Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: November 6: We move to our Apartment

Sunday, November 6, 2016

November 6: We move to our Apartment

Finding Home....

Wow, what a day. It started early after a late night. The wheelchair never arrived and so we woke early and concerned. I called the Puebla airport around 7:30. Sure enough they had it. The woman who answered asked if I wanted it delivered right away. I said "Well yes, we really needed it the full time we have been here". She said fine, she could send it right away. It came around 10:00. Whew.....
We were going to be picked-up at 11:30 to go to our apartment. That was a little close!

While waiting we enjoyed a delicious breakfast with wonderful service. Paco and Angel from the Medical Clinic came to check-in with us before sending the van for us. Funny, when we were picked up by the van, we drove only 2 blocks to our apartment. It was closer than we knew! We are on the 3rd floor with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a small balcony. It is more than adequate. We have a smart TV that has more than 100 channels with 50 in English. We will be able to watch the election results on Tuesday! Whoohoo! Doug is enjoying CNN news.

We were given a cell phone to stay in constant communication with the Medical facility and the Outpatient Services. We are using the "Whatsapp" as our connection to the Medical Facility. We are able to communicate with the other patients, clinic, Outpatient Services and our drivers. I am suppose to keep the phone on me at all times. There is 24 hour medical support. We were given a booklet explaining the Outpatient Services and another booklet with a day by day explanation of what will take place.

Starting the day today we both felt somewhat anxious. Doug probalby more than me. He has much to anticipate. But it feels good to be in our apartment now. It feels good to know exactly what will happen each day. It felt good to meet others who have decided to take this journey.

At 5:00 p.m. a van was sent for us to go grocery shopping at Walmart. It was just like shopping at Walmart in Nampa. Everything we needed they had. It was a good opportunity to meet some of the other patients. This is going to be a multi-cultural experience. I met a woman from Paris, Norway and Michigan and those were just the people in our van.

Tomorrow will be another big day. It is likely we will finish our day at the clinic at 6:00 p.m.
Doug will fast and have blood work done, along with an EKG and see a neurologist who will review the MRI scans we brought with us on CD. If all goes well, Doug will be cleared for
treatment. Angel, our driver will pick us up at 8:30 a.m. We will meet the famous Dr. Ruiz at 9:00 sharp.

And so we pray all the tests go well so that Doug may continue with receiving treatment.

Holy God of power and might be with us tomorrow as Doug undergoes medical testing. Make the path clear so that Doug may receive the treatment he needs to be made well and whole. Give Doug peace and confidence in your goodness and kindness and in your love poured out on him. Sustain his hope and give him peace. Amen

2 comments:

Tom KicmolNovember 7, 2016 at 1:54 AM
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Tom KicmolNovember 7, 2016 at 2:02 AM
I am looking forward to fly fishing with Doug when he recovers. You are a Saint Eileen.
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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!

Sunday, November 6, 2016

November 6: We move to our Apartment

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