Q&A with Calina: “Arthritis can happen to young people, too.”

Calina is a dear friend of mine who is super tech savvy, loves video games, good movies, and practicing hospitality. We met in college at a Bible study hosted by a mutual friend. She took me to my first ComicCon several years ago, which was incredible!

Calina graciously agreed to be my guinea pig—I mean, my first interviewee on this blog!

It was a fun interviewing her and learning some new things about her (which is pretty awesome considering we’ve known each other over a decade!). I think you’ll be encouraged by her story—she has gone through osteoporosis, Crohn’s disease and arthritis plus some major injuries and surgeries, but her joy and humor is so life-giving and a beautiful testimony of what it looks like to trust God even when we don’t understand.

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Interview with Calina H. from Washington, age 29
On life with Arthritis, Osteoporosis & Crohn’s Disease

Cassie: What is something you love or something God has given you a passion for?

Calina: I love design and a good story! I am forever in awe in God’s planning and timeline for when he allows things to happen, because even when we do not see or understand, he has a reason for things. He is the greatest story teller, and author, and I love seeing his story actively unfold in front of me. He is so creative, and has a great sense of humor, too!

Cassie: Please briefly share the names of your chronic illnesses along with a brief description.

Calina: My family didn’t know it as I was growing up, but I had a deformed section of my smaller intestine. Food would gather at the small opening and wait to continue through. This led to malnutrition, because I always felt full, which led to osteoporosis—the weakening of bones. By the time I was 13, my stomach was in constant severe pain, for in that spot I developed Crohn’s disease, and the inflammation led to arthritis later in life.

Cassie: What is one of the most difficult challenges you’ve experienced due to your illnesses? How has that challenge shaped you?

Calina: Whenever my stomach hurt, I slowly developed a hatred towards food. Weakened bones led to an easily fractured vertebrae the one time a chiropractor tried to help my sore back and hips. It was very traumatic—to this day I still have a fear of going to the chiropractor. That summer after my vertebrae cracked was the worst, and I never took any pain medication or used anything to help the pain. Between ages 18-29, I suffered arthritis in my neck and both hips. For that decade I struggled with my basic physical abilities, frustration with pain, and having grace for myself. I relied on God for patience and peace.

Cassie: What is something you would like people to better understand about your illnesses?

Calina: Arthritis can happen to young people, too. Having chronic pain 24 hours a day, every day, even when sleeping, can take a toll on the body and cause a lot of stress and frustration. The biggest prayer request for me at the time was for healing, of course, but secondly for grace to give to myself. I beat myself up a lot for not being able to keep up, perform basic chores well, or feeling guilty for leaving a party early so I could get extra rest.

Cassie: Tell me about a time when someone came through for you when you were going through your health struggles.

Calina: I had great girl friends who were ready to talk things out. They were loving in the sense of telling me the hard truth when I needed to hear it (“Girl, you can’t blame yourself, or even the doctors who hurt you when they were trying to solve the problem.”) and were comforting and understanding. Their prayers meant a lot as I struggled through daily life. One time I was actually excited to get to jury duty, but that morning I had a “wipe out” day where my body demanded more sleep. I was given a respective leave from my duty, but I was so hard on myself for not being able to get up and go. A couple of girls saw my very frustrated post on a social chat app, and called me instantly to talk it out. I spent the rest of the day in prayer, rest, and learning how to have grace for myself.

Cassie: What advice or encouragement would you offer to someone going through chronic illnesses?

Calina: It’s tempting to blame someone—anyone—especially God. It’s hard to understand why something is happening in the moment, and perhaps you may never know why—be ok with this. Take each day, sometimes each hour, slowly. Rest your mind and soul in God, for he is the comfort to your soul. Pray earnestly, but be at peace each day and continue to love on others, and pray for others. Sometimes focusing away from yourself is a healthy break.

Cassie: What is something God is teaching you recently?

Calina: God continuously teaches me that he is still in control, and I may not always understand things, but remember to take the time to rest in Him, learn about Him, be in communion with Him. Be a comfort and a good listener to other people’s problems and remember to pray for others. Sometimes you may not see the hidden struggles a person goes through; remember to think about them, and encourage them

Cassie: What is something you are most thankful for right now?

Calina: I am most thankful for God’s healing! I am grateful to live in an age of advanced medicine and technology. At 13 a surgeon removed the deformed part of my intestine and reconnected the good ends. My bones are back to being strong and normal (no more arthritis!), and both of my hips have been replaced. (I’m bionic now, and I set off all the alarms at the airport security zones) And I am healthier now than I’ve ever been—with the exception of a fused neck, which is never in pain and barely a problem. Also, I no longer hate food, but rather love to try new things!

Cassie: Are there any resources you can recommend that encourage you through your chronic illnesses?

Calina: I highly encourage anyone with any chronic illness to have a strong circle of close friends who are prayer warriors, who can talk with you, encourage you, and be able to laugh with you! I also recommend doing your research about the condition you may have. Do not be afraid to visit new doctors and get second opinions. Have patience and don’t let yourself be discouraged by dead ends and lack of answers. Keep trucking! Your life is a gift. Even when you are struggling, it is still a blessing to have life.

Cassie: I’m a bookworm and I have to ask: Read any good books lately?

Calina: Yes! Any girl who struggles with, well, life in general, or has a desire to become a wife, mom, or already is one of those, may thoroughly enjoy “Of Mess and Moxie” by Jen Hatmaker. She’s a Christian mom and pastor’s wife who talks about life and its everyday struggles, with a great sense of humor. She is a breath of fresh air and a real encouragement for any female who feels like she doesn’t have energy to do all the things ever, and do them well. Plus, because of her I attempted to make my first boeuf bourguignon!

Cassie: What is something else you would like people to know about you?

With my husband, I plan on teaching our soon-to-come first born child the ways of the force, how to be steadfast like Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, and how to love like Jesus in today’s crazy world. In my free time (what’s that, by the way?) I like to share great video games in the form of commentary walkthroughs on the YouTube channel “StoryRetold.”