After a rare viral blood infection, Bobby Kraft, a retired pro quarterback player, lives with debilitating heart disease. Each day he must take dozens of medications for his arrhythmias that cause diarrhea, weakness, headaches, and perhaps most lethal of all, depression. According to his doctor, heart surgery is possible, but Kraft is terrified of the idea of doctors' hands on his heart. Kraft continues to worsen — even just a few running strides sends him into cardiac arrest. His wife Elfi, a German woman, does not help his morale. She calls him a coward for not wanting the surgery and panics every time he needs medical attention. One day, Kraft discovers he is impotent. Shortly thereafter, he sees his doctor to discuss the heart surgery. Prior to the surgery, the doctors must perform a heart catheterization to test his heart's strength. As Kraft lies on the operating table, a doctor asks Kraft for his autograph for his son and Kraft obliges, despite being scared and overwhelmed. During the procedure, Kraft experiences some pain and confusion, but does well overall. The doctors gain the information they need for the next surgery and ask Kraft if he would like to move forward with scheduling. The heart surgeon, Dr. Gottfried, has an opening for the surgery in two weeks and Kraft obliges. Kraft enters the hospital for his surgery, still at odds with his wife, and lies awake, his thoughts racing; he is terrified. The morning of his surgery, a nurse injects Kraft with some kind of sedative without his permission and he sinks into a panicky and existential inner monologue.