Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: November 12, 2016: Day -7

Saturday, November 12, 2016

November 12, 2016: Day -7

Quilt made by Tina Whaley

Day -7, Wow! It seems hardly believable that we are down to the final week before Doug receives his stem cell transplant to reboot his immune system So much has happened since that 12th day of June, 5 months ago when we first heard about HSCT. So many people have rallied behind us to make this day possible.

Through-out the day our thoughts and prayers have lingered on the beginning of our Diocesan Convention being held in Pocatello, where the church that helped to shape and form me, and raised me up to be a deacon is located. Also the place where I raised my daughter, where she graduated from high school and where I earned my bachelor and master's degrees. In Idaho I have been a member of St. Michael's in Boise when I was very young, then raised at St. John's, now St. Luke's in Idaho Falls and then raised my daughter at Trinity Pocatello. Doug attended St. Stephen's after moving to Idaho in 1990, then attended seminary and after we got married then served in Blackfoot, Arco and St. Mark's, Idaho Falls. Doug and I then moved to Nampa and served Grace and now we are both at St. Stephen's Boise. I guess you could say we have been around.

The reason for me sharing this history is to frame the deep feelings we have for serving Christ in the Diocese of Idaho. Our prayers are with all who gather in Pocatello this weekend and the work that all involved will be doing to further the mission of the church. We also give thanks for Trinity, Pocatello for supporting us as we are here in Mexico, by selling tickets for the quilt raffle to raise money for Doug's HSCT treatment and for sharing information on donating to his treatment. We give many thanks to Tina Whaley who made this beautiful quilt and offered it for raffle. We thank Fr. David, Sherry Barret and all of St. Stephen's for organizing and supporting this great endeavor, our Mexican Camino.

Tonight we sat with a quilt almost identical to the one being raffled, wrapped around us, that Tina Whaley gave to us to take with us. The wonderful people of St. Stephen's blessed it. And we are here, in Puebla, blessed by the love that surrounds us and strengthens us for this journey. Indeed we have been surrounded by a great throng of angels from all over the diocese and we give thanks for all of you.

Here too in Puebla we have been surrounded by angels. Our driver's name is Angel. There is a statue of an angel just outside of our apartment, the doctors, nurses and fellow patients and carers are angels to us too. We are so blessed.

Today has been a good day for Doug. While he is still tired his stomach is fine. His blood pressure and body temperature are normal. So far so good! We give thanks for all of you who have helped to make this possible and all the people over the last many years who have been such a wonderful support to us.

Holy One, we give thanks for the angels that surround us and who guide us and sustain us. We give thanks for the tender love that is made known to us in such tangible ways as the warmth and comfort of a quilt, the offerings of support and the visual reminders that you are always with us. And as the good people of the Diocese of Idaho, gather this weekend, stoke in them a vision of the transformative power of your love, and give them eyes and a will to make that vision known to the world, that so desperately needs to see it right now. And as we awake with each new day, help us to live a life worthy of your tender love and care. Amen

1 comment:

Tom KicmolNovember 14, 2016 at 5:11 PM
May you both receive peace during this journey.
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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 12, 2016

November 12, 2016: Day -7

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