For those who care - Latest Update
Apr 17, 2024 6:07:32 GMT -5
tmann3x, koopakid17, and 2 more like this
Post by billmcdee on Apr 17, 2024 6:07:32 GMT -5
Hi folks.
I again want to extend the most heartfelt apologies to you all for my sudden and abrupt retirement from hosting and also being a contestant here.
I still "lurk" and will view threads and enjoy "watching".
My anxiety issues had been quite elevated early on in this new year of 2024, in part due to work issues and errors that I've made.
Those errors were due to a lack of focus on my part due to anxieties about the future as well as some of my present day health challenges which I am working on addressing.
For a vast majority of my life I have struggled with weight issues. When faced with the real possibility of having to start insulin, I made very dramatic changes in my eating habits.
I lost another 20 or so pounds since last July. In my mid 30s (some 20 plus years ago) I was at 330 lb, now I'm at a more reasonable 250-ish.
For several years now I have had major foot pain, mainly when I lay down. Thanks to a new doctor and medication I take, that issue is well in hand now (or in foot as the case may be).
As a result of poor eating habits in the past, I have become diabetic. One result was/is diabetic neuropathy which affects ones feet.
Another is diabetic retinopathy, something my primary eye doctor discovered a year ago.
I have been going to a retinal specialist since December 2023. To date I have had to undergo 2 eye injections in my right eye as the retinopathy was looking quite concerning. My left eye has it too but to a lesser extent.
Needless to say, the prospect of having to receive injections that way was quite frightening to me.
The good news is the staff is amazing and they numb the eye pretty good, and it's a slight pinch but not too bad.
The better news is that after just the first injection, there was a significant improvement in my right eye and even the left eye was starting to improve slightly, which the doctor said would be possible.
Furthermore, in spite of my relatively young age (57), I have posterior cataracts forming. My primary eye doctor said that's uncommon for one as young as me. I chalk it up to having always been an old soul I suppose.
To further add to my rising anxieties, world and national events not withstanding, a month ago we had a murderer on the loose but he was captured. He carjacked someone at the dollar store which is within walking distance of our very home. We received calls and texts early on the morning of March 16th to shelter in place. That was a most unnerving situation to put it mildly.
Then about 2 weeks ago we experienced an earthquake here in Pennsylvania. I know Kevin Kolsen is in New York and I reckon you felt it even more as the epicenter was in Northern NJ and was a 4.8 on the Richter Scale.
I have other health challenges still ahead of me that I need to address and will. Just taking things one day at a time and when necessary, 5 minutes at a time.
Meantime my work situation has improved somewhat. Also come this Saturday it will be my 33rd wedding anniversary.
Our son who is 24 is sadly still unemployed at this time and the prospects for work seem very bleak right now with the economic situation we have been in for the past few years.
In any event I just wanted to again offer my sincerest apologies. I know I let you all down big time, but wanted to offer you a fleshed out explanation about where I was physically, mentally and emotionally. I am slowly back on the upswing again.
I appreciate you all and thank you for taking the time to read this long winded update.
Respectfully,
Bill
I again want to extend the most heartfelt apologies to you all for my sudden and abrupt retirement from hosting and also being a contestant here.
I still "lurk" and will view threads and enjoy "watching".
My anxiety issues had been quite elevated early on in this new year of 2024, in part due to work issues and errors that I've made.
Those errors were due to a lack of focus on my part due to anxieties about the future as well as some of my present day health challenges which I am working on addressing.
For a vast majority of my life I have struggled with weight issues. When faced with the real possibility of having to start insulin, I made very dramatic changes in my eating habits.
I lost another 20 or so pounds since last July. In my mid 30s (some 20 plus years ago) I was at 330 lb, now I'm at a more reasonable 250-ish.
For several years now I have had major foot pain, mainly when I lay down. Thanks to a new doctor and medication I take, that issue is well in hand now (or in foot as the case may be).
As a result of poor eating habits in the past, I have become diabetic. One result was/is diabetic neuropathy which affects ones feet.
Another is diabetic retinopathy, something my primary eye doctor discovered a year ago.
I have been going to a retinal specialist since December 2023. To date I have had to undergo 2 eye injections in my right eye as the retinopathy was looking quite concerning. My left eye has it too but to a lesser extent.
Needless to say, the prospect of having to receive injections that way was quite frightening to me.
The good news is the staff is amazing and they numb the eye pretty good, and it's a slight pinch but not too bad.
The better news is that after just the first injection, there was a significant improvement in my right eye and even the left eye was starting to improve slightly, which the doctor said would be possible.
Furthermore, in spite of my relatively young age (57), I have posterior cataracts forming. My primary eye doctor said that's uncommon for one as young as me. I chalk it up to having always been an old soul I suppose.
To further add to my rising anxieties, world and national events not withstanding, a month ago we had a murderer on the loose but he was captured. He carjacked someone at the dollar store which is within walking distance of our very home. We received calls and texts early on the morning of March 16th to shelter in place. That was a most unnerving situation to put it mildly.
Then about 2 weeks ago we experienced an earthquake here in Pennsylvania. I know Kevin Kolsen is in New York and I reckon you felt it even more as the epicenter was in Northern NJ and was a 4.8 on the Richter Scale.
I have other health challenges still ahead of me that I need to address and will. Just taking things one day at a time and when necessary, 5 minutes at a time.
Meantime my work situation has improved somewhat. Also come this Saturday it will be my 33rd wedding anniversary.
Our son who is 24 is sadly still unemployed at this time and the prospects for work seem very bleak right now with the economic situation we have been in for the past few years.
In any event I just wanted to again offer my sincerest apologies. I know I let you all down big time, but wanted to offer you a fleshed out explanation about where I was physically, mentally and emotionally. I am slowly back on the upswing again.
I appreciate you all and thank you for taking the time to read this long winded update.
Respectfully,
Bill
