Guestbook of Sara Moyce

My Guestbook

On May 6, 2019...

Hi Sara!

It's been a while since I've been regularly posting on the heart valve blog here.
Hope all is well with you and your family.
How are you doing in your OHS recovery Sara?
Please know that the Lord Jesus is continually holding on to you, walking with you every step of the way as you traverse life's journey.
John 10:28-29
Hebrews 13:5

Peace and blessings to you and your family! ❤️

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Sara Moyce Hi Jeremiah! So nice to hear from you. I am doing great, thanks so much! Sometimes a bit challenging going uphill on walks, and now and then stairs (which was ... Read more

Sara Moyce Hi Jeremiah! So nice to hear from you. I am doing great, thanks so much! Sometimes a bit challenging going uphill on walks, and now and then stairs (which was the norm before surgery so no real change). Other than that no complaints, feel incredibly blessed and sometimes the nightmare seems unreal!! How are YOU? Would love to hear about your journey. Thank you so much for your blessings. I wish the same for you and your family ❤️😁.

Glad to hear you are doing well Sara!
Me, I'm coming along.
Recovery started slow but I'm progressing at a good pace now and I'm thankful to God for that.
I ... Read more

Glad to hear you are doing well Sara!
Me, I'm coming along.
Recovery started slow but I'm progressing at a good pace now and I'm thankful to God for that.
I did post a 24-week update on my journal the other day.
Feel free to take a look at it.
Peace and blessings to you and your family Sara! ❤️

On January 14, 2019...

Hi Sara!
How are you?
Hoping you are making great strides in your recovery journey.
Peace and blessings to you and your family!

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Sara Moyce Hi Jeremiah! Thank you so much for reaching out. I am doing very well, thank you! I seemed to have pulled a muscle on the right side of my chest (most likely ... Read more

Sara Moyce Hi Jeremiah! Thank you so much for reaching out. I am doing very well, thank you! I seemed to have pulled a muscle on the right side of my chest (most likely getting in/out of bed incorrectly and/ or reaching/twisting etc - very painful but using heating pad every day. Drove to the local cafe today for an espresso- haven’t done since pre- surgery 😁. Started back to work (remotely from home) on Friday - feels great to be in the land of the living. Still can’t believe it will be 7 weeks on Wednesday!! How are YOU? Don’t you just love the folks on this site? God bless you and all the peeps!!❤️

Hi Sara!
Glad you're doing well.
Sorry about the pulled muscle though.
I've had some of those aches and pains along the way in my recovery journey as well. ... Read more

Hi Sara!
Glad you're doing well.
Sorry about the pulled muscle though.
I've had some of those aches and pains along the way in my recovery journey as well. This too shall pass, right?
Glad to know you're driving again. That's good. I know it feels like freedom when you can drive and be out and about, not confined to the house. Good for you.
Early congrats on 7 weeks post op for you!
As for me, just marked my eight week post op milestone today. I posted on my journal regarding how I'm doing at this point.
Feel free to check it out.
Yes, I do love my Heart Warrior family!
We are a very special group of people. OHS survivors, by the grace of God.
Peace and blessings to you and your family! ❤️

Debbie Moriarty Wow, Sara!! Almost 7 weeks for you!! And 8 for you Jeremiah!
I am 7 weeks today and most of my misery comes from not being as far along as I think I should ... Read more

Debbie Moriarty Wow, Sara!! Almost 7 weeks for you!! And 8 for you Jeremiah!
I am 7 weeks today and most of my misery comes from not being as far along as I think I should be....or as most of you other heart warriors. I’m trying to take my doctor’s advice that I am doing well and everyone’s journey is different.
I think I am just now grasping the hugeness of OHS!! And the stress it puts on one’s body!! And I am feeling blessed to have a new bounce in my step very soon! And to drive again!!

Jill McDonald Hi all! I am 6 weeks this Friday. We are all within a couple weeks of each other. I am too anxious to drive Debbie, but feeling a little apprehension with ... Read more

Jill McDonald Hi all! I am 6 weeks this Friday. We are all within a couple weeks of each other. I am too anxious to drive Debbie, but feeling a little apprehension with the flexibility in my neck isn't what it was. I am now doing rehab--treadmill and stationary bike. It is good for the soul. I never realized what I would feel like at 6 weeks but I think I am realizing this is a huge surgery and it takes time just as Debbie says. One day at a time and everyone is different. Starting to get out more during the day.

Sara Moyce Greetings Jeremiah, Debbie and Jill - apologies, but I am just now reading your posts!! I usually read and respond via my cell phone, and for some reason your ... Read more

Sara Moyce Greetings Jeremiah, Debbie and Jill - apologies, but I am just now reading your posts!! I usually read and respond via my cell phone, and for some reason your messages didn't "register" that they were even there. I am now on my laptop....let there be light! Anyway, yes we are all stairsteps with eachother. I am so glad you mentioned the neck flexibility, Jill (I thought it was just me!) I seriously thought maybe I had been sleeping on the wrong pillows etc but yes it is a bit of a challenge to turn my head in both directions as pre-surgery. Yes, Debbie OHS is HUGE and (and I'm continually baffled by people who don't get it - who don't seem to understand the toll it takes on our bodies and emotions. Yes Jeremiah the Heart Warriors here are so wonderful and helpful. Blessings to you guys :-)

Sara Moyce Greetings Jeremiah, Debbie and Jill - apologies, but I am just now reading your posts!! I usually read and respond via my cell phone, and for some reason your ... Read more

On December 9, 2018...

Louanna Miller posted a note for Sara that says:

How are you doing, Sara? Praying you are recovering, resting and starting to feel better over all.

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Sara Moyce Hi Louanna,

Aren’t you sweet to check in! I am doing very well, thank you. Been home a week, and it was slow-go mainly due to back pain. I had a visit to ... Read more

Sara Moyce Hi Louanna,

Aren’t you sweet to check in! I am doing very well, thank you. Been home a week, and it was slow-go mainly due to back pain. I had a visit to the ER for some chest pains that really scared me but turned out fine. Have had issues with taking iron supplements so I have stopped. Each day I feel a bit better!! Are you on Warfarin? I was not prepared - I didn’t think I would need if I had a repair. That drug really scares me!! How are YOU? ❤️

Louanna Miller Sara, yes I am on Warfarin. My understanding is that it’s pretty standard treatment post OHS even for valve repair, but for short term, not forever. It keeps ... Read more

Louanna Miller Sara, yes I am on Warfarin. My understanding is that it’s pretty standard treatment post OHS even for valve repair, but for short term, not forever. It keeps the blood thin and prevents clots. I was started on it after surgery and my surgeon sent me home on it for 4 months post op. So next month, my cardiologist will likely take me off of it.

I have not had any problems with it. I had weekly INR checks then every 2 weeks, then monthly. I’ve just been careful to not cut myself etc.

I’m glad you’re doing better. I remember noticing some improvement every third day or so. It wasn’t daily, but slowly you feel better. It is a huge surgery!!! I don’t think we really comprehend the full magnitude of it until we are through it and can reflect a bit.

I started cardiac rehabilitation at week 8 and have seen great benefit.

Take things one day at a time.
We all heal at our own pace. ❤️❤️

On December 6, 2018...

Patricia posted a note for Sara that says:

Sorry about the back pain. I too have always slept on my side and it seems like a month of painful nights on my back is like realigning a back that was fine before surgery. Please check with your doctor because what I am writing is my cardiologist opinion. He said if I roll onto my side, the cartilage and wire will form into a peak (like the top of a roof) and it could cause pain for the rest of my life. That motivated me to find some way to make it work. I get some relief with a favorite pillow and a soft lumbar pillow under my knees. It's been 4 weeks and 6 days and I have had a whole week of relatively pain free sleeping. It used to hurt like crazy. Hope you have some relief soon or your doctor has the answer.

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Sara Moyce Thank you Patricia! So you are not sleeping in a recliner, correct? I will have to try lumbar pillows!! Thank you so much ❤️

On November 29, 2018...

Praying for you and thinking about you Sara.
Hoping that your surgery went well and that you will have a complete and total recovery.
Peace and blessings to you and your family my fellow Heart Warrior! ♥️

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Sara Moyce Thank you Jeremiah. I understand the surgery involved a complicated repair and they did it record time!!🙏😁

Your welcome my fellow Heart Warrior!
Glad you are doing well.
Best wishes for a complete and total recovery!

On November 27, 2018...

Hi Sara!
Question:
Are you having a full sternotomy or is your surgery being done minimally invasive?

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Sara Moyce Hi Jeremiah! I am having the sardine can..just like yours :-) ugh!!!!!

Rob Sparling Be proud! I kinda like mine.

That's great Sara! ☺️
Be proud of your battle scar you Heart Warrior you! 💪

Jennifer McInerney I kinda freaked out when I first saw my scar. It looked pretty ugly. Eight weeks later it is completely flattened out and is a very thin line.

On November 27, 2018...

Lisa Guinan posted a note for Sara that says:

Prayers and best wishes for you tomorrow. I know you’ll do fine. Keep us posted.

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Sara Moyce Thank you so much Lisa!! I have been following your updates and they have been so encouraging (especially the lunch out with friends so soon after you were home!!)

Lisa Guinan Got permission to drive short distances today. Freedom! I live in the country so I don’t face traffic to go for my blood work, rehab and grocery shopping.

Dan Baltazor Sending prayers today for Peace and for safe swift surgery tomorrow. We'll be looking for your post op post.

Sara Moyce Right on Lisa ! Thank you Dan :-)

Sara, I have you locked in on the radar for prayer for your surgery tomorrow! 😊
You're gonna be just fine!
Peace and blessings to you and your family! ❤️

Anders Carlos Best wishes! Fall back into it all. You are going to be feeling better sooner than you think

Sara Moyce Thank you so much Jeremiah and Anders! :-)

Louanna Miller Sara, I’m praying for a successful surgery, little to no pain and a complete restoration of health. Take it one day at a time. The first few days following ... Read more

Louanna Miller Sara, I’m praying for a successful surgery, little to no pain and a complete restoration of health. Take it one day at a time. The first few days following surgery can be tough. Just do what you ate instructed to do and make sure you don’t push too hard. Listen to your body. Blessings and peace to you.

Sara Moyce Thank you so much - blessings to all of you❤️

Rob Sparling Go get ‘em, Sara! “Trust fall” time! Dig in, hold on, pray, recover. ❤️💪

Jill McDonald You got this Sara! You will be part of the in crowd! We all want yo be part of the post op crowd! Belssings for a successful surgery!

Sara Moyce Thank you! I can’t wait to have this in the rear view mirror!!❤️

On November 24, 2018...

Linda Griffin posted a note for Sara that says:

Hi Sara,
I had minimally invasive mitral valve repair last month. I am in the process of starting cardiac rehab. I was out of the hospital in 3 days. I have deep faith and had a "peace that surpasses all understanding." The doctors and nurses felt I did great. My incision is under my arm and healing very well. I needed support with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, taking me to appointments etc. because of fatigue and difficulty moving about but that was my only complaint. Each day gets better. I am a high energy person so I am learning to be patient. Minimal pain was controlled by Tylenol. My surgery was successful and yours will be too!

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Sara Moyce Thank you so much Linda! The peace you felt warms my heart - literally- and gives me courage. Unfortunately I am in for the big sternotomy but I have to trust my surgical team. ❤️

Lisa Guinan Sara, don’t sweat the full sternotomy. My surgeon said it’s actuallt less painful than going through your side. I’m also amazed at how well my incision ... Read more

Lisa Guinan Sara, don’t sweat the full sternotomy. My surgeon said it’s actuallt less painful than going through your side. I’m also amazed at how well my incision looks. I don’t think I’ll have a very noticeable scar at all.

Sara Moyce Wow...good to know!!

On November 2, 2018...

Lisa Guinan posted a note for Sara that says:

Welcome Sara. Your story sounds very similar to mine. I have OHS on Tue. My sister had her mitral replaced 5 weeks ago. She went first for me and I’ll go first for you. This site is a great support mechanism. For some reason I always thought it was more common for people to have mitral issues, but I’m learning from this site there are more people with aortic issues. Guess that makes us special 😊

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