Jerrica (14) was diagnosed at age 10. She has had 5 major flare-ups that have hospitalized her repeatedly. She was on the medication Remicade for 2 years and last year developed serum sickness in relation to that medication. In spite of many school absences, she was able to maintain her grade at school with honors academically. She will be a Freshman in high school this fall and loves her horse and competing in 4-H events. On the medications of 6-MP and Pentasa, her recent blood work indicates disease activity so we are considering a short term use of Entocort.

Chritstian (10) was diagnosed a day before his 8th birthday. He is on the least amount of medication. Our recent medical visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, has indicated he too is experiencing some activity and Entocort has been introduced to his regime of Pentasa. He is very involved in Boy Scouts and is a big help to his father on the farm/ranch this summer.

All of the kids are taking Forvia vitamins and we believe in alternative medicine along with the prescribed plans. Acupuncture, energy healing, chiropractic and ionic cleansing are all methods we employ to ease our struggles.

Our oldest daughter Dakia (age 26) of Eugene, Oregon works on an organic farm, and our second oldest son Ivan (21), an intern with the Case IH Co. in Fargo, N.D., have somehow escaped this medical nightmare. Again we applaud your efforts to create an awareness and generate support on behalf of our struggling family members.