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.