Rick Stivers ’68

Yes it  is really me, Rick Stivers. I have been quiet over many years due to distance and the last eight years a medical odyssey that resulted in a heart transplant at U of Mich. on 3-30-06. I had developed an enlarged heart probably due to a virus of some kind. About four years ago, I had an ICD (defibrillator/pacemaker) implanted (with thoracic surgery using a DaVinci machine), and was put on the waiting list for a transplant. After about 15 appropriate defib firings, I underwent 20 hours of surgery to implant an LVAD (Left Ventricle Assist Device) on 7-28-05 which did the pumping for my heart. The LVAD required 24/7 care, daily surgical dressing change and I could not drive or shower. After about 10 more firings, numerous ambulance and chopper rides, I received my 21 year old new heart. The surgery was only 16 hours and a short hospital stay of 19 days as compared to two and two and half months for the previous surgeries at U of M. I REALLY hate wolverines! In spite of all this, my three kids have all completed college and in or completed grad school, and I feel good now except for the 50 lb. wait gain and the damn steroids. I spend a lot of my time at my place on Torch Lake, but I am now prohibited from getting in the cleanest lake in MI because of my immunosuppression. I would like to stay in touch. Been retired from banking, securities and foreign exchange trading for 8 years due to the stress. I still stay in touch somewhat with Coops as I met my wife at his wedding. I tried e-mailing U-Trou but it did not go through. -kai- Rick