January 25, 2012 10:47 PM PST
Hey Doug, Sorry to hear all the sh## you've endured in recent years,,, tough run. But, You have endured it and are writing here,,,,, Good choice.
I have a little case of depression too,,, can't put my finger on it. What does help is trying to stay busy and get involved. You may not realize it but, you have alot to offer others because of what you have been through. There are alot of veterans that come home with trama, not that same as yours but, they may feel just as frustrated as you, and feel that nothing makes them happy like they think it should.
Are you involved with the local chapter of ABATE or the Patriot Guard Riders,,, both are usually awesome groups of people from all walks of life.
Keep writing, it does help to just vent it !!!
January 26, 2012 12:21 AM PST
Ok This is what you do......Hop on your scoot and find ya a wide freeway with not to many cars on it..... Get in the middle lane and throttle up to about 70 MPH..........Now Shut Your Eyes For As Long As Possible. Try not to scream!
When you open your eyes the world will seem a lot better than before just because you will have realized that you just survived a stupid stunt, and life is good.
See how the simplest things can make you feel better
Dragon
January 26, 2012 12:47 AM PST
Psycho... "Edgewalker" hit all the good points. I've delt with the Heart issues stents and all at the ripe age of 38 now I am 48. Rocked my world but am truly better for it. Med companies love me! Anyway, follow Edgewalkers post, the good Lord, positive attitude [which you have] and a good Doc makes all the difference. I just sent prayers your way.
January 26, 2012 1:04 AM PST
Gee man, things have been toough on you to say the least. I had a quadruple bypass in 05. Heart meds were killing me (I'll explain that someday) so I quit them all; every last one. Now there's a difference between you and me. I was told my heart was "fixed" while you have stints to keep your arteries open. But I would suggest going back to the doctor. Find out if there's one med you can discontinue that may not be so critical to your good health. Weed the things out one at a time. And also, the depression thing is as real as rain. Don't be too proud to see someone about it. It's not worth your sanity to keep sheite inside.
Peace
January 26, 2012 1:12 AM PST
I didn't mean to make lite of the issue in my reply and I know laughter is not a cure, but sometimes it helps a bit. Another thing I find helpful when I'm down and out is deal out random acts of kindness to people less fortunate than yourself. It will take your mind off of your issues.
January 26, 2012 2:21 AM PST
First off let me say..wow, you have really been through some trying moments...but you are still here aren't you?...you are a true fighter, and have a companion by your side that has stuck with you..i can't begin to imagine what you have been through..or how i would react in your situation...but anyone would be depressed going through all that..so that is normal...i would say check on the meds..they may not have them right..take some time out and do some thing simple...go the lake and sit on a rock and watch the sun go down, go to the beach and stand in front of the ocean and close your eyes...something relaxing, with no interruptions no pressure..just you alone with your thoughts, Dragon was right, laughter will do you a world of good, go visit a comedy club and just laugh.....then after some good down time you can come back and face your problems with a clearer head..and move forward.....wish you all the best brother.
January 26, 2012 4:43 AM PST
The tests in life are not meant to break you,they make us into the people we are.Your one tuff sun of a beach
& not finding pleasure in everyday things is perfectly normal when going thru a rough patch,your gonna pull thru w/any luck at all,n if ya think on it you will knw youve been lucky huh? or maybe it wasnt luck?
On a bus coming back from snowskiing & nearly killing myself on Aspen mtn,two guys debating in front of me one is a pastor/preacher, the other aetheist,Well does God exist is the ??..blah blah..one guy turns to me & asks well what do you think does he exist? (thought abt nearly skiing off a 100 ft drop off earlier)..I said to them 'Aint no aetheist in a foxhole'...LOL I think it stumped them both..sometimes in life we dont find faith it finds us..LOL !!!
So have a little faith,things will turn around for you,they have before they will again
January 26, 2012 4:51 AM PST
It is incredible that you have made it this far and I applaud you for your courage and inner strength.
Most importantly, you are blessed to have your wife by your side and I am sure she feels the same way you do, knowing that each of you can count on the other.
Each of us have experienced some moments of depression and how one reacts to it is crucial to the healing process. It's human nature to avoid it, to rationalize it even but I agree with others who have suggested you see an MD and/or a mental health professional. It won't make all the problems go away but MANAGING it daily is a step forward.
Life corners us sometimes; everything falls apart and we run out of options to escape. Whoever you believe in as your spiritual center can be a way to function on a daily basis; the most profound spiritual truths seem pretty straight-forward and ordinary. When we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can be found in the tenderness of pain itself. Keep exploring and don't bail out. Emptiness is not what we thought when life begins to spring back into our lives. Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition, if we could only realize it.
I have observed that this site and the members who are feeling your pain are wise selfish people who know that the best thing they can do for themselves is to be there for others. As a result, they experience joy. You have plenty of friends who wish you better days.
January 26, 2012 12:03 PM PST
Some tough breaks in there.
We are living thru some really evil times. - Started working for wages in about 1955 & these are the worst times I have seen. - Most of my friends have departed this earth & the few that reamain are inemployed/underemplyed. - Good people, each & every one of them.
Check the opinion makers & they all agree on one thing - They hate people like us..
Not much comfort but being depressed is about the most intelligent response to the times we are going thru
NightDragon suggested something that helps me a little. - Volunteering & acts of charity
January 26, 2012 1:39 PM PST
Well after killing a few miles to day. I do have to admit. I do feel a bit better. Mind you it was cold as hell in the mid to high 30s today. I rode for a few hours. To come home to my 8 year old at the top of the drive way waiting for me. She asked if I miss Little Lilly. I told her yes. Then to brake the mood. I told her to grab her gear and lets go for a ride. Off like a shot. We did the local long loop about 40 miles. We stoped for hot choclet and she asked if I was feeling ok. I told her how much I still missed our little buddy. She told me how school went. I asked her if she was ready to ride? Always with you daddy. Tink is coming up on her last year as a tank kid. Soon its all back seat till she hits her own bike. As we rode thur a small draw near the home. A few small set a switch backs. Shes hanging on to the fairing as I toss the bike back and forth. She tucked in behind the small windsheild Like a fighter jocky. Screaming FASTER. We rode down the drive as the last tear from my eyes dried up.
January 26, 2012 11:41 PM PST
And let those two things, your beautiful daughter, and the riding that you're able to do, be what gives you hope and strength. It's hard to find something to hold onto, with depression, sometimes. But you CAN do this. Just remember, as cliche' as it sounds? THIS TOO, SHALL PASS. So hang in there, Doug. We got your back.
Ride Free
Tweek
January 27, 2012 12:15 AM PST
I got your "6" !
January 27, 2012 7:02 AM PST
This to shall pass. funny thing what some sun and a good ride will do for ya. the weather has taken a turn for the better. got a short ride in this morning. with any luck I might get a short run in this afternoon. But I do have to admit I feel much better. I think it might been a bit of CABIN FEVER!
Life is funny. I ve been up I ve been down. Pretty lucky really. Did my army time and made thur it pretty much compleat. Lost everthing to drugs. Made it thur that. 2 x wifes Made it thur that. I got thur a bunch of leagle bull shit. Lucky as hell there. Then in 2001 I met up with an old freind from back in high school days. Little did I know that she would be wife number 3. Shes one hell of a women. To put up with my baggage!
January 27, 2012 7:36 AM PST
Glad to hear you are better. Those wind dried tears seem to be the best prescription we can take!!!