Crutches, Books, and Cards

Kerissa • September 28, 2012

It’s been two days since I got home from the hospital.  I’ve mainly only been doing 2 things: reading and sleeping.  I’m also learning how to get accustomed to crutches again.  I can honestly say it’s harder the second time around.  When I first started using crutches last year, it was new and exciting.  It’s another story now.  Plus, it’s more difficult because of the CRPS in my left hand.  I hope I don’t have to be on these for long..  But, if so, I know God has a good purpose behind all this.

I’ve been able to read some great books since being home!

1. “Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery” by Melinda Marchiano

Though I don’t have cancer, I’ve been able to really relate with her journey and struggles!  Plus, she’s a teen like me.  And, she was homeschooled!  Isn’t that cool?

2.”Implosion” by Joel C. Rosenberg

3. “I Come Quietly to Meet You” by Amy Carmichael

A friend gave me this when I was in the hospital.  Thank you so much, Holly! <3  I have been thoroughly enjoying it and am trying to read only one devotional a day to make it last.  That’s hard, tho.’

This past week, I received so many cards while I was in the hospital that I decided to paste them all on the wall next to my bed.  I’m so thankful for each one of you!  Your cards and loving words so encouraged me, and I will treasure each one of them!  Sorry it’s kinda blurry, but here is the finished product:

In addition to all the cards, the two picture frames are from my siblings.  The big one to the left was for my spiritual birthday a while back (in honor of the day I became a Christian in 1998), and the right was from my older brother for when I graduated from high school last year.

Hope you enjoyed this post!

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