Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: August 15, 2017: Day 267

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

August 15, 2017: Day 267

Yesterday, I got back from 3 days at Women's Camp. Thanks to Dan flying up from San Diego, and staying with his dad, I was able to get away. And I love being at Paradise Point Episcopal Church Camp on the Payette lake. I enjoyed friends, kayaked, hiked, had my heart skip a beat on the ropes course swing, ate good food, sang at the campfire, made jewelry, worshipped and spent several hours in silent retreat reflecting on our "hearts desire". It was wonderful. Life felt almost "normal".

What does normal mean? Well for me, it means, I was not holding onto worry or concern for Doug while I was away. I was doing things that I love doing doing with people I care about. I was following my heart's desire. I was resting and enjoying the present moment.

So often when we are living our normal lives, we miss the goodness all around us, we get caught up in things that take away our happiness. I know this, because this has happened to me in my life frequently. There was a moment, this weekend when sitting on a rock point, looking out at the lake that I noticed how content and relaxed I was. I was not waiting for the other shoe to drop. I did not have to worry about rushing home. I did have to be constantly mindful of my responsibilities. I think I have been on guard, with worry/concern, even when I have not been aware of it. But not this weekend.

I knew Doug was in good hands, so happy to have his son with him. And Dan was wonderful with Trixie. He took her out with him jogging each day, played with her, and cleaned up after her. She loved him and even decided to sleep with him, her new friend.

And so we pray:

God of Beauty and Grace, we are so grateful for time to refresh and renew. We are thankful for people and places that warm our hearts and fill us with love and contentment. We are thankful for the simple things that remind us of who and whose we are. We are thankful for finding our heart's desire in family, friends and creation. Be with us now as we return to our regular daily life. Help us to carry with us the contentment we have felt. As our hearts were filled, help us to hold this feeling as we return to all the challenges we face. In your name we ask it. Amen

1 comment:

Debbie of BoiseAugust 17, 2017 at 6:25 AM
Eileen, I love these photos from Paradise Point. They capture the spirit of Paradise Point. So glad you had a restorative Women's Retreat.
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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!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

August 15, 2017: Day 267

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