Dogz Forum User Needs A Hand

[Guest donatella]

You are so very, very strong and courageous PA. I can't begin to imagine what it took you to share this with everyone.

I haven't known you very long but I have experienced first hand how kind, generous and selfless you are, even in the midst of being admitted to hospital in a life threatening condition. You deserve every tiny bit (and all the big bits!) of kindness and support that people have been able to send your way and you most definitely are not guilty of not having a "real sickness".

You're a very special lady and if there's every anything at all I can do for you, you only have to ask.

If you're ever in brisbane or I'm ever down to you we'll definitely meet up for a KFC feast xx

[Animal House]

PA, you know I'm behind you 100%.

You are a lovely, strong, courageous woman who is fighting a little understood illness.

[Panto]

On behalf of lurkers etc here, no doubt truckloads of positive vibes are being sent your way. Wishing you all the best on your recovery, and pls don't ever ever stop reaching out, particularly when you feel you have taken a step back or feel alone. It may or may not be the same people who reach out to you each time, but it will be anyone who has the capacity to do so because maybe someone else has done them a kind turn, and are paying it forward, just like you do yourself (from the posts I've read), or simply because this is DOL.

I am also sending positive vibes towards your nearest and dearest, particularly those who have not been so understanding, that they will come to an understand/acceptance.

[mita]

The last few months have been the toughest of my entire life. i've been struggling with an eating disorder on and off since i was 12 years old, and i'm 27 now. THANKFULLY the hospital deemed me suitable for a publicly funded anorexia program and i'm now on the road to recovery (slowly, oh so painfully, but surely). Since my almost 2 week stay in hospital i've managed to reach my first goal weight and no longer look skeletal (i've put on a bit over 10kg to get there!).

i've lost a fair number of friends through my latest bout of this illness due to being 'selfish', 'stupid' and 'why can't you just eat a cheeseburger omg?', including my closest friend of 12 years Even my parents don't understand. i was in a dark place and the only thing getting me through were a tiny number of people that tried their hardest to understand, and my dogs. Eating disorders are NOT a choice and not something you can just quit one day, and i'm finding that out the hard way!!

edit: it's been really super confronting posting this and i was shaking as i hit the 'post' button, but i felt like a coward trying to get people's user names so i could PM them a thank you and hope they wouldn't attack me for not having a real sickness, so eek!

PA, the very last thing you are is 'selfish'. 'Selfish' people look after their own comfort & pleasure. There's no comfort or pleasure to be had in the suffering that goes along with an eating disorder. And the evidence is that those with anorexia are anything but stupid.

Anorexia is no passing 'fad' of someone pretending to be ill. Anorexia is as much an illness as for anyone trying to deal with other chronically serious conditions. We don't tell folk with chronic asthma to just 'get over it' and 'breathe properly'.

But as you've found out there are programs that help people manage anorexia, just as there are to help people manage their asthma.

Thank goodness you've got some good friends....who don't turn away because they're ignorant of the illness and can only be judgmental. Your good friends love the person who is you....who's had to continually face up to a vicious illness that you didn't ask for....and didn't bring on yourself.

Your two little doggies are jolly lucky to have a 'mum' like you. In the middle of your hardest & darkest times, you still have their welfare top of your concerns.

Now, .an ED program, your good friends, and support from all who understand...will help you fight for your own welfare.

Warmest best wishes.....from someone who's very close to a case of anorexia.

Edited June 14, 2012 by mita

[Dame Aussie]

Good on you PA. You're stronger than you know. All the best