More Results.

Kerissa • Jan 30, 2015

Hey everyone,

As I mentioned in my previous post , my mito specialist wanted to check for mitochondrial DNA depletion…..well, those results are back.

And guess what—the results do show that I have a mtDNA depletion!

It’s not very good news because this means something is depleting the number of mitochondria in my body, and all organs/cells need a normal amount of mitochondria to function well.  I wasn’t expecting these results at all, but I am still so thankful to the Lord for more answers to all my numerous conditions/symptoms.  This depletion may be why my GI tract in particular is in such bad shape and why I can’t tolerate j-tube feeds and solid food.

Since this genetic test came back abnormal, my mito specialist is currently going to hold off on the fibroblast super complex assembly testing and electron transport assays analysis.  He wants to see if the whole exome sequencing will pinpoint which gene mutation is causing the mtDNA depletion.

Speaking of whole exome sequencing, it looks like the test will be started next week!  A national phlebotomy service is coming to our house this coming Monday to draw my blood (my mom’s as well) to send off to the lab.

On Tuesday, I have a follow-up with my neuro-ophthalmologist to once again check my optic nerves and make sure the external ophthalmoplegia in my left eye is stable.

Wednesday, I have another appointment with the pain team at OHSU, and Thursday, the home health nurse will be coming again to change my PICC line dressing.

The following week, I have my 4 scheduled MRIs (brain, cervical spine, thoracic spine, and right foot)….I have to spend over 4 hours in the MRI tube. :/

I also have follow-ups with my GI specialist and Cardiology, so it will be a busy next couple of weeks.

Anyways, I just wanted to check in and and share these results with all of you!

Kerissa

P.S.  Here are some pictures that I took of San Diego.🙂

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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