging. They told us then there was no more they could do other than keep him comfortable. He was placed in the oncology ward in room 566. From that point on, Stacie and I, Tom, his Dad, Mom, Sisters, Aunts, cousins, friends etc. we sat with him and made sure he was taken care of. Around 3 a.m. several family members had already left or had to leave and at that time Thomas was resting comfortably. Around 4, he seemed to become agitated, so his wonderful nurse, Heath, came in and administered his medications, his blood pressure was real high and they told us to expect this. Heath also told me at that time his breathing was getting slower and we needed to watch him closely. I had convinced Stacie to lay day and get some sleep around 3, so I decided to wake her and explained to her that Thomas seemed to be getting worse. Jana and Kaylen, Stacie and I, sat with him and in a very few minutes, Thomas went very peacefully to join his Lord in Heaven. I glanced at the clock and it said 4:35 on July 23rd, 2011.
We all at that moment realized that Thomas had tried to tell us the time, we feel he just had his numbers confused, instead of 3:45, it was 4:35 a.m. I witnessed more in Thomas's final hours in how God can work, I felt God was talking with him, guiding him and caring for him in such a gentle manner that day to bring Thomas home in such a glorious and honorable way. Thomas had accepted God and I knew his trust and faith let him go in such a peaceful and wishful way. As he told me, "he was going to run into his mansion". His last 2 weeks were also wonderful, he was in such a good state of mind, eating everything he could, (this was probably due to the steroids, but he was eating!) and talking freely about what may be happening. Getting to speak one-on-one with loved ones and coming to his final peace. We had an absolutely marvelous 4th of July, this was his favorite time of year, he loved fireworks. He and I bought a whole truck load. We had 30 or 40 or more family and friends and all seemed perfect. He got to come to the Carver Reunion on the 16th, so many family members got to see him there too. He ate good and had a good day. Later that evening, He, Stacie and I went to Parkway Drive-in an watched the last Harry Potter film and Zoo Keeper. He had a really great time. So as usual, Thomas did what Thomas wanted to do and he was always so good at it.
He had fought so long and so hard over the past 10 years, but at the same time, Thomas was one who looked at this disease as something in his way and he worked and lived and accomplished so much in his short time here, more than most do in a long lifetime. All the many treatments, the loss of the use of his legs, the deteriation of his body, but he always had a smile and he always kept going. He was an absolute amazement to me and he has given me so much and given so much to my family. His love, his friendship, his all, that he gave to Stacie and Julie was wonderful and his legacy will live with us always. I can't say enough good about him, but I can say, if anyone out there needs encouragement, read Thomas's story here in this blog. One of my high school class mates shared his thoughts and I'd like to share his quote, Jim summed it up with these very words;
" I read the blog and would recommend that everyone read it. It follows a family through the roller coaster ride of this terrible affliction. It illustrates how a family fights together and props each other up through a long ordeal. It speaks to the power of a good outlook and humor in the worst of crises. The spirit exhibited by young Thomas was amazing and inspiring. The human body can be conquered, the human spirit cannot."
Thomas's funeral turned out to be very consoling. Family and friends filed through non-stop for 2 hours and the chapel was full for his service. As Reverend Craig Carlson and Reverend Jason Blair stated, it was obvious the number of people who cared and loved Thomas and also how much Thomas had inspired and touched them. We were fortunate enough to find a recording of a song he loved for years that his Grandmother used to sing, so even though she left us few years ago, she got to sing for him right before the service started. Jason and Graig did a wonderful job helping us through the grief and sorrow and I want to thank them with all my heart for all the kind words and the scriptures that summed up Thomas's final evening with us all. Graig has known Thomas and Stacie for years, he spent a week rooming with Thomas at a youth camp when they were still in high school, he also privileged us by marrying Stacie and Thomas on May 6, 2003. So I know he loved being able to be there to say his own goodbye too.
Tom and I are trying very hard to hold it together and and I know we will and I also know Stacie and Julie will come to terms with his loss and I know as Julie says "Daddy is with Jesus and I don't have to worry about him anymore". If a 6 year old can understand and have that simple faith, then we can too and we will. Thomas told Stacie Friday, I just want you and Julie to be happy and I know as difficult as it is now, they will eventually experience many years of happiness. My final words I will be saying here are very simple, but very true and they come from my heart, I had quoted this on my facebook and I want to share it here:
I want to thank all family and friends for their prayers and support over all these years, know truly that Thomas is at peace and we all will be with him again. He rests now at Grandview Cemetary in the Temple of Prayer section and he lives free in Heaven with his Lord and Savior!
Best wishes of Love, Luck and Laughter throughout your days till we all meet with him in God's house.
Pat Carver
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