Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: February 28, 2017: Day +101

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

February 28, 2017: Day +101

Today is Shrove Tuesday, often called Fat Tuesday. Traditionally it is a day we live it up and eat all the things in our pantry that may be considered a treat or a luxury or perhaps on a more spiritual level we begin to prepare our hearts for the journey of lent.

Today Doug and I both participated to some degree or another in Fat Tuesday. We ate the foods and treats we enjoy. Our friend Leanne brought Doug a King's cake today that he enjoyed and shared with some of the staff at the hospital. I had a Mexican lunch with my friends from work and enjoyed some apple pie for dinner. It is a great day too, to remind ourselves of the bounty with which we live and all we have to be grateful for.

I have thought a lot about what I will do for Lent this year and have decided that I will commit to reducing calories, eliminate sweets and to exercise daily. For the past few months I have eaten only what was easily available. I did not have the energy to worry about my diet and with my knee injury I have not exercised regularly. I have concluded that I need to be sure to set some time aside to take care of myself which also includes nurturing my spiritual life as well. And in preparation for Doug coming home, I need to be healthy to care for him.

When I left Doug tonight, he did not have a plan for taking on anything for lent. I think continuing to live into his current condition and remaining positive is about all he can do right now and it is quite enough. Tonight when the staff was changing, his CNA came in and said that she was excited to be able to care for Doug tonight because the other CNAs said that he was the sweetest man and that they all love working with him. The Vibra staff said the same thing. It made me smile. I told him that he sure had them fooled! But truly, he is so good about thanking them and appreciating each of them. I am sure it is easier to care for people who are grateful. And he has been grateful. Being grateful is a wonderful spiritual discipline

He had a busy day of therapies this afternoon. He said he was pretty worn out this afternoon. They are continuing to work on him sitting independently and improving his strength in his arms, neck and back.

Doug also enjoyed the companionship today of friends Leanne and Joanne and Fr. Koji and Bishop Brian visited. These visits brightened his day and made it so much more enjoyable.

It is late and time for sleep and so we pray.

Ever present God, thank you for dear friends that travel with us and encourage us along the way. They lighten our spirits and ease our fears. Be with us as we approach this season of Lent. May all our disciplines draw us closer to you. May our capacity to love grow. And as we approach Easter may we be transformed to reflect you in all that we say and all that we do. Amen

1 comment:

UnknownMarch 2, 2017 at 6:48 AM
Dear Eileen and Doug, Our prayers are constantly with you.I am do sorry I could not be with Doug on Mon. Luckily, my sore throat went away later
Doug did not need that exposure. We pray he will keep gaining strength. God be with you.
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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!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

February 28, 2017: Day +101

1 comment:

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