Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: January 19, 2017: Day +61

Thursday, January 19, 2017

January 19, 2017: Day +61

Doug sitting in a wheel chair, with the quilt
that our daughter-in-law Corinne made.

Tonight driving home, I was pondering, when my daughter and I walked the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. As we walked the 500 mile pilgrimage, no day was the same other than walking. Each day we saw whole new landscapes, stayed in very different places, met different people. We encountered whole new challenges each day with the path, the mountains and the aches and pains. To some degree I feel the same about this journey. No day is ever the same. I never really know what to expect. The part that is the same is that I get up and go to the hospital, just like we got up and started walking. Each day there are amazing vistas and rugged challenging climbs.

Doug is now feeling frustrated that he cannot move on his ow., To me, it seems the very fact that he is frustrated is an improvement. Tonight at 8:30 he said he worried about me and that he thought I should go home so that I do not get home too late. He has not been able to think about me going home or driving on slick roads these past weeks. Often he was not aware I was there or he so needed me to be there that he did not want me to leave.. I believe his awareness is a sign of his continued healing.

Many other good things have happened over the last few days. He was able to eat a half a banana and a cup of pudding. This is so important. He really needs to get the tube out of his nose. It is very irritating to his nose and throat. If he is not able to eat soon we will have to consider a tube directly into his stomach. I am hopeful we won't have to do that. The OT and the PT, for the past 2 days have helped Doug to sit on the side of the bed. They have worked with him to build the strength to hold his head up and strengthen his core muscles, as well as putting his feet on the floor, strengthening his leg muscles. Today he did better than yesterday. It is delightful to see progress, even though the steps are small. Today while stretching his legs in bed, he was able to help push his right leg out from a bent position. He was also able to push both arms out from a bent position. Moment by moment, day by day he is healing.

The OT and PT working with Doug, sitting at
the side of the bed.

I have been limping around now for about 7 weeks. And so I decided that it is time for me to have surgery on my knee. I will have the meniscus repaired on Tuesday. This is outpatient surgery and I should be walking in the afternoon. I understand the recovery is fairly quick. I know that when Doug gets home he will need care, and so I decided I had better get this knee taken care of very soon.

With so much happening it s time to pray,

Holy One, Light Bearer, thank you for lighting our path on this journey. Thank you for giving us hope with the daily bright spots in the many signs of healing. Thank you for sending light bearers for the path that encourage us when we struggle or become frustrated. Thank you for the expertise of the professionals working with Doug and their positive attitudes. They build our trust in the process and bring us joy with their playful banter. Thank you Holy One. Thank you Light Bearer, Thank you for your constant illuminating presence with us. 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!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

January 19, 2017: Day +61

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