This Crazy Life

I think the most dreaded 4 letter word in the history of parents.  Lice.  Just saying it makes my head itchy.  Friday, they discovered a lice outbreak at residential.  I never really thought about it until I got the phone call, but really, I would guess we’re lucky that we’ve never had to deal with this before.  As much time as she’s spent in residential/PHP I should count myself lucky.  But now we are.  And it’s not fun.  She’s upset.  Her anxiety is up.  One of the mom’s complained that now all focus is on lice instead of the eating disorder and she feels like it’s taking away from her daughter’s recovery.  My daughter “isn’t recovering” so I figure it’s a good distraction while she’s continuing to eat and weight restore while she’s in treatment.  Of course, she doesn’t think the staff is taking it seriously.  She has bites on the back of her neck.  And she needs to come home so I can treat her.  But I talked to the director today and I do think they are doing the best they can under the situations.  Especially with-it happening Friday afternoon going into the weekend when they aren’t full staffed, let’s me honest they are struggling with staffing anyway.  They were having a staff meeting this morning and then a community meeting with the kids after.  I’m anxious to talk to my daughter today.  Get her new take on all of this.  See if she feels better.  I still think this is the best place for her, yes, I’m reassuring myself as I type this.  She’s eating.  She’s gaining weight.  She’s doing what needs to be done.  Even if we crash and burn when we get home, her body is getting a break.  Lice aren’t going to kill her.  Anorexia can and will.