Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: October 19, 2017: Day 135

Thursday, October 19, 2017

October 19, 2017: Day 135

Doug waiting for surgery.

Happy 11th month Stem Cell Birthday! It seems crazy that this is what I am thinking about as Doug is laying in a hospital bed, just 24 hours after surgery. But honestly I am so grateful Doug had a kidney stone and not an MS exasperation. With everything he has been through, we are still hopeful the MS has been stopped. And so for now we will just deal with the kidney stone.

The sad part is that Doug is extremely weak. Just last week he was dressing himself, getting to the bathroom by himself, and taking care of Trixie. I had to dress him to go to the hospital and use the gait belt to get him into his wheelchair. I have not had to do that for months. Today he was only able to sit on the side of the bed with help.

I think it is discouraging for him. I can't imagine how hard it must be to have worked so hard to regain skills and then to have them gone in a couple of days. I am praying that as soon as the infection is gone, his strength will return.

Trixie sleeping on Doug's side of the bed.

And Trixie, well, I was really proud of her today. Angie was going to be busy today and she was going to have to spend time in a crate which scares Trixie to death. As I got ready to leave, Trixie, went and laid under my desk as she often does and just watched me like most mornings. She has become resigned to my leaving in the morning. Doug always gives her a treat when I leave. Well, I decided to see if she would be ok if I just gave her a treat and walked out the door. She took the treat, looked sad, but did not bark or follow me to the door. I knew I was taking a chance not locking her up, but she was perfect. When I got home 7 hours later, she had not torn up anything. I am so happy with her. Hopefully we can do the same tomorrow.

And so we pray:

God of Healing and Strength, Doug is so weak and so sick. It is hard for him to see the light right now, with feeling so miserable. The infection in his body has taken all his strength. Mercifully remove the infection from his body, return his strength and give him hope. Help him to focus on his 11 month birthday and the stopping of his MS. Watch over our Trixie as she copes with having Doug and I gone. Help her to feel safe. And dear God, give me strength and wisdom in the days to come to make good decisions and to act with compassion as Doug continues to heal. 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, October 19, 2017

October 19, 2017: Day 135

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