Hi everyone im starting to like everyone on this page so i wanted to share stuff about my life, and what i found out. well im a 26 year old. I joined the US NAVY in JUNE 2001 for schooling. I became a EOD (Explosive Ordince Disposal) Well that bite me in the butt when Sept. 11 happend. Well i Been in Iraq 2 times. The last time was 05-06 and I lost my best friend in June 06 in Iraq right in front of me due to a road side bomb. See my job was to get ride of those to keep others out of harm. Well i saw him bend down and it went off in his face. It was very upsetting expecially when i was at his funaral to give his wife and his 5 year old son the flag. His son came to me and asked Josh when is my dad coming home since he didnt know what really happened since it was a closed funeral. that was hard. Then Coming home to my ex for 7 years July 06 to her cheating with my cuz... Well long story short i know have a 2 year old son my pride and joy hes the only thing that keeps me going through the days. Well today i went to the Doctors they told me i have PTSD kinda suxs because i cant get what i saw in Iraq out of my head and i live day to day. The only thing that gets it out of my head is My fish tanks and my son. Thank god to them, and sitting here on this forum helping or finding out stuff about my fish.. Oyea i forgot to say my sons mother walked out on me and him back in March of this yea so im a single father if that isnt stressfull enough... But i just wanted to share alittle about my life and just get stuff of my chest take care everyone...

Wow, hun that is a lot for anyone to handle, Let me say first, the fact that you are there for your son speaks volumes about your character!! WAY TO GO!!!

I hope you find the help you need for the PTSD, You are not alone.

Just remember time heals all wounds and God will help you through anything as long as you trust in him!

If you ever need to talk I am here. Kiss that baby and take a deep breath.... Thanks for sharing these difficult things. ( i know it's easier when you among friends)

THANK YOU FOR SERVING!!!

Yea its hard because the girl im with is there for me 100% Like i hate to be in areas that theres alote of people it flipps me out im always looking around because i trust no one its hard because i get panic attacks if im like in a bar or anything. Or when we go out to eat i have to be against a wall so i see everyone and no one is behind me it sounds so weard but i guess the DR said thats the PTSD. Like tonight alot of people invited me and my gf out she knows how i get and she said no we are staying home and her best friend flipped out on her. So i feel so bad about that but owell i guess. And like i said my sons my life. My ex his mom took off when i was working for John Deere as a CNC programmer. came home she was gone and my son was in bed sleeping. I have no idea where she is if shes ok or anything its her loose not mine because shes the one missing out on her sons life not me. I have full custody of him btw..

Ow, man, what a story.
Good to see you're sharing that to get some of the weight off!
Just remember it's allways darkest just before dawn.
Things are gonna change, and the best is yet to come!
I had to crawl back out of the gutter 5 years ago and lost everything at that time due to totally dif circumstances,though.
I told my ex to take everything but the dog.
She left and only took the dog...
Life is hard, but so am I!Things took a turn for the better at once.
Keep your chin up, don't carry your load alone!
And please share some pics of the lil' girl, I'm so curious!
Thanx for sharing!

hi Josh.... thanks for sharing..... having a fish tank in your house
really meant to be....it will helps you cope with PTSD.

but one thing is definitely sure: 50% of your problem had been solved.
knowing the problem and accepting that you have it is already a big
leap forward.... now.. the remaining 50% is on how to cope up with it.
keeping the boy and having your tank of fishes had solved 25% of it.
and time will take care of the remaining 25%.

keep your chin up, focus on things that will make you happy, and remove
hatred in your heart...only then you can find solace of peace of your mind.

This is a serious posting but even in the middle of trouble friends can make you laugh. When Noddy said "I told my ex to take everything but the dog.
She left and only took the dog..." I had to laugh out loud.
I know it isn't easy to share some things Dalton but I also think talking about it helps. The people here are great listeners and sometimes that's all you need. I'm glad to hear that you're seeing a doc, he can point you in the right direction and then it's up to you to get there. You sound like a strong man and I'm thinking you'll be fine.
One thing you said bothers me a little. You said your ex just disappeared one night. Are you sure she left on her own? Have you heard from her at all? What does her family say?
My husband is Army..was...Vietnam. I'm very proud of him and you and all the others. I can't imagine war or battle or worse yet, seeing a friend die like that. Take all the help you can get and we'll add you to our prayers

well at the time no i had no idea where she was. The thing is her mom and moms boyfriend board there horses out at my moms farm so i know shes ok know. i dont keep my son from her family or her but she has not seen him since march. Really its kinda sad she lives 20 min. from him and yet she has no interest. last i heard she was prego by her new boyfriend. owell like i said before her loss.

Hey Dalton, I've had my own personal problems to deal with and still am trying to cope with ongoing health problems. However, I feel lucky compared to what you have had to go through and what has happened to your close buddies. I also feel very humbled that you opened your heart to us. I am sure that everyone will agree that any one of us is always here to listen to you if you have something you want to get off your chest, I'm sure I speak for a lot of people, there is always the "PM" if you ever need it. I for one can appreciate what it's like to have hardship in one's life so my personal messaging system is always open wide for you.

Penn

Thanks Penn Yea everyone here are great people and great listiners. I couldnt even think about your hardships i been to ur other page and read all about it. Im sorry to here about ur condiction. But i go day to day with this and latly its been worse thats why i went to the Doc finally. And he said if i talk aboutit it will help u guys on this page are really the only ones that know about what happened except close friends and family because i ball everything up inside . I became very fond os some people that i can talk to on this page Paul and BiggameHunter are great guy and im sure everyone on here is to. but thanks again and it does help to talk.
Josh

I don't think bottling things up inside doesn't really do anyone much good as you will end up like a pressure cooker with a faulty valve, something will just blow in the end.

And sometimes talking to someone you don't know is easier than talking to someone you do

Thanks Penn

Dalton wrote:

Hey Josh, as i have said, knowing you have problem and accepting that you have
such problem, you solved 50% of the problem itself. i am very sure about that.

Don't you know that keeping a fish tank is the number one recommendation from
most expert to cope up such PTSD and the likes. Three main components explain this:
1) the tank set up always absorb any negative cosmic vibration in the house;
2) the fishes are living creatures that never complains even in the worse water
conditions; and
3) it will keep you busy, focus, and happy or worried as time goes on.

we, the community are part of the 25% solution; and time will take care of the
remaining 25%.....

whenever you need someone to talk to, you can always count on me. just try to
chime in with my YM, wand will responded whenever i'm on-line...which most of the
time, i am.

Always trust GOD and he will guide you accordingly.