Gotta slow down for a while

[crankybuzzard]

Not sure how I missed this, but glad it all worked out for the best!

I have 2 stents and MORE than understand how much better you feel after.  Do as the doctor says though, take it easy for a little bit and then gradually work back into the normal routine.

 

[tropics]

​Gary Definitely take some time,make sure you are healed, before taking a long haul. Glad it wasn't o bad

Richie

My power supply crapped out took a few days to get a new one. 

 

[bigdaddy37]

Wow glad everything is ok. Make sure you apply for your std benefits. If your policy doesn't have this, you will qualify for medical EI. You also have an opportunity to apply for WCB. Alberta has a provision about work making a pre-existing condition worse. If your specialist feels the physical exertion of your work caused a sudden worsening of your condition, you might qualify. This is tough to do, but sometimes they agree.

Cheers

 

[GaryHibbert]

Dam dude, just make sure you take it easy for a bit.

Thanks SQWIB. HA!! I plan to. Told Miss Linda that Drs orders were complet rest--and that includes helping with the dishes. Good thing smoking meat is so restful.

Gary

 

[GaryHibbert]

Not sure how I missed this, but glad it all worked out for the best!

I have 2 stents and MORE than understand how much better you feel after.  Do as the doctor says though, take it easy for a little bit and then gradually work back into the normal routine.

Thanks Cranky. Funny thing is I feel just as good as before already. My blood pressure pills immediately dropped by 67%.

Gary

 

[GaryHibbert]

​Gary Definitely take some time,make sure you are healed, before taking a long haul. Glad it wasn't o bad
Richie

My power supply crapped out took a few days to get a new one. 

Thanks Richie. I plan to. Sorry to hear about the power. Hope the repair bill wasnt too bad

Gary

 

[GaryHibbert]

Wow glad everything is ok. Make sure you apply for your std benefits. If your policy doesn't have this, you will qualify for medical EI. You also have an opportunity to apply for WCB. Alberta has a provision about work making a pre-existing condition worse. If your specialist feels the physical exertion of your work caused a sudden worsening of your condition, you might qualify. This is tough to do, but sometimes they agree.

Cheers

Thanks Bigdaddy. I looked into WCB and it looks pretty hopeless. Can't get EI either as I've been self employed for decades and don't pay into it. But...what are these standard benefits???

Gary

 

[bigdaddy37]

Std is short term disability. But if you are an owner/operator you may not have it. I have seen owner/operators have coverage with the company they haul for. It can't hurt to ask. A few guys I know in your line of work had it and did not even know.

If you are going to be laid up there is also a disability benefit through Service Canada but your difficulties need to be considered "prolonged" according to the feds.

 

[GaryHibbert]

Std is short term disability. But if you are an owner/operator you may not have it. I have seen owner/operators have coverage with the company they haul for. It can't hurt to ask. A few guys I know in your line of work had it and did not even know.

If you are going to be laid up there is also a disability benefit through Service Canada but your difficulties need to be considered "prolonged" according to the feds.

​Thanks for the info Bigdaddy.    Doesn't look like I qualify for anything.  Oh well, at least I can return to work in a couple of weeks.  That is DEFINITELY a good thing.  I'm not about to complain--anything else would just have been icing on the cake.

Gary

 

[bdskelly]

Yup Gary...

We guys just don't have time to think about our health. I came down with serious AFib about 5 years ago. I knew I felt like crap. Had no energy. My body stared to swell up like a toad.  But.. I kept traveling. Working 60 hours or more a week.  Need to make a living ya know...   I thought I Just need to lose some weight and eat better... After about a month I was so weak I couldn't get out of bed. Pneumonia had set in. I was retaining so much water blisters were forming on my skin....  Coughing fits and could not go up a flight of stairs without taking a break. 

Mrs BD saved my life one Sunday morning. When she's had enough she takes charge.  In the ER I had a pulse of 190 with almost no BP. My heart was vibrating and swelling.  A good cardiologist fixed me up and said my wife did the right thing by taking me in that day... A day later would have been a different experience.

 But it took time for me to heal.  Now days I am right as rain.  Just have to take about 8 meds a day.  But it beats the alternative right? 

Moral of our stories. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Why rush the inevitable?

Great story Gary. I hope it was okay with you that I shared mine. 

Brian

 

[GaryHibbert]

Hey Brian. Glad you shared your story.

You're absolutely right when you say we're always pushing the limit. Just gotta make a living and support our families--right??

Well truth is that there comes a time when we need to just walk away. You can't look after your family if you're dead. We were lucky and survived but sooner or later....

Naturally, we all figure that the "later" bit really doesn't apply to us. LOL

Gary

 

[birdman080]

Glad to hear you are okay.  I have Type II Diabetes, so I have to be extra careful with everything.  So far, all numbers still look good, but you never know.  I have been a volunteer Firefighter for almost 23 years, and I have personally seen heart attacks take lives (including my Uncle)...so being able to drive 2 hours to get help was a blessing.  Take it easy over the next few days and rest up.

 

[GaryHibbert]

Glad to hear you are okay.  I have Type II Diabetes, so I have to be extra careful with everything.  So far, all numbers still look good, but you never know.  I have been a volunteer Firefighter for almost 23 years, and I have personally seen heart attacks take lives (including my Uncle)...so being able to drive 2 hours to get help was a blessing.  Take it easy over the next few days and rest up.

Thanks Birdman. Glad to hear your type 2 is under control. You just have to continue to be careful and hopefully everything will remain good.

Gary

 

[disco]

Wow, Gary. I am so sorry I almost missed this. I am so happy it all worked out. If there is anything I can do to help from the Kootenays, let me know.

Disco

 

[GaryHibbert]

Wow, Gary. I am so sorry I almost missed this. I am so happy it all worked out. If there is anything I can do to help from the Kootenays, let me know.

Disco
[/quote

Thanks Disco. No problem. Im about good as new--at least as good as an Old Fart like me can be.

One of your beautifully smoked briskets would be nice. LMAO

Gary

 

[disco]

 

Wow, Gary. I am so sorry I almost missed this. I am so happy it all worked out. If there is anything I can do to help from the Kootenays, let me know.

Disco
[/quote

Thanks Disco. No problem. Im about good as new--at least as good as an Old Fart like me can be.

One of your beautifully smoked briskets would be nice. LMAO

Gary

Any time, my friend. Any time.

 

[chilerelleno]

Gary,
take care of that ticker man, you are lucky that it wasn't more serious.

We share similar circumstances in both jobs and health issues.
I drove long haul US/Can for years, now I'm a regional driver in the SE US.
Back in '14 I had an episode with my heart too.
In the end my Cardiologist told me that my EKGs had changed minutely, so something had happened but he couldn't say what exactly.

I'll share mine too, perhaps someone might stay alive from our stories.

Well, I had a scare & wound up spending 24hrs in the hospital for observation & testing.

Started off my Monday feeling fine, a few hours into my day & I was tired enough to take a 15min nap.
Normally I nap as needed & feel like a $1000.00 afterwards, not yesterday.
Two customers later I was exhausted, breathing hard, pressure in chest/head, light headed, numbness in right jaw & sweaty.
Customer told me I looked like shit, I felt like it & took heed.

I dropped my trailer & bobtailed to the Emergency Room at the Washington County Hospital in Chatom, AL.
They took quick notice, all the signs of a cardiac event, I was on a gurney in a minute.
Fast forward several hours, EKGs, monitors, various meds, blood work, xrays & ect, I'm feeling much better.
I just wanted to go home, see my Primary & Cardiologist.
But the Doc did not want to let me out of the hospital, not even to go straight to home & see my Docs.
He was very adamant, "Mr.Cox I belive you're at serious risk of a full blown Heart Attack, you've some irregularities on your EKGs, I want you here under observation."

I could leave of course, but I would have to sign an 'Against Medical Advice' release waiver.
I could refuse to sign it, but they'd send it in to my insurance just the same.
Point is, my Insurance won't pay on a AMA discharge... And my wife was standing with the Doc... Lose/Lose.

24hrs later, IV, blood work, monitors & more... I'm finally back home & have appointments to see my Primary & Cardiac docs.
I'm glad I stayed, better safe than sorry.

Listen to your body, it will talk to ya.
I really think if I'd pushed it/or waited longer yesterday, I might not be here today.

 

[lemans]

Gary,
I had what the nurse called " acute angina" I said hers was nice too!!! Then she shot me with some injection and the next thing I knew was the dr saying I had two stints put in my heart. The Doc said I had to change my diet and reduce the fat intake.. I said I will.
Then I went home and smoked a pork butt and had a few beers.. life is good!!

 

[GaryHibbert]

Gary,
take care of that ticker man, you are lucky that it wasn't more serious.

We share similar circumstances in both jobs and health issues.
I drove long haul US/Can for years, now I'm a regional driver in the SE US.
Back in '14 I had an episode with my heart too.
In the end my Cardiologist told me that my EKGs had changed minutely, so something had happened but he couldn't say what exactly.

I'll share mine too, perhaps someone might stay alive from our stories.

Thanks Chile.  No question I was lucky.  Dumb too.  But I lucked out, and so did you.

I'm glad you shared your story too.  Too many of us just don't pay attention to the warning signs our bodies are giving us, and God knows we should.  Dead is forever.  Dead means you can't ever fire up your smoker again.

Gary

 

[GaryHibbert]

Gary,
I had what the nurse called " acute angina" I said hers was nice too!!! Then she shot me with some injection and the next thing I knew was the dr saying I had two stints put in my heart. The Doc said I had to change my diet and reduce the fat intake.. I said I will.
Then I went home and smoked a pork butt and had a few beers.. life is good!!

Man cannot live on tofu alone.  At least most of us can't.

Gary