Update And, Hopefully, Some Encouargement For Others

Greetings! I reached what I consider to be a significant milestone in my quest to get my CDL today. I passed my physical and got my one year medical card!!! I’m posting a bit about why I consider it significant in hopes that it might encourage others who are facing medical issues like I was.

I’m 55 years old and have the trifecta of what the DOT does not like in a truck driver. I have diabetes (Type II), high blood pressure and sleep apnea. I lost my health insurance when I was laid off from a major tech company and could no longer afford my meds. My blood pressure and blood sugar levels sky rocketed.

The machine I used to treat my sleep apnea had broken and I could not afford a new one. This prevented me from being able to submit a report saying that I was properly using my sleep apnea machine. I needed that report before I could take my medical.

All of the jobs that I got kept me just under the number of hours it would require for them to offer me health insurance. I found that the so-called Affordable Care Act was not affordable for me, so that was not an option. I tried working two jobs but they were low paying and I was literally counting pennies to make ends meet. I was discouraged, but determined. What to do?

I swallowed my pride and had an honest discussion with my doctors and my pharmacist about my situation. They all agreed to see me at a reduced rate. I paid cash for my doctor visits and medication. (No insurance paperwork for the doctor, so they benefited too.)

I found a place that sold me a second-hand machine for my sleep apnea. Again, this was because I called, swallowed my pride, and told them my story. I paid for it by selling some items from my autograph collection.

In the meantime, I started walking. I drank lots of water. I even cut out the caffeine that I had every morning when I woke up. I looked for store specials on healthy, diabetic friendly food.

There’s more to the story, but you get the point. It’s amazing what you can do when you really want something bad enough. I was so very happy when I walked out of the doctor’s office this morning with my one-year medical card.

If you are considering trucking, and are faced with health issues, I encourage you to think outside of the box and find ways around the obstacles that you face. If I can do it, you can do it too.

Now it is on to the DMV to take my tests. I’ve been averaging 93% on the High Road Training Program here. Thanks, Brett! I’m spending the next couple of days going over stuff again before I take my tests.

Thank you to Brett and all of the moderators here. I have learned so much, even just by lurking in the background and reading all of your posts. I know I would not even be at this point if not for your knowledge and encouragement.

Stay safe out there, everybody! Colin K.

Congrat’s Sir. Well Done..

That is outstanding !! Congrats !

Now THAT’S perseverance! Keep moving!

Thank you, Colin for this report!

I'd say the first take-away is that sometimes it takes more than pills to conquer some health issues. (Don't look at me, I have prescriptions for hypertension/blood pressure, cholesterol and edema medication.)

However, you said an important thing twice:

I swallowed my pride...

If more people could get off their high horses, and cut back on their sense of self-importance, they would live better lives. Living with humility is much easier and in itself can help with the problems both you and I share. Just get down to business in doing what you need/want to accomplish, and enjoy yourself more.

Congratulations on handling what some people would say were "impossible" problems.

Good job!

One of the things that sets top drivers apart is the ability to get the job done. You are already showing you have that quality. Instead of giving up like so many do; you figured out how to get over the obstacles.

Take a moment, study, and then go kick through the next door. Good luck on your tests.

Thank you for the kind words, everybody. They help to keep me inspired and I hope others can find encouragement from my story.

Errol: I’d like to share one final thought about swallowing my pride. Learning to accept help from others, and especially learning to ask for help from others, was very, very difficult for me. While I generally try to be among the first to offer help to others, accepting help was something that I kept refusing to do. That was just plain stubbornness on my part.

Looking back, my learning to accept help from others was the biggest lesson that I learned from my unemployment ordeal. It was very humbling, but it made me a better person. Your words about the benefits of people learning to swallow their pride are very true.

Great to read about your success! Congratulations to you!

Colin, you list your Home Sate as CA. Where'ya at? I used to live in SoCal.

Errol, I'm fortunate enough to be living with a dear friend in Ontario. I couldn't figure out how to pay my bills while I was in training so I sold my house. I'm now debt free. I plan to live in my truck for at least the first year and put the money I'll save into my retirement fund. What area of So. Cal did you used to live in?

Stay safe out there, everybody! Colin K.