Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: February 4, 2017: Day +77

Saturday, February 4, 2017

February 4, 2017: Day +77

Today was a special day for Doug. I was able to bring our dog Stryder to spend the day. Doug has been longing to see him. Initially I had to wait until Doug was out of Neutropenia and then I needed to wait until my knee was strong enough to handle him. I brought his dog bed, dog bowls, food and lease. To bring him to the hospital I had to provide the supervisor with a copy of his immunizations and get her permission. Stryder got a lot of attention from the staff and a few patients before I even got to the room. But when I walked in with Styder Doug was delighted. All day, he was so happy to have in the room with us. We both have missed him. My sister Kate has been keeping him for us since I have not been home and he really needs company. It felt good for the 3 of us to be together today.

Our friends, Ted and Ludee came by to visit. They brought Doug a Coke which he just loved and brought both of us piece of lemon pound cake which was delicious. It was great to have some time with them. While there Ludee took a family picture of us. So sweet...

I ran off with Angie, my daughter for a couple hours and we did some shopping at Whole Foods and had an early dinner together. Angie took me over to see the house they are selling in Boise. It was nice to do these things together. I have not seen the house because I have been totally focused on Doug since we got back from Mexico. It was nice to know I could be away from the hospital and know that Doug was in good hands and that he could call for help if he needed it.

The nurses and CNAs are telling me that they all want to care for Doug. They think he is really nice and he is always appreciative of them. We often have visits from the staff that are not assigned to his room. They come by just to see him. Everyone is very attentive here. Today we had extra visitors, because many of the staff wanted to meet Stryder.

Some more good news, Doug is having no pain in his back today. It all resolved. Tonight I looked over and he had reached up and had his hand on his serving tray. He has not done anything like this for months. It was a simple thing but it was amazing to me.

And so we pray

God of Surprises, we give you thanks for the healing of Doug's back. We thank you for all who care for Doug and provide him the support he needs. We thank you for good friends who look after us in so many ways. We ask you to bless Doug in his recovery and bless Stryder as he ministers to Doug in a very specific way. While Stryder is an old dog, we giv you thanks for him and the life he brings to us. Amen

1 comment:

UnknownFebruary 5, 2017 at 6:32 AM
Fantastic news! So happy for you. Prayers and family pets,friends and great environment, nurses and doctors. What a winning combination. Not to mention Doug's incredible courage to overcome. God bless you all.
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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 4, 2017

February 4, 2017: Day +77

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