Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: June 7, 2017: Day +198

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

June 7, 2017: Day +198

On the 18th of March our beloved dog Stryder died. We were heartbroken. With all that we had going on, it was even harder loosing Stryder. He was 13 1/2 years old, so we had a good long life with him. When Doug came home from rehabilitation, that is when it really hit him that Stryder was really gone. He has been missing him a lot. He was ready to think about getting a new dog not long after he got home. I was not ready because I had my hands very full taking care of Doug without thinking of another dog. But about a month ago, I too began to think of another dog. And so in the evenings, when I would sit-down to watch TV with Doug, I began searching for a dog on-line and now we think we have found one. We found a weimaraner (our last 2 dogs have been weimaraners). She is currently living in the Ontario Correctional Institution. She is a Pen Pal. She is 18 months old. She was picked-up as a stray and has been being given obediance and crate training by a prisoner.

It has taken the last 3 weeks for us to get to the point where we are going to be able to meet her. We had to submit an application to Second Chance in Fruitland along with references. And then we had to have background checks done by the prison. Finally, we have all the approvals and we get to meet her on Friday afternoon. I have purchased a new crate and a new collar for her. Tomorrow Doug and I are going to get dog food and treats. Doug said this morning, "Do you think it is weird that I am dreaming about Trixie?" Trixie is her name. I think it fits for a little jailbird. Since we are dreaming of her and buying things for her I think we are ready to make this new committment. Not wierd at all. We are pretty sure we will be bringing her home, but it is not a done deal yet. It is very exciting.

It is so nice to have something to look forward to and to be planning a new life with Trixie.

And so we pray:

Spirit of the Living God, you are always inviting us to new life and love. Thank you for setting us on the path of inviting a new pet into our lives to love and care for. Guide us in good decisions and right actions, as we search for the pet that is right for us. In your name we ask it. Amen

1 comment:

UnknownJune 8, 2017 at 6:12 AM
I think that is wonderful. Nothing like a pet. I prayit works out. Love the name
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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!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

June 7, 2017: Day +198

1 comment:

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