You Can Call Me Terry
RxTechRN2b
30 Jul 2007
Hello everyone. My name is Terry. I've made several posts since joining Leadsister Forum this past week, and thought I'd better introduce myself.
I got divorced last August after a 20-year marriage, have 2 grown kids. My son does not live with me and is 20 and is presently spending the summer in Siberia on a Teen Missions Trip as a leader. My daughter is 19 and lives with me and my cat in a small apartment, but she's rarely home since she has a job, a boyfriend, and friends to occupy her time.
Well, after spending 20 years as a housewife, just try and get a decent paying job when you have to support yourself. Not gonna happen. So I am now in nursing school. Two years down and two years to go until I graduate as an RN. In the meantime, I work part-time as a pharmacy technician.
As for the Carpenters, I became aware of them only after Karen's death in 1983. At the time, I was 19 and working as a nurse aide in a nursing home, and in the throes of anorexia and bulimia. My weight had fallen to 90 lbs. at 5'7" tall. My parents were constantly nagging at me about my diet, and my friends were voicing their concerns too, but no one had ever heard of anorexia nervosa. Then one day the director of nursing at the home called me into her office and showed me her magazine article featuring the death of Karen Carpenter. "This is what you have and you have to get help before you die too," she said.
After that, I started going to Overeaters Anonymous. I became "abstinent" and a short time after got married. I did ok through 2 pregnancies, but the marriage was abusive and I fell back into my old ways for periods of time. After years of mental and physical abuse from my husband, I was clinically and severely depressed. Ended up in the hospital psych unit twice. My parents and doctors all wanted me to leave my husband but I desperately wanted to keep my family together. Finally I knew that if I stayed, I was going to die. So I left. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and I struggle so much.
The eating disorder is not under control even though my weight is normal. I go through episodes of restriction followed by bulimic episodes. Somehow, I feel connected to Karen, if that makes any sense. I love listening to her voice and I love Richard's arrangements. Her songs . . . the words and the tone of her voice are so haunting. I'm actually a bit obsessive about finding all the info I can about Karen and my daughter comes home only to find me watching youtube videos of Carpenter songs. She thinks I'm insane. But I showed her this website and told there are others like me out there. I feel like I've come home!
I got divorced last August after a 20-year marriage, have 2 grown kids. My son does not live with me and is 20 and is presently spending the summer in Siberia on a Teen Missions Trip as a leader. My daughter is 19 and lives with me and my cat in a small apartment, but she's rarely home since she has a job, a boyfriend, and friends to occupy her time.
Well, after spending 20 years as a housewife, just try and get a decent paying job when you have to support yourself. Not gonna happen. So I am now in nursing school. Two years down and two years to go until I graduate as an RN. In the meantime, I work part-time as a pharmacy technician.
As for the Carpenters, I became aware of them only after Karen's death in 1983. At the time, I was 19 and working as a nurse aide in a nursing home, and in the throes of anorexia and bulimia. My weight had fallen to 90 lbs. at 5'7" tall. My parents were constantly nagging at me about my diet, and my friends were voicing their concerns too, but no one had ever heard of anorexia nervosa. Then one day the director of nursing at the home called me into her office and showed me her magazine article featuring the death of Karen Carpenter. "This is what you have and you have to get help before you die too," she said.
After that, I started going to Overeaters Anonymous. I became "abstinent" and a short time after got married. I did ok through 2 pregnancies, but the marriage was abusive and I fell back into my old ways for periods of time. After years of mental and physical abuse from my husband, I was clinically and severely depressed. Ended up in the hospital psych unit twice. My parents and doctors all wanted me to leave my husband but I desperately wanted to keep my family together. Finally I knew that if I stayed, I was going to die. So I left. It's been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and I struggle so much.
The eating disorder is not under control even though my weight is normal. I go through episodes of restriction followed by bulimic episodes. Somehow, I feel connected to Karen, if that makes any sense. I love listening to her voice and I love Richard's arrangements. Her songs . . . the words and the tone of her voice are so haunting. I'm actually a bit obsessive about finding all the info I can about Karen and my daughter comes home only to find me watching youtube videos of Carpenter songs. She thinks I'm insane. But I showed her this website and told there are others like me out there. I feel like I've come home!
NedNickerson
30 Jul 2007
Hi, Terry! I saw your comments on my YouTube videos...
Glad to welcome you as a new member.
Seems like you've had a tumultuous life up till now. Hope things will fare better for you in the future.
I think you've helped some of us understand a little of what Karen must've gone through in her own life. And it seems to me that one is never completely "cured," but must deal with it one day at a time, just as an alchoholic is never completely "cured."
The mind is a powerful, mysterious thing... I've said it here before, anorexia nervosa is a mental illness before it's a physical illness... It's been said that there was very little known about the disease in Karen's time, and I fear that it may not be understood much better, even now... Karen's illness and subsequent death focused much needed attention on it, but look at what price...
Glad to welcome you as a new member.
Seems like you've had a tumultuous life up till now. Hope things will fare better for you in the future.
I think you've helped some of us understand a little of what Karen must've gone through in her own life. And it seems to me that one is never completely "cured," but must deal with it one day at a time, just as an alchoholic is never completely "cured."
The mind is a powerful, mysterious thing... I've said it here before, anorexia nervosa is a mental illness before it's a physical illness... It's been said that there was very little known about the disease in Karen's time, and I fear that it may not be understood much better, even now... Karen's illness and subsequent death focused much needed attention on it, but look at what price...
AngryLadybug
30 Jul 2007
Hi Terry! Welcome to the forum! 
My name is Chris (also known as Pea 
) and I'm a pharmacy technician too 
Hope you have fun here, I look forward to reading more posts from you!
My name is Chris (also known as Pea ) and I'm a pharmacy technician too Hope you have fun here, I look forward to reading more posts from you!
katt77
30 Jul 2007
hi Terry! I am so very glad to meet you..I'm tess....My heart goes out to you...you have had a rough journey, but sounds like you're a survivor and you're doing the best you can. Hope finding this site and new pals to "vent" with will help. I only found this site a few days ago myself and it seems to be a really great one with terrific folks!
I grew up with the Carpenters, although since I discovered the internet some yrs. ago, I really have learned an awful lot about them and makes me miss karen even moreso.
I'm a bit isolated in a way from the world and I enjoy just "chattin'" and being part of a circle of others who I can freely talk with about the C's and how I'm also addicted to them!
I haven't been able to work for a long time but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to again some day,
I know it won't be easy since it's been so long since I did work,...
I'm glad you have plans to be a nurse and that you have children also.
.....................I'm addicted also to youtube! I go by another name on their site, but am well aware of all some wonderful videos there of the Carps. And hello Ned...I love your stuff there!
well, all i know for now...
..................................."and love may grow ...for all we know"
whsoxfan
31 Jul 2007
Welcome Terry
Thank you for sharing.... I know things are hard right now, but believe me, they will get better. You've taken all the right steps - leaving your abusive husband, getting a place of your own and going to school and you came here! Those are all steps to recovery - be patient - you'll get there!
I know you'll enjoy the forum!
Jayne from Illinois
Thank you for sharing.... I know things are hard right now, but believe me, they will get better. You've taken all the right steps - leaving your abusive husband, getting a place of your own and going to school and you came here! Those are all steps to recovery - be patient - you'll get there!
I know you'll enjoy the forum!
Jayne from Illinois
georgygirl_1967
31 Jul 2007
lol i think all of us on here are a bit insane when it comes to The Carpenters!! i got their logo as a tattoo 3 1/2 months ago, so i guess that makes me real insane lol!!
LeadSister
31 Jul 2007
Thank you for sharing your story. If loving the Carpenters music is insane, then this forum is full of insane people. 
You'll learn just about everything about Karen here to say the least.
Welcome!
You'll learn just about everything about Karen here to say the least. Welcome!
RxTechRN2b
31 Jul 2007
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Each day when I come on here I learn or see something new. Just today I watched Karen and Tom's wedding thanks to Ned. I never ever in my wildest dreams thought I'd get to see that. I look forward to getting to know each one of you.
cazzy79
31 Jul 2007
Welcome to the ASYLUM...........it's a blast!! I'm Carolyn, 28 from the UK. Sounds like u've had a rough journey but keep moving forward!!
I'm Carolyn, 28 from the UK. Sounds like u've had a rough journey but keep moving forward!!
Interpretations
01 Aug 2007
Nice to meet you and know you Terry 
Enjoy your stay here!
Simon from the UK
Enjoy your stay here!
Simon from the UK
Carrie
13 Aug 2007
Hi Terry ,
Belated greetings from the UK! Looking forward to getting to know you and reading your posts.
Carrie
, Belated greetings from the UK! Looking forward to getting to know you and reading your posts.
Carrie
