Appointment updates.

Kerissa • Nov 13, 2018

Hey friends,

It’s been exactly 2 whole months since I last posted—I’m sorry I haven’t kept you in the loop lately!

In October, I had a tunneled central line infection (thankfully, it didn’t spread to my blood).  My central line site was really tender and oozing a little.  So my GI specialist quickly started me on a 10-day course of Doxycycline (a very strong antibiotic I’ve never taken before).

Well, 2 or 3 days after I started the antibiotic, I came down with a cold (an antibiotic side effect that can happen).  It took me more than 16 days to recover from just a simple cold.🙁 My neurologist explained that I’ll always have more severe symptoms with any kind of illness due to having mitochondrial disease.

I also found out that this class of antibiotics is on the “do not take” list for those who have mito because it “inhibits beta-oxidation and mitochondrial protein synthesis.”🙁 Not sure if that’s also why it took me so long to get better, but now we know that I should stay away from these specific antibiotics if possible.

In October, I also had a follow-up with my orthopedic hip surgeon, and it wasn’t the best news.  My hip is still not doing better, and I have a lot of scar tissue in the hip joint.  I continue to have physical therapy twice a week, and recently, I also had to get an ultrasound-guided hip steroid injection to soften the scar tissue and decrease the inflammation.  The doctor who did the injection felt a lot of resistance (due to the scar tissue) when he inserted the needle into the joint..🙁

Several weeks ago, I had my first appointment with an OHSU endocrinologist.  She wanted to run a bunch of labs (I had to get 8 tubes of blood drawn) and have me undergo a cortisol stimulation test to rule out adrenal insufficiency.  If I have adrenal insufficiency, my doctor explained how that would be the answer as to why I went into septic shock in August.

Well, I had the test done last week, and the results show that I don’t have AI.  That is good news, but that also means we still don’t know why I went into shock..🙁

Regarding the osteopenia, I see my endocrinologist again in March to get another bone density scan done.  The scan will show us if the osteopenia is stable or not.

Last week, I had 5 appointments which was so very tiring!  And this week, in addition to physical therapy, I have follow-ups with my urology surgeon and my pain doctor.

Here’s something nice to share.  I recently got a new wheelchair!🙂  Same color because I love green.😉  But this frame was made with titanium (instead of aluminum) so it’s considered an ultra-lightweight chair!  The seat cushion is also much better than my previous one.  And, the whole chair was covered 100% by my insurance (it was over $8000)!  One sad thing is that they forgot to add “push handles” which is needed for whenever I don’t have the energy to wheel myself..  So, it’s being looked into.. :/

Here’s some more good news.  Regarding tube feeding, I use this elemental (broken-down) formula called Peptamen and then alternate that with an organic “nutrition shake” that contains fruits and veggies.  I always tolerate the organic one better, but it’s not covered by insurance because I could only get it from the store or Amazon.  Well, last week, we found out that my tube feeding company now carries the organic formula!  Isn’t that awesome!?🙂

Anyways, if I don’t get a chance to update again before the end of the year, Happy Thanksgiving (and Merry Christmas)!!

By Kerissa Lee 23 Jan, 2024
Hi, friends, I had a whole other post ready to go with some good news, but instead, I have an urgent prayer request. I started experiencing sudden onset numbness, tingling, and weakness in my whole left leg, and it’s been so scary. 🥺 It just came on out of the blue. I was doing so well with physical therapy each week (able to walk fast on the treadmill and leg press 40 lbs), and now, I have to limp because my left leg is soo weak. I really want to avoid the ED as much as possible, so I saw one of my doctors today. She’s concerned I’m having a big motor nerve issue. 😭 The plan is to see a physical medicine specialist, have a nerve conduction study, get an urgent MRI done, as well as see my PCP and pain doctor on the 25th and 29th for further evaluation/testing. I know I already said this, but it really has been so scary to lose function so quickly. Can you pray that I will trust the Lord and not worry? It’s been very hard, so I’d really appreciate your prayers and support in the coming weeks. Thank you so much. ❤️
By Kerissa Lee 01 Jan, 2024
"Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3
By Kerissa Lee 11 Dec, 2023
"This hard place in which you, perhaps, find yourself, is the very place in which God is giving you opportunity to look only to Him."  Elisabeth Elliot
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