Plans Changed

November 3, 2025.

10:40 pm.

I awoke after just an hour of sleep. My chest ached, and my left arm felt like it was trapped in a vice. My hand tingled. 

But hey, I’m a guy. 

So, as most men would do, I made my way to the bathroom, where I was met with two unfriendly evening visitors: nausea and sweating. After a few minutes, I quietly made my way back to bed, not wanting to wake my wife. I lay back down and consulted Dr. Google, who advised me that I was—by all apparent signs—having a heart attack.

Okay, but that’s just what AI summarized. Was I really having a heart attack? There are many men and women who doubt the signs and symptoms. They don’t want to accept the fact that they are facing a life-threatening event. Coming to terms with the fact that life is changing in that very moment is too much to absorb.

I, like most, I suspect, waited a few more minutes, enduring the pain in my arm, hand, and chest. I prayed. I knew I needed help. I told God I didn’t want to meet Him face-to-face today and thanked Him for His mercy and grace. Then I woke up my wife and told her that I needed to go to the hospital. She sat up and asked with fear in her voice, “What’s wrong?” 

“...my heart.” 

Even as I write and read those words today, there's a catch in my throat and my eyes begin to tear up.

Susan and I had only been married for three and a half years at that point. It was far too soon to check out. I was only 52 years old. We had many dreams and plans ahead of us. 

There’s a Yiddish proverb that rings true: Man plans and God laughs. Now, I don’t think God was laughing at me, but I do think I needed a wake-up call.

What's my purpose?

In the months leading up to my heart attack, I was struggling in a deeply personal way. As most people do, I felt that my life’s purpose was unmet. Actually, if I need to be honest with myself—and you—I didn’t know what my purpose was. I felt like I was floundering. 

I’ve worked a number of jobs over the years, and I have enjoyed each one, from working in a group home, to driving a transport truck, to selling cigars. I’ve pursued various jobs on purpose because I wanted a new experience doing something enjoyable for me. 

Working as an administrative assistant fed my enjoyment of organizing and helping others do their jobs better. Working as a supervisor in a homeless shelter allowed me to support a staff team that wanted to do more and help people in need. Owning my own copywriting business allowed me to create and experience freedom while doing things I enjoyed, but also the stress and anxiety when the market changes and you are left feeling nearly irrelevant. Thanks, ChatGPT.

As I struggled to grasp my own concept of purpose, I listened to podcasts like The Mindset Mentor, read various devotions, and read my Bible. I talked with family and a few select friends. I talked to God. Through these conversations, a couple of themes came up: I am curious, and I appreciate simplicity. 

Pair these with God’s directive from 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God,” and it became clearer that it didn’t so much matter what I was doing, but that whatever I did, I needed to do it to glorify God through it. 

Any role, anywhere, glorify.

I was about a month into building the original The Curious Toad when my heart attack struck. Suddenly, all of my plans were off the table.

Susan practically leaped from the bed and sprinted to the bathroom when I told her I needed to go to the hospital. She dumped two Aspirin into her hand and gave me directions to take them. I dutifully complied. I was in no position to minimize the situation or argue at that point.

The underrated medical professionals. Mine were wonderful!

Our local hospital is just minutes from our home, where I was seen by the doctor and the ER nurses post-triage. Things happened quickly. I was scanned, poked, prodded, wired up, and loaded into an ambulance, with two paramedics and a nurse, to take the 35 km ride to University Hospital in London. I was told that the cardiac team was being called in, and I would be taken directly to the CathLab where they would look after me.

I was met by a cardiac team led by Dr. Ward. At first glance, angioplasty was on the agenda for tonight. Once the heart catheter was inserted into my wrist and made its way up my arm, across my chest, and into my heart, I heard a change in plans. Skip the angioplasty, one stent instead. That should do it. 

Then a second stent. That did it. 

The team’s precision cleared my 100% blocked artery with two stents. While working on me, they discovered I have three additional partial blockages, and an early intervention could result in blood clots, which could lead to a stroke. Simply put, it wasn’t worth the risk when the conditions could be effectively managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

I stayed in the cardiac care unit at University Hospital for three nights. I was closely monitored and tested regularly to ensure I was responding well to the new medication: The Cardiac Cocktail, as it is known.

A global community

After we returned home, our friends rallied around us and provided meals. I worked from home at that time and handled most household tasks, including cooking. Instead, though, we were blessed with meals from friends representing Canada, Mexico, Iran, Turkey, Ecuador, Tunisia, Italy, and Jamaica. 

Kindness is found within all cultures and societies; we need to get past our own biases. If I can make one suggestion, please, be kind to each other and stay curious. 

Today, The Curious Toad continues to grow and evolve into something different than planned. It’s not just about content anymore. Instead, it’s a place to share stories, encourage a lifestyle, chronicle journeys, and offer hope through curiosity and simplicity.

As we prepare for the road trip to the northernmost drivable point in Canada, it could be easy to descend into a spiral of chaos and overwhelm. Instead, I choose simplicity. A little bit of preparation each day will allow us to embrace the journey with content hearts and clear minds.

I hope you enjoy our journey and that it inspires you to explore your own curiosities. 

Don’t wait! 

Life is too short to put off what you love.

Stay Curious. Live Simply. ~ Todd