A new beginning. Lauren heads off to college for just over three weeks to take a course titled, "Feelings that Matter” (therapy bonus!). Conditions are far from ideal. The cafeteria is closed for 10-days, as is the clinic. Surely these are grounds to revoke the agreement for returning to college? We wonder if we are asking too much. Is she ready? Two weeks go by and she’s shopping, cooking, AND eating. Life is golden. She has energy to hike with friends, cycle around campus, and sample free yoga classes. Is ED gone? It seems too good to be true.
Suddenly, Lauren notices she is reading food labels, focusing on exercise, and feeling anxious. However, unlike before, she does not act. There is no restricting but the thoughts create fear and mental anguish. She recognizes ED trying to penetrate and regain control. “Why now?” We search for answers and conclude that there is no explanation. This is the nature of an insidious beast that catches victims off guard, causing them to self-destruct thereby defying our basic human instinct to survive.
As was originally planned, we are driving up tomorrow to visit her. How will she be? We are the wall that protected her at home for 5-months – impenetrable and unrelenting in our pursuit to re-nourish, and offer support. Does she have the fortitude to endure the next phase of her recovery journey – alone?
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