Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: October 17, 2017; Day 330

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

October 17, 2017; Day 330

It has been two weeks since my last post. Things had been moving along, while Doug has not had dramatic changes, it has felt like he is becoming more independent. I had to go to Tucson last week and was gone four days. Doug was able to stay by himself and take care of Trixie with some support. My sister Kate came over every day and made dinner and took Trixie to the dog park. This was a huge support. Not only did I feel better knowing Doug was checked on each day, but also reassured knowing that he was getting a good dinner each night. He sounded really good while I was good.

Tonight I am feeling like we were lulled into believing that he was going to continue to improve.
But things changed this weekend. Saturday night Doug said he did not want dinner when I had prepared it and placed it in front of him. I wondered why he did not tell me sooner. Then at coffee hour on Sunday he did not have anything to eat. When we started dinner Sunday night with the family he was having pain in his stomach, was nausus and had been falling asleep all afternoon. He has not done that for a long time. By Monday night he was feeling really weak and falling asleep, but he did eat some dinner.

This morning, he could hardly dress himself. When trying to get into the wheelchair he slid to the floor. I had to get the Hoyer to get him back in his chair. He seemed to have trouble thinking. When trying to transfer to his recliner he slid to the ground again. Again I had to get the Hoyer. He has not needed it since June. Tonight he needed help undressing and getting into bed. I am really concerned. He is not running a fever, his blood pressure is good and his heart rate is ok. He is just really weak. It may just be a virus, which is the theory I have been going with and it may just have more impact on him. If he is not better by morning, I will call his doctor and see if we need to take him to the hospital. Please keep him in your prayers.

And so we pray:

Loving God, be with Doug. May he experience your presence. Give him a deep rest and a peaceful sleep. Heal his body and give him strength. This is so difficult for both of us. It is hard to go down this path again. Give us hope in our struggles and refresh our spirits. In your name we ask it. Amen

2 comments:

Debbie of BoiseOctober 18, 2017 at 9:58 AM
Praying for you and Doug. Please let us know how you and Doug are doing when you are able.

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UnknownOctober 19, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Try checking his blood sugar, it can have similar effects, especially if he isn't eating. Jerry gets week like that when his sugar levels are off. Love you
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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, October 17, 2017

October 17, 2017; Day 330

2 comments:

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