I’ve MOVED!
Long time, no blog – well, at least here. I’ve moved my writings over to Substack. I hope you will follow me there. Head over to https://mccalldempsey.substack.com/
Eleven Years Later and Still Recovering
Today marks eleven years in eating disorder recovery for me. December 14, 2010, I walked through the doors of residential treatment scared, hopeless and willing to do anything to build a life worth living. Last night in our Alliance Monday night support group, we discussed “Is full recovery possible?” Cliff notes: YES IT IS. AND…it […]
Finding ME Again.
Some days it feels like the first six months of 2021 never happened. The countless needles, IVs, meds, PICC lines, surgeries feel like a distant nightmare. I was in survival mode. Other days, I sit with anxiety pounding my chest *knowing* the infection is back or something else will be wrong. I’ve avoided writing, feeling […]
A Letter to My Imperfections
My wonderful friends at Eating Recovery Center reached out to me last month, asking to feature me an Eating Recovery Day writer. The task was simple: write a #myrecoveryletter. I was touched they thought of me and began to wonder who I would write my letter to. My initial ‘easy’ thoughts soon turned to writers block and, […]
Year 8: Thriving with Intention
Eight years. Eight years of recovery. Eight years of falling (and getting back up). Eight years of life slapping me in the face. Eight years of choosing recovery over and over…and over. On this day eight years ago, I was faced with a decision: admit to treatment and choose recovery or fly home and continue […]
Cancer: The FINAL Chapter
The oncology number flashed up and I almost dropped my phone trying to answer it. “Hello…hello?” I said. “Hi, Mrs. Dempsey, this is Katie from Nemours. I’m calling with test results.” “Yes, yes. Go ahead.” “Dr. Sandler reviewed Marjorie’s ultrasound and said everything looks good.” I exhaled, taking my first breath since answering the phone. […]
The Day I Didn’t Want to SMASH
On Monday, for the first time since starting Southern Smash five years ago, I woke up and didn’t want to go to the Southern Smash event. I wanted to stay curled in bed with the covers over my head. I wanted to sink into a hole and never come out. But I got up and […]