A weary road

Kerissa Lee • October 30, 2023

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."

Jeremiah 31:25



Dear friends,


Several weeks have passed since I last posted—mainly because so much has been happening in the world, our country…and here at home. 😔  It has weighed heavily on my heart. I’m so thankful that God is sovereign and that we can trust Him through these difficult times. ❤️


Ever since I had that abdominal abscess near my j-tube in August, I’ve been experiencing sharp, stabbing pain and inflammation in that area because the skin is raw and not happy. I had another follow-up with dermatology last week, and they referred me to the wound care clinic. Hopefully I can get an appointment soon and that they’re not booked out..


For the last 8+ weeks now, my liver enzymes have been elevated, and we’re wondering if that’s why I haven’t been feeling the greatest. My legs have been aching and burning terribly (it doesn’t feel like my usual small fiber neuropathy symptoms, though). 


In addition to my Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome, I have Wilson’s Disease (a disorder that causes my liver to accumulate too much copper). This is usually well-managed by a medication I’m prescribed. A specialized form of zinc, it helps chelate (“get rid of”) copper out of my liver. BUT, it has sadly been back-ordered the last 3+ months. 😭  So we’re not sure if the high liver results are from not being able to take the medication….or if something new is happening. I have an appointment with my GI specialist on November 6th, and we’re praying he can figure out what’s going on.


As you know, I had to get a 3rd PICC line in August…we haven’t pulled it out and re-accessed my port yet because I’m scared the port site will once again develop a rash/welts like before. 😔  I did recently see my mast cell specialist, and she thinks the sepsis I had back in February caused my mast cells to go haywire. She started me on 2 additional medications, and I’m also taking so many different supplements. Nothing seems to be helping, though. My PICC dressing itches horribly every day, and the skin is all red and purple (feels like a burn). 🥺  Could you please pray that we will have peace and wisdom to know when my port should be used again?


I haven’t been able to sleep well due to all the above issues. 😢  It sure has been a weary road this year, but God is faithfully sustaining me each day. As Psalm 119:50 says, “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” ❤️

October prayer request

By Kerissa Lee • October 19, 2025
Dear friends, At the beginning of October, I started taking a new medication for the autoimmune disease. I thought I was tolerating it just fine, but after several days passed, I began experiencing nausea, loss of appetite, weakness all over, and increased pain. 🙁 It’s like I’m experiencing another “mito crash.” I found out that this specific lupus medication affects mitochondria. That is, it causes an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This, in turn, causes cell damage and oxidative stress. I sure wish the rheumatologists would have known about this before prescribing. But I have to remember that Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome is rare, and they’re not “mito experts.” Anyways, the last time I felt like this was back in May.. I’m so grateful to God that I haven’t needed to be hospitalized from this, but at the same time, I’m also sad that this happened at all, especially because I had such a nice stretch of stable health. I’d really appreciate your prayers, that this muscle weakness can resolve soon, and that this increased pain all over will get back to my baseline. Every time I have a “mito crash,” it feels like I’m fighting the flu which always sucks. The pain has been hard to bear. And whenever I’m in the thick of it, it’s difficult to remember that this too will eventually pass. 😢 Pray that I will endure and follow Jesus’ example like this passage from Hebrews 12:1-2– “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...” Thank you all so much for praying for me. ❤️

Thank you! (+ a prayer request)

By Kerissa Lee • October 4, 2025
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:2-3

Praises & Prayer Requests

By Kerissa Lee • September 3, 2025
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23