PAIN with PURPOSE

Life with Small Fiber Neuropathy, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type III, Mast Cell Activation, Dysautonomia, Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome, and Wilson’s Disease.

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And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

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PAIN with PURPOSE

Life with Small Fiber Neuropathy, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type III, Mast Cell Activation, Dysautonomia, and Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome

LEARN MORE

And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Finding Joy 

and purpose 

Amid Pain

Hi! I’m so happy you’re here! :) My name is Kerissa, and I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I started Pain With Purpose to mainly share medical updates and prayer requests with my close friends and family. But it soon became more than that. Over the years, friends and strangers alike have commented on my posts or sent emails to say that my blog has encouraged and inspired them immensely to trust in the Lord and not give up in the midst of their trials! I hope and pray Pain With Purpose continues to be a testament that God can use our pain for His glory and good purposes, even when we may not be able to see that right away. 

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STORE COMING SOON.

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but WITHOUT stain.”

“God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but WITHOUT stain.”

C.S. Lewis

 The latest 

Encouraging

& Insightful Journal Entries

 The latest 

Encouraging & Insightful Journal Entries

By Kerissa Lee June 2, 2025
I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you." Isaiah 41:13
By Kerissa Lee May 23, 2025
How unspeakably wonderful to know that all our concerns are held in hands that bled for us. -John Newton
By Kerissa Lee April 30, 2025
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33- 

 The latest 

Encouraging

& Insightful Journal Entries

 The latest 

Encouraging & Insightful Journal Entries

By Kerissa Lee June 2, 2025
I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you." Isaiah 41:13
By Kerissa Lee May 23, 2025
How unspeakably wonderful to know that all our concerns are held in hands that bled for us. -John Newton
By Kerissa Lee April 30, 2025
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33- 

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FREQUENTLY

asked QUESTIONS

Is there a cure for Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome?


With your current condition, how do you seek to minister to people?


As you walk this path daily, what helps you keep trusting in the Lord?


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FREQUENTLY

asked QUESTIONS

  • Is there a cure for Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome?

    I keep up with the latest clinical trials through the updates given by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, but as of yet, there is sadly no cure and only symptomatic treatment. :(  I am on numerous oral medications and push liquid meds through my jejunostomy feeding tube.  I have a permanent central line in my chest to receive daily vital IV infusions/medications.  I also use an adaptive-servo ventilator at night for my central & obstructive sleep apnea.

  • With your current condition, how do you seek to minister to people?

    Because I have fatigue, chronic pain, and other health problems related to my condition, I struggled with the fact that I couldn’t do much.  I truly felt useless that I couldn’t work and have a job, I couldn’t play my violin on the worship team at church anymore, I couldn’t help in the nursery, etc.  So I asked myself, “What CAN I do instead?”  The answer came quickly!  I could pray!  I was following a lot of blogs of babies and little kids with cancer, congenital heart disease, or other rare conditions like mito because it kept giving me a perspective that there are people everywhere we look who are going through suffering, so I began praying for them and the people at my church. :)  In addition, I came across an artist who was teaching hand lettering online for free!  I started learning how to the letter more than five years ago, and God has given physical strength to my hands to letter Bible verses or other uplifting quotes.  It feels like the Lord specifically placed this in my lap as a ministry to share my art with other believers going through hard times or even with strangers online. :)


  • As you walk this path daily, what helps you keep trusting in the Lord?

    In one word, Jesus.  People sometimes come up to me and say they don’t know how I do it.  And to tell you the truth, I don’t do it.  Jesus does.  Every day, I physically feel my broken body, and I am helpless without him.  When I am weak, he is strong.  I know God chose this path for me before I was born.  And whenever it gets overwhelming or discouraging, I trade in my pain for purpose, cast my cares at his feet, and think of something in the past that was hard to go through because it’s a reminder that God carried me through that specific trial.


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Do You Have 

a Question 

for Me?

I would love to hear from you. Send me a message, and let’s chat! It could be about anything! :)


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