That's really true.
The older you get the more you have the opportunity to reflect back on the past and remind yourself you felt exactly like that in the past.
It's funny (not funny) how when you're in the middle of it you can't imagine that you'll ever feel better.
I remember when I couldn't eat for weeks on end. I managed to force down about 250 - 300 calories a day. The longer it went on I thought, "how am I ever going to want to eat again?"
But somehow, someway it did end and I eventually got back to my normal being excited to eat food. I honestly couldn't imagine that I would ever enjoy eating again at the time.
Yes, we travel many different paths and begin to understand so many other illnesses. I never thought I'd be affected by something that was anorexia, but shingles turned me into an anorexic and the thought of food in any form was completely nauseating. I hated the feeling, but could do nothing except force small amounts of food down myself per day.
Little by little it did lift. I was still quite underweight, but I was kind of, sort of enjoying food again. Then I was put on steroids...and boy, did I gain weight. So now I'm battling being somewhat overweight and the problems that can cause (diabetes, more cardiac problems) even though I'm eating a proper nutritious diet, low in calories.
It's all rather difficult to deal with. Of course it also depends on the specialist (b/c almost everyone is a specialist today) you're going to see as to what is most important.
Like @Bobble said, I also couldn't tell you when I returned to the eating world again...but I did. We do slip back and forth with this illness. Good health to all of you. Yours, Lenora.