It’s a moment Kelly Adie will never forget. Her 17-year-old daughter Olivia had just undergone a major eight-hour surgery. Olivia asked for water, took a tiny sip and swallowed.
“Her eyes lit up,” Kelly remembers. “The smile on her face was like a little kid experiencing something for the first time. She said, ‘Mum, it doesn’t hurt!’”
It was the best news Kelly, 51, could have hoped for. For seven torturous years, Olivia had battled debilitating symptoms that no doctor could explain. It began with vomiting and stomach pain. Then it got worse. Conditions and symptoms piled up, getting more severe. Olivia was in excruciating pain. She fainted 20-odd times a day and had almost constant migraines. She needed a wheelchair to get around.
Even worse, she couldn’t keep anything down. For two years, she tried every day to eat, but with no success. She became reliant on a feeding tube, but even that couldn’t give her the sustenance she needed because she’d vomit the liquid straight back up. She was malnourished and dehydrated, with a body mass index (BMI) of 14 – far from the “normal” range of 18.5 to 24.9.
“I was almost at death’s door,” she says.
Olivia and Kelly tried every test, treatment and specialist. While some health professionals were supportive, others dismissed Olivia’s anguish, insisting she had an eating disorder and needed only psychological help.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 04, 2024-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 04, 2024-Ausgabe von New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Wax lyrical SHINE BRIGHT
We're not blowing smoke! These easy projects will light up your rooms in a jiffy
Mum's hero team GIVING GIGI A FLYING CHANCE
Twice her daughter has needed life-saving treatment
Call the midwife AROHA'S SPECIAL DELIVERIES
The maternity carer wants more pregnant mums to have the traditional Māori birth experienc
Winning his Queen back FRED & MARY'S TOUR OF LOVE
There's a lot riding on the royal couple's anniversary cruise
The winner TAKES IT ALL!
Five decades on from Abba's Arrival, we're still saying Thank You For the Music
The show must go on! TAYLA'S LIVING HER DREAM
From opera to operations, the young Kiwi performer is unstoppable
From Russia with love 'ADVENTURE'S IN MY BLOOD'
Victoria's glad she took the leap of faith, even though it was a desperate act
Marata's supporting role 'NIKKI'S THE REAL WARRIOR'
The league star pays tribute to his soulmate who lives with a painful condition
Stronger than ever WILLS & KATE'S ENDURING LOVE
Through all life's challenges, the royal soulmates are there for each other
Four kids and a party JESSE'S BRINGING THE FUN!
The TV host is dancing to his own beat when it comes to fatherhood and fame