Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: April 18, 2017: Day +148

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

April 18, 2017: Day +148

It is really hard to believe that it is the 18th of April. Doug has now been home 2 weeks. Yesterday morning when we were laying in bed I told Doug is was so nice to lay in bed and not have to plan the day around the hospital and work. He talked about how nice it is to be home, sleep in his own bed and keep a lot of his own schedule. This week is feeling more relaxed then last week, even though it is only our second week of Doug being home.

This morning the bath aide showed up 10 minutes early and ready for work. I was able have breakfast ready for Doug and walk out the door on time. Everything happening according to plan making for a much easier start to the day. His therapies the last two days have gone well. Will is working on making parallel bars for Doug. The days are developing a rhythm.

This afternoon, we enjoyed lunch with our friends Harry and Cory. They are heading back to Oregon on Thursday. We will be sad to see them go. Harry was so nice to put the two new tires on Doug's wheelchair for me. That was a big help. I can definitely say that repairing tires is not one of my favorite things.

Late this afternoon we went to see Lion with Kate, Angie and Cole. It is a wonderful movie. It is a story of resurrection. It is a true story about a boy who becomes lost in India, is adopted by an Australian couple and eventually comes back to India to find his family of origin. It was great for Doug to go out to a movie. He had been having a craving for popcorn. Seems like we keep having a series of first lately. We have had so little time with our grandson Cole, it was pure joy to be with him. Every time Doug gets to do something that makes his world a little bigger it feels like a resurrection experience.

God of New Beginnings, we give thanks for home and outings, for the company of friends and families and most of all for an abundant life full of new beginnings. Be with us as we sleep and as we awake. Help us to greet the new day with anticipation and hopefulness. And God be with us with each step, heal us and bring us to wholeness. 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!

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

April 18, 2017: Day +148

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