The Connection

It is true that "Getting It Off Your Chest" so to speak, helps.  It does, I find writing helps to ease stress and sadness I go through dealing with my daughter's illness.  Anorexia is one of those things that happens to others, you know.  I guess if you think that while life seems perfect, its true but when it does happen, reality is waiting in the wings to tell ya "I told you so" all and all, nobody deserves it.

My sister was thirteen when she started her courtship with Bulimia. I don't know if eating disorders run through the family but when my daughter started with anorexia, I thought "Here we go again" Like back then, my mother gets very frustrated with my daughter.  I had a moment where I had gotten frustrated but must of the time I just feel numb.  To be very honest, it is so hard to understand and getting down to the problem is even more difficult.
To this day, my sister is very thin, in fact in clothing she wears a zero, can't comprehend that. Anyway the effects of her days battling her eating disorder shows.  I think my daughters problem with anorexia has hit hard with her emotions.   Bless my sister's heart, she has helped me understand how to handle my daughter's problem.
Today I have to take my daughter in for her doctor's appointment in Dublin, its always a little nerve racking because I never know what the verdict or outcome of her check up will be.  I started working outside of the home to help with the medical bills and now that my children are teenagers, its a little easier.   I do have to watch my daughter to make sure she is doing what the doctor and nutritionist tell her, so that worries me.
 My back-up plan , her brother, who always is worried too about his little sister. Its like George Orwell's book 1984  "BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU" so true is that.

Would you believe that another connection was made between my daughter and our dog "Murphy"
Murphy is almost eleven and as spunky as ever but when my daughter started starving herself, he went on a hunger strike too.  At first I really kinda blew it off as pure coincidence , just another problem to deal with. However it was always consistent with what my daughter was doing, only Murphy would lie next to his bowl full of food.     Once after my daughter ate, I looked at Murphy and said  "See she ate today Murph, you can go eat now "  sure enough Murphy looked at me as if he knew what I was saying, got up, went to his bowl and ate. I could hardly believe my eyes.  I guess it goes to show you that animals sense when something is wrong.

I am thankful that my daughter now knows that what she is doing isn't right and wants to get better.  Her counselor has been so wonderful in helping her understand to look at the positive side of herself.  Recently my daughter has been helping out in the concession stand at the football games at school. She is actually braver than me , I never did that at her age.  Slowly she is returning to her "Real" self and like a typical teenager, driving her mother crazy with the "I'm Bored" statement.  I don't mind it so much anymore, its like music to my ears.  She has always loved music, that she gets from her mom, although I have to say she is more talented than me when it comes to instruments.  Playing Baritone and Alto Saxophone and trying out the Violin is one up on me but I am proud, like I am with her brother being in "The Marching Band Of Pride" at Olentangy, my old school.

Since her athletic abilities have been placed on hold, my daughter has been motivated to get her health back up if she ever wants to play.  I keep telling her she needs to gain the weight back and keep eating healthy, especially the carbo's if she ever wants to play sports. She had to give up volleyball and basketball but became re-inspired with her Uncle's promise to help her train to run track as he did in school IF she keeps up with her treatment.  Even my father promised her a guitar if she kept it up.  If anything I told her to do it for herself.  She came to me just a day ago and pointed to her protruding collar bone  and asked me "How do I get Rid Of This?"  I said simply "You need to eat"  "Good" she replied.   I hope that those who read this are encouraged and as always my prayers are with you too!