My younger sister, Renee, suffered for years. As a teen she had a fabulous body, in perfect proportion. I don't know what triggered her lifelong struggle with anorexia and bulimia. She moved to CA while I was in college and we didn't meet up again until I moved to LA in the early seventies to secure a teaching job. At that time she was OK, I think. We lost touch again when she married and moved to AZ and I moved back to NY. I saw her a few times at Christmas after my parents retired to San Diego in the 90's. I was shocked when I saw her. She was skin and bones, weighed about 90 lbs, and had new teeth, as hers had rotted away for vomiting after eating. (TG I didn't observe this first hand). Everyone, but me, said nothing about her transformation. When I questioned our mother she said, "Renee eats all the time when she's here." DUH. I don't believe she ever sought help. A few years ago she went to the ER for pain, was shot up with morphine, went into a coma, and was declared brain dead. What a horrible end for a smart, beautiful woman who had worked her way from receptionist to production manager in a top LA advertising firm.
My other sister and I made the decision to "pull the plug" and donate her body to science.
Oh, Dianne. Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry. Anorexia is one of the deadliest mental illnesses and it’s devastating that we don’t have more of a focus on prevention and treatment. Eating disorders are a public health crisis. Everyone knows someone with an eating disorder (or has suffered from one themselves). Sending you and your family lots of love and I appreciate you sharing your story.
Incredibly relatable. Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Christina!
So happy that you finally got help.
My younger sister, Renee, suffered for years. As a teen she had a fabulous body, in perfect proportion. I don't know what triggered her lifelong struggle with anorexia and bulimia. She moved to CA while I was in college and we didn't meet up again until I moved to LA in the early seventies to secure a teaching job. At that time she was OK, I think. We lost touch again when she married and moved to AZ and I moved back to NY. I saw her a few times at Christmas after my parents retired to San Diego in the 90's. I was shocked when I saw her. She was skin and bones, weighed about 90 lbs, and had new teeth, as hers had rotted away for vomiting after eating. (TG I didn't observe this first hand). Everyone, but me, said nothing about her transformation. When I questioned our mother she said, "Renee eats all the time when she's here." DUH. I don't believe she ever sought help. A few years ago she went to the ER for pain, was shot up with morphine, went into a coma, and was declared brain dead. What a horrible end for a smart, beautiful woman who had worked her way from receptionist to production manager in a top LA advertising firm.
My other sister and I made the decision to "pull the plug" and donate her body to science.
Oh, Dianne. Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry. Anorexia is one of the deadliest mental illnesses and it’s devastating that we don’t have more of a focus on prevention and treatment. Eating disorders are a public health crisis. Everyone knows someone with an eating disorder (or has suffered from one themselves). Sending you and your family lots of love and I appreciate you sharing your story.
Please feel free to use this in your book.....