Thanks all - It's been a rough week - D brought her weight up to 102 over last weekend but then returned to purging and lost 6 lbs. over the next 3 days It's just like dealing with a drug addict, they can be so sneaky.
We considered admitting her yesterday to the hospital, went and spoke with the admitting psychiatrist, but in the end decided to give it one more go at home. He added a new medication, Zyprexa, and I think she was upset enough at the prospect of hospitalization to be a little more cooperative about eating at home. We are keeping her out of school over the next week and shadowing her 24/7 - I have to sit with her when she showers so she can't vomit there, she's sleeping on the floor in our bedroom, etc. etc. Poor thing, she's so sick - all she can think about is her "abs", how disgusting they look after she eats, how fat she is (at 5'4" 96 lbs.!).
H is a great support, but unfortunately it really requires just one person to be in charge of the eating, and I'm it. Also, frankly, he's just a little too tenderhearted to deal with all of the venom that comes out when you are standing in the way of her vomiting. I, on the other hand, have had excellent training here in ignoring alien-speak Still, he's taking great care of me, so I can take care of her.
I'll be watching a lot of videos with D over the next week or so, and we've already exhausted most of the good new ones, so I'd welcome any and all recommendations for good slightly older movies to rent - romantic comedies, comedies, anything uplifting. We saw Secondhand Lions last night, great movie, wonderful cast.
Meanwhile, I'm reading a book about The Great Influenza - the 1918 epidemic - does anyone see a trend here? First Shackleton's antarctic expedition, then a worldwide disaster - somehow reading about people who were way worse off helps me keep my perspective, I think
(((Hugs))) I know this has got to be rough. I jsut found out that a woman from my work has been taking care of her 15 year old daughter, who has been hospitalized for bulimia, and also my niece is seeing a therapist for cutting her self. Have you ever read "Reviving Ophelia"? I read it many years ago before my D was a teenager and it scared me to death. It also turns out my BIL was bulemic. He taought himself to eat again by using chopsticks, since he could only tolerate such small amounts of food at a time.
I have been trying to think of fun movies for you guys... I coe from a family of film buffs, I should really ask my sister, but here are a few off the top of my head: ANY Peter Sellers,,,,Pink Panther movies Also "the Party" very silly The Thin Man series The Beatles A Hard Days Night and Help! (You can NEVER go wrong with the Beatles) Belizaire the Cajun Groundhog Day Impromptu (One of Huge Grant's first flicks) It is crazy I know, but I just love "Mary Poppins"
How about the Marx Brothers? A day at the Races?
Pride and Prejudice? Cluless with Alicia Silvestone followed by Emma with Glynnith Paltrow
I love the Jungle Book Disney cartoon. The music is TOPS with Louis Prima. also Lady and the Tramp, with music and voices by the late great Peggy Lee.
I know sometimes my D likes me to pamper her and she regresses to a younger age when she isn't feeling well...
Oh yeah, the Sound of Music... Victor/Victoria. Mrs. Doubtfire...My D and i both loved "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" which is loosly based on "Sullivans Travels" starring Veronica Lake.
It happened One night.. w/Clark Gable
I think Some like it Hot is good, and too me the idea that Marylin Monroe, who is considered one of the sexiest women ever, is a healthy looking woman with some "meat" on her.
Well, this should be enough to keep you busy!
Take care Ellie, Sending love and good energy south to SD!
SG
Survival Goddess "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." -Alice Walker
I just wanted to say I really admire you going through this tough time with such determination and love for your daughter. And I don't know how you do it all.
I've been out of town for awhile and I'm just getting caught up. I wanted to let you know that my sitch has completely turned around and the aliens have given the wrong guy back to me! This guy is so romantic and wonderful. Your thoughts and inspiration helped me immensely during the hard times and I greatly appreciate the help and support that you gave to me.
I've learned that DBing is not just for spouses. Dbing is for every R in our lives. I'm sure that you are using every ounce of DBing with your D. There's the silver lining I guess. Now you have the strength and wisdom to handle life's challenges in a different way.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your D. We understand if you can't spend much time here on the board. And remember...do something for you.
Thanks again, Christine
I am the master of creating positive energy and love in my own environment. I am the source of love in my life. It starts with me! This energy radiates from me! It gives me strength, courage, wisdom and grace!
- Chocolat (similar to Tuscan) - Under the Tuscan Sun (a girlie flick) - Smiling Fish, Goat on Fire (cute & funny) - Lost in Translation (new but good) - Lovely & Amazing - Far from Heaven - New Waterford Girl - Saving Grace ( a hoot ) - Best in Show (hilarious if you like dogs)
That should keep you two going. If you like great foreign films with sub-titles let me know... I can recommend a few.
Ellie - I just read the first page of this thread - WOW - you are an incredible woman!!!! I loved all of your recommendations as to what worked for you, your game plan and what failed. Very important to me in my current sitch. If you have time to give me a few poi8nters on my thread, please do. You are awesome! P
The best movie I saw in 2003 was a documentary called "Spellbound" -- about the national spelling bee. It was fantastic! I'm not sure if it's out on video yet. Very, very funny.
also, I second pretty much every movie on Soupman's list! (And I'm writing down the rest since it means I haven't seen them).
Sage
Relax. Appreciate. Be calm. Laugh. Enjoy. Be secure. Be loving. Be loved. Don't personalize. Don't ASSume. Accept. Be grateful.
D had visit with nutritionist yesterday - she hasn't lost any more weight, but hasn't gained either - still at 96 lbs. I have to figure out how to sneak more calories into her. Visit with her pediatrician yesterday finally - I think I've decided to fire her - she was pretty useless. At least she ordered the tests I needed, but she managed to say some pretty inappropriate things, and completely refused to listen to the rationale from D's therapist for putting her on BCPs (has been used to try to preserve bone density in anorexics - mixed results in the studies - but therapist feels that the estrogen seems to help their mood in recovery - and those of us who have been in perimenopause can attest to the effects of low estrogen!)
Pediatrician however is young and dogmatic and refuses to consider it until her periods completely stop. What a wanker. (Can a woman be a wanker?) I don't mind someone disagreeing with me, but it really irks me when they won't even stop to listen to or consider the choice. I could respect her if she said - "well, I see the point, but in the absence of hard data supporting it's use, I'm concerned about the other side effects" or something like that. I can't imagine how people who AREN'T physicians deal with the idiots in the medical establishment, if I'M having this hard a time
It's just like dealing with a drug addict, they can be so sneaky.
