Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: April 1, 2017: Day 131

Saturday, April 1, 2017

April 1, 2017: Day 131

Cory, Harry and Doug in front of the parallel bar.

Our friends Harry and Cory joined us for lunch today. In the picture you will notice the parallel bars behind them. Doug was really pleased today. He was able to walk using the bars and his therapist 5 feet. I was amazed and I think he was too. I am hopeful he will be able to stand to transfer chairs soon and hopefully it won't be too long before he is walking.

We went for a long walk and sat outside this afternoon. Doug took his small electric portable wheelchair and had no problem steering it. We both loved being outside in the sunshine. It felt great to get out of the hospital for a little while and we enjoyed seeing all the buds on the trees and the bulbs coming up. It has been quite a winter and we are so ready for spring.

We had a few frustrations this evening. The new nurse this evening came in wondering where the elastic stocking were to place on Doug's legs. There is an order for them in the computer. We have never heard of this order and he has never been given special stockings. I have been concerned about the edema in his feet and ankles for a few weeks and asked the nurses almost nightly about it. No one had any answers for us. I think the stockings are a really good idea! The other thing is that they are finally working on the bowel program. For the last 2 nights the nurses have come in and announced that this program is for Doug and I to do so that we can do it at home. The first nurse just expected Doug to do everything on his own. I was pretty frustrated. I told them the program was ordered March 9 and this was a program for them to do with Doug to help him. It should have always been a part of his therapy not just something for us to work on at home. Oh my....

My grand daughter has been sending me notes over the past few months. She sent me this Irish poem yesterday, enhanced with her artistic creativity. It made me laugh tonight and that is a good think.

It is hard to be in the hospital this long. I am sure our patience is growing short. We are thankful though for the continued improvements. I can see that Doug will be ready to be home and he will be able to do many things on his own. He has come a long ways in the past 6 weeks.

Fountain of Living Waters, you know our tears of joy and our tears of sadness. Our emotions go up and down each day. We are embarking on a new life as we prepare to leave the hospital. While excited we know the challenges to come. As we travel this river of life, still the waters so that we feel safe and supported until we are ready for the rapids that are sure to come. In your name we ask it. Amen

1 comment:

Debbie of BoiseApril 2, 2017 at 7:13 AM
Fountain of Living Water -- what a beautiful name for God! Got me thinking of finding other names for God, beside Almighty or Creator, or Father. These are all fine names. On the other hand enlarging our vocabulary about who God is can enrich our relationship with God.

Thank-you Eileen for this inspiring name for God.

I rejoice in Fr. Doug's progress with walking, transfers and so much more. I am also glad he can stay another week. I pray daily for you Eileen, in your unwavering fight for Doug's life and health. I pray daily for Doug, that he may see the progress he is making, continue in the work God has given him to do, even as he longs to go home Now.

May the Blessed One bless you and Doug, now and forever. Amen
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

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, April 1, 2017

April 1, 2017: Day 131

1 comment:

Blog Archive