Louanna's Guestbook

I just want to thank you for your posts, which are a source of wisdom and guidance to those of us coming behind. You encouraged me to listen to my own body and be kind to myself, & follow my own path to healing. I would never want to cause someone to be fearful of OHS, because everyone has a different experience, so it is hard to write about the struggles. But you have put things beautifully in your own way. Thank you for this. God bless you in your full recovery!

Hi Louanna! Hope you're doing well and making great strides in your recovery. I just wanted to personally thank you for the inspiration I have gleaned from many of your posts, even prior to my surgery last November. I read in many of your posts where you mentioned that recovery for each of us is different, and that we need to be gentle with ourselves, and that is so true. It wasn't until after my surgery though that I began to live that fact, as my recovery began with some bumps in the road. Along the way I felt discouraged and disappointed because I was not coming along as quickly or as smoothly as I would have liked to. Then I remembered what you said and I had to come to terms with the fact that I needed to just go through the process of my own experience, whatever that entails. Having that mindset has taken the pressure off of me to try and push myself through recovery faster than my body can handle and just let the recovery take place at the pace that is right for me. I'm doing well at eight weeks post op. Each day I see improvement in my recovery. OHS is a big, big, big surgery and very traumatic to the body and there are times when my body reminds me of this. If I get ahead of myself, it's like my body will tell me, "hey buddy, we had OHS so take it easy there will ya?!" I trust God that in time I will be 100% but the reality is that I am not there yet and I will get there at the pace He has set for me. Thank you Louanna for helping me to grasp this. Sometimes we may not realize we are making a difference but your posts have helped to make a difference in my recovery process, and I just wanted you to know that. Peace and blessings to you! ❤️

Louana, thank you so very much for your lovely note of encouragement! It means all the world that all of you out there take the time to offer words of support. Be well, and Merry Christmas to you and all those you love. ❤️

Best wishes Louanna on yout trip up here and surgery Monday. You will be in good hands with Dr. McCarthy and Northwestern. Put your fate in their hands and let them take care of you. l am following you by a few weeks with the same agenda so I will be cheering you on. Keep us posted when you can.

Louanna, sending you best wishes for a successful surgery and a smooth and uncomplicated recovery. Will be thinking of you and cheering for you. Will be waiting to hear from you on the other side of recovery. Best of luck to you!

As we approach the starting gate together, I want to send you many best wishes for an excellent surgery free of any complications! Chat again on the other side of the recovery finish line, recovery buddy.

Louanna, I just read your journal(after sending the previous message) and sounds like you have a plan. Good for you! I would love to send you some notes I wrote down about how I prepared and what was helpful to me if you'd like them. I had great outcomes and continue to heal. Send me your email address if you are interested. Thanks, Tammy

Hi Louanna This is so weird for me as I have never meet anyone with the same name as me and spelt the same too! Have you ever meet anyone with the same name, do you know where it originated from? I also have a heart condition. I had a bicuspid valve which has now been replaced with a bovine one. I’m from New Zealand but have lived in the UK for 16 years. I waited 6 months to see a surgeon and then was told he had a 5 month waiting list. He told me that it is the sort of operation which shouldn’t have a waiting list. Long story short we paid to have the operation done. Good luck with the operation! From Louanna Hart