My 13 year old niece was taken to the ER earlier in the week because she fainted. Once there, the doctors discovered that she had a very low heart rate, only 35 with the normal range of 72 apparently. After some questions by the doctor, it was discovered that she was on a very strict diet consisting of cucumbers, melon, celery and diet coke. She had been on this diet after finding out about it on the first day of school from "friends". Yes, she lost 40 pounds since August, but she now also has permanant damage to her heart. They are continuing with other tests to see if any other organs are damaged. She is fighting the doctors and refusing to eat, so please pray that they can reach her before she does more damage. This will be a long road for her and the family.
Prayers for my niece please
- Thread starter sage
- Start date
So sorry to hear this. There is so much focus on weight especially when you see the ultra skinny actresses on TV & the models in all the magazines & kids at school can be so cruel. That is a tremendous amount of weight to lose in such a short time. Positive thoughts coming your way that she turns things around & will have a successful recovery.
Krazy Kruizers
Holland America Specialist
I am so sorry to hear this.
Sounds as though your niece will also need to go through conseling to get her through this.
Prayers that she will recover and has not done any more damage to her body.
Sounds as though your niece will also need to go through conseling to get her through this.
Prayers that she will recover and has not done any more damage to her body.
Thanks everyone for the prayers. This is such a tough disease, and she is still refusing to eat, so the next step is restraints and a feeding tube. They still can't get her heart rate above 35, and when she stands, she passes out. I don't understand why so many people are so obessed with thin. Thanks again.
JacquieP
Staff Captain
What a nightmare! I'm still amazed how prevalent Anorexia is. Our Health Care System includes a psychiatric facility and the Eating Disorders Unit is full most of the time. Your niece and her family certainly have a long road to recovery since she has heart damage, so lots of prayers are headed your way. You certainly have lots to deal with right now, so I'm throwing in a few more prayers for you specifically.
Krazy Kruizers
Holland America Specialist
Oh I am so sorry to read that things haven'tt improved for your niece.
Anorexia is a devestating disease.
Prayers for all of you going through this.
Anorexia is a devestating disease.
Prayers for all of you going through this.
Thank you for the prayers and good thoughts. My neice is finally off the IV, and she can now move forward with her treatment. Since she is so young and has a serious heart problem, they have found only one facility that will take her. It is in Phoenix, AZ, and they of course live a good distance away in South Carolina. She will be leaving for a 90 day rehab stay. Please keep Libby and her family in your prayers.
Phoenix is such a long way from where they live, but because of her age, her heart problem and their insurance, it was the closest place that they could find. Jim's brother says that they will go with her to see her settled, and then it will be two weeks before she can see family again. They want her to concentrate on her eating disorder without the pressure of family. I'm sorry that they couldn't find anything closer. Thank you for your prayers and concerns. They are so appreciated, especially now with Jim's Mother expected to pass in the next day or so.
Krazy Kruizers
Holland America Specialist
Sage
You certainly have a lot going on right now.
Prayers for Libby and her family -- hope this facility will help her to get on the road to a more healthy lifestyle both heart wise and food disorder.
And prayer's for Jim and you with the conidition of his mother.
You certainly have a lot going on right now.
Prayers for Libby and her family -- hope this facility will help her to get on the road to a more healthy lifestyle both heart wise and food disorder.
And prayer's for Jim and you with the conidition of his mother.
Thank you once again for the prayers. We certainly seem to need them in our family right now. Libby left for Rosewood Ranch in AZ today. Apparently since she is so young, they have a five day family orientation, so they will be able to see what she is doing and how they treatment will proceed. Again, thank you for your prayers.
