Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: March 26, 2017: Day +126

Sunday, March 26, 2017

March 26, 2017: Day +126

Today it was wonderful to have Scotti attend church with my sister Kate and I. Scotti and I began our friendship in the church at Trinity in Pocatello. We both love music and sang together in the church there. Scotti plays guitar, oboe, and some piano. She is the musician. I always enjoy her musical talents. It was reallly great to worship together.

After church Scotti and I went to see Doug. When we arrived Fr. Dave was just getting ready to leave. He brought Doug communion and they had time to visit. I am glad they had some time alone together and it was so good of Fr. Dave to be so faithful in bringing him communion.

While Doug was in physical therapy Scotti and I ran over to get some lunch at Whole Foods. When we came back our friend Harry was visiting with Doug. That was such a pleasant surprise! Scotti had to get on the road and so we said our good byes. Harry graced us with staying a little longer. It is so nice to have Harry and Cory in town for a few days.

Unexpected deer as I was leaving the Elks tonight.

As the day came to an end, Doug and I talked a little about him coming home on Friday. Scotti and I had been talking about it. She is worried for me, wondering how I will care for him when the PT and other staff will not transfer him or get him into a sit or stand on their own. I am worried with the limited amount of therapy that will be offered. He will only get between 4 and 6 hours a week. Now he is getting between 15 and 23 hours weekly. He has been making continual progress. I am concerned that he will spend most of his time sitting and that he will not continue to progress or if he does it will be very slowly. Doug just wants to come home. It is hard for him to see that it may not be in his best interest. I have some concerns for me too. I will only be able to afford to get help for Doug while I'm at work. It is hard to know how hard it will be on me over time if Doug does not continue to make progress.

Tomorrow I will be setting up a meeting with the transition coordinator and hopefully the doctor to talk through some of my concerns. I will also be contacting some agencies to see about hiring nursing care for Doug. Another busy day as we look toward transition. And so we pray...

As the deer longs for running water, so longs my soul for thee. As we travel through this time of Lent, we are being called to sustain our faith in your goodness, in the midst of deep challenges. We are called to see you in our troubles and in our joys. We are called to stay on the path of healing. Sometimes that path becomes less clear or branches in unexpected ways. Help us to find the clear path that will lead us to wholeness and healing. Help to find ways to support each other and find the path together. Open the hearts and ears of all of our health care workers so that they may help us to make good decisions that will assure that Doug will walk and that I will remain healthy so that I may continue to care for him. In your name we ask it. 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!

Sunday, March 26, 2017

March 26, 2017: Day +126

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