We both reacted to medical trauma in different ways. He decided that he was going to quit his job and live out his days doing something physical. He thought he might get a job doing construction, stocking shelves, or anything where he would have to exercise. He wagered that it was worth taking an 80% pay cut to live for five more years. He was so serious about it that he was even asking if I thought he should keep his P.Eng on an application to work in construction. I didn't understand my heart condition or the lead up to it. So, the day after I got out of the hospital, I bought a pack of cigarettes and started smoking.
Of the people who I have stayed in touch with, not many of us have kept up with our post release resolutions. I quit smoking after about six months and took up running. One buddy took a partial early retirement and only works three days a week now. So, maybe medical trauma has absolutely nothing to do with any of these really major life changes. But to this day, whenever I hear of a story like that, I'm reminded of my friend who decided to trade in a very good engineering job for a gig in construction...