Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: December 24, 2016: Day +35

Sunday, December 25, 2016

December 24, 2016: Day +35

It is Christmas Eve, the last day of Advent. This year I did some shopping on-line before leaving Mexico for Christmas and I had one snowy day before Doug got sick to decorate the house. Since December 8, I have done nothing really except go to the hospital and come home to take care of our fish and dog and sleep. It certainly has been an Advent of waiting.....

Today, Dan and my niece Nikki stayed with me at the hospital until almost 4. Corinne came with us first thing in the morning to briefly examine Doug and review what had happened overnight. Then Corinne, Dan and I met with the hospital doctor and the pulmonary doctor. Initially the hospital doctor wanted to talk again about having a plan once Doug can no longer be on the ventilator which is a very difficult conversation to have. Then the pulmonary doctor joined us and said that Doug's lungs were actually doing better today. He said that we had a full week before we would need to make any decisions and that Doug could improve over the next week.

In fact today, was the best day we have had in a week. They changed the settings on the ventilator. Doug can now initiate the breath himself and the machine supports rather than the machine doing all the breathing for him. Doug did much better with this and seemed to rest more deeply today.

Later the kidney doctor came in and said that Doug's kidneys looked better today. Doug has been retaining a large amount of fluid. He said that Doug would again be able to take Lasiks to help with the fluid retention and that should make Doug more comfortable and take the pressure off his lungs and heart. For several days now he has not been able to take Lasiks because his kidneys have not been strong enough.

Then Dan and Nikki left. Dan went to prepare our traditional Christmas Eve tamales. I stayed with Doug. I quietly played Christmas music and worked on Christmas cards I have not been able to do until now.

At 7:00, Fr. David Wettstein came and the family soon joined us. We had a lovely Christmas Eve service in Doug's room. It was really very sweet and meaningful. We are praying for a Christmas miracle and hopeful in our expectation of the Light coming into the world.

Then I went home and enjoyed some time with my grandsons. We read "The Night before Christmas" and left a note and cookies for Santa. They are so precious.

And so the night has come and we celebebrate Emmanuel, Christ with Us. We are not alone. The light has come. Amen

1 comment:

Debbie of BoiseDecember 25, 2016 at 7:44 AM
I rejoice with you that both you and Doug could celebrate La Buena Noche with Fr. Dave and family and that you could enjoy reading the Night Before Christmas with your grandkids. Blessed moments filled with love.

May Doug continue to heal, May he be free of suffering and pain. May Doug and Eileen be at peace. We ask this through Jesus Christ lives and reigns with with our Loving Father and the Holy Spirit, who pours out God's love in our hearts.
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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, December 25, 2016

December 24, 2016: Day +35

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