Today's the day...
As I mentioned in my last post, I've been medically disqualified from doing my job since early last month. Under the circumstances, I think I've managed to hold it together pretty well.
After almost 2 months, I have a shot at redemption. I have another DOT physical scheduled for today, in just over 2 hours. Honestly, I'm nervous.
This time, I believe I have my blood pressure under control.
There's a hitch
You see, I'm diabetic. Have been for years.
Diabetes is a condition which complicates professional driving. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has decreed that diabetic truck drivers must keep their condition under tight control or lose their medical certification.
I've wavered between decent and lousy control of my diabetes over the years.
I've managed to avoid decertification by being a sneaky SOB.
I've lied to the DOT examiners for years. I've told them I'm not diabetic.
Of course, they have ways to determine whether or not that's true.
Part of the DOT physical involves collecting a urine sample, and testing it for the presence of protein and sugar, among other things. If protein or sugar are present in the urine, it indicates elevated blood glucose, which triggers a blood glucose test. If the reading is out of the normal range, BOOM! No certificate for you.
Over the years, I've devised a method to ensure that my urine is free of protein and sugar. I combine a strict 800-calorie diet, low in carbs and sugar, for a week before the exam, with drinking an insane amount of water the day of the exam, to dilute my urine.
So far, it has worked like a charm.
So why am I nervous?
I've been through a lot over the past several weeks. It's been a roller coaster, and not the fun Disneyland type. More like a slow, hellish jaunt through emotional highs and lows, with no end in sight.
To say the least, it has made me gunshy.
Plus, medical environments always put me on edge. Especially when I know I'm lying to the doctors and nurses, and could be found out at any moment.
That's the kicker -- stress causes elevated blood pressure, as does high blood glucose.
I'm still in an uphill battle. Still unsure. Still scared that I'll fail, as I did last month.
There is so much at stake today.
I can't say that failure today would equate to catastrophe. I've been away from my job for almost 2 months, and have managed to keep my head above water. Driving for Uber / Lyft / Instacart and working in the company warehouse has kept the bills paid.
I've stuck to my diet for the past week (with no small quantity of help and encouragement from my lovely fiancee), and I'm drinking lots of water.
I'm ready.
Ready for my date with destiny.
