The drop off

For those of you who have taken the time to read this let me begin my saying that it’s not my normal blog but it’s the fastest and most efficient way to reach out to many people at once.

Today was the day.

We had been waiting for this day to arrive for three weeks and today we finally got to take a small step forward.

What I am about to share isn’t anything that Emma doesn’t share herself.

At the tender age of 13 Emma was diagnosed with OCD.  OCD wedges it’s way into the brain and creates an act that the person must do in order to feel safe.  The compulsion must be completed before the person can move forward.  In OCD a person’s brain literally becomes disordered and the person must work against the disorder everyday in order to live a healthy life.  Unfortunately, as one compulsion is given up for another, the person can often form an dis-ordered way of eating and a dis-ordered relationship with food.  Dis-ordered eating is as dangerous as any other addiction.

Three weeks ago Emma came to us asking to go into residential treatment for her eating disorder.  She has freely admitted that she binge eats.  It is more complex than just over eating or eating junk; google it if you don’t know much about it.  Through the power of the internet she came with her own recommendations for treatment.  Today was the day we had been waiting for because bright and early this morning the three of us walked through the doors of McCallum Place in St. Louis, MO. A 4-6 week residential program for adolescents with eating disorders.

Today we have watched the bravery and maturity of our sweet, drive us crazy teenager as she told her story over and over.  We met with practically everyone on her team.  She sat through the financial conversations which I thought was important that she see the process and understand the investment that is being made for her.  We met with her dietitian, medicinal doctor and her psychiatrist.  She began the process of meal planning and understanding what it will look like for her moving forward.  In meeting with her psychiarist and medical doctor and she described the medicines that she takes on a daily basis without missing a beat.

At lunch we all got a break, she went to eat with her peers; those with whom she will be in group with (while Luke and I walked down the road to this lovely Japanese restaurant).  As they were all hanging out after lunch, Emma took the initiative telling one of the staff members that she didn’t want to break any rules about having a phone.  This initiative led to her phone being put away, which she admitted almost made her cry because we had been told that she could have her phone at night but at that moment she found out that she couldn’t have it until she got to ‘phase 2’.  So if you want to text her go ahead, she might not respond for a week or so but will love to have them once she is able to have her phone!!!

When we departed for lunch we thought that would be the last time that we saw her today so we asked her if she wanted us to return for visiting hours tonight and she immediately responded no, telling us that she was fine and wanted to get use to just being there.  We did end up back at an afternoon appointment and again she emphasized that she was fine for the evening and that she would see us tomorrow for our last meeting with some of her team members and then tomorrow night for visiting hours.

The road before us is going to be full of twist and turn. It might lead us down paths that might seem dark, leaving us with the feeling of disappointment but today we are thankful (tired and exhausted) but grateful for people and places like McCallum that welcome adolescents under their wings in order that they might begin the healing process of re-ordering their relationship with food, give the confidence that they can soar and assurance that they are not alone.

It is well with my soul......

Comments

  1. Praying for you, Luke and sweet Emma. Seeing her well and healthy coming out of this with a wealth of knowledge and tools to help her cope. We are sending love to all three of you. She is so brave and very special. Miss you all! Love, Kara, Nathan and Nickel

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  2. All of my love and prayers for healing, comfort, and rest as you take part on this journey. Such a big step for Emma and her family! Just know that you are all loved and supported. Thank you for sharing your precious life with those who care and love you! Sending big hugs to you! ������

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  3. As I do every day I will be praying for you, Luke and especially Emma. I know our faithful Lord will heal her and I am thankful to God for leading her to a place where she can receive that healing. Love you all.

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