Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: January 1, 2017: Day +43

Sunday, January 1, 2017

January 1, 2017: Day +43

It is the first day of January 2017. Time is marching on. We are still in the season of Christmas. Jesus our savior was born. Jesus the one who has come to give us new life. With all of the posts from so many of you, I try to stay grounded in the hope of that new life, of God with us. Each day your posts encourage me and support us. I can't respond to all of them as I would like too. My mind is too distracted by all that is happening in the room at the hospital and most of all with Doug. But I read them all; starting first thing in the morning, then in the middle of the day and before going to bed. Both Doug and I are comforted. We both say we are blessed. Thank you dear friends who are traveling with us on this grand camino.

We started 2017 with a bang. Doug had a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) at 9:00 a.m. We had the results in the late morning. The lab tests did not reveal anything. The doctor was looking for an infection that might explain Doug's inability to move or feel his limbs. When he came back from the tests he was requesting water and ice. Tiny chip after tiny chip, and 1/2 teaspoon at a time I gave him what he wanted. His swallowing was much better this morning and he had both eyes fully open and was moving his head more from side to side and up and down. He asked if he could have toast. He is showing an interest in eating. Of course he can't because he cannot swallow well enough

The doctor called me around noon to let me know that the test was negative. We also talked about a feeding tube and agree that we would wait for the SLP evaluation in the morning. Perhaps he is close to eating. If he is close to eating we would not want to go with a feeding tube. The doctor also talked to me about moving Doug to an acute care hospital. We agreed to start that planning on Monday or Tuesday if he continues to improve.

The Physical Therapist was in and did some range of motion with him. He and I talked about using electrical stimulation to improve his muscle tone. He will talk to the doctor about this.

My sister Kate came over and did some EMDR therapy with Doug which includes left/right stimulation of his brain to help him to connect his thinking to moving his body.

Around 12:30 Doug became very tired and fell asleep. It made perfect sense for him to be tired. The only thing is that he slept until we left at 8:00 tonight. I tried to rouse him a few times and when I did he was fairly despondent and his speech was very difficult to understand again. Things do not look right to me. I am concerned. His white blood count is up. The nurse and doctor are going to monitor him carefully through the night and call me if anything comes up. I am hoping he is just tired but ask for your prayers for continued healing.

Eternal God, on this day we celebrate the naming of Jesus, meaning savior. We come to you asking that your saving grace be upon your servant Doug as he continues to strive for new life and healing. Surround him with your grace and empower him with your love. Straighten the path that we are walking so that we might rest with ease and forgo our struggles. In your name we ask it. Amen

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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, January 1, 2017

January 1, 2017: Day +43

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