February 2, 1990, 2010

FIRST 5 YEARS:(Friday-Troy, Illinois)
A day of frustration developed as I slept. I was up at 8 AM and called in to dispatch and there was nothing for me to do. This went on with every call through the day. Nothing, nothing, nothing, and nothing...Every hour I called in for nothing until 5 PM. I have a relay coming in at 6 AM tomorrow going to Laredo, Texas. After I got the load I had dinner in the restaurant and then went to my tractor, watched TV and went to sleep.

SECOND 5 YEARS:(effects of diabetes—drivers, watch your diets...)
I got into Geneva, Alabama to deliver a load of meat. In the morning, before unloading, a nice looking , cleanly dressed man asked if he could lump(unload my load for pay) my load. I said sure. I got backed up to the dock and this man-named William- started unloading the boxes of meat. I did what I often do and that was to go back into the trailer and talk with the lumpers. Talking to people around different parts of North America was one the the “pluses” I felt of being a truck driver.(note: the following conversation has been modified to maintain the “family friendly” status of this blog). William and I covered many topics. The one topic he brought up after I mentioned I had been in nursing prior to driving and that I had diabetes(not insulin dependent at that time), I felt interesting that he would even bring up. The topic concerned his relationships with the ladies....He said the he had been an insulin dependent diabetic for years and it had affected his relations with the females of our species. He asked if I had the same problem as him(he really didn't want an answer) and I just let him talk and never answered the question. His statement that followed his question...He had through the years prior to taking insulin, been able to become extremely friendly with 2 to 3 females a day. At the time of the statement he claimed that he was lucky to be extremely friendly with one female a month. He was truly concerned about his condition as it was related to the diabetes. The reason I bring this up is that diabetes has several negative affects in our lives if we have it; especially us as truck drivers. Now days, there is a STRICT program federally that allows insulin dependent diabetics to drive interstate. It is very strict and knocked me out of the driving world. If anyone is curious about the program, contact your state DOT department involved with commercial vehicles as there are forms that certain doctors have to fill out on your “5” years insulin taking history. Any drivers should watch their dietary calorie intake, visit your doctor regularly to monitor their health(more than for the two year health card) and watch those snacks and munchies-like I didn't. I believe diabetes is one of the physical conditions that causes the most drivers to loose their careers, as well as other things. DRIVE SAFE AND HEALTHY!!!