Does Denny Have the Right Idea?

Despite a weak heart and a spot on a transplant list, Denny Duquette has captured the affections of Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens. Lucky. This begs the question of how far is too far to go for love: Would you suffer through a chronic heart condition to date Izzie?

YES

"'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
– Alfred Lord Tennyson

"Can I at least see just one boob?"
– Denny Duquette

Izzie is a knockout. An underwear model who is also a surgeon. Is there anything sexier than a statuesque blonde that can ace an MCAT? Or who knows what MCAT stands for? With ample beauty and brains, Dr. Stevens is the kind of girl men pine for. The kind they dream about, and would do anything for. The competition is stiff, in so many ways. Being smart and handsome isn't enough to catch her eye. A suitor must find a way to stand out, which is just what Denny Duquette has done.

Ah, love at first heart attack. After glimpsing the light at the end of the tunnel, Denny won't let himself fully recover because the condition that landed him at Seattle Grace has become his "in." With the hottest intern in America is by his side, and the unflappable Dr. Burke on hand to handle any serious complications that arise, why hurry home? Death, Denny daftly determined, definitely is on its way. Why not go out with a bang? Or at least try to spell suggestive words on a triple-word score square?

What's ingenious about Denny's plan to remain at SGH on a semi-permanent basis is that doctors work all the damn time. There's no schism between her career and personal life (a la Ellis and Thatcher Grey) to get in the way of their love. It's foolproof. Plus, when one is so vulnerable, one seems more charming almost by default. With Izzie balancing her time between Alex, MRIs, labs and little else, she was destined to fall for him. I only wish I had beaten him to the punch. Clearly it's worth it.

So what if a bad heart means imminent death? We're all going to at some point, and all we take with is what's in our soul. For a chance to be with the most beautiful, talented girl ever raised in a trailer park, wouldn't you be willing to make a sacrifice? To take a risk, to know the love you always dreamed of was yours, albeit briefly? Of course you would. And what better place to be crippled by a massive heart attack than a hospital? Chances are actually good that you'll be revived! Sign me up!

Now, if we were talking about glaucoma…

NO

What's the point of giving someone your heart when there's none to give? That's the question I wrestle with as I ponder this predicament. Izzie is beautiful, don't get me wrong. And she seems to have even more going on between her ears than between her thighs. We're talking major brains and booty.

But I love every aspect of life. I wake up in the morning and the thought of a blueberry muffin brings a smile to my face. Fantasy sports supply me with a reason to sign online every day. I really like the feel of linen shirts. Could I risk giving all this up, weakening my heart to such an extent that constant doctor supervision and multiple surgeries were necessary, for a few dates with someone I don't truly know that well?

I wouldn't bet on it - and that's saying a lot. To begin with, what if it doesn't work out? The average life expectancy of a heart transplant patient is 11.5 years. There's no guarantee that Izzie and I would get married and half of all unions end in divorce anyway. Would breaking up and/or fighting over possessions really be the way I'd choose to spend the few years I had remaining? The odds simply aren't in my favor.

Of course, there is the chance we're one of the fortunate couples. We could be happy together. This is a beauty that drinks random beers off the coffee table and enjoys sexual relations in the janitor closet; two of the main attributes I look for in a partner.

But how could I do this to my true love? What gives me the right to burden such a babe with the likelihood that her knight in shining armor will spend many of his days as a patient in an open-backed gown? Izzie deserves countless years of happiness with a man that could just rail her all night long. My heart condition would prevent me from providing her with either.

I'm not calling Denny selfish. He probably didn't know what he was getting into. But I hope he considers what's best for his delicious doctor. Your heart is ailing, buddy, but it's not cold. No triple word score on the planet is worth the amount of pain this relationship could cause.

Izzie does it, we know. But have the decency to let her do it for some healthy hunk.