Sophie's Heart Valve Journal

Jean Trausch posted a note for Sophie that says: Sophie - Congratulations on your 2yr anniversary!
Life is great and God is the greatest!!!
I'm so glad you're okay after getting kicked by your horse. If I remember right, you had encouraged me a few weeks back at my 2yr anniversary to definitely get into a regular exercise routine. I have buckled down and been walking regularly on our treadmill for the last few weeks. Feeling stronger and anxious to get in shape for summer. Take care and God bless you and your friend :)

Dan Gibbons posted a note for Sophie that says: Thanks Sophie for your last posting. I may need repair surgery on my Mitral valve. Your postings have been inspirational and encouraging. Thank you and God bless you.

Dan
Livonia, Mi.

Jacob Casey posted a note for Sophie that says: Nice hair! I know you can pull through this!

Mario Macareg posted a note for Sophie that says: I am also 9 months post op and feeling better each day. Also as I look at my scar everyday it reminds me of Jesus who died as my substitute that I may live! You are a living testimony of the love of Jesus!

Mario
Gilbert, AZ

Marie Mancini posted a note for Sophie that says: Hi Sophie,
So sorry about you losing your dad but glad for the great day you had with him. Your story to me is amazing among others. I spent quite a bit of time writing to you in your guest book during the early morning hours,I'm a night owl.lol. So I lost it once half way finished.Was very upset at that point cause sometimes I just get emotional and I had lost 2 post to someone else the night before. So I rewrote what I felt like sharing with you and those who may read it. Just as I hit send it was taking a while so I looked away for a few minutes. Then when I came back to it, it didn't seem like it was sent. I don't know if it's because I also put my e-mail address in the box below at the same time I hit submit. Well then, I still had it on the screen and managed to save it under your name with the whole page in grey under downloads. I wanted to save it to my email the copy and paste it back here last night. Then the computer service stopped working I think due to the storm. So it was time to let it go. I was so tired at that point I had to go to sleep. I do still have what I wrote and will see at some point if my husband can help me copy and paste in in some way or I can just copy it myself. If your interested you can read my story and journals. My story is a little different than yours but God was definitely in mine. Praise the Lord! Have a Blessed Thanksgiving with your family.

Tom Huskisson posted a note for Sophie that says: Sophie:

You are a living testimony of the love, mercy, and grace of the living God ( Father, Son, Holy Spirit ). Your latest journal post show us what is important in life - relationship . Your relationship with God is reflected in every other relationship. Thank you for your encouragement. God is faithful always.
God bless you !

Susan Smith, someone you touched with your story posted a note for Sophie that says: Sophie I am wiping the tears away so that I am do this note. I read your post top to bottom and bottom to top and am moved (touched)by your words. You tell a story of faith and relationships. That is what life is all about. God is good. I am pre-op for an AV replacement and find that everyone that enters into this Community truly shares a piece of themselves. We all have so much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving day. May God bless you and your family each every day.

Brian Walsh posted a note for Sophie that says: Terrific! Praise God. Glad to see you are enjoying things now and back to normal life, well it sounds like a fun normal. Nice work on the 5k too, and I'm going to have to check out the zip lines with my wife, sounds like a blast.

Have a great Thanksgiving, much to be thankful for!

Nicolette West posted a note for Sophie that says: Dearest Sophie, Sweet Girls, and Family*
I am THANKFUL for BEAUTIFUL people like YOU! YOU are the real "Wonder Woman" Much love and admiration always, Nicolette*

Carol Jackson posted a note for Sophie that says: Sophie,
What a testimony of your faith. Wonderful journal entry. I had surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on Oct. 8 and am doing well. I hope I can do as well as you have in 9 months. My faith has also grown.

Jim Jones posted a note for Sophie that says: Sophie
Thank you so much for your update. You give me lots of hope! I am so pleased you are doing well. Dr. Adams just repaired my Barlow's disease mitral valve on November 5th. I suspect we may have had some of the same caregivers. I got tired reading everything that you have done (I still have limited energy! ) which means that wonderfully you are back! I will use you as an example as I rehab.
Please have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you again for your encouraging post.

Sophie,

So glad you are doing well. I am moving forward with my surgery on 4/26 for a mitral valve repair. Your journal entries have been very encouraging to read. I am nervous but after reading your entries I do feel more at ease.

Thank you for being candor about your faith. My relationshipo with God is also very strong and I will be continuing to pull strength from Him to get through this.

Dan Gibbons
MVR Scheduled for 4/26/13

Great courage, great attitude Sophie!
My Mitral valve repair was March 1st. I can relate a bit to your story.
So sorry to hear about your Father. Very touching story. My Father also died of a sudden heart attack. So your story brought back memories.
I also have my Private Pilots lisence (single engine land). Also appreciate your faith statements. I don't know where I would have been without my relationship with God. For the first time in my life I really had to trust. He was either going to bring me through this event or not. To God be the glory.
Thank you for shareing your story with the rest of us. It provides great hope to know we're not alone.
A fellow Mitral Valve repair person,
John

Hi Sophie,
I'm so glad to hear how well you are healing. I am only 2.5 post-op but I already feel so much better that it is amazing. My husband dragged me kicking and crying the whole way into surgery. My surgeon discovered I did have signs of Barlow Syndrome once he was inside and had a better look at everything. I am just so grateful that a repair was able to be done on my heart. I am just as thrilled to hear how well you are doing. I can't wait to get the okay to start driving again. Take care and I look forward to reading more posts from you.

Michelle W.

Hi Sophie!
Thank you for the insight into your journey. Your positive attitude is an inspiration!
I am 4 weeks from my surgery date and quite anxious. Reading what others are going through it is comforting to know what to expect.
Glad you are recovering nicely and getting on with life!
Sending positive vibes your way for a continued speedy recovery!
God Bless!
Kenny Thomas

Hi Sophie, According to your writing in your journal, it sounds like you are doing very well, and we are so happy for you and your family. God is so good and we know that prayer is powerful. You look wonderful and to feel good is such a blessing. WOW to have a new heart again is awesome!! You will have a lot of years ahead of you to spend with your loved ones. We are still praying for you and send our hugs across the miles. Take care. The Longchamps

Hi Sophie! How are you? I cannot wait to talk to you on the phone! You take good care and I will talk to you soon!!!! Love, anne usher

Sophie,
We are so happy that your recovery is going well. We are really looking forward to spending Easter weekend with the family. Soon we can start training for that 5k!!
Love you all!!
Brian, Kim, Katie & Josh

Sophie,
Praying for your continued healing. May God grant you favor as you yield to him!
Blessings,
Pat Kenney

Good luck with the move too. We have a few more weeks till we close on our new house (which is also down the road just a bit), but still have to sell ours so we are not moving till ours sells.

I'm not sure what you mean by click. I never heard any noises in my sternum, managed to inflict some pain on myself a few times putting jackets and button down shirts on, but never really a click. Does it happen when you move a specific way or anything. My advice which my wife would tell me "Well don't do that then" :) Good news is if it is not painful I would not worry too much about it, but still watch your movements as the bone is still healing. I think at this point my is mostly healed as the kids have not managed to hurt me recently. Hope that helps

Sophie, I love your drawings and scriptures! You are so positive and encouraging. Thank you for your journal. When I saw your diagnosis and read your treatment, it was like reading my own. I hope and pray that it all goes well. I have prepared for anything, but I have faith in my Lord that he will prevail and I will be healthy with a long life. Prayers for you, too. Amanda (B) Bracken

Praise God! Love keeping up with you, Keep getting strong and encouraging others. "We can do all things through Christ"

Brian W.

So glad to hear of the successful surgery and your continuing recovery. Love and prayers...Janice Sullivan

Hi Sophie.Your family history sounds all too familiar.Having lost both my Parents to heart issues.Ten years+ ago,I had a Mitro Valve Replacement.All I could say was,Thank you G-d for letting me get help for my heart.
People who work with the heart are a VERY SPECIAL group.There must be alot of G-d's hand in their work.Take care,I say my heart anniversary is my second birthday Ricky(a female).

Hi again Sophie, I meant to say Just Saying Hi!! anne

Hi Sophie!! Just say Hey! and have a wonderful Day!! anne usher

I am so happy everything has gone so well, as it should! You have great spirit and family support...that helps a lot, along with an excellent surgeon and care team. Must be nice to be home!

Steve Franklin

hi sophie! i was so absorbed reading your journal...May God bless you with good health and happiness. i am facing a pulmonary valve replacement and the rare pulmonary artery aneurysm come may or june of this year... i'm in an emotional roller coaster at the moment...
i'll be including you in my prayers... i hope you can include me too in yours...

sincerely,

nini

Hi Sophie. Praise God all is well with you and thank him for a new beginning. I had my mitral valve repaired in 2005 and had such a rockie recovery that my surgeon informed me that I needed a miracle to live and God sent me one. I experienced renal failure, pulmonary failure, sepsis, and liver failure.Ihad to be reopened one day postop for emergency surgery and was in a medical induced coma for almost 2 months. But by the grace of God I made it through. Now, I'm told that it is time for my mitral valve to be replace as soon as possible. Or I may have only about six more months on this earth. I'm trusting God to bring me through this second open heart surgery also. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Jean

so happy for you that everything went well, & it must feel really great to be back at home! i've said alot of prayers for you & all your family to get thru this safely, & i am so so happy it all did! my family & i will continue to pray for you to get stronger everyday. lots of love & prayers, michelle arsenault & family :-)

So glad you are home and recovering well. Dr Adams repaired my mitral and tricuspind valves August 2012 and I have had a great experience. I am now swimming over a mile a day on average and feeling great! Take it easy these first weeks even if you feel better some days and you will be amazed how the slow progression brings you back to normal and then some! Highly recommend cardiac rehab too as it helped me to be much more confident about my repaired heart.

Hello Sophie, I am happy you are back home and recouping well. You are so lucky to have a good husband supporting you though this and your daughters. I have just applied for PCIP ( pre-condition insurance plan) and let's hope I am accepted so I can visit a few surgeons and start the quest. It is indeed comforting to read your story. I do hope there's a way to just repair my mitral valve instead of changing, but if that needs to be done we have to trust that God is totally aware and guiding every step of this intervention. I am sure you have had many insights, so please keep sharing to give strenght to those like me who will be facing this eventually. Blessings and a speedy recovery!

Hi Sophie,

Congratulations on a successful surgery! So glad to read your surgery went well. It is amazing how well they can do repairs. I spent a good while in my recliner before being able to sleep in bed but sleep where ever you are comfortable. Rest is important. I had my mitral valve repaired in 1996 and it is still working great. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Take care, -jeff

Hi Sophie,
It sounds like the whole ordeal couldn't have gone any better. Great doctors, hospital and friends. We are so happy for you and your family. Take it slow and feel better every day. We are always thinking of you.

Alan Wagner

Hi, Sophie,
It sounds like you're making wonderful progress! I wasn't able to sleep in a real bed for a couple of weeks after my surgery. But I loved my recliner. I hope you have a smooth, bump-free recovery.
Selma

Great to hear that you're back home. Will pray for your recovery. -Jean Trausch

Just read your posting....its wonderful to hear how well your doing. Don't try to do too much...its going ti take time to build your strength back...Luv ya

Hi Sophie,
So glad that you are home and comfortable. Hope each day gives you more strength! We are looking forward to seeing you soon (maybe this weekend if you are up to it?)
Love, hugs and prayers,
Brian, Kim, Katie and Josh

Hi Sophie,

I am so pleased that you are recovering so
nicely, actually all of us here at Garston are
cheering for you! You said it all when you
quoted one of my all-time favorite Bible
verses, Isaiah 40:29-31 ! You take it easy
and I will be talking to you soon-

My prayers and friendship, Stuart Riefe

Hi Sophie,

How are you feeling? So glad that you were up and around taking those walks!! How wonderful that is!! You keep yourself well and strong!!! You and your Family are in my thoughts and prayers!! continued wellness to you Sophie!! love anne usher

Hi Sophie!
My husband and I have had you in our thoughts and prayers since you went into the hospital. It was great to have a post from you yesterday. I also had nausea with the meds, and of course also gained about 20 lbs of water weight. Hope you will start gaining some appetite and getting stronger daily as was my case. May God be your strength and comfort as he was for me during that very difficult week in the hospital. Blessings to you and your family.
Ellen D.

Sophie,
It is wonderful to see your smiling face and know that you will soon be home! Glad that Allie and Mandy made it to NYC.

Love you!

Brian, Kim, Katie and Josh

Fantastic news! Those verses are my favorites in Isaiah!

Have fun with the Lasik...just watch it once you get down to weight it does a number on you, so report anything to your doctor. Took me about 3 days to get rid of all that water weight.

Take care, and in my prayers!

Brian W.

So wonderful to hear from you again. Glad the 'ukkies' are over with....nausea is no fun!
You have been an inspiration to many....Love and prayers.
Peg and Harry

Hi Sophie
So good to hear from you ... you sound great ! Was sorry to hear you had such problems with the pain meds but glad you are on down side of the hill now ! Keep smiling ...you are amazing ! Love to you and family .
Dom and Bev

Sophie-
So glad to see that you're up to posting yourself! Thank you for the Bible verse about surgery and recovery --- I love it!
Glad to hear that you may get to go home soon.
I'm doing pretty good in my recovery. I got to come home on Monday. I feel stronger every morning when I wake up and am able to get around great on my own.
I'll keep you in my prayers. -Jean Trausch

Wow, I can't believe she may be getting discharged so soon. Did she have a minimally invasive procedure? Please let her know that prayers are being sent y'all's way. Thank you for the updates.

Michelle W.

Gods love a d faithfulness always exceeds our expectations Rachel and I have been praying
One part of prayer is that staff sees hand of God in this. Dan&Rachel

Geoff,
Thanks for the updates. I'm sure the first days after surgery are tough, but knowing she will probably be released this weekend means she's doing very well. Our thoughts, as always, are with your entire family.

Alan Wagner

I suspect this is post-op day #2. You are probably getting lines pulled out of you and possibly still feeling a little weak. Its going to get better. Soon (if not already) you will be going to the floor and life will start to normalize. Day by day getting stronger; appetite coming back. Assisted walking and improved output. Looking forward to seeing you back in CT healthy and happy. Did you get your red heart pillow? if not ask for one!