Re: Sad, Stressed or Depressed

Hello all, Timoteo here. If you are feeling down, or depressed, and need to talk, email me! I am just an average dude, but I was clinically depressed, and at one time I was 808 pounds. I slept all the time, had foil on my windows, and only went to the store rarely, at at night so no one would **see** me. I have battled light affective disorder, been on a variety of anti depressants, weathered a sad and discouraging divorce, and had a multitude of **trailer park** family and friend type of experiences. I have been........ around awhile : P I was diagnosed with sleep Apnea in 1991, and given a Cpap then a Bi Pap (a Bi pap is a Cpap on steroids.... or a cpap with an attitude!) to use. This helped some, and I lost 200 pounds over about 4 years, down to about 650 pounds. I was miserable, and stayed at that weight for nearly 8 years. Finally I was able to get surgery last December. Since then I have lost 150 pounds, I can drive a car again, I am back in school, and I found a wonderful, caring, sensitive and kind woman who thinks I am great and loves me. (I dont know why but she does.... and Im thankful : ))) I love YOU.. Sandi J : ))) I know what it means to need a friend. I am legally disabled, trying hard to get back eventually in the workforce. And if your down or depressed... I want to tell you your NOT alone... and help cheer ya up. I grew up dysfunctionally... with abuse issues on myself and my sisters. I have been and lived a couple LIFETIMES of hard times, and very very thankful for all the positive changes in my life... and I thank God for both the changes, for my lovely wife, and for my new life. I also thank God for my WLS surgery friends and peers. SO... Dont be afraid to email. I promise to email back.... sometimes I am human, (when I remember I am not android :P) and it might take a day or two.. but I WILL get back to you I promise : ) I also am building a list of ladies.... who are open to being contacted by folks needing an encouraging word....GUYS dont be shy either.. if you want to be on a list to refer people to needing to talk... let me know : ) **cuz sometimes people especially a lady would rather chat with another lady than a male... that is cool : )** I have UNLIMITED Telephone long distance thanks to my darling wife, so I am open to calling people too who do better on the phone. We dont give out our phone number to people at first because of safety.... but we are very open to calling *you* if you need a cheery voice or a word of encouragement. SO.. if you need to talk.. email away... : ) Or.. email a number and a time when you would like to have a phone call.. and I will call.... or have one of the ladies (from my yet-to-be-compiled) from the list call or contact you. I type a blazing 34 words a minute (actually 60 but saying 60 sounds vain : P) so if you prefer email thats cool I love to correspond... just sometimes we all need a live human voice.. and thats cool too. With some of you lucky people....Sometimes my wife might call, she is pretty busy between work at her two jobs, but she is very personable too and as she is able she likes to talk to folks too : ) But this is as her schedule allows... so no promises there : )) This is weird I know. How many guys say: Hey email or have me call you if your depressed? Well.. Im NOT the average guy. I know and am very thankful from the experiences I have had. I have BEEN depressed and all alone before. And its often just that it seems sooo overwhelming.. UNTIL we connect with another person and talk and find out we are not alone : )) So ... if it seems weird... sorry.. but its genuine. After 8 successful months and down 160 pounds, and with my wife a post OP WLS surgery person too... I hope to be a resource for anyone needing encouragement or advice. I also know a great many other WLS people from the other board I used to be on, if I dont know an answer I can help you find someone that does. I hope everyone has a great day, and a super rest of the weekend. Click the email tab from any of my posts to email me...or you can contact me directly at [email protected] Please no flaming.... I delete emails with cusswords or words I dont know the meaning of : P So small words, please. Hugs to all Timmy Ray

i just read what u said and i can tell you that i was really impressed at your out look on life i think that you are a great guy and i really think you are doing great on your weight loss and your attitude is great i am having the surgery hopefully on 9/8/05 i had a bad ekg come back it was my heart skipping a beat i go for a stress test tues and hopefully i will be ok i just want to make sure my heart can hold up with the surgery i may have to have a open because i have a huge hernia and they may have to cut me wide open to repair it i look 9monts preg and it is all stomach,,,i have been very depressed also and i can relate to the way u have been and i have been on disability since 92 also and once u lose your livelyhood and go to disabality it is quite a difference from a good income to disability having to live on it...anyway just wanted to say i really think you are doing good and u look great keep up the good work ...god bless u and your wife u both look great just say a prayer that i can get the surgery too as i am 320 now and need it desperatly thanks Bev

Hi Bev.. welcome to the board. I was excited for you about your surgery! Three things.. to think about today ONE- you have a lot of positive motivation going.. dont lose it. I am thrilled that you are having the surgery on 9-8 !! Thats exciting isnt it? PLEASE.. pepper us with questions... do you have any about pre surgery, or surgery, or WLS at large? Dont be afraid to ask if you do : ) TWO- Welcome to the New Jersey board! This surgery is exciting but it can be scary too... so post here when you can and let us know how your doing, and if we can be of help let us know : ) THREE- Focus as much as you can on how good it will be *AFTER * surgery. Bev, I *STILL* weigh 450 pounds, but I get around better, feel better, walk better, and can do 1001 things *NOW* that I couldnt at 600.. and I am still loving slow. THIS SURGERY CAN GIVE YOU YOUR LIFE BACK. How we *USE* the tool of surgery is just as important, but you sound like you are VERY ready.. and thats a super thing. Try to stay relaxed... surround yourself with positive things as much as you can... stay mellow... and post here a lot so we can get to know you better : ))) Be encouraged... Tell yourself positive things about your coming positive new life : ) You seem like a very intelligent and focused lady... I PROMISE that things will get better for you if you stay the course. Let us know here if you need anything we will work to try and support you : ) Take care, Godspeed Timmy Ray : )

thanks Timmy for the nice respond ,,,i have been really trying to get this surgery for 3 yrs and finally getting it ...thanks for being so supportive ..you look great hon and i know u feel better also and like u say u get your livelyhood back...thats what i need i will keep you posted thanks again Bev

Good morning Bev Thank you for your nice post. I hope when you get a chance you will post again, and tell us more about yourself? I went to a support group last night.... in Monmouth here in New Jersey... and I ran into a bunch of people who were working hard to get approved... some people get approved very quickly.. others it takes a while. But if you keep after it... normally you will prevail... its such a hassle but WORTH IT. Anyhow.. I hope you are weathering the hurricane okay down there.. write when you can and post and tell us how you are Godspeed.. stay safe in that hurricane !! Timmy Ray

Good evening Bev Can you come to the live chat? Its at 8pm tonight, Saturday August 27 on the chat just off of the NJ board? Everyone is welcome... its a live chat. Hugs.. hope your day is going well Timmy Ray

Does anyone else like Purple Milk? Skim milk with grape juice.. gotta love it :P Timmy Ray