Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: February 18, 2017: Day +91

Saturday, February 18, 2017

February 18, 2017: Day +91

Last night was hard leaving Doug in a new facility. I did not sleep well and woke early. He was nervous when I left. We left Vibra, knowing the staff and them knowing Doug. They had become like friends. Even knowing Doug's needs before asking and coming in just to visit. Last night at St. Luke's it was all business, getting Doug settled in.

I awoke early, and got some work done around the house. I packed clothes for Doug because he is now allowed to wear his own clothes. He has been wearing a hospital gown for the past two and half months. I also picked up some personal items I thought he might like. Patients are encouraged to make their rooms comfortable for them. When I walked into Doug's room, he was laying in bed with scrubs on and looked pretty happy. It had been a good night and he was ready for the day. I was much relieved.

He had a busy day being evaluated by the internal medicine doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist. They were all really friendly and very welcoming. We also had the same daytime nurse and CNA and the same nighttime nurse and CNA. We learned that if possible St. Luke's tries to keep the nursing staff consistent for patients. We so appreciate this and so do the staff.

Today, Doug and I finally got to have that Valentine's Dinner. He has been craving Red Lobster because he watches their commercials everyday. We ordered take-out Lobster dinners from Red Lobster and Doug was in heaven. I have rarely eaten out since Christmas and so it was really nice for me too. You can never go wrong with Lobster. We celebrated Valentine's Day, 90 days post stem cell transplant and arrival in the rehabilitation facility. That is a lot to be thankful for.

Valentine's Dinner from Red Lobster

And so we pray:

God of Promise: We thank you for all those who walk with us, uphold us and give us strength when we falter. We thank you for Patient, Doug's CNA who prayed with him this morning over breakfast. We thank you for the therapists interested in Doug's stem cell transplant. We thank you for caring people. Be with Doug as he settles in to this new place. Help us to remember that God goes before us always and all we have to do is follow. Help us to continue to say Yes to each new challenge and to allow fear to pass through us on our way to hope for healing and wellness. In your name we ask it. Amen.

2 comments:

karinfranceFebruary 19, 2017 at 2:57 AM
I am with you from Mexico. I send you full force, courage and love from France
karin
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Sherry K-BarrettFebruary 19, 2017 at 12:26 PM
Happy Valentine's Day! So glad to have sense of comfort in a new place. Eating lobster and praising God . And such devoted loving commitment between you. It is an example we all should emulate and embrace. You are teachers of faith, hope and love of God ...And one another. Thanks be to God .
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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, February 18, 2017

February 18, 2017: Day +91

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