Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: October 31, 2017: Day 347

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

October 31, 2017: Day 347

This afternoon Doug had his appointment with his urologist. We have looked forward to this appointment so that we can find out what Doug's next steps will be. We were not surprised by the news. Doug will need another surgery to remove the stone. The doctor did not take it out with the initial surgery for the placement of the stent because there was too much infection in the kidney. In the next day or two the person who schedules surgeries will call us and set-up a time to have it removed. At the time of removing the stone, the doctor will use a laser to break-up the stone and then remove the pieces. A few days after the surgery Doug will remove the stent by pulling it out by a sting. Doug is like "What???". I am like "WOW!". The good news is that Doug is feeling better, he is walking some again with his PT and soon the stone will be gone. Yea!

Angie my daughter, the organizer of the evening

We finished the night with trick or treating. I feel blessed to be able to do this with our grand kids in Idaho. Trixie did really well going door to door until she saw a cat and almost took my arm off! The kids had so much fun going door to door and getting candy. Seeing our little foster grandsons so happy and doing so well tugs at my heart. I don't know what the future holds for them, but I do know they are loved in this moment, in this place. They make my heart happy.

Costumes are off and the sorting of the candy has begun

And so we pray:

On this Halloween, darkness surrounds us, but light is everywhere. There are offerings of love and care at each house. Exchanges of good wishes and treats are served. This is why I love Halloween. All you have to do is show up and neighbors care for neighbors. People laugh and play together. Thank you God for the small gifts we receive from our neighbors who lighten our load, and lighten our hearts. And thank you for good doctors who care deeply, who make the journey accomplishable. Thank you for grandsons and granddaughters, and foster grandsons, who give light to our days. Thank you for the family of God, living and dead. 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!

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

October 31, 2017: Day 347

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