It's been almost a week since Emily was admitted to the Belmont Center. Ned took Sarah and Jack to visit Friday night, and Colleen took Matthew to visit on Saturday. (And she has had a few surprise visitors during the week as well!)
Emily is still getting three meals and three snacks per day, and during the week she is participating in individual and group sessions designed to help her cope with the anxiety that surrounds eating. Unfortunately, there is not much to do over the weekend, and Emily misses her home and her friends terribly.
This is an especially difficult time for Em... She has made progress with her eating, and wants to try at home again on her own, but her treatment team is not recommending that she leave yet. Please pray for Emily's strength to persevere with the program... Thanks!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The first few days
We talked with Emily today during a family therapy session, which will be a regular part of her treatment plan. She seems to be coping well, but after just two days at the center she says she's ready to come home! We'll be visiting Emily this weekend, and meeting with her care team next week.
Emily is working with lots of health care professionals during her stay, including doctors and nurses, a nutritionist, and individual and family therapists. She also interacts with other patients in group activities. She's one of seven or eight patients in the unit.
During these early days, Emily's physical health is being monitored very closely, and her meals are chosen for her (three full meals and three snacks per day). Since she's not a milk fan, she's getting pretty tired of yogurt -- at every meal! But until her weight gets up to a healthy level, she's been told that "food is medicine," and that taste is secondary.
How long will Emily be at the center? The short answer is "until she's ready to leave." When she is medically stable and she gains sufficient weight, she will be evaluated for release to a day program, such as outpatient treatment at the Hershey Medical Center not too far from our home. In the Hershey program, Emily should be able to attend her own high school in the morning, and then participate in program activities at the center in the afternoon and evening. But that may be a ways off...
Thanks, thanks and THANKS for all the well-wishes, offers of help, and especially the prayers. We will pass your thoughts on to Emily this weekend, and I will post an update here with news of her progress.
Emily is working with lots of health care professionals during her stay, including doctors and nurses, a nutritionist, and individual and family therapists. She also interacts with other patients in group activities. She's one of seven or eight patients in the unit.
During these early days, Emily's physical health is being monitored very closely, and her meals are chosen for her (three full meals and three snacks per day). Since she's not a milk fan, she's getting pretty tired of yogurt -- at every meal! But until her weight gets up to a healthy level, she's been told that "food is medicine," and that taste is secondary.
How long will Emily be at the center? The short answer is "until she's ready to leave." When she is medically stable and she gains sufficient weight, she will be evaluated for release to a day program, such as outpatient treatment at the Hershey Medical Center not too far from our home. In the Hershey program, Emily should be able to attend her own high school in the morning, and then participate in program activities at the center in the afternoon and evening. But that may be a ways off...
Thanks, thanks and THANKS for all the well-wishes, offers of help, and especially the prayers. We will pass your thoughts on to Emily this weekend, and I will post an update here with news of her progress.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A new path
Emily started on a new path today.
She began treatment for anorexia nervosa at Einstein's Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment in Philadelphia, PA. Emily entered the program willingly, saying that she wants to beat this eating disorder, and she wants lots of help to do it!
I talked with Emily before she went in about all of her family and friends who love and care about her... It's been very difficult for Emily to talk about her struggle over the past six months, so we agreed that I would start this blog to keep you all informed of her progress on her journey.
I will try to post updates every few days, including stories, comments, and any information that may help us all become more educated about this mysterious and scary disease. I will also pass on to Emily all the comments and well-wishes that you may want to add.
If you would like to write directly to Emily, I am sure she would love to receive your cards or letters at:
And if you believe in the power of prayer as we do, please add Emily to your prayers tonight!
She began treatment for anorexia nervosa at Einstein's Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment in Philadelphia, PA. Emily entered the program willingly, saying that she wants to beat this eating disorder, and she wants lots of help to do it!
I talked with Emily before she went in about all of her family and friends who love and care about her... It's been very difficult for Emily to talk about her struggle over the past six months, so we agreed that I would start this blog to keep you all informed of her progress on her journey.
I will try to post updates every few days, including stories, comments, and any information that may help us all become more educated about this mysterious and scary disease. I will also pass on to Emily all the comments and well-wishes that you may want to add.
If you would like to write directly to Emily, I am sure she would love to receive your cards or letters at:
Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment4200 Monument AvenueFloor 2-EastPhiladelphia, PA 19131Attention: Emily S.
And if you believe in the power of prayer as we do, please add Emily to your prayers tonight!
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