Comments By Ahmalia

UPDATE: Well, Swift will not accept a letter of release from the doctor, a specific form has to be completed and returned to Swift HR before I can go back to work. So after a total cluster of a day Friday trying to get the stupid forms, I go back to the doctor's office only to find they close at noon on Fridays. So this morning I called to make sure they received the forms via FAX, and asked if I could come up and get them so I can go back to work. The doctor's office replied that it takes 7-14 business days to complete and return those forms to me, and they will not expedite for any reason, even when I told them I'm going to lose my job. They gave me a letter from the doctor stating I'm ok to return to work, and they are willing to verbally confirm that with Swift. So I called Swift, and they said no, they have to have the completed form before they will release me to return to work. So in desperation I called my primary doctor that referred me to the specialist, and asked if their office would be willing to complete the forms. I'm waiting for them to call me back, but if they say no, I have to go up to Kansas City today and clean out my truck. While I know taking care of my health is important, to be honest, I regret even telling Swift about my little episode. Also, my primary doctor also referred me to a cardiologist due to high blood pressure, and I don't even have an appointment with them yet. If my doctor refuses to complete the form until I'm released to return to work by the cardiologist, then I am well and truly screwed. Pretty sure all this stress is not helping my blood pressure.

Good news and bad news. The good news is I'm cleared to drive. The bad news is Swift won't let me until the doctor completes a release form. If my driver leader had told me that at some point during my daily phone calls to him, I could have had it with me. Didn't find out until after my appt this morning. And of course the office closed at noon today so I have to wait until Monday. Their patient info packet says allow 7 to 14 business days for completion of the forms. Bringing a book and packing a lunch and will spend all day everyday in their waiting room until it's done.

Just sharing something I learned the hard way. If your company insurance offers short term disability...take it.

Talked to the 401K people yesterday. I'm not eligible to take out a loan, and what I'm going through does not qualify as "hardship." I asked what does, and was told foreclosure on a house or buying a house is the only way I can touch MY money now. I said, I don't own, I rent, and was told I don't qualify. Kind of ****es me off, actually. If I'd been socking that money into a savings account where I could access it now, I would not be nearly as stressed out. However, my boss told me worst case scenario is I can "quit" and get the money, and then get hired right back. Its ridiculous that I would have to do that, affect my seniority, just to get to money that is MINE!! However, my boss also told me we have a driver on the fleet who suffered a full stroke with seizures, and he was only off two months and then released back to driving. So I'm hopeful that the neurologist will spring me when he sees me Friday, and I'll be back on the road Monday. I feel fine physically, so if meds will fix it (they think it was a clot due to high cholesterol, already on meds for that) then let's go. I am bored out of my mind.

This is from the Reference Guide for DOT Physical Driver Exams...

TIA • No driving within one year • Subsequent clearance by neurologist

And this is from the May 2014 new guidelines...

Neurologic Disease- syncope, seizure, stroke, TIA etc. • One year certification requiring consultation by a Neurologist who understands the functions and demands of commercial driving.

I've spent most of the weekend trying to find a definitive answer on how long I may be restricted from driving, and I can't find an answer. I don't know if the final call is made by the doctors, by DOT, or by Swift. I've seen some information that say a year minimum, another site said 3 months, and so on. I don't even know for sure what I had, since I have to wait for my doctor to refer me to a specialist, and then all the tests and whatnot they have to run. Ironic that my med card is up for renewal next month. Sheesh. And I'm such a big time need to know the plan type person, although truck driving made me lighten up on that quite a bit, ha ha. I think Swift has some kind of medical emergency plan where I can hopefully have some money coming in while I get some freaking answers. And also, does anyone know if I can withdraw money from my 401K? I've got enough in there to cover 2 months, if I can get it. I'm just frustrated because while I understand that it isn't safe for me to be behind the wheel right now until I figure out what happened and hopefully fix it, I feel fine, and have felt fine all weekend. Just want to get back out there dang it!!

Thanks, Jim, I'll look into that on Monday.

Well, my primary doctor is referring me to a cardiologist and a neurologist for confirmation. I tried to get in touch with Swift's HR dept yesterday to find out what their guidelines might be and if there is any kind of options where I can still get paid something, but couldn't get through. According to everything I'm reading online, odds are I'm off work for a minimum of 3 months, possibly a year, and potentially will never get my CDL back. While I have other job skills, I will not find anything that pays me what I make as a driver. And I do not get paid for my time off.

What happened was I was just driving down the highway, about 5 miles from my pick up, and all of a sudden I got really light-headed and a vertigo feeling, and then my left side went numb, starting with my face but progressing all the way down my arm and leg. I guess I'm very lucky I didn't pass out and wreck. When I got to my pick up point I started making phone calls to my dispatcher, my doctor, etc. Apparently I should have immediately called 911 and went to the hospital. Swift sent a driver over to cover my load, and I rode the 90 minutes back to Topeka with him, and after he dropped the load off, he dropped me off at my house. Went to see the doctor the next day. The numbness wore off after about an hour, and I felt fine after that. Still feel fine, but I understand that a TIA is a warning signal, and a full stroke could be next.

I don't know if they will roto-rooter my arteries, or put me on meds, or what. And I don't know if I can be cleared to go back to driving. I'm trying really hard not to panic, since I don't really have any information yet anyway, aside from I can't go back to work until the doctor's say so, and I have no money coming in in the meantime. I have a little bit in savings, can maybe squeak by 3 months on that, but anything longer and I'm screwed.

And just because I'm venting anyway, my boyfriend of 2 years up and moved out on me March 1st, with no warning. So its already tough because I went from a two income household to a one income household. And then 2 weeks later my best friend passed away, sudden heart attack. Well, they say bad things happen in three's, so I guess that's my three. I hope so anyway, cuz I'm at my limit. Close the problem buffet, my plate is full.

Yesterday while driving I apparently suffered a mini stroke. I'm being referred to a neurologist and cardiologist and not allowed to drive until they sign off. But internet research is saying I may be required to be off for a year. Trying not to panic.

Because I pick up at the same shipper every day, they know me here. I did tell them what happened, which gets this driver banned from all Coke facilities nationwide. But being female, I walk a fine line, don't want to viewed as someone who complains about every little thing, ya know? And I'm not usually a napper because I'm usually drop and hook. Just had family stuff last night and time to kill today. As far as pulling his pin...tempting, but I've had that done to me before so I can't go there.