The value of a heart transplant?

I read a Medium article this morning about whether a heart transplant is safe. For me, that was never a question that I considered. I don’t even remember being asked the question.

I was out of it in the ICU when my wife made the call. Thank goodness I was on her good side.

For me, the question that we should be asking is “What is the value of a heart transplant?” Why do I ask that? Morbid, right?

If you look at it as a purely monetary decision, the answer is probably no for me. I was 59 at the time, my kids were all raised, and I was approaching the end of my work career (I thought). With a cost of over $1,000,000, the decision to have a transplant would have gone against me if I lived in a country with socialized medicine.

So, in a monetary decision, I lose.

Unless, …. I am here for a greater purpose that I can’t see. I was raised Catholic, though I don’t practice. I believe in God. So what kind of greater good could I fill.

I have chosen to invest in the future of others. I am working at Blaizing Academy as the VP of Learning. In that role, I work with students in middle school, high school, and people seeking to retrain themselves. I prefer to work in those who are under-resourced or under-utilized in their life.

Doesn’t pay great, but it is challenging and rewarding. I like to think of myself as a tech guy, so that’s where I focus.

Am I paying it forward? Not really. I have a debt to repay by paying it forward. Maybe I can get it paid before my new heart gives out.

Thanks for reading.

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