Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: June 15, 2017: Day 206

Thursday, June 15, 2017

June 15, 2017: Day 206

Early this morning I emailed Dr. Ruiz in Mexico to see if he still recommended that Doug receive the Retuximab treatments since it has been almost 7 months since Doug had the stem cell transplant. Dr. Ruiz is an internationally known hematologist and researcher. He amazed me when he gave me his personal cell phone number and email address when Doug was so sick last winter. And he amazed me again today when he returned my email within hours of me sending it. His response was that he thought that Doug should get the treatment.

Today as we were leaving for the doctor we were not sure what to do with Trixie. We have not left her alone at all. She gets so upset when I have to leave her. Gratefully Doug has been home with her. We decided we would leave her in the house with special treats and the TV on. At the doctor's office we had completed the new patient paperwork and been waiting about 45 minutes when our neighbor Karen called and told us that Trixie was out. She apparently had gone out through her doggy door and gotten under the fence and was out looking for us. Thank heaven for Karen for noticing. She was able to get Trixie to get into her van that looks just like ours and then bring Trixie into our house and put her in her crate. I guess that we should we have left her in the crate to begin with. This is the live and learn part. Meanwhile I had left Doug at the doctor and came home to help, but Karen had everything taken care of by the time I got home. Whew!!!!

Back at the doctor, when I arrived Doug was already with the doctor. Long story short, is that sthe doctor said he would be glad to do the infusion if Doug's neurologist would prescibe it for MS. The bad news is that Doug's neurologist said he would not prescribe Retuximab last fall because it was not FDA approved for this purpose in the US yet, even though Retuximab has been used for MS for many years as a treatment for MS. And so we are left with not knowing what to do. I am going to contact his primary care doctor tomorrow to see if she will prescribe it. She has been very supportive so far. I will also contact my daughter-in-law Corinne to see what she recommends. We are so disappointed this was not easier.

Good news, bad news, we have Trixie and we don't have a solution to Retuximab problem. And so we pray:

God of Hope and Healing, guide our thoughts and actions as we continue to move toward complete healing for Doug. Help us to not become discouraged or overwhelmed as we continue to climb this hill to healing. Give us wisdom to know what the best actions for us to take in the days ahead. Open the minds and hearts of our doctors so that they may see and value the expertise of others who work outside of the US. 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!

Thursday, June 15, 2017

June 15, 2017: Day 206

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