Prayer Request for Iryna B.
We recently found out that one of our widows, Iryna, needed special support. She is an IDP (internally displaced persons) from the war zone. In 2014 when the conflict in Donbas had started, Iryna’s family was pressured and persecuted to support Ukrainian values. Her family was forced to leave their home and move to a safe territory.
Iryna’s husband went to war to defend Ukraine from invaders and gave his life for his country. After the death of her husband, Iryna and her three children first moved to Kharkiv. Later, she moved from town to town to rent apartments since she had almost no money. After a while, they moved to Bucha (Kyiv region) where they live today.
In the fall, Iryna and two of her daughters got sick with COVID-19 (her eldest daughter is a student and does not live with her). They all experienced sickness, especially Iryna. After Iryna recovered, complications of chronic diseases began to show up. Iryna has a phlebeurysm (their veins in her legs are removed). She always wears compression stockings, but after she had COVID-19, a vein on her leg expanded so much that it caused pressure on other veins. This problem is a result of bad blood circulation, and Iryna’s leg turns blue. She needs surgery to remove the vein.
Her youngest daughter has felt pain and swelling in her knee since having COVID-19. Arthritis doctors recommended that her daughter limit her activities and movements. Amaliia is a very active girl and following the doctors’ advice is a challenge.
But the worst effects have been on Masha, the middle daughter. In the past, she had repetitive headaches, but after COVID-19 they have been more severe, and she faints. She was diagnosed, and the CT scan revealed she has two problems. First, she has a deviated nasal septum that has outgrown the inside of her nose. Doctors refer to it as “thorns” because it causes a constant infection inside her nose. This problem can be solved after a nose surgery to remove infection. Second, there is a tumor inside her head situated behind the ear. At first glace, they think it’s benign, but we will know more after the tumor removal and the result of cytology. So, unfortunately, Masha needs two surgeries.
Iryna was forced to quit her job to take care of her children. And currently, she can’t get another job.
Aside from COVID-19, this family has gone through a lot of stress from constant moving—the kids have changed school five times. Of course, their father’s loss became a terrible blow to the whole family. They feel the need for a father.
This is a difficult time for Iryna and her family. Please, support them in a prayer that God would lead them through this valley of challenges and strengthen their faith.
