My name is Tom, I'm 56 yrs old and live in West Texas. I have been struggling with clinical depression since childhood, and eating disorder for the last 35 or so years. (morbid obesity) In September, 2025 I was admitted to the University Medical Hospital for cellulitis of the left leg (infection of the soft tissues). The infection turned out to be so severe that it became life threatening and required 12 days of hospitalization and the help of infectious disease experts to combat it, and weeks of antibiotic treatments after discharge from the hospital. I am still suffering some aftereffects to this day.

Unfortunately during my hospital stay I lost access to the transitional housing I was staying at, and am now homeless, living out of my over 20 yr old truck that has severe mechanical issues, and will soon no longer be operable. As it is it will barely reach 35mph, and as such it has reduced my ability to make money as a gig delivery driver.

The silver lining to this experience was that the thought of dying, especially without reconciling with some estranged family members "woke me up", and that I need to stop just getting by and start moving forward to lasting change. To that end I have changed my diet enough that I am down 32lbs from my heaviest weight, and am determined to keep that momentum going. There will be more changes to my diet and exercises introduced as it's safe to do so without injuries.

Another positive was that the hospital staff introduced me to the county health care insurance so that I could get further treatment at low costs. Part of that is help with my weight loss, but also my low blood oxygen levels, especially during sleep. A sleep study done in January showed severe sleep apnea and blood oxygen levels averaging in the 70s%, with brief dips as low as the mid 40s%. The sleep study showed my response to a CPAP machine raised my blood oxygen levels to the 80s%. As a result I was given a CPAP machine and have it ready to go...when I can find a place to sleep laying flat and a power source to run it.

I will use the this GoFundMe to purchase a used but reliable minivan, a mattress to put in the van to sleep on, and a power station to run the CPAP machine, and a gym membership with a pool for water exercises. The doctors say that the use of the CPAP machine alone will make a huge contribution to my physical and mental energy levels. Any funds left will be used to provide insulation to the windows, a safe heater and warm bedding, and as a reserve for repair bills. If I am lucky enough to achieve this level of generosity it will allow me back to work as a gig delivery driver, a warm and safe place to sleep, and use of the CPAP machine to improve physical and mental health. After that it will be easier, if not easy, to keep going down the path of healthier eating, exercise, and positive mental exercises to combat the depression and negative thinking. I have found medication that helps the depression, but it's no cure in and of itself.

Thank you for taking the time to read about me and for any help you decide to send my way. It is all greatly appreciated.