Anorexia is one of the most deadly psychiatric disorders. On July 8, 2025, my 14-year-old daughter was officially diagnosed with anorexia. For months, we had noticed strange eating habits, wearing excessively baggy clothes, increased exercise, and secrecy. Each sign was rationalized—she doesn’t want to eat gluten, she’s trying to be healthier, she’s following the latest trends, and she’s acting like a teenager. On that morning, we realized that if we didn’t do something that day, she might not be around for another year. Our action was to take her to the Children’s Hospital Emergency Department. Our hope was that she could get a fast track into their Eating Disorder Program, a Partial Hospitalization Program to treat kids in her situation. When our attending doctor walked into the room to say that a bed was being set up for admission, we were shocked. Our daughter didn’t get to go home for eight days.

She required hospitalization due to:

- Severe malnutrition

- Low body weight

- Low heart rate (in the mid-30s)

- Inability to regulate body temperature

- Constipation

- Amenorrhea

- Low blood pressure

All medical consequences of anorexia. While in the hospital, a tube had to be placed to administer some of her nutrition. She was monitored every 4 hours to be evaluated for refeeding syndrome. It's characterized by shifts in fluids and electrolytes that can lead to serious complications like heart failure, respiratory failure, and even death. Fortunately, she didn’t experience refeeding syndrome and was able to be discharged on July 15, 2025. Our goal of getting her fast-tracked into the Eating Disorder Program worked, but we had no idea how serious her physical condition had gotten.

She is now in the Program, having to attend it every day, 7 days a week, from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. To get her there and back, we drive approximately 100 miles per day. She’s expected to be there 6-8 weeks, depending on how quickly she can recover from this part of the journey.

Due to the hospitalization and now long, daily drives, it has been difficult for us to work a regular schedule. As a result, our income has declined. In addition, we are facing enormous medical bills, though medical insurance should cover a large portion.

Out of respect for our daughter’s privacy, we have decided not to post this campaign to social media. Instead, we are entrusting this information with friends and family to share with their friends and acquaintances. Right now, our goal is to raise money to help cover general expenses such as housing costs, monthly insurance premiums, and the cost of her hospitalization.

Please consider donating, any amount will help.

Katrina and Shane