BD69: The Owner Operator Chronicles

I posted this comment on another thread:

I'll give you a real time (current) example of the storms that hit in business & life. I have a friend who is an O/O. He has a 2016 KW T660 with a Paccar motor, which he bought new. Currently has 350k +/- miles.

The engine derated over a week ago. KW Dealership Service Dept (where he bought the truck) told him the DPF needed to be cleaned, however, they were about 10 days out from being able to do anything because they were booked solid.

So, they reset the code for him which gave him the ability to drive to the next KW Dealership about 80 miles away, they were only booked 5 days ahead. Dropped off the truck and here it is 8 days later and they finally got around to cleaning the filter. However, when they reset the codes and did a forced regen, it wouldn't take.

Turns out, after further inspection and diagnostics, the DOC was warped and severely damaged on the inside!

He's looking at what could be an 8k dollar bill when it's said and done. However, that doesn't count the 13k in lost revenue he will most likely incur. Now, none of this was under the normal operating mileage warranty. So, in effect, he is out of pocket 21k dollars, not to mention the lack of cash-flow from the revenue stream loss.

I don't think he has 21k to 25k sitting in the bank...

But wait! That's NOT all! His common-law wife has had kidney failure for some time and has been deteriorating in health. Well, they received a call Friday night informing them that someone had been killed in a car wreck and was a donor, the kidney was a match and they had to rush a couple of hundred miles away to the hospital where the transplant would be done. She had the surgery this morning and it appears it was successful. Which is a blessing!

However, combine these things (business & personal financial) together and that's what I mean about it's not a matter of IF the STORM is going to hit, but WHEN it's going to hit!

 

that's exactly right. The storm will always hit, its just a matter of when. That is what is currently keeping me from pulling the trigger on another truck. It's a low mileage 06 379 with a 110 inch ict powered by a 625 hp 2050 tq c15. I'm confident they will accept a cash offer of 45k. And I'm capable of writing a check for 45.

But the storm will come, and what if it comes before i get that 45 back in the bank? Cause if I'm honest with myself i ain't no sprng chicken anymore. I've crested 40, was born premature with a bad ticker, smoke 2 packs a day for the last 20 years, partied like Kid Rock all through my 20s and early 30s. That all adds up to being a prime candidate for an early heart attack. those ain't cheap.

 

average hospital bill for a “basic” or “routine” heart attack is $140,000.

 

I am the same way, very tough for me to turn loose cash for a large purchase. It is funny how your way of thinking changes as you get older. For me the what if factor always comes into play. When you are young, you just ignore that little voice.

 

When you're young, you know it all! Those that have more experience (offering advice) are just being too "conservative" & "fearful." You know, real killjoys! Besides, what do they know? Times have changed, man! LOL

 

Well, for any of you that care to know, here's an update

Today marks week 14 since jumping back on the wagon.

I'm down 55 lbs. Loss has definitely slowed, which is to be expected.

My B.P. average for the past 14 weeks is at 116/71. I know, because I self monitor and record the results on an app I use.

I've fully adjusted to the APAP and must admit I'm sleeping better and feeling better. However, how much of that is directly attributable to the APAP use, I don't know for sure.

I do know that my apnea events during sleep are essentially gone now since using the APAP. I'm able to remove the SD card from my device and download the results to a software program called, Sleepyhead, the information these devices provide are fascinating.

In addition, I've begun wearing a pulse oximeter at night which records my blood oxygen & pulse levels while sleeping. The oxygen desaturation levels while sleeping provided in my initial sleep study results was the trigger for having to do a more formal sleep study test at home.

I was able to obtain that initial nocturnal pulse oximeter results from the doctor so I could compare it to the results I'm recording now. Man, let me to tell you, it's no wonder the doctor prescribed a more detailed home sleep study test for me! My blood oxygen levels were desaturating to a very unhealthy level at sleep. The corresponding spikes in my pulse rates reflected that.

Now that I'm using the APAP and am able to record the SpO2 levels and see the results, there is no comparison to what was happening before I started using the APAP. I have completely normalized.

In summary, I feel MUCH better, more rested and clear headed since retaking control of my health. Still have a ways to go, but I'm making progress!

 

Scooter, just a curious question.
When you talked to your medical providers, did any recomend, or request any ultrasound scans.
Like a carotid or femoral artery, maybe heart.

 

No. I'm going back in for a full physical, with blood labs, in the middle of August.

My plan is to ask my doctor, well, he's not really an MD, he's a PA-C, for a referral to a pulmonary specialist, there's one in town that comes highly recommended.

This is one reason I'm amassing the APAP reports along with the nocturnal pulse oximetry reports. I want someone who specializes in this field to read and diagnose any potential issues that need to be addressed.

I intend to ask for an electrocardiogram as well.

Man, look what getting old does to you! LOL

 

Started to notice that I as feeling a little slow recovering from heavy work. Some very minor apnea started up. Wife actually said something about it. Just knew that I was sort of off my usual. Had been going on for some time. When I had been in to Dr’s and full physicals, with extendd blood panels, never showed any problems. BP, Oxygen levels, even cholesterol, all the things you would look for to see if any problems exist. Nothing showed up that would give any clues to a potential problem. The recovery time from heavy work, like a three tarp and padding a machine, so a couple of hours of up, down over under, was very slow.

Any way long story short, finally went to a cardiologist as a referal, just to have a look see, did and EKG, ultrasound scans and few other things. Next I know she wants me in the hospital asap. One artery in the heart was 99 percent blocked. Put in a big stent. Back to work in 6 weeks. I was very lucky to have followed my gut on this. The heart attack that can occur from this is called a Widow Maker.
Because they have almost no symptoms. The survival rate from them is in the single digits. The cardiologist was surprised I was that aware of what was going on with my body. Needless to say, I am a tough bestard and still here.