I have too much free time and too much perspective. expand the time-frame far enough, and everything becomes pretty simple, not to mention pointless...

I met my donor family last week. It was the highlight of my decade. It helped to solidify in my mind that I have this amazing second chance at life. My foot also hurts.

I sure haven't been updating this blog all too often. I'd like to thank my cousin Tommy for generously running a fundraiser towards medical expenses after a recent hospital stay at the UW. Jenn and I are really enjoying spending time with our friends and family over here on the west side of Washington State. I'm still waiting for a donor heart to become available and it's getting very tough to remain patient over the years. But I love talking with people about my story and how the VAD has helped me. I'm trying to endorse organ donation by volunteering and doing the occasional interview. Honestly, I've been exhausted lately. I can't stand having the VAD anymore. Any day now...

Jenn and I are moving home to Bellingham next week. Very excited to feel settled again. Spokane has been okay, Sacred Heart has been great. I'll be transfering to the UW's heart transplant program.

LVAD in Spokane

This is an x-ray of my LVAD. What a story goes with this bad boy.

About two years ago, I started to get way too sick with my heart failure. I was hospitalized in Mt. Vernon for a week while I had a drip of inotropes to keep my heart pumping. Before, this helped me recover enough to leave the hospital and feel better for quite some time but this time I did'nt respond as well. We decided it was time for the next huge step in the heart failure saga, an LVAD and transplant. Also we decided to do this major surgery in Spokane, WA.

Fund Raising

I am so thrilled about all of the love and support I've been getting from friends and family. Last night, Jenn and I went to The Elite on Capital Hill, Seattle. It's a small bar with a big heart. Ken and Rafael, along with Kay helped set up two weekends of fundraising efforts for me and I couldn't be more thankful. This has been the first time since I've gotten sick that I feel like we're able to do something about my illness. Special thanks to John who has been so kind as to door-bell and spread the word.
I've contacted the XCell-Center and have sent them more medical info so they can review my case. Hopfully soon we will be talking about scheduling the treatment.
I've been feeling a little more fatigued these past few weeks. It's been more difficult to walk more than a block or two without becoming a little winded. And now flights of stairs pose a bit of a challenge aswell. That being said, I am really feeling good mentally lately, the efforts everyone has put forth have really been a boost to morale. Thank you all so much!
This is a new blog and I will keep it updated with all of the latest news about my condition, fundraising, and treatment info. I'll also make a few 'catch-up' posts to fill in all of the things that have been happening lately.

Tell your friends!

Erik's Story

Erik has always loved being on the water, and after graduating with honors from Seattle Maritime Academy in 2003, he began a career at sea. By 2007, Erik had saved enough money to buy his first house in his home town of Bellingham, WA. That summer, Erik met the girl of his dreams, Jenn Johansen, who was finishing a degree at WWU. The two spent the summer together sailing, having fun, and falling in love. Erik’s life was picture-perfect.
That summer tragedy also struck; Erik was diagnosed with heart failure. No one could have expected the horrible news. He had developed severe dilated cardiomyopathy that has no known cause, and continues to worsen.
Before he faces a heart transplant, Erik’s friends and family are raising funds for him to undergo a new cardiac therapy not yet available in the U.S. The treatment aims to stabilize and improve Erik’s heart by introducing cells collected from his bone marrow into the damaged tissue of his heart. These cells have the potential to generate new heart muscle, allowing Erik to live a longer and healthier life.With your help, this treatment could give Erik & Jenn new hope. Thank you!