STUNNED and NUMB - Just lost a good friend

Bob, Be strong, please don't blame yourself and cause some serious stress to your own health.. We are here for you sir..

Sorry to hear about this, I know it hurts, I've lost 2 good friends in the last 3 months myself...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends family.

I imagine that the loss is compounded by the fact that everyone thought his surgery would give him a new lease on life. Especially after 6 weeks he was seeing such positive results.

Jon

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 am so sorry for your loss, on so many levels.  I hope you can get some answers and some peace from this.

 

Lou

Bama, sorry to hear about what happened  to your friend.  Very tought to deal with no matter how someone tries to serve it up.  The only thing we can do is pray for his family and know that he is in a better place where someones weight just doesn't matter anymore.  

Take care my friend, again, I am sorry for your loss.  I know you have a personal tie to the situation, but you did not cause this to happen.

Be good, TazRN   

Bama,

I am so sorry to hear this news.  Wish I knew the right thing to say.  You and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Remember we are all hear for you.

Jim

Bob,

Please know Mine and Dina's thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. It is so tragic when we lose someone unexpectedly. I know it's easy for us to say, but you should have no guilt over his passing. It may be not associated with the WLS.

Just got back from the funeral home - man that was tough.  The place was packed with people that were lucky enough to have known David and have him as a friend. He was a really good guy - always cutting up and having fun. 

The funeral is tomorrow. His kids didn't want an autopsy so we'll never know exactly what happened or what the official cause of death. Still hard to believe he is no longer here.

Thank again for the thoughts and prayers and for listening.

Hey Bama,

So sorry to hear about the loss of your good friend. You can bet this same possibility crossed my mind a frickin' million times when my brother decided to have his WLS. He had seen how WLS had saved my life and I had talked to him over and over about why he should have it. His decision to be sure but still.......

If something would have happened to him, I would have been crushed. Bottom line is he and I were slowly dieing anyway so, in my opinion, WLS was the only solution. Like you, I would do it over in a heartbeat even if the chances of death were much, much higher. Quite frankly, my life at 500 pounds wasn't much worth livin' anyway. Sad but true.

Hang in there brother.

Boner