Because We're Happy Happy Happy!

Much good news has transpired this week!

Since the needle biopsy last Wednesday on Clifs lung, doctors introduced  new effective drugs to treat the unwelcome visitor; Aspergillus.  Fortunately, the meds are working great!  A CT scan was performed again yesterday and the findings have shown positive results.

Clif's lung is healing well, so well that we are going to TRANSPLANT as previously scheduled.  This Sunday, April 20th a new chemo treatment will begin.  This time its purpose is to condition his body for the new stem cells that will be placed on or about April 28th.  Please be praying for our donor, (our 28 year old, male, 10+ match, German donor) for his health, his continued willingness, that the stem cells they collect are sufficient and they only need one collection (sometimes they need more if the recipient is a bigger guy, like Clif) and for blessings to be heaped into his life.  His sacrifice is a treasure to us, we hope to meet him someday soon on the other-side of this transplant. By the way, every year City of Hope hosts an annual celebration where donors are introduced to recipients for the first time once the required wait time has matured.  That date this year is May 9th.  I hear it is an amazingly emotional event!

Today, we said goodbye to the 4th floor and the many nurses who have become very dear to our hearts but we now say hello to the 6th floor!   If I remember correctly, they can take up to 35 transplant patients at a time, and they are always at full capacity!  In the waiting areas over the past 75 days, I have met medical travelers seeking treatment from Dubai, Afghanistan, Mexico, Israel, Canada and Egypt.  Serious stuff takes place here and the long time nursing staff are well prepared for the variety of concerns that take place during and after transplant.

Visits to see Clif will virtually come to a stand still once the stem cells are in place after April 28th for a few weeks.  During this time, the orchestration of drugs and remedies really begins.  Daily blood draws reflecting high and low counts and addressing each one independently will start.  The art of careful observation by experienced eyes will occur throughout the initial few weeks.  Fervent prayer for Clifs body to welcome his new German companion are our plea.

Every person responds differently to stem cell transplant, some have little problems while others have great struggles.  We have left this in The Lords capable hands!

Please click on the attached video From; DOREENE FINCHER! Click to View Or copy and paste this URL in your browser: http://www.jibjab.com/view/YEgpq6BGSvONSCN866U7Cg
TURN IT UP!

The Results Are In!

Previously, we shared a growing concern of something unknown making it's home in Clif's left lung.  

This past Tuesday and Wednesday, 15 bags of platelets over a 30 hour period of time were given to Clif.  He met the minimum requirement of 50 platelets to allow for the Needle Biopsy of the left lung.  This was done to allow his blood to coagulate & clot and prevent internal bleeding.  After receiving all those platelets, he got to 53.  The biopsy was performed and the results have returned.

Clif has something called Aspergillus, a fungus growing in the lung which is treatable and new meds are currently being administered.  

Yes, the transplant is delayed again but we are very ok with this, knowing we want his body in tip top condition moving forward to the next step. 

Depending on how quickly Clif's body responds to the treatment, will determine our next move toward stem cell transplant.  We will keep you posted!

No nausea and no fevers for the past few days, Praise God!

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, 

whose confidence is in him.”

JEREMIAH 17 : 7”

Just Thrown A Curve Ball

Last night we met with an infectious disease doctor (Dr. Ito) to discuss the results of a CT Scan that was performed on Clif that same day.

The findings were disappointing.  There is a suspicious fungal/mold infection, a dense sort of tissue that is 2-3 inches in size in the left side of the left lung.  Another bronchoscopy, using a thin needle this time, by an Interventional Radiologist, under a CT Scan will be performed today, assuming they get his platelets up to 50 artificially by adding several bags of platelets.

Please be praying that Clifs body reaches the 50 goal marker and that they get a good sample and are able to diagnose quickly and address with the correct antifungal/antibiotic.

When listening to Clifs lungs, he is clear, he has no diagnosed pathogens and their is no fluid.  Everything actually sounds clean.  But unfortunately a picture paints a different story.  For the past 3 weeks, the CT Scans continue to reveal a growing concern of tissue in that left lung and all the antifungal/antiobiotics that we continue to introduce weekly are not defeating the enemy.  We are addressing it quickly.

Clif felt very well all morning and was able to get some work done.  By 2 in the afternoon, the nausea and its companion returned.  Although saddened with the circumstance, we will continue on the battle field, dressed with our armor and prepared for the fight.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5

Bone Marrow Aspiration number 4 or is that 5?

Just had another bone marrow biopsy, Clif is truly a champion!   Purpose; to check disease status and satisfy the drug trial protocol from the last chemo treatment.  Another 2-3 day wait period and prayerfully good results are in store for us!  We are told the lungs look good, and a reduction in some meds that cause nausea will hopefully bring some further relief from the  horrific nausea that he has had for far too long.

Clif has felt remarkably better today, Friday.  Just finished eating a good lunch and has not napped all day.  Opening his mail, making calls, reading and doing physical therapy.  His 10pm call before lights out, he had a low grade fever, tylenol reduced immediately.  Saturday brought similar encouraging energy and lessened nausea.  But again, as the day came to a close, he was experiencing nausea, fever and had a bit of a growl to his outward behavior.

Clif is not one to shrink back, he has great confidence going through this difficulty.  These continual encouragements and discouragements all at once are challenging in our fight to press on and finish strong.  I value the moments of him feeling well and pray for many more.

Please pray for his continued perseverance.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."  Hebrews 10:23-24

Isn't he handsome!   And yes, I think he makes bald look good.

Update on Clif

On Friday last week, Clif had a "Broncoscopy Lung Lavage",  a procedure in which fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and than collected for examination.  The samples from his lung test have returned and are negative for any specific pathogen.  They are treating him empirically for bacteria and fungus.  A CT scan will be repeated early next week to be sure the pneumonia is clearing.

The nausea is still a big problem.  We will ask the Palliative Care Service to revisit him and see what else they can suggest to manage this symptom.  There are some very expensive anti nausea drugs out there, some that cost thousands of dollars, we are investigating and will hopefully have something else to help him out.   The anti fungal drug he takes for his pneumonia also causes nausea, but we are told he will finish this drug this Friday, hip hip hooray!  His blood counts remain very low, and based on his last bone marrow biopsy, his dr expects the counts will stay low until we transplant the donor's stem cells into him.

With Clif feeling so poorly right now, it is an actual blessing that transplant is delayed.  He would be so miserable in trying to handle the effects of another chemo treatment and the nausea that comes with it right now.  Please be praying for the nausea to subside and the vomiting that comes with it to depart.

So.....we trust in the unseen hand that leads us.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

Delays Are Not Denials, So We Wait Some More

Our donor from Germany is unable to make the April 9th date that our doctors had hoped.  He is however able to begin conditioning on April 21st, which means stem cells could/should be obtained on April 28th and given to Clif on April 29th.  Disappointing yes, but we hold on and keep our chins up, literally!

Whatever the reasons are, which we do not know, Clif and I both know, we can not prematurely circumvent Gods plans in scheduling and beginning this transplant.  We remain steadfast and know that God is not asleep at the switch, He is at he helm and we will wait on His perfect timing.   We wait....................We pray for many aspects including our donors good health and his continued willingness to help us.  

Clif has still been very nauseaus, and the fruit of that nausea has not been pleasant.  If we had moved on with the original plan as stated above, Clif would begin the new round of chemo Monday, March 31st, with that horrible sick feeling still haunting him.  Maybe this change in plans is to allow Clif to regain that lost strength and get past the "green"  feeling he has everyday that is only relieved through taking the ativan/dilauded cocktail.  

Yesterday he took 3 laps around the floor and felt a little better than the previous day.  

So, we wait expectantly and pray to feel better daily!

“I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. ”The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,  to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly  for the salvation of the LORD.

LAMENTATIONS 3 : 24 – 26”

Preperations for Transplant

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  

Jeremiah 29:11-13

This morning, very early while most of us were asleep, a fleet of medical personnel entered Clifs room. Their intent, to begin a new mission.  Preparations, are starting.  Twenty two viles of blood were drawn to test things like; iron in the blood, cholesterol, thyroid hormone, triglycerides and more as well as  begin a 24 hour urine collection testing.   Another CT scan with dye was performed to track closely the lung pneumonia issue.

Clif has a friend who worked on the "Raptor" a fierce military fighter plane.  The Lockheed Martin 

F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generationsupersonic supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence roles.  

I share the above information because this is the attitude I see in Clif as he moves forward on the plans God has specifically chosen for him.  With Nausea haunting him both day and night, his "Warrior" type outlook and his deep faith give him the endurance and stamina to press on and finish strong!  While talking with his doctor, dressed for battle with a presence of confidence and readyness;  he is readying his heart and mind for the next steps.

Today, he spent 10 minutes on the stationary bike, did some laps around the floor, and some stationary leg lifts, squats and step ups.  Even though he is anemic and neutropenic, he is faithful to keep it going between bouts of nausea.  

Will keep you posted as things unfold.  Wow, just realized we have now been here 52days!  

Leukemia Free!

That's Right, the bone marrow results are finally in and Clifton B. Fincher is free and clear of leukemia in the bone marrow and peripheral blood.

The drs note to us said;

Doreene,
Good news! The bone marrow shows no residual leukemia. It took several days to generate the report because they did some special stains to be sure about the blasts.
I will suggest to Dr. Skarbnik and Michelle that maybe the Palliative Care/Pain Management team would be helpful to deal with the nausea.
The CT does show a left sided pneumonia which needs further treatment and evaluation before we can move ahead to the .
Dr. Snyder

This morning (Tuesday), when the doctor came in to talk with Clif, he told him he was very pleased with the results.  He also said, Clif you are basically back to where you were when we first met this past December.  His original illness is called Myelofibrosis (MF).

As we move forward, prayerfully ridding his body of the pneumonia swiftly, we look to transplant soon.  The MUD (matched unrelated donor) coordinator has been contacted and plans are being made.  

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures".  Proverbs 24:3

(in scripture, a house is frequently symbolic of the life of an individual)  With the above verse, I think of Clif and what has happened to his house and what is to come, being confident that something very beautiful is taking place,  prayerfully meant for this side of heaven.

Thank you again for your diligent and fervent prayers.

Waiting Is A Verb!

It's 6:40pm Friday evening and still no bone marrow aspiration results.  

Clif started a mild cough earlier this week.  A cat scan was performed this afternoon and those results will not be available until Monday.  As a precautionary measure, the dr has put him on Abelcet, a drug used to treat fungal infections.  He has already been taking an anti fungal drug but this new one is stronger.  In the realm of transplant, these people choose to lead verses chase.  So, we try to stay ahead of up and coming symptoms rather than let them get ahead of us.  It's called a conservative approach, if there is a brewing pneumonia they want to prevent further concern.

The minute we hear on any results, we will post it here!

Pray, Pray, Pray is our rescue.  Thank you 

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolation cheers my soul".  Psalm 94:19

Bone Marrow Aspiration Scheduled for 3/19, Results to Follow

A week has passed since Chemo finished  and it's time to see if our efforts have paid off.  

A bone marrow aspiration will be performed Wednesday 3/19  and results will take about 2-3 days.  

The findings of this test will determine our near future for a transplant.  Double time on the prayers are much appreciated!  

If the findings are favorable, pre-conditioning treatment will begin next week (we think) for transplant.  This will probably be confirmed by the week end.

The list of side effects of the treatment as of yesterday now includes vomiting, which only happened that day.  Today, he experienced less nausea and actually had a pretty good day.  Because of the up and down nausea and sickness associated with the treatment, it's wise to call and see how he is feeling prior to making a trip down here.  Visiting is still discouraged.

He continues to receive transfusions and platelettes, daily.

Clif wanted me to personally convey, that God is listening to your prayers and he has great peace while he goes through this process, please keep them coming.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

MATTHEW 6 : 34”