Guestbook of Richard Erickson

My Guestbook

Richard Ericksongot a new guestbook post

4099 days ago

Wow RIchard, you are one brave hombre! And committed to the max to being your own \"you\". I agree with your comments regarding TAVI. -- DVB

Richard Ericksongot a new guestbook post

4100 days ago

OMG! Not sure how to compute that.I wish you the very best this time around Richard.Maybe it\'s time for you to re-evaluate the mechanical valve option. All ...Read more

OMG! Not sure how to compute that.I wish you the very best this time around Richard.Maybe it\'s time for you to re-evaluate the mechanical valve option. All my best to you.... Al Zebal AVR,Maze 1/17/13

Richard Erickson Thanks for the kind comment. I appreciate the kinship felt in this community. We all have a common ... Read more

Richard Erickson Thanks for the kind comment. I appreciate the kinship felt in this community. We all have a common bond.
Not ready to to be committed to coumadin. Still too active of a life style to have to worry about it,
My best to your continued healing and recovery.

Richard Ericksongot a new guestbook post

4101 days ago

Thanks for the response Richard. I am in agreement at the age of 42 to have a bovine tissue valve installed to keep up my active lifestyle of firefighting without ...Read more

Thanks for the response Richard. I am in agreement at the age of 42 to have a bovine tissue valve installed to keep up my active lifestyle of firefighting without blood thinners. Have your surgeons talked TAVI this time around to avoid open heart?

Richard Erickson Good question. It was mentioned, but still too new and not enough long-term clinical data. Normally ... Read more

Richard Erickson Good question. It was mentioned, but still too new and not enough long-term clinical data. Normally used in patients that are non-operative.
Not a good fit for me.

Richard Ericksongot a new guestbook post

4101 days ago

Hi Richard. May I ask why this is trip number four? Todd Breeden AVR 1-24-13

Richard Erickson Todd,
Thanks for the interest. Ive had aortic stenosis since birth. I keep wearing out the tissue ... Read more

Richard Erickson Todd,
Thanks for the interest. Ive had aortic stenosis since birth. I keep wearing out the tissue valves.
First AVR in 79 (Carpentier-Edwards), second AVR in 84 (Ionescu-Shiley), third AVR in 94 (human xenograft).
I chose tissue valves each time because I didn't want to be on blood thinners my whole life. I have chosen another human xenograft for this upcoming surgery, so I can stay active and hopefully get another 19 years, w/o coumadin.