September 28, 2009 10:47 AM
Mike and Vickie Farris need our prayers
[12/18 update - Vickie also has Lyme Disease.]
Mike and Vickie Farris, who for years have given so tirelessly of themselves to minster to and advocate for homeschooling - and all freedom-loving - families, not to mention raising 10 beautiful children of their own - are facing a great challenge as Vickie's health has taken an unexpected turn.
Mike writes to their church family and has given me permission to share here:
Dear Blue Ridge family,Vickie went the Johns Hopkins on Tuesday and was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis--a disease that has no known cause and no known cure. It is in the family of auto-immune diseases. The main symptom is pain. It can be severe. Vickie says that her pain has been similar to the last hour or two of labor for several days in a row. Serious pain killers do little to help.
However, it is not life-threatening--at all. It is also episodic--meaning that the flare-ups come and go. Although we didn't know what this was previously, she has apparently had this for several years in a milder form. But this has been the worst flare-up by a long shot. Home cures like cranberry juice, etc. that work for ordinary urinary tract infections actually make the pain worse for interstitial cystitis.
As of now, Vickie is not really functional--she can't homeschool, she can't manage the house, etc. Just about anything she eats causes pain reactions. She has lost a lot of weight. But, we are hoping that this will turn around in a week or two--but it could last longer.
She has had some good days and bad days this past week. But, after a few good days, she had some very bad days that caused me to return early from the national homeschool convention. We would really appreciate your prayers for Vickie on an ongoing basis. And a note from Vickie -- "I really appreciate all the prayers, calls, and cards. I am deeply moved by the obvious love you all have shown to me."
Please pray. And send notes of encouragement to them c/o Blue Ridge Bible Church.
Posted in Prayer needs | Permalink
Comments
Prayers going up.
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | September 28, 2009 11:21 AM
Thanks for posting this Barbara. I saw emails to pray for Vickie but it didn't say what was wrong. Also, in case you don't know, Chris Klicka is also in the hospital and is not doing well at all. You can read the latest update at his Caring Bridge website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisklicka
Posted by: Lisa | September 28, 2009 12:32 PM
Thanks for sharing this. I have admired them for years after reading a couple of his novels. My brother suffers from interstitial cystitis, so I know how painful it can be. I will keep her in my prayers.
Posted by: becky | September 28, 2009 1:04 PM
Barbara, I so appreciate you posting this...My heart has been aching for Vicky all day. I read her book " A mom just like you" a few years ago. She is definitely one of my homeschooling heroes.
Praying!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | September 28, 2009 5:09 PM
Wow....I have IC but in a much milder form. I have found that having children makes the symptoms subside but obviously she has done that. I have found many other things that have helped. I wish there was a way for me to send the info along to her. Thanks.
Posted by: Rebekah | September 28, 2009 10:34 PM
Praying for you. His grace is sufficient.
Posted by: Kristina | September 28, 2009 11:16 PM
When I read this I just started to burst into tears. I also have interstitial cystitis. I have had a bad flare up for over a month now. It has been very hard to keep the house clean and homeschool my children. I have not had a flare-up for almost a year until now. I know exactly what she is going through. I will be praying for her. I now what it's like to be in that much pain and I will be praying for Vickie. Please also pray for me, I am really wanting another baby, so I am praying that God will heal me.
Love,
Corrinne
Posted by: Corrinne Swartz | September 29, 2009 12:03 AM
Miracles happen all the time and I pray you'll be relieved of this soon.....
Posted by: Laura S. | September 29, 2009 6:27 AM
Please direct Vickie to the Interstitial Cystitis Association, www.ichelp.org, 1 800 HELP ICA. We can provide information and support for her and her family and can help guide her to find the right therapies. Although IC cannot be cured, it is treatable. There is a lot of research into this disorder, which can affect men, women and children of any age.
Patient education is key. There is a great video presentation at www.icawebcast.org
Posted by: Linda | September 29, 2009 7:47 AM
One who also suffers from IC, I ache for Vickie... and yes, will pray, pray, pray.
And for all you dear people knowing the chronic pain of IC.
Thank you, Barbara...
All's grace,
Ann
Posted by: Ann Voskamp@Holy Experience | September 29, 2009 7:48 AM
I read Vickie's book a few years back. I had to look up IC as I wasn't familiar with it. It sounds absolutely miserable. I'm praying for Vickie right now and for the others who've commented here that have IC also.
Posted by: evergreen | September 29, 2009 10:58 AM
After reading this my heart really went out to Vickie and her family. I have been praying for her. What spoke to me was her symptoms. I have been researching Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance (allergies to wheat, rye, barley, oats) for the past few months because of some symptoms I have been having as I've reached middle age. Food allergies can develop at any age. Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance can cause excruciating abdominal pain and lead to auto-immune diseases if not treated. The diagnosis she received of interstitial cystitis caught my eye because in my reading this is often what happens after years of food allergies w/o knowing about it and eating offending foods. There is a treatment and it involves being tested and eliminating all offending foods. There are blood and saliva tests for these allergies. There is an abundance of information on the web and books about it. There are some really excellent gluten free products available now. I'm just mentioning this out of love and concern. I saw Mike and Vickie years ago at our home school conference in Iowa and admire them both greatly and appreciate all they have done.
God's peace and healing to them.
Posted by: Shelley, North Liberty, IA | October 2, 2009 7:27 PM
I sent an email to Vickie's website contact infor but for the rest of you I want to say that there is a possible treatment that you have not heard about. I too had this problem but bacteria was present. Out of deperation one night I googled this and found a website called www.sweetcures.com and it was the beginning of the end of my problem. I have been pain free and infection free for 2 years. They process and produce a product called Waterfal D-Mannose. They are located in the UK and while you can set a product by the same name in the US it is defintely the same.
This is a naturally occuring sugar that has been around for a very long time. Vets use it on animals, The Veterans Administation used it on their soldiers and there is a lot you can find out about it on the net. It was an answer to a prayer for me. I have MS and other autoimmune issues, Hashimotos and adult human growth hormone deficiency and if it works for me, it should work for anyone. No side effects, no taste and tremendous refief. I pray that all of you can find similar refief.
Posted by: Mary Ella Hutchinson | October 2, 2009 8:08 PM
Dear Friends and Vicki: You are in my prays. My name is gloria and I have had IC and Chronic pelvic pain for 26 yrs. Through personal experience, professional and education I have learn to conquer IC without the use of medication or supplements.
I am the founder of IC anonymous, I created the site to give to others my gift of wellness, I talk to woman and men via telephone 1 x per week providing support, education and technique to resolve IC and pelvic pain.
I kept praying and asking God to let me do his will and I was moved to provide a volunteer program via telephone, internet and email for those who are suffering with this debilitating disease.
I this robbed me of my nursing career my husband of a wife and my children of a mother off and on for a good ten years of my life>
We survived and I learn to manage my disease. No there is no cure but you can heal and manage.
If you or vicki would like to work with me, like I said I do not charge money, I would glad to speak with you.
My telephone number is 512-904-9995 or you can reach me on my cell at 978-457-4483 on weekend.
My website is http://icanonymous.blogspot.com and I have a chat and discussion at
http://icfriends.ning.com
I urge you to take a look at the sites and get a peek at who I am as well it may give you a bit more comfort in calling me.
God bless
Gloria Ann Prater
Posted by: Gloria | October 3, 2009 10:00 AM
Dear Mike and Vickie
I began praying for you and Chris from the Convention news. Hearing that Vickie's is not life threatening is very encouraging. My granddaughter also had an auto-immune disease without a known cause or cure. After various internet searches and repeated conversation with her specialist we started her on Omega-3 and Marshmallow extract. That and prayer has brought her complete remission. There is no longer blood in her urine, arthritic pains or bruises that looked like leukemia. God healed her so she could go to Rwanda on a mission trip. I am sharing this with you to encourage your prayer warriors to bombard Heaven on Vickie's behalf, but also to encourage you to do you own googling and sharing with others. You may be surprised what works. Marshmallow extract is awesome stuff!
You are in our thoughts and prayers which are filled with Thanksgiving.May remission come quickly.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie and Mike Howard
Posted by: Bobbie Howard | October 6, 2009 4:07 PM
