If you don't take care of your health then you are....

Thank you All for kind words.
I am at home and feeling good and so much relived that it was not a heart attack after all. The tests that they made on me showed nothing critical. Heart, lungs and arteries looked fine. I am still waiting for the Covid-19 test results but...I'll be ###### to hell if it is positive.

As I mentioned, I took my family on a tour to South Dakota and Yellowstone and I am afraid we overdid it with the pace. I think I also overdid with my work load in the last few months. The spot market was very good and I was on it with as much dedication and time as physically possible to the point of becoming a mere visitor of my own home, neglecting a lot of things in favor of generating revenue. I don't as rest well as at home when on the road, don't eat as good - gained 15 pounds in the last quarter - and generally get easily irritated by stupid, trivial things which increase my pulse and blood pressure. With progressing age, these things obviously start manifest themselves and at some erupt like volcano. Except for biannual Medical Card renewals, I haven't visited a doctor for any tests and check ups in the last 30 years of my life. I don't know anything about my cholesterol levels or prostate size.

I am very relived that it was not a heart attack. I even scanned some threads on this site with a "heart attack" as key words to learn more about how this could impair someone's trucking career.
For an owner operator, providing for his family and relying mostly on his income, heart attack could mean the end of it or too long an interruption/suspension to put someone's life upside down. Therefore, it is of a paramount importance to realize that even if you feel healthy and strong, this occupation is effecting your body and health, and at some point you may find out about it at the least expected moment. I literally was packing my stuff and ready to leave to my truck when I started feeling bad...
So the first reflection is what happens if such disposition happens while on the road. I personally knew people who passed away inside of their trucks, found many days after they stopped making check calls and the second is what happens if you can't drive and there is not much for you to do outside trucking...

I think it is important to know your limitations and manage the pace and workload accordingly. For me, for now, it would be 4-5 days out and then 2-3 days rest. Also, take a motel while on the road to have a quality sleep in, if time allows.
I like scotch and cigar while at home too. That's something to be very limited...at least until I retire.
The statistics showing that a trucker's life span is less than 60 years of age are meaningful.
I guess it also depends what age you started trucking. I was 31.

I don't want to sound overdramatic or anything like that here but I was scared like SOB yesterday afternoon and I will not ignore it. You guys take care of yourself, Literally! 45 years of age and up, after many years of trucking in the saddle...better watch yourself.


P.S.
You know...now after this experience, I am kind of glad I am on ELD...I mean 1100 miles a day 10 years ago was a breeze for me.

 

Gotto learn....how to surf the waves TOO and be in own bed every night.