The News-Press photographer Amanda Inscore and staff writer Francesca Donlan spent several months with Deanna Bray and Melissa DeHart, who were roommates in North Fort Myers. The six-part series chronicled their struggles with food. Deanna was a com

The News-Press photographer Amanda Inscore and staff writer Francesca Donlan spent several months with Deanna Bray and Melissa DeHart, who were roommates in North Fort Myers. The six-part series chronicled their struggles with food. Deanna was a compulsive overeater and Melissa had anorexia and bulimia.

Melissa DeHart applies her makeup while getting ready for the day. DeHart suffered from anorexia nervosa since the age of 17 and had bulimic episodes since 18.

As a result of her weight, Deanna Bray has sleep apnia and needs a machine to help regulate her breathing so she can sleep through the night. She also has high blood pressure, acid reflux and borderline diabetes.

As a result of her weight, Deanna Bray has sleep apnia and needs a machine to help regulate her breathing so she can sleep through the night. She also has high blood pressure, acid reflux and borderline diabetes.

Melissa braided Deanna's hair nearly every morning at the mobile home they shared in North Fort Myers.

Melissa braided Deanna's hair nearly every morning at the mobile home they shared in North Fort Myers.

Deanna fans herself before eating her low-carb breakfast of bacon and eggs one morning. Once she started the diet, she quickly lost 25 pounds.

Deanna fans herself before eating her low-carb breakfast of bacon and eggs one morning. Once she started the diet, she quickly lost 25 pounds.

Deanna laughs at a comment made by Melissa during one of their weekly weigh-ins. While Deanna slowly lost weight, Melissa's weight fluctuated.

Deanna laughs at a comment made by Melissa during one of their weekly weigh-ins. While Deanna slowly lost weight, Melissa's weight fluctuated.

Melissa looks over the salad section on one of their shopping trips. Her diet consisted mainly of salad, and she usually bought a head of iceberg lettuce because she couldn't afford the bagged salads.

Melissa looks over the salad section on one of their shopping trips. Her diet consisted mainly of salad, and she usually bought a head of iceberg lettuce because she couldn't afford the bagged salads.

Melissa wipes tears from her face as Deanna looks on with concern. They had just found out that Melissa would have to return home to Colorado because Deanna wasn't sure if she could afford to continue living in her mobile home.

Melissa wipes tears from her face as Deanna looks on with concern. They had just found out that Melissa would have to return home to Colorado because Deanna wasn't sure if she could afford to continue living in her mobile home.

During Melissa's stay with Deanna, she had emotional ups and downs. In the beginning she did very well with her eating plan, but after their segment on Entertainment Tonight aired, she became depressed and often stayed in her room.

During Melissa's stay with Deanna, she had emotional ups and downs. In the beginning she did very well with her eating plan, but after their segment on Entertainment Tonight aired, she became depressed and often stayed in her room.

Melissa unwraps a gift from Stephanie Ingraham, former director of the Willough at Naples, during Melissa's going-away celebration at T.G.I. Fridays. The purse has one of Melissa's favorite characters on it--Tinkerbell. Both of the women love fairie

Melissa unwraps a gift from Stephanie Ingraham, former director of the Willough at Naples, during Melissa's going-away celebration at T.G.I. Fridays. The purse has one of Melissa's favorite characters on it--Tinkerbell. Both of the women love fairies.

Melissa dances with an admirer at a karaoke bar on their last night before Melissa went home to Colorado. She eventually recovered and found work at an eating disorder clinic.

Melissa dances with an admirer at a karaoke bar on their last night before Melissa went home to Colorado. She eventually recovered and found work at an eating disorder clinic.