Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: December 17, 2016: + Day 28

Saturday, December 17, 2016

December 17, 2016: + Day 28

Today is the day that I thought could never happen. Doug continued to deteriorate all day. His respiration was between 40 and 50. His heart rate averaged around 140. His temperature was around 102. He could not catch his breath. He was in distress all day.

In talking to his doctors they confirmed that his condition was very serious. All day it was very frightening. Doug was somewhat coherent during the day. He talked very little. He was struggling just to breath.

Our dear friend, Fr. David Wettstein stayed with him for m while for me to go home to shower and take a short nap. My friend Beveryly Lugo, who is a nurse, came over to support me and help Doug to get the care he needed. My sister Kate brought me dinner.

But the day was one of the hardest in my life. I cried off and on all day. I am so sad. Doug is struggling so much and I don't know if he can pull through this.

At 7:00 p.m. when the night doctor, came on duty she came in and checked on Doug and decided immediately to intubate (put a tube down his throat) to help him breath. I was shocked and overwhelmed and upset. I called my daughter-in-law Corinne for counsel and to ask her to talk to the doctor. She did and she agreed with the doctor and so I agreed. But it was incredibly upsetting for me and I am so scared for Doug's life.

Luckily right after getting this news my friends Kim and Mark Bekedahl were at the door; They were there along with my sister to support me and Doug in this procedure. Mark is a hospital chaplain and familiar with the procedures. It was good to have him explain it again to me. They all stayed with us during the procedure.

Doug will be kept in sedation until his body is ready to breath on it's own and he has begun to heal from the infection in his body. But it is so difficult to see him in this condition.

There is so much more to the story, but I am exhausted and frightened. Angie my daughter drove over to be with me and is staying the night. My daughter in law the doctor is flying in tomorrow.

Please, please pray for Doug.

God of Power and Might, God of the Impossible, be with Doug this night. Give him rest. Heal his body so that he may awake to new life. And be with us who fear for his life. Give us confidence in Your goodness and your loving presence in dark times. In your name we ask it. Amen

2 comments:

UnknownDecember 18, 2016 at 6:18 AM
Oh mighty God, please bring
your healing powers into Doug's ravished body. Grant him peace and rest to allow him to heal. Grant Eileen peace and hope during this struggle.
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Mary Tallent RunnelsDecember 18, 2016 at 11:42 AM
Qqqqpraying for Doug and you also.
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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, December 17, 2016

December 17, 2016: + Day 28

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