Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: May 7, 2017: Day +167

Sunday, May 7, 2017

May 7, 2017: Day +167

We had a lazy Sunday today. We awoke to late to get ready for church and drive into Boise. And so we started the day very leisurely and made Sunday breakfast. I spent most of the day puttering around the house sorting and cleaning things up. I finally reorganized my pantry. After having family here at Christmas everything on shelves had found new homes and needed some straightening.

It was so nice to have some time to just putter around the house. These last months I have had so little time to do that. After I got clothes out for Doug, he was able to dress himself and move from the bed to the wheelchair on his own, while I was making breakfast. I did not even think about it while I was cooking. Usually I am listening carefully and checking in on him. Today seemed very natural. He did not not need me close at hand, he could do it on his own.

Doug got his IPAD out that I got for him while he was at the Elks. He is trying to learn to use it. He wanted to look at email and the app for Audible books. This is the first time he has shown any interest in checking his email. It makes my heart glad to see him do this.

And today I found myself looking forward. I asked him if he remembered me telling him that when we get through this we would plan a trip to China to see the Great Wall. This is something he has always wanted to do. He said he remembered. I said I had better get planning then, because next year I think we will be able to make that trip. I think he will be walking by then.

It is nice to look forward to the future... it is a gift really. For so long, I lived only in the present moment. I am glad there are tomorrows to dream of.

God of New Life, we thank you for transformation. We thank you for the gift of hope and a spirit to persevere. We thank you for eyes to see what is possible and the desire to pursue our dreams. We thank you for this day and this night. We thank you for this present moment. This moment is enough, but the dream of sweet days in the future is so delightful. Be with us now as we sleep and may we awake in the morning filled with anticipation for the days to come. Amen

2 comments:

MarieMay 8, 2017 at 12:27 AM
Audible is a godsend, eh? Its good to see his remarkable recovery and progress from a dire situation.
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MarieMay 8, 2017 at 12:28 AM
Get the iPad working to stream shows & movies - it's amazing - from one person in bed a lot to another.
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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, May 7, 2017

May 7, 2017: Day +167

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