Well It Was Fun While It Lasted.

After a little less than 3 years it looks like my second career as a truck driver has come to an end. I suffered a heart attack in February. After a heart attack one of the requirements to passing a DOT physical is to have an echocardiogram test showing a 40%+ reading for the Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF).

Since my attack I have had 3 regular echos all with scores in the 30-35 range. Today they pulled out the big guns and gave me something called a MUGA test. This is a nuclear test where you get shot up with radioactive meds and they can basically count the blood cells leaving the heart. It came back as a 25 percent! Since raising the LVEF significantly in a damaged heart is pretty unlikely I am pretty much dead in the water.

My employer, Ryder, has been great through the whole thing. They are currently looking into an office job for me so I may continue working for them if I can.

Funny thing is I feel and look better now than I have in years. I have lost about 25 pounds and with rehab and my own exercise and yard word work my endurance is better than it has been in a long time.

Keep plugging away at your rehab, physical activity, diet, and mental health Greg.

If you can picture it happening, you can make it happen. Don't roll over if you really want to remain driving. If you land a support role and enjoy doing it, that will also be great. We can't do our job as a driver without all of the unseen folks behind the scenes.

Thanks PackRat. I know that you have been through much worse than I've been through. Totally agree on the keeping things positive.

Financially I was pretty much set to retire in 2017 when I took my buyout and that has only gotten better while working for Ryder. Also being off for the last 5 months I have discovered that I can keep myself busy around the house if I decide to give true retirement a try.

I called my boss today to tell her that my returning to driving is unlikely and she was almost it tears. Since my attack they have pretty much kept my 2019 Cascadia sleeper unassigned waiting for me. The safety guy uses it occasionally to give road tests and they have one other driver they let use it when he needs a sleeper but he keeps his trucks immaculate.

If its done I'm ok with it. I would have liked to do a little more OTR than I got to but I have no regrets.

I'm sorry that your career is coming to an end but it's nice that their considering an office job for you if your able to do it. I hope that you stay as healthy as possible.

Most important thing is always take care of you. Jobs come and go.... Ur body doesn't. Good luck

That's a bummer, but the brightside is it sounds like your finances are in order. That atleast helps lessen the blow a little. Perhaps you could enjoy your retirement rolling around in an RV to get to experience the open road? I'm not quite sure I'd enjoy sitting in an office all day, but then again 8 hour days with a steady schedule would be nice.

Could you drive intrastate possibly? Glad to hear your feeling better though.

I have looked into that and, in Ohio at least, you basically need a DOT physical for any kind of commercial driving. You just don't need to have it on file with the BMV. Only exception would possibly be agriculture. I guess I could find someone in the fall who needs help hauling grain but that would definitely be seasonal at best.

Could you drive intrastate possibly? Glad to hear your feeling better though.

Sorry to hear about the attack, everyone is right take care of yourself first, I'd say remember family and Jobs will come and go. Your company sounds great trying to keep you working, they definitely value you as an employee. I'm in NY and you brought up Agriculture as an option. Remember there are quite a few products in that category, I work in Milk. It's a year round gig in Agriculture. I'm not pushing you to overwork you know your health situation but just giving and option. And Ryder truck here has a contract with a milk coop all the drivers work for Ryder. Good Luck and stay healthy you only get 1 life and I'm sure there's people that love you and want you around.

Greg, I'm really sorry to hear that. I really wanted to talk a bit about what PackRat said because it's something I truly believe in:

Keep plugging away at your rehab, physical activity, diet, and mental health Greg.

If you can picture it happening, you can make it happen.

Listen, there are literally millions of stories of people who were told by numerous doctors that something was completely impossible and they were hopeless. But for those who refused to believe it and put in the time and effort to find ways to beat their condition they came out stronger and healthier than ever.

I am no fan of modern medicine. I'm a huge fan of exercise and natural remedies for health issues.

Greg, do not let anyone tell you that your condition is hopeless. I don't believe that for a moment. The body is incredible, and nothing has a more profound effect on your body than the mind. Start doing your research. Find some natural foods or supplements that might help. Maybe talk with a natural cure doctor about it. Look into getting consistent exercise. Keep a fierce determination that you will turn this condition around and be strong and healthy and ready for action once again.

Like PackRat said, if you can picture it happening you can make it happen. Believe in it. Believe hard. Refuse to settle for being less than incredibly healthy. Be fiercely determined to find a way and you will!