Barbara's Guestbook

Hi Barbara! I was thinking about you, I hope that you have been well. I haven't been on the site that often but I need to connect with my heart buds and remember where I came from...lol I hope that you have been healthy and well. Take care and I hope to hear from you soon!

I wanted to touch base with you and let you know that Craig lost is battle with Multiple Sclerosis on December 1st. I have been horrible at keeping in touch and have lost track of your contact info. Much love to you and I hope you are having some improvement. https://www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com/obituaries/Craig-Gay/#!/Obituary

Hi Barbara! I jumped on today and did an update on Craig's page. I think of you and Dave often but that and a pray for you is as far as I get. I'm so sorry you are still needing oxygen at home. Is moving an option for you? I think it would give you your life back somewhat. God bless you both, Yvonne

Oh Barbara, I'm so moved each time I read, the new trials you've overcome, with your brave Dave by your side... I'm awed by your faith, courage, enduring trust, in our Lord Jesus... You and Dave are truly a testimony of Jesus steadfast love! Thank you for sharing your heart, & this incredible journey. So that we may all know about your fight to live, but not just live, you , live a Life full of love, fight, and a walk that speaks of how much God love us... This I see clearly in your lives... Sincerely your sister in Christ, your 💔 open heart nurse friend in Southern California. Elaina Wilke RN,CCRN, CSC I all anted to tell you what a handsome couple you two are! 😘😘

Barbara, this is Vivian, Thank you so much, I read your post that was sent to me, I not sure when you sent I, but to today 5-27-18 It brought tears to my eyes, I never knew or hear anyone that felt and can express how I feel, much like you, pain, pain, I too took my shower chair, place my cane and walker aside because I'm tired, I do need to continue breathing treatments. You expressed the feeling I have in my feet it's the same in my knee...But Barbara non of was before surgery, non of this, my life has alter.

Dear Barb, I have no idea how I missed your latest posts, but I did! :( You look AMAZING. Your spirit and resilience will forever shine through. I hope you are doing well. I miss your words of wisdom, but I trust you see a little bit of better every day. Love and hugs.

Barb, hello sweet lady and precious sister in Jesus. I hate that things continue to be so incredibly hard in your world, and I dearly wish things were different. Two whole years! I saw your journal post from a couple weeks ago about the dilemma and decision making about the recommended procedure. Yikes to the additional stress! Especially when each step has been so complicated, all along the way. And even now the cardiologists don't agree. Perhaps a tie breaking cardio opinion is needed? Sheesh, I know each visit is costly. I hope the input from the pulmonary folks and testing will be promising and give you more solid footing with the decision. I don't want anyone to put you at risk. I'm so thankful that the Lord is near, and that your communication with Him is vital and alive. I know He carried you through near-impossible circumstances and continues to sustain you. But it has been hell and high water. No platitudes. Only a literal broken heart, grit, desperation, determination. And grace. I hope you will keep us posted about what may be coming down the pike. Biggest bear hugs to you!

Barb, I agree with Rita and Kate. I have never thought of you as a pessimist. Your strength and faith has been a Blessing to all of us who have been following you from the beginning. I to remember your surgery day and all Dave’s updates as we all waited and prayed. You and Dave have been through more then some of us can imagine on this heart journey. My prayers go with you both as you face another important decision! God Bless and Happy Easter

Barb! I saw you posted today and I did a little joy dance inside. I haven't wanted to pester you, but you've been much in my thoughts for days, I've been missing your presence here and been so wanting to have word of how you are. You're dear to my heart--many hugs!

Just leaving you some love, Barb. You are precious, precious, precious! Hope you'll be able to update again before long. Missing you, thinking of you often, and sending prayer.

Dear Barb, I hope you are doing better and are healing slowly but surely. I miss your wise and funny words. I miss and think of you often. Keeping you in my daily thoughts and wishing you the world!! Hugs. ❤️💕❤️💕❤️

Hi Barb... Thinking of you and hoping all is going well. I'm just hanging in there waiting for the ablation date on June 29th. I got pushed back three days when another case more urgent than mine took my spot! I'm very nervous about it all since I was told it could take hours for mine. I don't want to do this, but I do. You know? I want it behind me already! Anyway, give James a belly rub from me. And Happy Father's Day to Dave... he is Dad to a four legged child!! LOL... Hugs

Barbara: I think I missed your comment in my journal a while back. I have a confession. I'm not a fly fisherman. I use an ultralight rod and just float night crawlers and wigglers downstream into the holes. Yeah.....I know. I'm an embarrassment to the purists. Oh well. I'm a country boy. I couldn't afford a fly rod growing up so I used what I had. They all taste the same in the pan though !! And after open heart surgery I'm just glad to be able to go out there and embarrass myself again !! God bless and hope you are well

My precious wife! One year ago I was pacing and praying and texting 19 people at once. Bill and Jan calmly were reading and knitting as I wore a groove in the carpet of the waiting area. What a year it has been since that night. I've said before: I hope that was the most difficult thing we ever go through. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path. How we've had to lean on that scripture. I'm proud of you, honored that you are my wife and thankful you still walk this walk with me. Thank you for loving me and for getting out of bed every morning and continuing on this difficult painful existence for me, for us. I love you more than life itself, madly, truly, deeply. Happy New Heart Anniversary! Dave

Dear, dear Barb. I'm late to the party, as far as replying to your latest update. I'd been so hoping to have word from you and, as always, my heart both warmed at your newsy post but aches at the degree of your suffering. It is so deep and wide and has so many tendrils. I wish with all my heart that all this would change in an instant, so you could have full relief. I have no doubt that the grief over so much loss is very deep and wide also. It takes real time to get that through the pipeline and process. May our Lord continue to comfort, strengthen and sustain you in every way. A year. A whole year! Sometimes there are no words... Wow. That is a LOT of therapy, a lot of appointments, a lot of energy expending, and a big commitment to work on the various exercises. CR sounds especially difficult, with your limitations. I hope it won't be hard to find the help you need with transportation and support as Dave becomes less available. It is good to hear that your hands are not as painful. All of you is important, but there's something special about hands. I continue to thank God for Dave and his grace-filled roles in your life, his tender care for you. And I can't think of anything better to ask God for on your behalf: grace. Much, much grace. And more healing, of course. You are beyond precious, Barb. Sending warm thoughts, hugs and love your way...

GOD Bless you, and extra anointing of grace and mercy, and healing. You are indeed a very special and lovely person... You are a hero... Please believe me, You are and have been in my prayers🙏 Your heart ❤️ Nurse friend in CHRIST Sincerely Elaina Wilke RN, CCRN, CSC From Southern California Palm Desert ( I used to work at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital on the CVICU pediatric open heart/ transplant unit with Dr L. Bailey

Dear Barbara. Just read your update God. Comfort you and take away the pain. You are so brave with strong faith too Keeping you in my prayers and thoughts. hope this goes. More later. Paula from Dublin xxx

Hi Barb! It's been a long time since I've posted on your guest book but today is the day. I do believe it was you being cheeky by making reference to the Donner Party and enjoyed it almost as much as the fact that you use the term cheeky. 😜 Heart sufficiently warmed by your shout out to mom who now wears her hair white ...somehow I know that was a trade you and she made. I might not have it right, but it's a sweet story in my memory. Funny cartoon! (Last post?) Laughter is good medicine. Fool proof. I appreciate the points you make, all of them. I can apply them to myself. I'm out here. I'm listening. The picture of you have here on this page, I have it on my tablet of course and it never fails to evoke feelings. Memories. The time 'before'. We won't be on the beach with Jennifer this year on our birthdays but #goals Too corny? I love you sister, Cynthia

Hi Bubbles🐠🐠 Love your ramblin' posts....I will be home soon and will come by with Mr Perona for a chat . Miss y'all so very much! Always in my thoughts and forever in my prayers💞😘 Papita

Thank you Barbara. For December update.so sorry you still have so much pain praying for you as ever. You were great to send us all about your progress, hoping that it will improve, especially for Christmas. It is always lovely to hear from you. Blessings, peace and all good. To you and yours. From paula. In Dublin xxx