Social Butterfly has completed two weeks of 10-hour per day treatment. Many things about the adult program are different than the adolescent one. The three extra-hours per day, for starters. There's also the fact that while familial involvement is welcome, it's not mandatory. I have chosen to embrace this approach as it's much less work for me and I'd be a fool to turn down a lighter workoad. I've been once each week to the "carers" group they have on Thursday night and yesterday Mr. Fix-it and I attended a family therapy session with SB's therapist to discuss the plan to drop her down to 6-hour days
SB's progress has been nothing short of a complete turnaround--she gained weight even on her first weekend off, managing all of her own food; I think a big part of that is seeing what her future could hold if she doesn't beat this disease. It's not pretty, it's not fun and it's not much of a path to traverse when you don't have to. And she doesn't have to. She has access to the best treatment in the world and the support of her friends and family.
She's begun making art again--this is for a friend who is struggling--and she's working closely with the nutritionist to get deeper into the knowledge of ways to fuel your body that are healthy, but also bring flexiblility and enough variety that she won't have to be so rigid in her meal plan in the future.
These are good things. I like good things.
(Right now I'm also liking Zithromax and Tussionex; I guess it wasn't just allergies.)
I belong to a Facebook support group and one of the mothers just published a book about dealing with her son's anorexia. The excerpt shows it be well-written and compelling and because there are next-to-no resources discussing boys and anorexia, it's an important addition the oeuvre of eating disorder writing. You can check it out here.
I'm so happy to hear the good news for SB.
Posted by: Smalltown Me | March 09, 2013 at 11:33 PM
Such wonderful news!!
Posted by: Karen (formerly kcinnova) | March 10, 2013 at 12:57 AM
I am so glad she is doing well! I LOVE her artwork. Really love! Like, would love her to do a whole series of these and display them in a show, LOVE. All the sales could go towards Eating Disorder Awareness. You should contact the galleries near you with the idea. Or better yet, come to Pittsburgh. I know someone who is friends with a gallery owner. We could make it happen!
Posted by: Jenrantsraves | March 10, 2013 at 10:07 AM
Glad that you are on the mend and the SB is doing so well. That art is awesome!
Posted by: lanes | March 10, 2013 at 11:13 AM
That is wonderful to hear! You must be so proud that she is taking ownership of managing the disease. That will give you both confidence as she continues to move into her adult world.
Posted by: Cassi | March 10, 2013 at 11:14 AM
This update makes me so so so happy. I actually have tears in my eyes. When my hubs asked me why I was sniffling, I gave him the brief recap of what you wrote and he smiled too. Please tell your girl that a couple of strangers in Virginia are rooting for her and care for her (in a totally aunt/uncle, non-creepy way).
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | March 10, 2013 at 05:58 PM
I had been wondering, this is good news indeed :)
Posted by: gary rith | March 11, 2013 at 08:52 AM
YAY SB!!!!!! Keep it up!
(I checked out the other blog. One of the things that struck me was the wait time that he would have had to endure for treatment through the national health services -- and they were able to get help earlier because they had private insurance. 18-20 weeks is crazy.)
Posted by: Stacie | March 11, 2013 at 11:16 AM
I'm made happy by the news in this update, particularly the idea that it's really sinking in to SB that she doesn't want this to be Her Reality for the rest of her life. Seeing how it could be versus how you want it to be is always an amazing motivator.
May you both continue to recover.
Posted by: Jocelyn | March 11, 2013 at 11:52 AM
So glad to hear she's doing better. I love the artwork! Especially the bearded lady...LOVE!
Posted by: Janet | March 11, 2013 at 12:07 PM
IM xglad she's doing so well... Or better whichever,
Posted by: Gail | March 11, 2013 at 03:01 PM
Her hard work is paying off; getting back to her artistic side is a great sign too!
Feel better!
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | March 11, 2013 at 11:24 PM
How good that you have access to such great resources for her! And love her artistic eye;)
Posted by: Green Girl in Wisconsin | March 12, 2013 at 10:52 AM
you're an amazing mom. i'm glad she's doing better now.
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