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As a boy fights brain cancer, family's friends donate time, manpower and materials to complete home construction
David K. Yamamoto / Special to The Star Robert Hearne says his home construction project was abandoned by a contractor who ran out of money, even after the family paid him up front for the addition.
Courtesy photo / Thomas Hearne, 8, receives treatment at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Thomas was diagnosed with brain cancer on July 8 and was in surgery the next day. Initially, emergency room doctors told his parents he simply had a virus. "My wife just knew something was wrong and demanded an MRI," said Thomas' father, Robert Hearne. "That's when they saw it."
STORY TOOLS 
More from CamarilloThere are little reminders of 8-year-old Thomas Hearne all around his house. He has a habit of writing messages on scraps of paper and leaving them where his family members will find them.
For his big brother, he left this in the bathroom: "Dear Paul, thanks for playing with me — Thomas."
For anyone who happened near a hole in a wall, there was a crude rendition of a skull and crossbones and the misspelled warning: "Dager." That's how Thomas spelled "danger."
The hole is one of the less significant problems with Thomas' home. Most of the walls are bare studs. A plastic sheet separates the living room from the unfinished construction that makes up much of the Hearne family's Camarillo house. They say the project was abandoned by a contractor who ran out of money, even after the family paid him up front for an addition that would have doubled the size of the house.
Yet, the abandoned construction zone in which the family of five has been living since last year is of secondary importance for the Hearnes. Thomas is fighting brain cancer.
"They're looking for a miracle and a lot of prayers," said Julie Monro, the Hearnes' next-door neighbor and a friend of the family since she moved to the neighborhood 11 years ago.
Symptoms appeared in June
Thomas started showing symptoms of illness in mid-June after his parents, Robert and Tish, and siblings Lauren, 14, and Paul, 12, returned from a trip to Disneyland to celebrate Thomas' birthday. Thomas was vomiting and felt weak. The Hearnes took him to an emergency room, where doctors told them he probably had a virus and sent him home. His condition didn't improve, and Thomas' parents took him back to the hospital on July 8.
"My wife just knew something was wrong and demanded an MRI," Robert said. "That's when they saw it."
Thomas' diagnosis was a cruel surprise for the family, which had been through a similar ordeal before. Tish is a six-year breast cancer survivor, and in the years since her diagnosis the entire family has been involved in Camarillo's local Relay for Life, part of a national fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.
"Tish is a fighter, Thomas is a fighter," said Nancy Wikholm, Tish's sister.
Thomas had a tumor at the base of his brain, toward the back of his head. The day after doctors discovered it, surgeons removed as much as possible. However, the cancer had spread through his brain and spinal cord.
"It would've been nice if it had just been the tumor," Robert said.
Thomas has not left Childrens Hospital Los Angeles since his treatment began. This week he was scheduled to begin his second round of chemotherapy. Robert hopes he will tolerate this dose better than he did the first, which gave him seizures.
Robert was wearing a Relay for Life T-shirt as he and friends worked on his house recently. He said Tish has reasoned that perhaps she got cancer first so she could help Thomas get through it.
"We're trying to make sense of it," he said.
Since Thomas' diagnosis, Monro and her husband, Mark, have spearheaded an effort to finish the Hearne house. Also helping are Tom McCook, who owns Thomas McCook Construction and lives on the same street as the Hearnes, and Robert Hearne's colleagues from the City of Oxnard Building and Engineering Department, where he is a civil engineer. Taft Electric and All American Roofing have agreed to donate materials and labor, Mark Monro said.
Weatherproofing needed
Those working on the project say it will probably cost more than $300,000 to finish the house, and workers who know construction trades are also needed. The first priority is to weatherproof the exterior so the work that has already been done can be preserved.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Tish are staying full time at Childrens Hospital. Thomas' siblings are with Wikholm in Camarillo, and Robert is staying part of the time at the half-finished house on Cielo Vista Court. Robert said Tish refuses to bring Thomas home to the dusty building that is only partially sealed off from the elements.
"If we had enough money, we could get them into this house by Christmas, maybe by Thanksgiving," said Jeff Pengilley, a structural engineer for the City of Oxnard, who is volunteering at the house. "It would be the best Christmas gift ever."
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 28, 2008 at 5:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thomas seems like a real little fighter ! I pray he over comes this terrible disease.MY prayers are with you all............Praying your home is completed also before Thanksgiving!!!!!!
Posted by handyhood on August 28, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The story doesn't say where one can go to volunteer skilled labor. If anybody knows could you give a number to call?
Posted by wynonarose on August 28, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My daughter was twelve when she had her brain tumor. We had great medical insurance, but the cost was still devastating. Many trips weekly back and forth to LA cost a fortune of upkeep to our car, tires, gas, oil, home maintenance, plus co-pays and deductibles. Almost everything is put on hold while a child is in treatment, so bills, homes, utilities, all just overwhelm to the point of tears. My prayers are rising for the Hearne family.
Posted by GitRdone on August 28, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MAY GOD BLESS THOMAS & CURE HIM OF ALL THE CANCER IN HIS BODY & GIVE HIM THE STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH ALL THE TREATMENTS. MAY GOD ALSO GIVE THOMAS'S PARENTS THE STRENGTH, HOPE, & FAITH TO OVERCOME THIS ORDEAL, DEALING WITH THEIR SONS CANCER & ALSO THAT THEIR HOME WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF, THAT THEY GET THE HELP THAT IS NEEDED !!
THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION.......I THINK YOU SHOULD FILL OUT AN APPLICATION/LETTER & SEND IT IN TO " ABC'S HOME EXTREME MAKEOVER ", ALONG WITH PICS OF YOUR HOME, SHOWING THEM THE CONDITION THAT IT IS IN & ALSO WHAT THOMAS & THE FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH, DEALING WITH THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE CALLED CANCER.
MAY GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY & I PRAY THAT ALL WILL BE FINE......
Posted by JeannetteMedrano on August 28, 2008 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hearne Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers! May God strengthen you and give you peace, as you face this difficult time.
Posted by 805grl on August 28, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow...Im so sorry for this child and his family. I will pray for a miracle and strength for this family. Stay strong
Posted by markmonro on August 28, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Regarding the Hearn's and how you can help. Since the magnitude of their challenge is great, we are looking to the community for the following:
labor donation to finish the home; material donations and financial donations. We anticipate completing a detailed budget and material list by this weekend. If you are interested, please email to myself (Mark Monro) at mjmonro@verizon.net or my wife (Julie Monro) at jamonro04@yahoo.com. Thank you and god bless the Hearn's.
Posted by christafrankmiller on August 28, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i am trying to round up a group of seabees to help with the labor part of it...my husband would do it i know, but hes in afghanistan...so im trying to get some others rounded up... i have passed on the contact info...the hearne family is in my prayers...
Posted by nelle2hot on August 28, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. Has the family considered contacting the Make-A-Wish foundation or United Way? Just some good ideas, I hope they read these comments and reach out and get more help.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 28, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
christafrankmiller...that is a great idea! Seabees can do! They'd get that addition done in no time. Good for you for trying.
As for Thomas, you hang in there little man...miracles happen all of the time. I will be praying for you and your family.
God bless you all...
Posted by Motorhead on August 28, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Being a cancer survivor myself, this really hits home. I will be celebrating 5 years cancer-free tomorrow (8/29).
I don't have money but do have time and knowledge to give. My strengths in remodeling are plumbing, tile and paint. I would like to do what I can to help.
Sincerely,
Lance "Motorhead" Lambert
Posted by opns on August 28, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Thomas, your a real trooper little friend, you hang in there pal and get well soon okay. You take care of your mom and dad. Oh, and can you say a prayer for me? can you please pray that i do real good in school. Thank you thomas.
thinking and praying for you too.
OPNS
Posted by daugtherofimmigrant on August 28, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the time for all of us to volunteer with time or donate money to help. Some wonder what one can do to help out and make a difference, this is a perfect way.
God Bless you Thomas, my family and I will pray for you.
Anyone who is religious here - you can ask your church to pray for Thomas!
Posted by Parentof2 on August 28, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To all of those offering help to complete the family home THANK YOU! To those of you that would like to help this family financially, you can by visiting www.thomashearne.titlereptom.com and click donate today. You can donate via pay pal using your credit card. The Hearne’s are a wonderful loving family with a huge faith in God. I have had the pleasure of working with Tish (Thomas' mom) in the planning of Camarillo's Relay for Life 2007. Tish has spent the last 6 years working tirelessly raising money to find a cure for this awful disease. Last years Relay teams that she directed raised $276,000. The biggest year Camarillo has had. Please, please help this little boy and his family. Pray, help finish their family home and donate. Every $25.00 donation covers one night stay for the family at the Ronald McDonald house. Thank you again!
God Bless
Posted by suziqlb2000 on August 28, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My heart goes out to you Thomas and family. My son is 16 now and in high school. But when he was 3, doctors misdiagnosed him with Cerebral Palsy. We knew something else was wrong. When he was 5 years old UCLA removed the entire Left Hemisphere of his brain due to a rare brain disease. Thomas you are brave, strong and have a wonderful smile! We will keep you in our payers!
Suzi-Q
Posted by eclipsewatcher on August 28, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cute kid. I hope one day soon Thomas is out running and jumping and playing, and doing all the things a child his age should be doing. My prayers to the Hearne family.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 28, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just donated...it's easy to do. If everyone gave just a little, I'm sure it would make a big difference.
As a parent, I cannot imagine what this family is facing. My heart aches for them. I applaud them for their courage and strength.
God bless Thomas and his family.
Posted by jazzedandblue on August 28, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please let me know of how I can volunteer. Is there a contact number?
Posted by christafrankmiller on August 28, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jazzed...theres an email address in one of the earlier comments...
Posted by brwnoso on August 28, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I pray he over comes this terrible disease, GOD BLESS everyone helping out.
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on August 28, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Holy heck $300,000 for an addition, and they paid the contractor up front. THAT IS SO WRONG! Maybe they can rent a house in the meantime, while they wait for this one to be done.
Get well Little Guy!
Posted by handyhood on August 28, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is what it is all about. People helping people. I have sent an e-mail to mjmonro@verizon.net letting him know that I am ready to labor for this family. The idea to get the seabees involved is also fantastic. To everyone---- You have to give to recieve, so lets all give the hearns some time, money, and a whole lot of prayer. Beahappi, we don't always agree but on this one, your the bomb!!!!
Posted by ebrockway on August 28, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
christafrankmiller;
I'm with NCFSU2, a reserve unit. If you want I can set something up for our drill weekend, Sept 13, 14. Let me know;
erick.brockway at spamcop.net
Have Builders with time on their hands, EOs with access to 2 MTVRs and drivers who need training. No materials cuz DRMO is emptied out, but tons O labor and cammies.
Posted by Comments on August 28, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This story is so sad. I'm embarrassed to say that I saw the title and bypassed the story for a # of reasons, but mostly because I knew it would make me very sad. I feel so sorry for this family and my heart goes out to them. I'm glad I did eventually read the story. Though I'm sad as can be for this adorable little boy and his family, I'm glad to know that there are ways to help. I'm going to discuss this with my husband tonight and we will absolutely be making a donation.
Wishing the Hearne's much peace. I do hope that you're in your home very soon. I would like nothing more than to read a follow-up by the Star that your lovely Thomas was released to his new home in good health.
Posted by christafrankmiller on August 28, 2008 at 8:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i just emailed you erick!!!
Posted by ebrockway on August 28, 2008 at 9:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Got it! Give my cell to whoever is on base and we can co-ordinate with them. I can have something moving up the chain as soon as I hear what's needed.
Posted by ebrockway on August 28, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually it's only a mile from me, so I'll jet over there in my towtruck tomorrow between calls and let you know what turns up.
Posted by Parentof2 on August 29, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TO EVEYONE WANTING TO HELP THIS FAMILY FINISH THE FAMILY HOME YOU CAN DONATE DIRECTLY USING THIS LINK. www.thomashearne.titlereptom.com
WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL DONATIONS SO FAR AND WE THANK EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU FOR DOING SO. THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO THANK YOU ENOUGH.
GOD BLESS
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON WAYS TO HELP PLEASE EMAIL
teammichelle.tami@gmail.com
Posted by opns on August 29, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You go Ebrockway, Bea and others - keep us informed. It's times like this when all come together for such a great cause with support and prayer. I'm humbled by the actions of the regulars here. I'm praying for the family. This little boy just captures my heart and i'm so humbled by this story. Just when i think i have it bad. I have nothing compared to this family.
Ebrockway - i've read that your a truck driver - please be safe.
Posted by ebrockway on August 29, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I saw the house, wow. Needs a lot of work. You get a better idea watching the video, KCBS news was there for a story at 12.
Spanish tile roof with tiles loaded, need stuck. Siding, windows installed, that's just what I saw from the street. Probably some electrical inside, insulation I'd imagine. Landscape, but that'd be later and not a necessity.
Looks like the basic framing is done, but I could be wrong, maybe some re-work to fit drywall. And drywall lol.
I saw Habitat for Humanity on scene, so may be best to co-ordinate thru them if they are taking the job on. I had a car loaded to deliver so I couldn't stop to yak.
75845@kcbs.dayport.com">http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=75845@k...
Posted by ebrockway on August 29, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, I don't understand why CBS video links always do this.
Try this link;
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5mhw8q
then click on "Proceed to this site."
Posted by opns on August 29, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keeping the family and Monro's in my prayers. Thank God for neighbors like the Monro family.
Thank you ebrockay for the update, it's great that your so pro-active. God bless you. you didn't waste anytime. Nice person you are.
Posted by Parentof2 on August 29, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.
To everyone who is donating time, labor and money to help our friends, the Hearne family, get their house back to a home...we thank you and ask God to bless you in your generosity. Please read the prior comments for instructions on donating if you are interested.
www.thomashearne.titlereptom.com
Posted by opns on August 30, 2008 at 5:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright Camdad - I'm telling you the Star commentors are #1.
Posted by ca1129197877 on August 30, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers are with you thomas, and the family, my mom,aunt and boyfriend had cancer, and with the grace of god and all the prayers we received they were cured, i believe in faith, and the lord, have faith and he shall cure you. I know i don't know you or the family, but when anyone especially a child has to go threw anything like this, my prayers go out to the family, i'll keep your family and thomas in my prayers, god bless you thomas and the family.
christina
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