Comments on: To Post or Not to Post

By: Bethany

Bethany — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:40:04 +0000

I have struggled with an eating disorder for pretty much my whole years as a Type 1 diabetic. Every single day is a struggle and most days I feel like I just can’t do it. I have not found a single doctor or therapist who understands – most of them have never even heard of diabulimia. I have felt LOST for YEARS but I am finally finding support through my invisipeeps, believe it or not. It is comforting to know that I’m not the only un-perfect daibetic out there. I distinctly remember my endo. telling me after one of my A1C’s that she has NEVER seen one so high. That was 10 years ago and her words still ring loudly in my ears.

I am only able to take one day at a time, but someday, I WILL be over this. I will not give up hope and let this destroy me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this.

By: Scott K. Johnson

Scott K. Johnson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:25:17 +0000

I’m glad that you decided to post, because I am sure that this has (or will) help people out there struggling. It is very brave of you to share all that you do with us. Thank you for all you do!

And I also love the “nonfrontation” word. I am so nonfrontational sometimes that it isn’t even funny.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:43:37 +0000

I enjoyed this post and I agree with you, its an interesting question. I have cancer and, while I know some people follow my blog to keep up with me, I worry about saying too much or coming across as whining. I look for face to face feedback (since I am the real person on my blog) but you never know if people are just being nice.

At any rate, I enjoyed this particular post of yours. I found you on blogher,

By: Jaimie

Jaimie — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:07:51 +0000

Excellent, heartfelt post…

Very proud of you! Happy Anni!

By: Stacey D.

Stacey D. — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:35:24 +0000

I think talking/blogging about what you went through helps a lot more people than you know. I admire your strength of mind in doing so. And congratulations on your “anniversary” … I do think it’s one to celebrate

By: Andrea B.

Andrea B. — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:04:11 +0000

Thanks LeAnn for sharing such a personal story with us. YOur courage is incredible!

By: Lyrehca

Lyrehca — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:46:47 +0000

Not that this is related at all, but I just read this post after Yom Kippur ended, which is a day where Jews celebrate by fasting and to ask God to forgive them for the past year’s sins. Congratulations on making it to four years eating-disorder-free!

By: Heidi

Heidi — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:19:29 +0000

I don’t have much to add, LeAnn, other than thank you – I felt as if you were speaking from my own head in parts, and I know that it’s not an easy story to share, especially in a public forum. Thank you for getting this out there and for showing that eating disorders and diabetes are not uncommon – and also that it’s 100% possible to completely recover and make something positive out of it.

Maybe it’s just my reluctance to say that I totally wasted all those years, but after I recovered I realized that they did shape my life and my choices for the future, in some very positive ways. I hope you realize that while you can never regain that time, you may have made a huge difference in someone’s life by sharing your story.

Anyway, that’s it for my Hallmark comments here… but seriously, I, for one, am glad you posted today

By: tmana

tmana — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:52:32 +0000

I hear you so strongly there, LeeAnn. Some years ago, I was active on a “healthy eating” online community that seemed to be as much a refuge for young women recovering from eating disorders, or trying to avoid recovering from eating disorders, as it was for people looking for healthy foods and appropriate calorie levels. One challenge we ran into was a teenager with what sounded like full-blown anorexia (and in denial of same), trying to get her to find a local adult to speak to who could (we hoped) would help her get help. (In the end, she posted that her locally-responsible adults intervened, though she was still in denial.) On some online communities, concerned members are able to reach out to the moderators/administrators, who may be able to provide more concrete suggestions for help (or reach out to the parents of underaged users) — but in the end, we have no more than words, or in the case you’ve mentioned, looks and gestures, as our tools.

It must be that much more stressful to know that there is an answer, that you’ve been through it, but that this young woman has not found that answer (and may or may not be looking for it).

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:27:27 +0000

I guess that since we (Diabetics) are so focused on food, eating disorders are there. Insulin does cause weight gain, so the less we take, the less we gain. If you are a young adult, teen, or preteen, that presents image problems.
Why can’t life be simple?!