I did not complete my Associates degree until I was 47. I spent my “college money” on obtaining IT certifications. I have never be unemployed and have had a six figure salary since the mid 90’s.
Since my employer offers tuition assistance, I will finish my BS in EE in about 3 years. However, that is more to “fill in” and make my HR happy than for any real advancement.
Congrats. You did it about as well as it can be done; like Clint Eastwood said, "You adapted, you improvised, and you overcame." You are a rare one indeed, and exemplary. Even if you made a few missteps along the way (and who doesn't?), you had great foresight and could probably write a useful article on thriving and hustling in a legitimate field of endeavor. Blessings.