Plan A

It was back in 2001 that my doctor first said I had a heart condition that was "worth keeping an eye on". Officially, it was known as an aortic insufficiency, and generally meant that the heart had to work extra hard to pump the right amount of blood. Surgery, we figured, was "perhaps in my lifetime", though admittedly we didn't consider what surgery afterward would be like ;-)

Since then I've felt great. I could ride my bicycle as fast and far as I wanted, could run up 10 flights of stairs without losing my breath, and could out run just about anyone my age. That I'd been pretty good at exercising regularly, staying thin, and eating mostly healthy things hopefully helped. As recently as last year my doctor said my stress test results showed me in better shape than most other 40 year olds. Well, that is, except for my heart.

On a brisk day early this year, however, things were a little different. I was taking a class for coaching ultimate and we were finishing the day with a short game. I did fine in warm-up and practice, but after just 10 minutes on the field I was winded like I'd just run the Boston Marathon. That I hadn't been to Boston in years, which I should really do since it would be great to see my brother and family there, confirmed that it wasn't a marathon, but something that just months earlier was no problem for me. Clearly something was changing.

So with more tests, recommendations from my cardiologist and three cardiac surgeons (at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and Adventist), and the wisdom of my wonderful wife, we've decided that 2008 is the year for fixing this. September, that is, the 24th.

The procedure, if you're curious, is an aortic valve replacement. I haven't convinced my surgeon to use the nifty valve technology from my Honda S2000 yet, but I'm working on it. Really I am. ... Well, OK, actually I'm not, but it's nice to think about. Especially variable timing and lift, which means easy efficiency at rest and power on demand when needed! Seriously, though, I do have some options to consider. I'll get to those later.

For now, I'm quite focused on being as ready for surgery as I can be, tying loose ends up at home and work, more or less. June & July will fly by with deadlines of painting and mapping, a fun day at the track with a seriously fast car, a local vacation, PA family reunion, new home computer, and assortment of financial and legal tasks. In August, I hope to enjoy time with my family, relax, catch some movies, read some good books, take a few drives, ride bikes, hang at the pool, and look forward to a great recovery in the Fall.

So, that is my plan A. I must say it's nice to have the luxury of making a plan, of having the time to consider everything, of meeting smart doctors, and having the wonderful support of family and friends.

So, what do I mean?

So, what do I mean by "A Car Does Not The Driver Make"?

Years ago I owned a Nissan Sentra. While having a particularly good balance between power and handling, it was nothing close to what anyone would mistake as a sports car. With 68 screaming horsepower, it was best to turn off the power-grabbing air conditioning off to avoid holding up cars behind me on hills!

It was with this car that I began autocrossing, a competitive event where you race against the clock through cones, typically in a parking lot. And it was at this point that I realized it didn't matter so much the kind of car you drove, but rather how well you drove it. In a lively discussion with friends regarding the Porsches, BWMs, and similar around us, I soon said the words "a car does not the driver make", meaning, well, that even if you have a good car doesn't make you a good driver.

These days I'm often reminded of this. Tools do not make the carpenter. Education does not make the student. Technology does not make the software developer. And so on. And now that I have a real sports car, I still have plenty to learn before I can drive it as well I'd like!