Lisa's Guestbook

To Bob M and others that may be wondering, the 5K for my sister has been postponed. It was originally scheduled for July 18 but in Feb. we decided to postpone it. It was just too soon and John and I still felt so overwhelmed with everything. We just weren't ready to take something like this on. So, we told the local running club that we needed more time. I have been wanting to post before now but...when I read Lisa's own words on this site it's almost more than I can bear. It takes me right back to the days just before her surgery and everything that happened after that. We are changed forever. I will post again at a later date but for now, just know how much we appreciate all of your kind and thoughtful words. As I gave family and friends updates during Lisa's journey I always ended with "keep the faith". For those of you getting ready for surgery and those that are recovering...keep the faith. I will keep Lisa's heart valve family in my prayers. Please continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as well.

Thanks, John for you recent post. I have been thinking of Lisa a lot lately and every time it is still with utter shock that she is really gone. Still praying for you and her family and hoping you're getting by. Glad to hear of your positive attitude and motivation to move forward.

Everyone, Given the number of wonderful and touching words of support I continue to receive from everyone on this wonderful site, I just had to write a note to everyone. Sarah and I are doing the best we can and I can't say that there isn't a day that I don't have several sad moments that bring me to tears, but the good memories always seem to pick me up. Lisa was such a huge part of my life, that losing her has left me feeling less than whole, but I have devoted more time to helping others to keep me busy and productive. I can clearly see that Lisa's story and loss has touched everyone on this site and I truly hope that her courage and faith is an inspiration to everyone. In the first few weeks after Lisa's death, I found the grief so overwhelming that I could hardly bear to be in the house that we shared and applied for several positions in the Chicagoland area to try to escape from the pain and to leave Lincoln and the painful memories behind. Since then, I have kind of come full circle, as your words of support and encouragement and the great friends that I have in Lincoln made me realize that I have so much more to accomplish even if my biggest cheerleader is no longer at my side. Lisa was always so supportive of whatever I did and inspired me in so many ways. On my day off Thursday I hung several pictures that Lisa and I both loved in the house . The picture that has the most meaning and will always make me smile is a picture I recently purchased on ebay that had one of my and Lisa's favorite sayings, "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away". I hung that picture in the kitchen so that every time I walk in there I will see it and smile because the two of shared a lot of those moments while we were together. Hanging those pictures gave me a sense of permanence and I know that Lisa is smiling! Tonight I finally ordered the seeds for the garden that I have been putting off purchasing, as I was not certain that I would remain in Lincoln. Even though Lisa cursed me for planting too many green beans last year, as she unfortunately ended up picking the lion's share of them, Lisa and I loved to garden. While I may not plant quite as many vegetables as in the past, I am planting far more flowers as Lisa so loved all the flowers I bought and planted for her. I will be meeting with a friend of Lisa's this coming week to begin organizing a memorial 5k run/walk to honor Lisa's memory, with the event likely taking place in July. I wanted to hold the event sooner, but my youngest son's soccer and baseball seasons do not end until late June and he wants to be able to run the race, as he and Lisa ran a 5k together last August and she was very fond of my son. I am now walking the treadmill to prepare myself for the race, as I am going to run the entire race, as Lisa usually ran the entire race. I haven't run since I was in my 20's, but even my creaky knees aren't going to stop me from running this race in memory of that wonderful, courageous woman. I know that Lisa is looking down in shock and smiling as I work out on the treadmill, as I so rarely ever used it in the past and I just know that she is right next to me urging me on and lifting me up. I will be sure to post the date and time of the race/walk once the final preparations are made. I hope that all of you continue to do well after your procedures and God Bless each and every one of you and know that Lisa's spirit and memory will never die and she will inspire us to be even better and stronger. I will end with a quote from Winnie the Pooh that Lisa's wonderful sister sent me yesterday when she knew I would have a hard day without Lisa on Valentine's Day, "If there is ever a tomorrow that we are not together, there is one thing you should always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart I will always be with you in the heart"

John, Sarah, I want you to know that I was happy to be able to check in on Lisa's Guestbook and leave this note as I wanted to be one of the many people to tell you both that your loss was in some ways our loss as well since Lisa has touched so many of our lives here in our community. As long as it remains here(where she still belongs)You,Lisa and Sarah remind us all of what Love, Hope, Faith and staying strong can mean in keeping the heart alive and well. Lisa's photos showing such good energies is on my mind and will be for some time as even though a stranger miles away you have all been part of helping me to find the good, find the strength to do what I must to heal and live the best life possible. I have an added little voice in my head since Lisa passed away that helps me push myself a little further, have a lot more faith in what is to come and to be filled with Gratitude for it due to her, your love for her along with the great photo of her and Sarah as a loving reminder for our community as well. Take care and know that you are all thought of often.

John, You are welcome. Thank you for your response. Like many, I will think of Lisa and yourself, and when I do, I will send positive vibes your way.

John, You are welcome. Thank you for your response. Like many, I will think of Lisa and yourself, and when I do, I will send positive vibes your way.

John, I just needed to drop in to let you know you and Lisa's family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. (I know many on this site are with me on this.) I can imagine that, just like OHS recovery, you too have your good days and bad days. I just hope that in your roughest & darkest moments you are reminded of Lisa's beautiful soul, her smile, her love, and that fighting spirit. Also know that so many of us are with you, lifting you up in prayer. I thought I read somewhere that you might put together a race to honor her at some point. Please be sure to post it here as I would be happy to drive out to honor her in this way. Let me know if there's ever anything I can do for you, Sarah or anyone in her family. God bless ♡

John, It was with great saddeness for Lisa's family and you in the lose of her valiant battle. I sit here with my little pooch and think about her positive spirit as i reread the posts over and over again. You see I am a 59 woman who had an AVR 2 1/2 years ago. I usually sit quietly cheering on and praying for my fellow heart warriors. I just had to tell you how sorry I am for your lose. Clearly she was such a blessing to so many in this life. God Bless You, Darlene

So sorry to hear of your loss. I am coming on my first year Anniversary of my Heart Valve Surgery, I had a valve replacement on January 23, 2014. This is a time of reflection for me. We should all be thankful for the time we have and spend with our loved ones. God Bless all.

Dear john, I want to extend my deepest sympathy over the loss of Lisa. This is so sad. I joined the community last spring and this is the first time I've read a journal that did not have a positive out come. You did. A tremendous job keeping the community informed during such a difficult time. So sorry for your loss. Bill rothballer

Everyone, I am sitting here, with Lisa's beloved pooches writing this final post. Words can no describe my appreciation for the support, prayers and outpouring of love all of you provided throughout this unfortunate journey. I am moved to tears as I read all of your wonderful comments. Thank you very much Virginia (Ginger) French for you comments, as both Lisa and I had a strong faith and a true love for one another. I will always try to remember all the good times and joy we had together. We laid that wonderful woman to rest today and right now my heart is truly broken and I feel utterly alone, but I know as time goes on, the wonderful memories of Lisa will carry me thru the rest of my life. I spent almost half a lifetime before I found my one true love, but I consider myself so very lucky to have had the privilege of loving Lisa. God bless all of you and I pray that all your heart procedures are successful and you are able to live a long and joyous life.

John and the rest of Lisa's family and close friends, As a member of this Heart Family, please accept my prayers and warm thoughts for each of you. Lisa had the blessing of having you with her and communicating your love together. Your phrases of telling each other that you love the other are great examples that you did not take your lives for granted. No guilt. You did all you could for her with the best of intentions, and the fact that she went into surgery believing she was in the greatest shape she had been in years will, I hope, give you further comfort. My own family has been through multiple life-threatening situations, starting at the age of 40. I am frequently asked how we have managed through all of this. In truth, we are blessed with faith in God and lean on Him for strength. We know without question that some of His plans are far beyond our ability to understand, and we may not even learn why when we have left this Earth and are in our real Home. And we continue to deal every day with some of the residual damage of these various trials in our lives. But we know God wants us to glorify Him and live our lives in Joy. May you be comforted with the love and prayers of this Heart Family and know that we will be praying for a year that turns your sorrows into Joy. Bless you all! I pray that you remember the good things, for without question, Lisa was an extraordinary woman. Lean on one another and share the love she gave to you.

I am deeply saddened by Lisa's death as I knew her a warm, kind person when we were teenagers in high school. Although I hadn't seen her on quite some years it didn't surprise me to hear what a sweet woman she had grown into and that it was nursing she chose as her life's passion. As a fellow nurse I understand the compassion that must be in someone's heart to deal with patients every day. We talked about how we both loved it a few years back on Facebook. John, I will keep a special prayer in my heart for you. I didn't know you, but I understand the pain and emptiness you are feeling having lost a spouse a few years ago. Although it doesn't seem possible right now, life does get better and I pray you find that peace in your heart to do so when the time is right. I will also keep the rest of her family in my prayers. The phrase "everything happens for a reason" helped me through that tough year when I lost my husband only 6 days after my brother had passed. Keep your hearts reaching for God and He will give you an answer to everything.

I just logged in for the first time today and I am saddened to read of Lisa's passing. My prayers & deepest condolences go out to her immediate family & our family here. As I write my words I find my eyes welling up with tears. Though we know each other through our journals, it is definitely like losing a member of your own family. Evidently the Lord had other plans for Lisa as He has given us another angel. This Scripture came to mind: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. (‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ NIV God bless you John & your family - I pray our Lord give you comfort during this time and that the memories of Lisa always be with you! Onward & Upward!

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Lisa's family and friends. She was a wonderful woman. LCHS class OF 1982 will greatly miss her and send our love prayers and condolences top all of you.

Thinking of Lisa tonight. I'm praying that Father God gives her family and friends the peace and comfort that only He can give at such a time. May you rest in peace heart sister.

There are no words that can take away the pain that lisa's family is going threw. Lisa was a great lady filled with strength , kindness and love. Lisa you will be greatly missed! ! Im praying for strenght and grace for sarah and the rest of the family.

There are no words....... sending prayers to all who love and cared for her. May the memories soothe, and the love you shared and the family around you support you during this painful time. +++++

It is with the deepest sorrow and utter heartbreak that I must inform everyone that our brave Lisa has lost the battle and passed away in my hands and with her family at 7:35 p.m. During surgery to implant the LVAD device, Lisa developed a large blot clot in her aorta and it was beyond the skill of the surgeons to save Lisa's life. It has become apparent that the overall condition of Lisa's heart was far more damaged and fragile than anyone realized and just could not withstand the strain of another surgery. The love and prayers that Lisa received during this horrific ordeal were truly unbelievable and it was a testament to just how loved this special and amazing lady was. Saying goodbye to Lisa was one of the hardest things her daughter, family and I have ever had to do, but being able to talk to Lisa and tell her how much we loved her the past 4 days now feels like a gift. When saying goodbye, I told Lisa that loving her and being loved by her was a gift every day we spent together and I will treasure the time we had together until my final day. A day did not go by that Lisa did'nt ask me,"Do you know how much I love you?", to which I always replied, "Yes I do and I love you even more. This morning Lisa made me promise to post an update on this site no matter what the outcome so that her heart valve family knew what was happening and I am fulfilling that promise no matter how difficult it is to put to words. Lisa leaves behind a legacy of love and her energy, wit and generous heart will be missed by all who had the privilege to know and love her. Please continue to keep her daughter, family and I in your prayers as we try to come to grips with this overwhelming loss. Before leaving for her shift, Lisa always said to me, "Time to save some lives", well now our special lady is saving lives for the Lord.