Making Tough Decisions In Trucking...

This has came up in the last hour so I thought I would put it out there for some of the new people here that may not have thought this deeply into trucking.

My spouse went in for a check at the doctor. Found what the doctor thought were irregular heart best rhythms. Going to emergency room to get an EKG done and possible an MRI done. No need to panic. At least not yet. There is a history of heart issue including having 3 stints put in last February.

Here is the tough part. Today is my last day on home time. Because I work at a good company (Tyson) I also have our only form of insurance which I have to keep valid due to the above mentioned issues. I have called my DM and let him know I may need a few extra days at the house because of this which should be no problem. Should be enough time to tell if anything will happen because of this hospital visit.

The hard part will be having to leave to go back to work in a few days to keep income coming in and to keep insurance to cover all cost. I would love to stay home and offer all the support i can but I have to look at the practical side of things. And this is one of the hard decisions you might have to making while being a driver....

Update.... Good news so far. While writing this post I got a call telling me that the EKG readings and blood pressure test at the hospital are good. Waiting on the blood test results right now. Frankly this sucks the uncertainty of "What may happen" and having to choose between what you want to do verses what you need to do.

Very tough. Hope she is ok and all works out.

Guyjax, you aren't the only one. I haven't posted this on TT till now, but my wife had a stroke a month ago. She's still in the hospital. And, just like you, I've got to drive to keep the paychecks coming and the insurance paid.

I get to see Terie on weekends. My DM did schedule me with Mondays off, with no problem. But you know what a day short does to a weekly paycheck!

Looks like your better half just may have had a close call. Yes, it sucks. Best of luck, Guy!

That's crappy guyjax. I feel for ya and yeah it does suck having to be out here when stuff is going on at home. My fiance had to go into surgery a couple weeks ago and I wasn't able to make it home for it. I had just left 2 days beforehand. Your right tho it isn't something you think about when you start that your out there and you might be halfway across the country when stuff happens at home.

I have had some personal reasons that I needed get back home for, and I have to say, Wolding has been extremely accommodating. But like you guys said, the paycheck takes quite a hit.

Hardest part for me was leaving the wife at home with our newborn after a week at home. Got through it somehow.

Man, I wish both of you guys the very best. Bless your hearts for having to be out there driving when you'd certainly rather be home. Very much hope things turn out great.

Prayers for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

One of the downsides of trucking career and family. Not being able to "be there", because you have to be "out there" to keep the ca$h flowing (and the insurance paid, etc.).

Another thing to consider is - if the DRIVER THEMSELVES gets sidelined for health or injury reasons. VERY IMPORTANT to get a short/long-term disability policy if offered. We've had drivers end up at home for awhile, getting med issues resolved, with no source of income while waiting to get back OTR.

As accommodating as companies will try to be - you're still one of many drivers - and they still have a business to run.

Rick

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Both of you guys stand with the best of them :-)

Man, I wish both of you guys the very best. Bless your hearts for having to be out there driving when you'd certainly rather be home. Very much hope things turn out great.

Hard part is I am home but will have to leave while this is all going on. Have to leave tomorrow morning