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 April: Karen
flew home for a two week intermission in her treatment. During
this time, Karen and Richard recorded what became their last
recording session. It is said that the song, "Now" was
the last song cut. What you hear is the only recording of
the song. It was laid out so the musicians have a feel for
the song. As always, Karen sang it beautifully and flawlessly.
Richard finished a few songs from that session and later
included them on CD's after Karens passing.Karen had been
in New York since late 1981 with Dr. Levonkron for her anorexia.
In the beginning of September of 1982,
she was admitted into Lenox Hill Hospital. Her weight
was at a very critical low, she was dehydrated and with a
life-threatening blood potassium level.  Karen was fed by
a hyperalimentation where food is administered directly into
the bloodstream.
This tube is inserted into the chest. During this procedure,
Karen's lung was punctured but that soon healed while weight was
put on.
Quote from the November
issue of People Magazine:
"Over the course of her hospitalization, Karen's intravenous
feedings (which originally provided about 2000 calories
a day) were gradually decreased as she increased her consumption
of food. By November (her self-imposed deadline for conquering
anorexia), Karen was eating three meals a day and adjusting
to her filled-out form. She used to look at her arms and
say, "I'll just have
to keep remembering that they're supposed to look like this",
says Levenkron."Babs', a good friend
of Karen's, comment after visiting her: "still beautiful. She
hadn't lost her cheery disposition, even though she was obviously
ill..."Richard's comment: Very shocked at the view
of his sister hooked up to an IV.The highlighted
text below will give my personal views on her hospital
stay and what it accomplished both mentally and physically.
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Now, to
look at her stay medically, It is proven that the "refeeding" process for
anorexics is the most critical time. During this time,
one is at great risk of heart failure! When weight
is put back on, it puts strain on the heart. During
Karen's 8 week stay, she put on almost thirty pounds! I
have to say, this weight gain was too rapid and weakened
more an already weak heart. I can't help but believe
this was a contributing factor to her sudden heart failure
and maybe if the weight gain was taken at a slower pace
then she may have had time for her body to adjust to
her weight increase.Now, mentally. One point that
Dr. Joel Yager (a specialist with eating disorders) brought
up is that "Karen had nothing to do with this weight
gain." She was not taught how to take responsibility
for eating on her own, therefore her chances for setbacks
were great. |
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