Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: April 7, 2017:Day +137

Friday, April 7, 2017

April 7, 2017:Day +137

Doug with his new OT, Elisa

Today is our second day home and the busyness continued, along with continued feelings that everything we are doing is new. Doug keeps waking up around 5:00 because that is the time that he had his vitals taken for the first time every morning in the hospital. He was pretty restless and so a little after 7:00 we decided it was time to get up. By 8:30 I heard from the Home Health OT and PT to let me know when they would be arriving. Our first appointment was scheduled for 12:00 noon. I was relieved we would not have anyone over early. This gave me the time to help Doug get cleaned up and dressed and then I made a nice breakfast for us. This was a step up from yesterday! I even had time to throw in a load of laundry and put away laundry from yesterday. We took the time to organize all of Doug's pills in a pill organizer. He has 10 new medications. Having them in the pill organizer will be easier for both of us. I keep having to check and double check to make sure I have given him the right pills.

I was really pleased with both the OT and PT. They were both very personable and professional. Both of them spent time listening to our goals for Doug as well as hearing the story of what has happened to Doug over the past few months. Both of them understood our concern that Doug would not be getting as much therapy as the hospital and might not progress or progress very fast. Both of them had some great strategies to intensify his therapies with some recommendations on what we can do at home. His PT got Doug into a stand and walked a couple steps with him and transferred him standing from one chair to another. I was very excited that she was able to get Doug on his feet by herself. I think she will do really well with him. She shares the vision of getting Doug to walk again.

After the PT left a little after 4:00 I took a few minutes to pay some bills and make a grocery list. We got Doug back into his recliner using the slider board which is a big work for both of us and I headed to the bank and to the store. Doug took the chance to take a nap and watched the evening news. When I got home I made dinner for us and then we did some of Doug's evening routines. Getting him into bed tonight was not as difficult. We are both learning.

Tonight I am heading to bed a little more relaxed. I have a schedule with all of Doug's care givers, bath aides, OT, PT and nurse for next week. And I also have a new work schedule for me. And so hopefully next week will go smoothly.

Let us Pray:

God of our Journey, this pilgrimage is pushing us to places unknown, forcing us to change and pushing us to do things we don't want to do. It is sometimes hard to quiet our souls and to continue to take the next step on the path. We give thanks for Doug's new OT and PT, who share our vision for the future and their willingness to join us on this journey. Their presence today has bolstered our hope and encouraged us to keep taking the next right step. Be with us this night, that we might rest in peace and awaken tomorrow filled with hope for the new day. 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!

Friday, April 7, 2017

April 7, 2017:Day +137

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