I started out on the internet as just a hobby. It was fun learning to make websites and meeting new people. The more I learned the better it was. As I started joining more social communities I realized how many people suffer from Eating Disorders which was a major part of my life for many years. Talking with these people helped me to discover the purpose of my recovery. I lived through my ED to help others recover which led me to create my newest website Spirited Lady Living at http://www.spirited-lady-living.com. I'd like to share a short bio of my recovery journey to help people realize the serious dangers of an eating disorder. If they or a loved one suffer that recovery is possible if they seek the proper medical care and have a support team in place.
My weight had hit an all time low and my electrolytes were totally out of whack. My feet, ankles and calves started swelling and hurting so much I had to start walking with a cane. I finally decided to see a foot doctor because I was sure it was my feet, total denial of ed. The minute he looked at my feet and ankles he said there was something seriously wrong and sent me to get a blood test. The next day he called me and said that I was lucky to be alive and if I didn't find a doctor right away he would find one for me.
That was my moment of truth, if I didn't do something now, someone else was going to do it for me and I might actually die from this. I went to the dr. and she wanted to hospitalize me immediately but I wouldn't go. So we made a deal, I would come in daily, have my blood checked and an IV at her office if needed for a week. If she didn't see improvement I had to go. Well, of course I made sure it got better. Then it was every other day for 2 months, then 2 times a week, then once a week. She put me through every test you can think of, I had heart, lung, eye, brain, urinary tract, female, bone density, cat scans and whatever else she could throw in.
I ended up having lost an inch and a half in height from osteoporosis, a kidney stone that filled my entire right kidney, I hadn't had a period since about age 20, my lungs had fluid in them and my heart had an irregular beat, no surprise. During this time I ended up hospitalized twice because of my electrolytes, each time for a week. I had to be on oxygen, heart monitors and IV's, no fun. I started therapy and then my insurance insisted I add in a psychiatrist. After 2 years they also insisted I start an out patient support group which led to 2 in patient and 2 Intensive out patient treatments through an ed hospital.
After about 5 years worth of all of this I decided ok, enough is enough, grow up and accept recovery, I'm sick of all of this. So I spent 2 years doing everything I could to make sure I didn't have to go through anymore crap. At 42 I met my husband, we married when I was 43 and the rest is history. I never had any children of my own but I have 2 step children. I never followed through with my dream of being a teacher which is what I wanted since I was a little girl. I didn't date from age 23 until 42 when I met my husband. So, I guess you could say I had a lot of wasted life!
Now, my life’s purpose is to help others recover and enjoy all of the life they have missed. There is so much beyond an eating disorder to experience. Learning to identify and feel these emotions is a major part of recovery.