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