Pre-bone marrow transplant - Update and prayer request

We are thankful for the clinical trials Clif has participated in at MD Anderson and the Mayo Clinic. We also believe this has extended his health significantly.  However, now it's time for a new chapter in his treatment and recovery...a bone marrow transplant.

The City of Hope is now in the process of locating a donor for Clif's bone marrow transplant.  Last week they found two potential donors in Germany and are now pursuing further testing.  We were optimistically awaiting results, when Clif had an unexpected setback this past week.

Last Friday, Clif began having chest and back pain, and other complications.  UCI Medical Center admitted him for further testing and observation, but ultimately released him on Saturday afternoon.  His pain level continued to increase over Sunday, until he was finally admitted into City of Hope this morning.

Today Clif had a CAT Scan and Pain Management Therapy.  Fortunately they arrived at the right drug to give Clif a respite from the pain he has been experiencing these last few days. .  Tomorrow Clif will have a  bone marrow aspiration to gain further insight.  He also had  a pic line inserted to allow for ease in blood draws and other fun things.

Thursday, 2/6 was a very encouraging and amazing day.  First and fore most please pray Clifs condition continues to improve.  Yesterday was a day of much stimulation from friends, family and associates.  Nothing short of a blessing having very dear people come and awaken him out of a deep sedated, intubated sleep.  Literally, I think the familiarity of the work place arriving in multitudes made quite an efffect on his person.  The A team from Lee & Associates arrived and went in, in force.  Truly a mission to awaken the sleeping dragon.  Once they departed and the next group arrived, Clif awakend, opened his eyes and joined us all for about 2 hours (Allen Buchanan I hope you never forget this day). The medical staff felt the stimulation was complete and required us to let the man sleep.  

Clif was intubated Wednesday at 3pm and moved to ICU, his breathing was very compromised and his kidneys were not cooperating.  Thus he is also on continual dialysis to allow his kidneys to rest and heal.  Daily they have been reducing differing drugs and Clif has been faithful to hold his own.  In areas of breathing he went from 80% machine breathing for him to 45% in the middle of the night, God is good!   This is very important in terms of getting him off the ventilator.  I have learned the longer he is on the venilator their becomes possibility for damage to the lungs.  So today, I praise God for another day with Clif on this side of heaven.  Specifically, please pray for his kidneys to heal and his oxygen to continue improving.  Nothing short of a complete healing would be very nice, not a tall order!  Our goal in all of this is that he will be stabilized and that we can continue toward transplant as planned. Finally, please also pray that his doctors are given the wisdom to isolate and resolve this setback quickly!  Thank you so much for your prayers and support!