Day +365 Post Transplant, "Man Down" or is it "Man Up"

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2nd Timothy 4:7-8

Clifton B. Fincher, my very dear husband has gone on to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  

Much has transpired these past few weeks, Clif became very ill and confused, ultimately the graft vs host came on him like a storm and swept through him taking from him his very last breath.  We truly did fight a good fight and we have no regrets.  Our doctors felt treatment to manage the gvh was no longer working and they had basically run out of options.

On Saturday, April 25th, 2015 Holly (Clifs sister) and myself made the decision to bring Clif home to the house.  We arrived by ambulance to many many very dear close friends.  He was brought into the heart of our home where he was flooded with love for the next 32 hours before The Lord himself took his spirit.  Being at his bedside and seeing firsthand his gradual and painless departure from this world to the next, was truly a blessing.  An empty tent was left behind, he was not there any longer.  Sadness did not fill that room, a quiet atmosphere of peace settled in.  I will forever be grateful to be witness of that moment in time, I will miss him deeply and his company on this side of heaven.  I do however look forward to the day that I too will meet up with him. So, tears are here........... weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

Death did not win a battle, God raised up one of His own faithful soldiers, who stayed on the front of the battle line up until his very last breath!  Truly a warrior.

Our continual prayer throughout this entire affliction was;  Lord, we pray fearfully for your will to be done, but we do also ask that our hearts desires might collide with your will and allow for a long healthy life on this side of heaven.  Gods will and plans for Clifs life were different than our hopes.  Because and only because of our faith in His plans am I able to move forward with great confidence in knowing that His plans are always better than ours.  Clif does get to be in heaven, I will remain here with our kids and press on with our lives.  My faith is such that I know God picked a really great guy to have on His side of the playing field.

Moving forward;  Please join as we celebrate Clif and his life;

Saturday  May 2nd from 4pm - 8pm.  Services will start promptly at 4.  Please arrive a little early to allow for parking.  

Santiago Canyon Estate

8011 E. Santiago Canyon Road

Orange, Ca

The following day on Sunday May 3rd you are welcome to join us graveside at 1:30pm at Fairhaven Memorial Park, located at 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana.

Please visit this websiter for any donations you would like to make;  Ourhope.cityofhope.org/cliftonfincher

If you would like reach me, my personal email is;  Doreenefincher@ca.rr.com

God Bless all of you and thank you for helping us move onward and upward.  Please continue to pray for our family as we redefine our new life.

Love Doreene

Day +352 Post Transplant, Our 1 Year Anniversary Is Fast Approaching!

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 THESSALONIANS 5 : 18”

April 29th this year will be 1 year since Clif received his bone marrow transplant, can you believe it!!

We are still on the battlefield!  Clif was readmitted to the City of Hope on Tuesday night April 7th, 2015, he continues on an inpatient basis and I am uncertain when he will be discharged.  

He and his "Roomate, the Graft" are still struggling for interior territory.  The primary problem has been the attack on the vascular system, a form of Graft vs Host (GVH).  Fluids continue to leak out of the vascular system and into 3rd space areas like the sack around the heart & lungs and into the abdoment & legs.  He has had Parasenthesis a few times to drain fluids off the body.  Treatment for this is increased steroids.   

This form of GVH has caused Clif to want to sleep, he has also experienced confusion related to additional drugs given like; prednisone,  limotil, morphine and more.   I hope to see the weening process begin soon.  He is being watched very closely and I continue to feel he is receiving the very best medical treatment!

It's been a difficult year to say the least.  Charlie has taken a semester break from ASU, his help with Clif has been a blessing.  Clif requires much physical assistance in standing and in overall transport and Charllie is the man!  Sydney is finishing up her senior year in High School and college choices are winding down,  William is preparing to depart Junior High and begin his first year at Foothill HS.  I am continueing at home as the "Controller" literally, we have caregivers, therapists, many appointments and a home to keep a float and businesses to keep running.  God has been faithful to lavish upon us HOPE and to sustain our every need.  No complaining, just explaining as Clif would typically say. 

Prayers are always appreciated.

Love the Fincher Family

Day +299 Post Transplant, Patiently Waiting At City Of Hope

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 PETER 5 : 7”

Last Week Clif started having some mild stomach cramping, by Tuesday of this week the cramping had intensified to a very painful level.

A drive to he closest ER; Western Medical to be inpatient there for 4 days than another transport ride over to City of Hope.  Our week has been full of X-Rays, CT's, Ultrasounds and No Food By Mouth.  

Its been challenging.  The series of tests have concluded a certain Ileus; 

A Non-mechanical blockage in the intestines, meaning there is not a physical blockage but movement has stopped.  Mechanical blockages are more common than non-mechanical blockages. Ileus is an example of a non-mechanical blockage.   They do not see an obstruction in the intestines, but something is slowing and even causing the bowel system to sleep a bit.

So we wait...........We've seen all the right doctors and all are hoping this clears on it's own.  There are many many causes of Ileus and without speculating the long list of possibilities, we've narrowed it to probably long term pain meds and slower mobility.

Unfortunately, Clif is on morphine and atavan and the two mixed does cause confusion and anxiety.  Trying to keep him encouraged and quiet.  We are doing PT and trying to get as much physical movement as we can to help things along.  But for now this is a waiting game until doctors feel another course of treatment should be taken.

Please keep up a specific prayer for movement, for the roads to clear and for traffic to start moving on the backed up intestinal highway!

Will keep you posted.  

In His Grace,

Doreene

Day +284 Post Transplant, Post Super Bowl Weekend and Our Progress!

““Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Psalm 46:10-11

It was Super Bowl Weekend last year when Clif began to feel very sick.  I remember the weekend well........He began his transition from 12 years with Myelofibrosis over to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  A bone marrow transplant was coming and we knew it.  We had searched, traveled, prayed and prepared for decisions and days ahead.  The term; "Ignorance is Bliss" has become a clear rememberance of difficult days gone by.  Not Knowing the magnitude of medical difficulties can actually be a blessing.  Going through this last year of affliction has shed much insight & wisdom and ignorance is now not allowed at this stage of the game.  Our doctors, all excellent, have done their jobs with precision and perfection.  

Clifs current health status is; fluid around the heart, lungs and abdomen.  Weakness in the legs and very thin skin on the arms caused from increased steroids and low platelets.   (There are other minor things going on in his health, but we don't major in the minors here).

Since Clif went septic this past December 30th, he spent three weeks at City of Hope and the consequences of treating this infection are still hovering.  Close observation via CT and Ecco are performed frequently to monitior if fluids are reducing or increasing.  Doctors all believe it is a form of graft vs host (gvh) making an attack on the vascular system, again.   The increased steroids to heal the gvh are being weaned down.  Unfortunately, the steroid use has stolen even more strength from his already fragile muscular system.   Clif has been receiviing more platelets and blood due to this event and we are grateful for so many of you who have recently come back to donate, again.

Much has happened and thankfully much has passed. Difficulty days still remain but we are pressing on.   

Thank you for continuing to pray for all of us!

Blessings and Happy New Year, 

Clif, Doreene, Charlie, Sydney, and William

Day +250, To City of Hope, Again.

“Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always.”

Psalm 105:4

Yes, we are back at City of Hope!  Took a detour first and tried out St. Josephs in Orange, got great care, but ultimately, we needed to be back in the environment that can specifically treat Clif with the specialized care a transplant patient needs.

On Tuesday December 30th, 2014 Clif spiked a fever, blood pressure dropped, he felt lethargic & dizzy and basically looked and felt really bad!  Dr's all agreed, it's time for another visit for inpatient hospital care.  We were encouraged to go first to the local hospital and get him stablized than transport to City of Hope by Friday January 2nd, 2015.  

Upon our warmly welcomed arrival here, our team of doctors including; Nepherologist, Pulmonologist, Cardiologist and Hemotologist were all on site and literally at the door of his room once he was settled in.  What a blessing, it's a Friday late afternoon, approaching the end of a big holiday weekend and God had it such that a team of experts were here to put a plan of attack together to handle Clifs serious health care needs.

Clif has Sepsis, again.  This is a bacteria that attacks all organs of the body, I've noticed the biggest attack on the brain.  He has been disoriented and very very tired.  So tired we have to wake him up to feed him and take his meds.  A low immune system person such as he, walking around in a world of sick people that we all live among was just too much.  His mind is willing to go go go, but his body is not ready!  Keeping him down these past 3 months since discharge in September has not been easy.

So I ask you all to continue to pray. 

Blessings and Happy New Year.

Doreene