STUNNED and NUMB - just lost a good friend

Bob, was your friend a member on OH?  There is a section for memoriums, you could place his name on the list.  This is just such a tragedy.  You're in all our hearts and prayers.

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your friend. Please be kind to yourself as you did nothing wrong. My prayers are with you and his family. Take care, Rebecca

Bob knowing you as well as I do you've never pushed your beliefs on anyone about anything. You are one of the most honorable people I know and are very lucky to call you friend. I know all the words don't mean much because I too am in disbelief even though I never met him he has come up in conversation several times. It does stink on so many levels especially with the last couple months you've had. It goes without saying you and Trish are in mine and Debbie's thoughts and prayers. You know if you need anything call day or night. C'ya Bob

Thanks Bob. You'll never know how much I truly value your friendship, my friend. I was really looking forward to introducing you two - you would have hit it off, I'm sure.

Oh, Bob...I am just so very sorry to hear about your friend, but I am so glad that he had a friend as great as you right up until the end.  Sharing experiences & having friends like this is what makes life interesting...I am sure he is looking down on you now & wanting you to know that this was not in any way your fault.  He wouldn't want you to have the guilt.

I hope you will still take that ride to Florida & in honor.....

Please let us know what the final determination is....we all took a risk in having this surgery, but if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.

You are in our prayers....I am so sorry....xo, Micheala.

Bob,

I am really sorry for your loss.  I have been a lurker here for awhile and have just started posting.  I was very moved by this.  This is something that we all know can happen, but it just seems like it could never happen to you or anyone u care about.  We all most remember, especially us pre-op folks, that this is a serious, major surgery!  I know that for me i have been so focused on the positives and looking forward to life after surgery that i have almost down played how serious this actually is.  This has really been a wake up call to me- that this is a serious decision that i have made.  Thank you for sharing.  God be with you, your family and the family of your friend during this difficult time. 

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.  David and I had talked so much in the last few months about the future, better health, exercising, and participating in and enjoying life again. He was so excited and filled with anticipation of all the good things that were ahead for him.  This just seems unreal - now he's gone.

I remember a conversation David and I had a few weeks before his surgery about life as an obese person. He told me that most days he hated to have to get out of bed in the morning because he felt so bad and that he knew he had to do something because he couldn't stand being tired and miserable anymore.  He said "I haven't been living for a long time - I've just been existing and breathing - taking up space. I want to feel good again and live my life to the fullest for how ever much longer I have. This surgery is my only shot at being able to do that. I want to be like you and get back to feeling good and living again! I can't wait! "  Having been there myself, I completely understood what he was saying and why he was so excited and filled with anticipation and enthusiasm. 

I know that when you look at the stats, it's very easy to say "well, the odds aren't too bad" - and they aren't. But when this happens to someone you know, it really makes you stop and think just how serious this is. I know that David made his own choice, just like every one of us has done. He chose to take action to try and have a better, healthier, more enjoyable life for himself and his family.  

I and so many others have done so well following surgery - regaining control of their health and their lives. I keep asking "why did this happen to him?", knowing that no one can answer that question. As I said before, this has left me with a tremendous feeling of loss and helplessness.  It has really hit me hard. It still seems unreal.
 
But even now, after this terrible, tragic loss, I can honestly say that I would still have my surgery again tomorrow.  Like David, I knew it was my only true chance to get healthy and enjoy life again.

Still, I'm really going to miss my buddy and all the things we had planned to do in the future.  It was an honor and privlige to have him as a friend.

Bob,  I too am so sorry for the loss of your friend.  I hope that you know my thoughts and prayers are with you as you sort through this.  I know that you know we all make this decision knowing there is some amount of risk. I'm sure, as with all of us, the risk was worth it for your friend.  It all becomes so personal and tragic when something like this is so close to us. 

Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Bob, Me and mine are praying for your friends family and of course for you. And this is no fault of yours. We are all human and we do what we do thinking that it is for the best regardless of the outcome. Just remember your friend for who he was and he will live forever.  And you have another angel on your side!

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your friend.

I know that you know intellectually that you have nothing to feel guilty about. Your friend had already made the decision to have WLS before he talked to you about it. You were a wonderful support and cheerleader for him.

I pray the autopsy will bring peace to his family and friends and you all can know that he was happy during what turned out to be his last weeks on earth. He passed with hope in his heart.

You all will be in my prayers.