Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: May 6, 2017: Day 166

Saturday, May 6, 2017

May 6, 2017: Day 166

Doug wowed me today. This morning he told me he wanted to do his exercises and wanted to know if I would help him. This is the first Saturday since he has been home that he wanted to exercise. I was really glad he felt like he had enough energy and willing to make the effort. The first thing he wanted to do was to pull himself to a stand and then stand holding the bars for 5 minutes. While holding the bars he leaned from side to side and bent into some squats. I could not believe his balance was this good. He was able to do 3 repetitions. He really looked good. When he was done he was able to lower himself into a squat. Hallelujah!

This afternoon I went to the Old Penitentiary with my daughter, grandson and two foster grandsons. It was a fun afternoon with the kids. Cole is a 3rd grader and will study Idaho History next year in 4th grade. Our goal is to take him to many historical places in Idaho this year. It was wonderful to be able to get away this afternoon to have fun learning and playing with the kids.

Angie and Tom received a new 4 year old foster son in February and then two weeks ago their former foster son was taken out of his home again and returned to them. They have their hands full. It was good to see Trey again. He immediately yelled Gramma and came running. He seems happy to be with Angie and her family. It is normal for him. They have continued to stay in contact with him even after he went home.

We stopped on the way home to get something to eat at Whole Foods and ran into our friends Wendy and Lance. We have not seen them in a really long time. It was fun to catch-up with some old friends. They have been traveling after they retired, for the last 3 years in their RV. They have only come back to Idaho to sell their home. Hopefully we will get to see them again before they leave town.

Doug did well being home on his own. He was able to get his own snacks, listen to a book on Audible, and watch T.V. Tonight getting ready for bed was much faster. He is helping so much more and becoming more independent. I even had time to take a long bath after he was in bed. It was wonderful!

Let us pray:

God of Promise and Playfulness, we give thanks for the continual progress that Doug makes. Each day, at your pace, his legs get stronger, his balance gets better and he is empowered to do more. Our hopes are fulfilled and we are grateful. The love and playfulness of the children remind us of the opportunities that are all around us to feel joy. These wee boys have experienced so much, their lives are so uncertain, but they can enjoy the day and be grateful for the offerings of this day. They remind us of the importance of play and the renewal that comes from it. We thank you for their witness in our lives and we ask you to bless them, hold them close and protect them. In your name we ask it. Amen

2 comments:

MarieMay 7, 2017 at 9:01 AM
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MarieMay 7, 2017 at 9:03 AM
I'm very glad you are blogging. I haven't known what was up with you two. It wouldn't surprise me if Doug had been significantly affected without knowing it the last years we were in touch. I have gotten a chronic illness myself which wrecked my life as it was. Its not treatable but it's not progressing. It's a real bitch. Best wishes to you both. I don't know if I'm welcome to help or capable of helping but I'm offering to try. Rose Marie Holt
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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!

Saturday, May 6, 2017

May 6, 2017: Day 166

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