Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: July 13, 2017: Day 234

Thursday, July 13, 2017

July 13, 2017: Day 234

The journey sometimes is long and tiring, but we know that the greatest
strides are often made when we feel like we are in the desert.

Where do the days go? They seem to march on. There are always so many things to do for Doug each day and there are always so many things that I have to be planning for and attending to. I keep hoping the day will come when we can live day to day without the continual tasks or concerns for his health. Of course I hope that when that day comes, we are not dealing with the progression of Doug's MS.

Today, we went to the eye doctor. The good news is that Doug's eyes have not changed too much and his doctor will be able to correct his vision to 20-20 vision. His eye pressures were good. He does have a small cateract starting on one of his eyes, and his opthamologist believes it may have started with his recent illness. Hopefully, as he gets stronger, his eyes will get stronger and be able to focus for longer.

We then went and picked out new glasses for him. He wanted glasses just like the old ones. I wanted him to have some that are a little more trendy. They were having a two for one sale and so we both won.

On the way home we had to pick-up more refills of his medications. Instead of having prescriptions that we can pick up one day a month, we are at the pharmacy a least 3 times a month. He could have the prescriptions delivered by mail, but because of the number of medications he is still taking I have decided it is more important to get them locally where I can talk to to the pharmacists about how he is doing and responding and get support from them. Hopefully one day in the not to far future, his medications will be less, and his blood clot will be dissolved.

We still have not heard from the hematologist or the neurologist regarding Doug getting retuximab. I guess it is time for me to call again tomorrow to see what is happening. It may be time to start seeking other providers. Finding other options seems really difficult right now and ultimately expensive if we have to leave town to get treatment.

And so we pray.

God of Mercy and Love, come and be with us as we continue this journey. Encourage Doug in his exercises. Help him to see a vision of his own wellness and give me strength to continue to seek the healers in our community. We pray for your healing and your strength for the journey. 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, July 13, 2017

July 13, 2017: Day 234

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