Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: Nov. 5, 2016 A Day of Rest

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Nov. 5, 2016 A Day of Rest

First Full Day in Puebla

A giant Ferris Wheel see from our window

After going to bed a little after midnight we awoke around 7:30. We slept soundly in this very comfortable room and very comfortable bed. We were both exhausted. The hotel offers a buffet breakfast. Before going down to breakfast I searched the internet to find out if it would be safe to drink coffee. That is my big worry of the day. In searching, I found lots of helpful hints regarding water in Mexico. Most resorts and big hotels filter their own water. Apparently water in mexico is often contaminated because the pipes are old and may allow contaminates to enter. It is recommended that you don't drink water, ice cubes, or fresh vegetables that may be rinsed in water.

And so we went to breakfast being mindful to be careful of anything that had come in contact with water. Of course that made me wonder about the fresh squeezed juices that looked marvelous. I decide to risk it on mandarin orange juice and Doug had orange juice. They were so good! The buffet was wonderful with an omelet bar, fruit bar, juice bar, pastries, french toast and a variety of Mexican dishes we would normally have for dinner.

Feeling very satisfied when we left we went back to our room. I think I had hit the wall. After weeks of work and preparation, I felt ridiculously tired. And so at 11:00 in the morning we laid down for a nap and did not wake up until 2:30. The sleep was so needed!

We took a little walk, but found it very difficult to get around. The sidewalks are not accessible. There are some cutouts in curbs, but then none and then you are stuck without being able to move forward. And so we returned to the hotel. Which was just fine. We will have many days to explore. Today we are so grateful to do nothing. It gave me some time to post our blog, rest and prepare for our days ahead.

We ended our day at the restaurant in the hotel. It is raining outside now and so rather than venture out to the restaurant next door. We had a lovely dinner, tasting the local special, Mole and Flan! Yummy!

Tomorrow we will move to our apartment and our road to healing will be launched. And so we pray:

Holy One, we thank you for a day of rest and renewal. We thank you for the gift of this place and this time and most especially we thank you for the small gifts of kindness and support offered by strangers and all the friends who are praying for us and strengthening us on this pilgrimage of healing. Amen

1 comment:

UnknownNovember 5, 2016 at 8:42 PM
Not to my surprise....you are both amazing. God is good...all the time, and I know you will be blessed with his presence during this journey. Love to both of you and prayers for those that will be treating Doug and comforting you.
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About Doug

Fr. Doug Yarbrough was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008. Although judging from his MRI scans he probably had it for many years prior to his diagnosis. Since the diagnosis he has experienced continuous progression of the disease resulting in more and more disability.

Today he is dependent on an electric wheelchair to get around outside of his home. At home he uses a walker to walk short distances. His eyes loose focus easily and he cannot read. This is difficult for someone who has always been a voracious reader and life long learner. He experiences extreme fatigue. Most days it is all he can do to just take care of his own personal needs. We are grateful he can do that and fear the day that he will loose these skills. But with the progression of this disease that day may not be far off.

This is not the person Fr. Doug has always been. Many will remember him as an active member of his family, church, community and state. He is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. As a priest and community leader he has been a passionate crusader working on behalf of the poor, the abused, the homeless and minorities. He has been a husband, a father and a grandfather. He has always been the person who helps others.

Fr. Doug is a learner and believes in education to serve the common good. He has a B.A. in Education and Philosophy, a Master's in Counseling and a Master's in Religion. He has a doctorate in Educational Psychology. His education nurtured his thirst for learning, to make God known to the world and to serve others in the example of Christ. His favorite Bible passage is from Micah 6:8. In the New English Language Version of the Bible it reads "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" These words have framed his work in the church and the world.

In 2005 he was awarded the Canyon County Humanitarian Award for his contributions, care and concern for the most needy and marginalized people in Canyon County. He chaired the Nampa Shelter Coalition board and was on this board for many years. He also served for many years on the Nampa Family Justice Center and the Idaho State Domestic Violence Boards. He founded the Open Arms Baby Boutique in Nampa. This is a resource center for low-income women. The women earn points for prenatal and postnatal check-ups. They may then trade the points in for diapers, baby clothes, furniture, etc. He was on the "Success by Six" Treasure Valley committee. Fr. Doug served on the Mercy Hospital Ethics Board. All this he did while pastoring a church and serving on many church boards and committees.

After many years of service, Fr. Doug is now in need of your help. He is in the fight of his life to stop the progression of this horribly debilitating disease. Up until now, there has been little hope, but upon returning from a pilgrimage of prayer for healing we learned of a new stem cell treatment that some are calling a cure. This treatment is HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant). Using this treatment the patient's own stem cells are harvested, then the patient's immune system is killed using chemotherapy and then the patient's own stem cells are transplanted back into their body. It works similarly to a reboot of a computer. The immune system is being rebooted. This treatment is in Clinical Trials in the United States, but in other places in the world it is being used as a treatment for MS. Worldwide data shows that more than 80% of MS patients receiving this treatment see an end to the progression of the disease and many see a reversal in disability. The brain is able to heal from the bodies own attacks on the myelin insulating sheath around that surrounds nerve fibers

Unfortunately HSCT treatment is expensive and not yet covered by insurance. To get this treatment he will have to travel outside of the country. To help pay for this treatment family and friends of Father Doug are raising money to help pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with HSCT (HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT) to halt the progression of his Multiple Sclerosis. We don’t have time to wait for Clinical Trials in the US. Fr. Doug is rapidly progressing in disability from this disease. We have to act now if we are to save and hopefully improve the quality of Fr. Doug’s life. We have a goal of October 15, 2016 to raise all the money needed. This is the earliest possible date that the treatment may be available.

Fr. Doug has chosen to fund-raise with HelpHOPELive in part because HelpHOPELive assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay for unreimbursed medically related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

For more information, please contact HelpHOPELive at 800.642.8399.

Thank you and God Bless you for your help!

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Nov. 5, 2016 A Day of Rest

First Full Day in Puebla

1 comment:

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