Home to heaven...

Megan Rachelle Moss Johnson
May 22, 1986 -June 27, 2017

In Megan's brief 31 years, she left her family and friends a legacy of love and faith.  As a child, Megan sang "Jesus" songs with exuberance.  As a teen, she often would journal prayers to her Best Friend, Jesus.

After her diagnosis of myocarditis at 15, Megan wrote: "I love You, Jesus...please make me the light for You that I have always wanted to be.  Not a nightlight, but a forest fire for You, Jesus!  Let Your light show through me and bring others to You!"  She was a bright light as she waited for a heart transplant in April, 2010, when she passionately spoke her motto:  "Through this I demonstrate that Christ is enough - come what may."

As her sister said at the beautiful fall wedding on October 29, 2011, "God gave my sister a new heart 18 months ago, and only six months later she gave her heart to Nathan Johnson."  Megan loved being Nathan's wife and wholeheartedly supported his concert ministry.

On June 27, 2017, God blessed Megan and Nathan with the birth of Eilee Megan Kate.  Only hours later, Megan saw Jesus face to face.

May Megan's legacy of love and desire to be a "forest fire light" for Jesus live on in each of us.



She will forever be loved by her husband, Nathan Johnson; her daughter, Eilee Megan Kate Johnson; her parents, Wayne and Kathie Moss; her siblings and mates, Mandi and Kyle Walton, Jason and Danielle Moss; her nieces, Kinsley Grace and Addyson Kate Walton; her parents-in-love, Greg and Cheryl Johnson; her grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins and beyond; her family of colleagues and her many, many friends.


Megan's blog:  
http://meganrmoss.blogspot.com/

Our precious Megan gave birth to a beautiful 6lb 5 oz, 18 in long baby girl at 2:34 early this morning. It was a very smooth delivery and all of us celebrated. Megan did great and Eilee Megan Kate was perfect. Megan held, fed, and burped little Eilee and was doing great around 9 am, but shortly after Megan went unconscious and went to be with Jesus. We thank you all for your notes and prayers through this difficult day. "I do not know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand."

Megan's story has again gone world wide and we are overwhelmed by the love of our daughter and kindness by all who knew her or just heard about her story.  

Megan's memorial service will be aired live, Sunday, July 2, 5PM,  on Megan Moss Johnson Celebration of Life Facebook page.  

We're posting chapter 1 of Megan's Heart for your reading pleasure!  If you haven't already purchased a copy of the book and would like to do so, here are some simple directions.  Our hope and prayer is that this book will speak to you somewhere in the depths of your being and draw you closer to Jesus.

The book is on its way!!

MEGAN’S HEART, the story of Megan Moss Johnson's heart transplant journey, by Sharon Bushey, is being released and is on its way to us! If you would like to pre-order and get your copy asap, you can do that through our FB pages. MESSAGE Kathie Anderson Moss or Wayne Moss, give us your mailing address (we’ll send you back ours), and then you send an $18.98 check (snail mail, PayPal, however you choose). [includes shipping]

As soon as the books and $ are in our hands, we will start mailing them out. They will be available also on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble; HOWEVER, the profit will not be for Megan's medical fund when they are purchased on those sites. We're told that after the book has been out 2 or 3 months, it will then be available on Kindle.

More questions of anything I've missed? Let me know and I'll do my best to answer. Please continue to pray with us that God will use this book to continue telling His story to the nations.

2-year check-up

June 14, 1012  Today Megan had her 2-year check-up after her heart transplant on April 18, 2012.  Initial results tell us that her body loves her new heart!  Her arteries are perfect, no blockage, there is no rejection!  More reports next week from the AlloMap testing.  Are we surprised?  Absolutely not!  God had a reason for saving Megan and we are watching to see how He continues to reveal His purposes for her.

Remember Dr. Wang, our favorite surgeon, who performed all Megan's heart surgeries? The following is his endorsement for the book that will be out this week!

Megan's heart story is the sum of medical science and technology integrated with the unyielding faith of her family and community. This spiritual path of her return to health and life is inspiring. As a part of Megan's team of health care providers, I am thrilled that others can share the Moss family's journey of prayer and faith to healing.
- I-wenWang, M..D., Ph.D./Megan's Transplant Surgeon at BJC Hospital, St. Louis, MO
Currently, Heart & Lung Transplant Surgeon at IU Health Methodist Hospital and Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN

Great time with the kids last night. Awesome dinner, volleyball in the back yard, and just hanging around together. Meg and Nathan came home for Meg's two year tests: Heart cath, chest X-ray and echocardiogram all being done today. We are praying for perfect results. Megan's book is done and in shipment to us. The book will cost $15 plus shipping. Watch for an order form soon.

April 25, 2012

MEGAN HAS BEEN ASKED TO SHARE HER STORY AT THE NASHVILLE GO RED FOR WOMEN EVENT. KATHIE AND MY SISTER, SHAR, WILL BE JOINING HER AT THIS EVENT. PRAY THAT MEGAN WILL HAVE A CALMNESS AND BE ABLE TO SPEAK FROM HER HEART. THE FOLLOWING WAS SENT OUT TO ALL ATTENDEES OF THE EVENT TO INTRODUCE THEM TO THIS YEAR'S SPECIAL GUEST.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------We are so excited to host you at Friday's Go Red For Women Luncheon. Please take a moment to read about my friend Megan who I met this year while working on the Go Red For Women Campaign. I've also included information about a very special opportunity for us to join together to fight the No. 1 killer of women.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Dawn Rudolph
2012 Go Red For Women Chair
President & CEO, Saint Thomas Hospital
---------------
At age 15, Megan and her family were told that a virus had attacked Megan’s heart, causing serious, irreparable damage.
Little did she know how much worse it would get.

Seven years later, doctors recognized that the condition of Megan’s heart had grown dire. She was put on a transplant list. Although allowed to go home, Megan’s health continued to get much worse.

Two months later, after having surgery to be put on a bridge-to-transplant LVAD machine, Megan developed pneumonia.
Doctors told her family that even if a heart came Megan was too weak to receive it. Miraculously, an hour later, Megan’s white blood cell count came down, the fever dropped, and a heart became available. And so on April 18, 2010, Megan got a new heart.

Today, only two years after Megan’s heart transplant, she is a beautiful, vibrant, healthy young woman. She became a bride and was married this past fall, and Megan now permanently calls Nashville home.

When I met Megan, I wanted to thank her for sharing her story, for spreading the message about protecting your heart and helping people understand how important it is that we continue to fund lifesaving research to advance treatments for heart disease. I was overwhelmed and humbled by the sincerity and gratitude that she expressed to me and the American Heart Association for the very same thing.
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We are praising God for another opportunity to share HIS MIRACLE story in the life of Megan.

Two years ago today Megan was given life by way of a donor heart and miracle of God !

Megan tells her view of the day.

http://meganrmoss.blogspot.com/2012/04/forever-unforgettable-day.html

More from Megan

Come what may...: Sleeping through days...

meganrmoss.blogspot.com

Remembering....April 2010

Can't believe it has been two years.  Megan is doing great and doors are opening up for her to share her story in Nashville.  She will be in St. Louis for her two year check-up next week and her mom and dad are so looking forward to seeing her.  We are expecting a great report from the doctors and a good time of celebrating my birthday, Kathie's birthday, and Megan's HEART birthday.  Please continue to pray that the perfect job will open up for Megan in Nashville.  

Watch for the release of Megan's Heart by Sharon L. Bushey.  My sister has written Megan's story and should be in print within just a few weeks.  We will let you know where you can get a copy.  God is GOOD!

Go to Megs blog:  Come what may...: April 2010

meganrmoss.blogspot.com

A word from Megan

Come what may...: Here's to 2012!

meganrmoss.blogspot.com

Megan working through the 'Come what may...' As her father, I would ask that you pray for her to find a job in Nashville that one provides insurance, but mostly where she can use what she has learned through her experience to help others.

Come what may...

meganrmoss.blogspot.com

Megan continues to do well...

It has been a while since I've written and I'm sorry.  Live is back to normal and very busy.  I haven't written because I assumed my followers had probably made the switch over to Megan's blog http://meganrmoss.blogspot.com/ and didn't need to hear from me.

Oh well, I am writing today to let you know that Megan is enjoying her new life in Nashville, TN with her husband, Nathan Johnson.  Yes, in case you haven't heard, after a year of courtship, Megan married her new best friend, Nathan Johnson on Saturday, October 29, 2011, in Nashville, TN.

Megan is not a traditionalist and did not want the traditional wedding.  So an outside wedding in the backyard of my sister and brother-in-love's place in Nashville, TN was planned for October 29th.  My biggest fear was that weather at the end of October was very unpredictable.  As October rolled on we had one beautiful day and Saturday after another.  Could these good days last one more week.  Megan believed that if God could give her a heart, He could give her a beautiful wedding day.  I believed that, but wasn't sure if God thought the weather was as important as a life that needed a new heart.

Wednesday before the wedding, the weather began to change.  By Thursday the temp was dropping and rain was falling.  The outside rehearsal was held inside because it was pouring outside and the temp was nearing 40 degrees.  The weather forecast was good for Saturday, but it wasn't looking too promising.  We did what we could to prepare for the wedding, went to bed around mid-night, and trusted God for a beautiful wedding day.

Saturday morning, Kathie and I woke at 6am to begin decorating the tables.   I went outside first and found that besides a very heavy frost, all the rain that had fallen the day before, had frozen and all the tables were covered in ice.  For two and half hours I used kitchen tools and a blow dryer to break the ice and dry the tables so friends and family could help us get the table clothes on and prepared for a 12 noon wedding.  At 8:30 is was still only 35 degrees, but the tables were getting decorated and we decided we could deal with the cold.  The sun was up and shinning through a misting fog which made for some beautiful early morning pictures.  By 11am temperatures were rising, everything was looking beautiful.  God was giving us that perfect day.

At 12 noon, the wedding party began the procession and then Megan and I appeared from behind to hand held antique doors and walked down the grass isles.  The sun was shining brightly, the temp was a very comfortable 60 some degrees and Megan's wedding day was in her words, "This is more beautiful than I even imagined it to be."  (picture link below)

God came through again for our precious Megan.

Megan's Heart, by Sharon Bushey (my sister) has been accepted by a publisher and will be available for purchase in early Spring 2012.  Be watching the blog for the launching of the book.

Wayne Moss

PRICELESS!!!

The day our sweet Megan has dreamed of....a day a year and a half ago none of us thought we would see....but thanks to a unknown heart donor and a FAITHFUL GOD who is still in the miracle business a day that was nothing short of PRICELESS!!! Congratulations to my precious girl Megan and to her best friend turned husband Nathan!!

By: Deborah Laffoon Long

Photos: 126

Megan's one year follow up story will be aired tonight (Friday) at 10pm on KSDK Channel 5.  It was delayed because of all the spring storms, floods, and other pressing news.  Better late than never.  Also be watching for the Barnes Jewish billboards with Megan's picture that will be going up all over town in a few days.  God is still at work in bringing people to Him through her 'Miracle Story'.

A Year Ago Today...

I've been glancing at my watch all day and remembering what was happening each moment last year on this day. Although they had increased Megan's oxygen Friday evening she still struggled through the night to breathe.  Saturday was one x-ray and blood test after another.  At 9:30 am we learned she had pneumonia and that meant she was too sick to receive a heart even if one became available.  Our time was up according to science.  But we and our friends kept praying and fasting and believing that God could still come through.  The next five hours were a desperate battle for her life.  The family came together and pleaded before God to save Megan's life.  What we didn't know was that 1000's of children, teens, and adults around the world were doing the same thing.  Some we knew, but many we did't know.  Strangers that heard about Megan's struggle, just felt led to pray earnestly for this girl they didn't know.

By 1:00 pm, the atmosphere in Megan's room was heavy with the feeling of death. Doctors, nurses, techs, everyone had that same look.  The look that told us Meg only had a few more minutes or hours to live.   Around 2:00 pm, they decided to change one of Megan's IV ports.  It was suppose to be a simple procedure of about 15 minutes.  Well, so much for 'simple'.  When the old port was pulled, the new one refused to go in.  They tried and tried, but nothing was working.  Megan was bleeding everywhere and even woke during the procedure. They had allowed Kathie, Mandi, and I to stay in the room during this procedure.  Kathie and Mandi where under the sanitary cloth holding Meg's hand and urging her to lay still.  I was breaking inside crying out to God to help the doctors and to take care of my girl.  An hour and a half later, the procedure was complete, but blood was everywhere and still coming.  After several bandages and pressure from a 5 pound sand bag, the bleeding was stopped.

Little did we know that just a few minutes after this procedure was complete, the Mid-America Transplant Center had received word of a heart being available for Megan Moss.  Dr. Ewald was notified and he started the process of testing the new heart even though, at the time, he was aware that Megan was too sick to make it through a surgery.  Thus all the x-rays and more blood test during the next few hours.  We didn't know about the donor heart, but they did and were hoping and praying that Megan's white blood count (pneumonia) and temperature would come down so she could receive the heart.

Megan had been out of it most of the day.  She was on a suction mask for oxygen and didn't have strength to talk, so when she needed to say something, she would write it on a pad.  About 6pm, she motioned for the pad and wrote, 'How can I eat?'  Eat?  You want something to eat?' asked her mom.  Meg replied, 'YES'.   This girl hadn't ask for food in weeks.  What was happening?  Permission was granted and she ate a bowl of pudding and drank some juice.  More tests showed her temp back to normal and her white blood count was coming down.

More x-rays and more bloods tests and Megan is bright eyed and clear minded even though she was still struggling to breathe.  At 9:30pm Dr. Ewald entered the room with a grin from ear to ear.  "We have accepted a heart on your behalf, if you want it."  'If we want it? Sure we want it!'  Megan pulled back her mask and whispered, "I want to sign, I want to sign."

Twelve very long hours and we went from death and doom, to LIFE and VICTORY!  We can't thank all of our family, friends, and followers enough for all the prayers and messages of encouragment that carried us through the most difficult day of our lives.  May God BLESS you for your obedience to 'PARTICIPATE IN THE MIRACLE.'

On this day we must also not forget Megan's donor family.  We are celebrating life, they are grieving a death of a loved one.  God, be with them today as they are remembering a year ago and the loss they suffered.  I also pray that this year will give us the opportunity to meet Megan's donor family.

 

A Year Later

4/16/11  Last year at MAX (7 state teen sports/talent competition meet), a 1000 kids prayed for the healing of a dying girl they didn't know.  Today at MAX, a 1000 kids stood to their feet and applauded while a very healthy and healed Megan walked to the podium to thank her prayer warriors for standing in the gap for her last year.  Different teens came to us and told us, that although they didn't know Megan personally, after the prayer last year, they didn't forget her, but followed her story and continue to pray each day that Megan will never have any complications with her new heart.  Thank you Jesus, for the 'family of God.'  
'HE STILL MOVES STONES.'

Waiting for Meg to get home after her first day of work in 15 months and 7 days. She has returned to the Ritz part time and will slowly move into full time. So thankful for the Ritz Carlton during this whole ordeal. They have been incredible.

The American Heart Association just posted the videos from the Go Red for Women Luncheon. Part 3 comes up first so make sure you watch all three parts in order. www.youtube.com/user/americanheartstl

What an amazing event! Megan's story was told by video and then Kathie, Megan, and I were able to express our thanks to the American Heart Association and present a plea to give to AHA. These are pictures from KMOV. We will post the video as soon as it is available.

Go Red for Women luncheon

www.kmov.com

Jan 18, 2011: It is Meg's 9 month heart birthday today.  Last year this time she was just starting her downhill spiral of weight loss and bad days were beginning to out number the good ones. We are so thankful for God's miracle in her life and for all who chose to 'participate in the miracle'.

Dec 29, 2010: Megan continues to do well with her new heart.  Zero rejection and an EF as good as any other healthy heart.  This Christmas season the Moss family has been counting their blessings and praising God for the "Miracle Heart" he provided for Megan 'just in time.'

By now, each of you are well aware that our FAITH in a LIVING, HEALING GOD is what carried us through Megan's heart illness.  We strongly believe that God had His hand in all that happened in Megan's life, and without Him, the outcome would not have been the same.  With that being said, we are also aware that GOD used the physicians, surgeons, numerous hospital staff, med students, and the American Heart Association with all of their knowledge, research, and financial investment to be part of the 'Miracle' He orchestrated.  We are forever grateful to each of you for the endless hours of love and care shown to Megan and our whole family.

Megan is now telling her side of story through her blog at: meganrmoss.blogspot.com.  I must confess, each blog post brings tears to my eyes as I realize now, more than ever, how God was preparing and carrying Megan through this whole ordeal.  As she quoted in her last post, 'God will never give us more than we can handle...' 1 Corinthians 10:13

11/29/10 One year ago tonight we began our journey of faith with the Lord 'through the valley of the shadow of  death.'  It is easy to look back now and see His plan, but that dark night and the days ahead were a tough walk.  There were lots of ups and downs, good days and bad ones, days when our faith was strong and others when are faith was weak.  In those weak moments, we knew our only hope was God.  He had a plan and we chose to praise Him, come what may.  Each day the 'family of God' lifted us in prayer and helped in so many tangible ways to make our walk bearable.  We thank each and every one of you for 'choosing to participate in the miracle.'  May God bless you for your many gifts of time, money, labor, and prayer.  Because of you we could feel God's presence each step of the way.  "I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips."  Ps 34:1

Happy 7 month Birthday, Megan.  Megan is loving her new heart and continues to have GREAT check-ups each month.  She has several opportunities to share her story in the New Year and needs your prayers for God's leadership in how to organize and tell her story and His peace to overcome stage fright.

Are you keeping up with Megan's blog.  Check it out: meganrmoss.blogspot.com

10/23/10 Update on Megan:  She went for her monthly biopsy this week and Dr. Joseph told her, "Megan, your heart is beating as if it was your own heart and not a transplanted heart!"  HALLELUJAH!!!!

10/18/10  Hard to believe that it has been 6 months since Meg's miracle. God has been so faithful and Meg continues to do well. Thanks for your continued prayers for no rejection, good health, and God's leadership in her future.

Megan in a photo shoot and interview by Emily Dobson
http://blog.emilydobsonphotography.com/index.php/2010/09/life-after-a-heart-transplant-megan-moss/

‎8/30 1:48pm Megan has been experiencing swelling in her left leg this week-end. The doc fears a blood clot. Meg & Kathie are headed to the hospital for a 3:15 Dopler tests. Pray it all goes well.

8/25 This month's biopsy results: Megan's heart is pumping at normal function! Biopsy shows rejection level at 1a. Docs increased rejection meds to hopefully get back to zero. The rejection med causes hair loss and Meg is already showing signs of this.  Pray her level goes back to '0' and no more hair loss.  #donatelife

Never thought I would say I enjoyed spending all day Saturday painting a bedroom with my girl.  But I did.  Thoughts of what could have been, how weak she was just a few months ago and now what a busy body she is as we spent 8 hours together fixing up the basement bedroom for my 'miracle girl'.  I love you, Meg.  Read Meg's version: meganrmoss.blogspot.com

8/8 Kathie, Meg and I just got home from my sister's house in Waynesville, MO after spending a week-end writing a book of Megan's Miracle Story.  We also shared her story in church this morning.  It went well, but we sure are having a hard time telling the story in less than an hour.  It is hard to know what to leave out.  God is good and He is helping us pass on His miracle to the next generation. 


Megan is doing great.  She is tired after a long week-end, but I am about to collapse, too.  Pray for us as we complete her book.  We also are looking for a good publisher.  Any suggestions are welcome.  


Thanks for reading and continuing to keep Megan in your prayers.  

7/30 Prayers answered!  Our friend, Jennifer, got her heart today.  Pray that her recovery will be fast and remarkable like Megan's was.  Megan's test results this week were awesome again: NO REJECTION and EF is PERFECT.  WE SERVE A MIGHTY GOD!

7/26  Today was the last of the every-other-week biopsies: now we go once a month for several months.  It was good see hospital friends and to know that they too are doing well.  I would ask that you put Jennifer on your PL.  She has been hospitalized since Christmas waiting on a heart.  Be a DONOR, SAVE A LIFE.

Kay Quinn's interview with Megan
http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=167726031001#/News/Heart+transplant+recipient+is+picture+of+health/48541678001/48355648001/167726031001

The uncut version:
http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx#/News/Megan+Moss+is+picture+of+health+3+months+after+transplant/48541678001/48355648001/167726026001

7/19 Megan's interview with Kay Quinn should be on Channel 5 tonight at 10.  For those out of town or just miss it, you can see it at ksdk.com

7/15 Megan's biopsy results = a big fat 0 again on the rejection scale.  Praise the Lord for 'miracle' well done.  Continue to pray for Megan for strength and courage as she prepares to tell her story at girl's camp next week.  

7/14 Here is the latest Barnes/Jewish story on Megan.  The televised version will be next Monday, July 19, at 10PM. http://newsblog.barnesjewish.org/ 

7/13 Kay interviewed Megan today, but it will not air until next Monday night, July 19. Sorry if you're glued to your TV and wondering why you missed it.

7/12 Megan is gaining strength with each new day. As one put it, when God heals, He heals completely. Pray for strength and courage as Meg begins to tell her story. If you haven't seen Meg in a while, you can catch a glimpse of her Tuesday night, July 13, on KSDK Channel 5 news . Kay Quinn is interviewing Meg tomorrow at the rehab facility. 


Megan has started her own blog. Follow her at  meganrmoss.blogspot.com

7/9 Miserably hot day, but the humidity dropped and tonight is beautiful. So Meg and I decided to take walk around St. Ferdinand Park.  It is such a good feeling to be able to walk with my girl.  Thank you, Jesus for the simple things in life.