Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: February 9, 2017: Day +82

Thursday, February 9, 2017

February 9, 2017: Day +82

Today Doug had the opportunity to participate in Group Therapy again. This time he went much more willingly than the last time. The good news is that he was able to do more independently this week. He is moving his arms and legs somewhat. Since I knew he would be busy with his therapies this morning, I took the opportunity to get some laundry done, change my sheets, pick-up things I had been laying on the dining room table each day and pay bills. Not an exciting morning, but it was nice to have some time to do a few things around the house. I also took the time to get the oil changed in our car and pick-up Doug's medical records from St. Al's. Before Doug left St. Al's, I requested his records. It took them several days to get them ready and today was the first day I had the time to go by and pick them up. He had a lot of records. In fact, 900 pages of records that measured about 6 inches thick. I had no idea there were that many.

He was pretty tired this afternoon. Therapy took a lot out of him and so this afternoon he spent most of the time resting. Every other day, I have seen some improvement in him, but today he seemed about the same. The nurse practitioner said that Doug was a little discouraged from the slowness of his progress and the great effort it takes for him to move. She said that she had given him a pep talk, reminding him that only a month ago he was hardly moving at all. The physical therapists are telling him the same thing. I can't imagine how I would be if I had gone through what he has. I think it is okay for him to feel discouragement sometimes. We all have up days and down days. I am impressed with how he has held up so far.

I slipped away for a break with two of my friends from work, Ludee and Kelly. They both have been so supportive over the past months. I am so grateful for their friendships. It was fun to have a glass of wine and to have some time away to just relax and talk education. Both of these beautiful women gave me flowers to welcome me back to work. These flowers are brightening my day and give me hope for spring!

Today felt like spring. The snow is finally melting. A friend posted some daffodils that are coming up through the snow. Life finds a way. And so we pray

God of Mystery, these past months we have been cocooned in the protection of the hospitals. All of Doug's needs have been cared for by others. We give thanks for the continuous care of the hospital staff as documented in the huge stack of medical records. We give You thanks for the time to catch-up on life and for the time to be with friends. And we give You thanks for flowers; for they remind us of the beauty of this world and the hope of new life. 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, February 9, 2017

February 9, 2017: Day +82

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