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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: August 15, 2025

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Janet Gaffney posted an update
6 months ago (November 5, 2025)
Home. ❤️❤️‍🩹❤️ I have a heart full of gratitude to my husband, children, surgeons, doctors, fellows, residents, PA, nurse practitioners, nurses and nursing assistants, x-ray, MRI people, lab techs, pt, ot, nutrition staff, housekeeping and everyone else I am forgetting; you are absolute HEROES. Northwestern medicine in Chicago and McHenry... Read more.
😮 🥰 Adam Pick, Pamela Gregory and reacted to this
Adam Pick
Great update Janet! Downright wonderful! I am so happy to learn that Dr. Malaisrie and the NM team took such great care of you! All the best on your recovery! ❤️👍😊
Janet Gaffney
Thank you Adam and Melinda! Adam, this website is such a font of information and inspiration!
Janet Gaffney posted an update
6 months ago (October 22, 2025)
Any women out there my age - 60 - and had the Ross procedure? I’d like to know how your recovery went. Super curious. (Lots of men, but not so many ladies…)
Grace Mason
Hi Janet, I was 56 when I had a Ross. I feel like the recovery would have been very similar, as if I went through a single valve replacement. Immediately after surgery, no problem, once I got my sleep schedule figured out. Had a bump or two along the way,... Read more.
Janet Gaffney
@Grace - thank you so much! I really appreciate the response.
Grace Mason
Sure thing! Happy to answer any questions 👍🏻❤️‍🩹
Janet Gaffney posted an update
6 months ago (October 15, 2025)
Two weeks out. Most of the time I’m perfectly ok with everything - at peace with my decision; will just do my best; accepting of the long road ahead of me; doing what I can to prepare myself. Other times I’m just crazy scared and need to talk myself into... Read more.
J Alexander Lassally
@ Janet - I do expect that whiskey at some future juncture ! Smile (If I can be so bold, I do have a perfect pre open heart surgery song which I think captures the ethos of the experience 100%... I believe in surrender and submission the day of the... Read more.
J Alexander Lassally
PS Intubation is tough. I think your voice will be fine though. Some patients at second tier hospitals have had voice issues .. The hardest part is the in between phase which is mostly involuntary. Many patients say they dont remember anything about extubation but there are hidden ones (like... Read more.
Valerie Allen
I’ve got to say I’ve been intubated a couple times including heart surgery and don’t remember a thing. Remember this is happening when you are barely coming of heavy sedation and most, I would say, are not cognizant. Just a pep talk!
Susan Lynn
Janet - Be sure to let the surgeon and anesthesiologist know that you're an opera singer. You may want to ask about early extubation, too. I have no memory of the tube and didn't have the slightest discomfort in my throat once it was removed. I did remind the anesthesiologist... Read more.
Melinda Donahue
Hi Janet. Ask your surgeon if you are breathing in your own to take out your tubes prior to you waking. I did and mine were out when I woke up. I understand how you feel.
Kimberly Eisenhut
Intubation was long for me, but I literally was writing on a wipe board before they took it out, so if I can do it, anyone can. Was freaking out my kids though. I know I'm not a wimp for sure; 3 kids, no pain meds/ epidurals with any of... Read more.
Aaron Bader
You have the why - your family and loved ones and your music - and you might even surprise yourself by the way that motivates you. That's certainly how I've felt. Discovering (or re-discovering) what really matters and what you really value gives all the push to really own your... Read more.
Janet Gaffney
Beautiful responses. Thank you, everyone. 🥲 @J. Alexander - I owe you that whiskey! Maybe we’ll have a toast over FaceTime some day. @Valerie - I’m praying for the same. @Susan - I will remember to speak up for myself - thank you for the encouragement. @Melinda - I will... Read more.
John Cook
I don’t remember my first 2 days of ICU, so I don’t remember being intubated or tethered so I couldn’t take it out, which I apparently tried to do a lot. i did a lot of meditating pre-surgery to help me stay in a good headspace. Post-surgery, getting better was... Read more.
Marie Myers
Speak to the anesthesiologist (not the surgeon) about your intubation concerns about your voice. They are the ones who deal with the breathing tube aspect of the surgery.
Janet Gaffney
John - good idea to get outside! It does make a difference but hadn’t really thought of making it part of my routine. And a good way to view recovery - as my ‘job’. Thank you Marie, I will definitely be making talking to the anesthesiologist a priority.
John Cook
A couple more thoughts that occurred to me: being able to take that quick breath in and draw it out while you exhale takes a lot of stamina and your stamina is going to take a hit the same way my running has. Some of us have longer issues with... Read more.
Melinda Donahue
Yes. I also found there is a lot of mucus after the tube comes out and you cannot cough it up because that requires a force which you don’t have. Buy the spray saline for home (cvs, Walgreen). It will help immensely. Also breathing and walking is a major accomplishment... Read more.
George Gardopee
Hi Janet. I too was terrified of the breathing tube. Probably the aspect of all this I feared the most. I have posted this before, but I found this YouTube video to be the most helpful - it is “Video 3 of 4 – What to expect as you are... Read more.
Diane Pellowe
It is very tough to wait for your big day. But, it WILL come and soon you’ll be on the other side. As for the intubation, I woke up intubated and trying to sing! Hands were tied so I wouldn’t try to take anything out but I was conducting with... Read more.
Janet Gaffney
Thank you, everyone for the comments! Your advice is wonderful. I will do my best to clear myself of the extra water and mucous by faithfully using my spirometer and use my breath work to help me out! You are all so encouraging. I will look up that video. And... Read more.

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