Our Mexican Camino: Ending MS and Finding New Life: November 22, 2017: Day 369

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017: Day 369

It happened! Doug had his kidney stone removed this afternoon at St. Alphonse's in Boise. Every thing went like clock-work. His doctor came in to meet with us before the surgery. I thanked him for coming to the hospital for the surgery instead of the out-patient surgery center. I said that I knew that I had been really pushy in getting the surgery done today. He said he totally agreed with me. He did not think that Doug had needed to see a cardiologist. He said Doug had been through a stress test 5 weeks ago when he went thought the first surgery! I was relieved that he was supportive of me pushing to get the surgery done today. You don't want a surgeon that doesn't want to be there!

The surgery itself only took about 45 minutes. Dr. Fredrickkson broke up the stone and extracted it. He put in a new stent in that we will remove at home on Monday. After the surgery he came to meet with me to tell me how well everything had gone. He said that we could call anytime if we have questions or if we don't feel like we are being heard. I told him that the surgery center staff did not offer the hospital until I demanded to talk to him. And they also told me that he was not available to talk to patients, he was busy. He said, I am not that busy.

We got home around 7:00 tonight. Doug has not had any pain. He has had some discomfort. But he is not taking any pain medication and he is doing pretty well. He was able to eat dinner tonight when we got home and is looking forward to having Thanksgiving dinner. I am so relieved that everything worked out and so glad to have this behind us.

Tonight I made the dinner rolls, prepared a sweet potato casserole, boiled the potatoes and put some rolls together for breakfast. I am so glad we will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving. We missed it last year.

Thanks to everyone who encouraged us today. Thanks to everyone who have held us in prayer as we continue this journey. Prayers were answered today.

And so we pray:

God of Promise, we give you thanks answered prayers, faithful friends and for warm, caring and talented doctors and nurses. We give thanks for a success surgery. And we are thankful that Doug does not have any pain and the relief he is feeling knowing that this part of our journey is coming to an end. Be with us this night that we may rest in peace and wake in the morning filled with thanksgiving and hope. 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!

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

November 22, 2017: Day 369

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