Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: January 16, 2017: Day +58

Monday, January 16, 2017

January 16, 2017: Day +58

Such a good day...

Funny what makes a good day. For us, the littlest things makes for a good day. I have learned not to look to far ahead, resting in the present moment gives us the comfort we need.

Today when I came into Doug's room he greeted me. The aides were just leaving. Once they were out the door Doug said, "Today is the first time I noticed their faces and the first time I really looked at them." Up till now Doug's focus has been mostly internal. He was unable to look outside of himself. He has been coping with so much just to live. For him to be able to look, see and interact with others for a period of time is another big step.

Then Doug said "Look, I can move my arm." Sure enough, he moved his arm just a tiny bit. This is the first time he has reported to me what he could do. Always before I have shown him his improvements. He has seemed a little disengaged in the improvements.

Then our friend Steve Matthews, and his legal assistant Angie came to see us. Steve most graciously drew up a Power of Attorney for us. He needed Doug's signature. I thought hmmm, I am not sure that can happen. Doug said he could do it. I was skeptical. Well, he did. Not his normal signature, but he was able to form a pincer grasp, hold the pen and wrote a new rendition of his name. He definitly could not have done that a couple days ago. Then the final big event today was with his Speech and Language Pathologist. He was evaluating Doug's swallow and decided to try the pudding again. Doug did really well. He ate the full cup with no problems. Hooray! He really wanted steak and eggs, but pudding is a step in the right direction and so it looks like he is well on his way.

It was a busy day with so many improvements in one day. We pray each day continues in a similar way.

And today, I took a few more moments for myself. My friend Melanie came and met me for dinner. It was lovely to step a way for a short time. And tonight at 9:00, I went for a massage before bedtime. Hopefully I will sleep more easily tonight with so many good thing in one day.

Jesus, light of world, your light draws us and leads us. Like the dawn of a new day, this day filled us with hope and promise. We thank you for continued healing of Doug's body and rest for our bodies and souls. Be with us as we sleep this night. Send your angels to keep watch over Doug, provide him rest and comfort, give his caregivers compassionate hearts to nurture him and care for him. And fill us again in the morning with a new dawn and the promise of a new day. In your name we ask it. Amen.

1 comment:

UnknownJanuary 17, 2017 at 6:45 AM
Such wonderful news. God is so good. We will continue to pray for these daily victories. Hugs to you both.
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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!

Monday, January 16, 2017

January 16, 2017: Day +58

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