Janet's Guestbook

Janet Gaffney  I’m doing quite well. 
Dr. Malaisrie at Northwestern Medicine is my doc. I’d contact him. I thought I was at the upper age limit but there are a few of us out there! 
I think it’s really important to stay flexible - let the surgeons determine which will be best for you. They have all the information, we just have a little bit. 

Janet Gaffney  I think the difference in our procedures is a huge difference. 
I am having very little complications; you seem to be really bearing the brunt of your share of complications. 
For now, I can only knock on wood. Perhaps in 6 months you will be sailing through your recovery and I will have been laid low by some unforeseen cardiac ‘thing’. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Well, let's hope that's not the case pertaining to yourself . In 6 months, I plan on being 100% better, walking a few miles a day, enjoying my kids and granddaughter,;all with no pain or shortness of breath👍🙏💪Heart and lungs happy again❤️
My cardiologist put it this way, " you're hearts very angry right now".

Kimberly Eisenhut  Looking through old photos tonight and came across my grandfather's 95th bday at a German restaurant he loved. Boy, I think I was about 30 in this photo. Good times

Richard Munson  He looks pretty happy with his cake. Probably had some brats prior to it. I am  also of german heritage step daughter. 

Janet Gaffney  Great photo! 
Concentrate on that fighting spirit you have!
 ‘…I plan on being 100% better…’ - that’s the way! You were such an inspiration to me when I was first on here - so brave.  Your attitude helped ME be brave! 

Janet Gaffney  Great photo! Sweet looking man. You look great, too! 
Concentrate on that fighting spirit you have! Your grandfather is so proud of you. 
 ‘…I plan on being 100% better…’ - that’s the way! You were such an inspiration to me when I was first on here - so brave.  Your attitude helped ME be brave! 

Kimberly Eisenhut  I had a feeling you were Richard💪👍 
I made a German chocolate cake for him, as it fit the occasion. There was no way I could ever compete with my, then deceased grandmother with her amazing angel food cakes, banana cream pies and lemon meringue pies, all from scratch. Every birthday we ever had, she'd make us an amazing angel food cake with fresh whipped cream frosting and sprinkles 🎂
Fidel, my grandfather always kept busy even after retirement. Home repairs, lawn, walked to the store to get fresh bread and fruit/vegetables every single day,v helped my grandmother clean the house and always did the dishes, worked in his basement workshop listening to the cubs game, and had a small garden every summer. 
Never a speak of dust or dirt in that house! 
Janet, I was proud of myself today, if I do say so myself. Got through the Cardiac MRI and labs downtown and saw my new pericardia clinic Dr. Ill give an update on that later. Just need to keep heart rate below 100 and take my meds. It's a slow process I guess. Thank you Janet for the kind words and reminding me I am strong. I forget sometimes👍💪❤️

Janet Gaffney  Yes! Had it Tuesday! It’s been going very good!

 Still in - hoping to be discharged tomorrow but I’m a little on the high side for my heart rate. If I need to stay, I’d rather err on the side of caution! 

Thank you for asking! 

Melinda Donahue  Good luck Janet! I hope you continue to improve and can go home tomorrow - what surgery did you have?

Janet Gaffney  Ross procedure. Bicuspid aortic valve - 

 I’m home just late yesterday. A few bumps with heart rate and blood pressure, but otherwise I’m good. 

I’ve a long way to recover BUT I am in far better shape coming home than I thought I would be. My docs/surgeons did an amazing job. 

Kimberly Eisenhut  Grace, well said👍 Janet, please let us know how your doing when you feel up to it. We all know how hard those first few days can be, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need to vent❤️ We're here to support you however we can.

Janet Gaffney  Thank you so much, Aaron! I’m a bit nervous but I’ve no choice but to go full steam ahead! I will post as I recover. Thank you again for the well-wishes!

Ana Brusso  Janet, lifting you up in prayer for your successful surgery on the 28 and a smooth recovery.  God bless you ❤️‍🩹❤️🙏

Janet Gaffney  Hi! I’ve been on this little journey since last May. So, overall, not too long. Never even knew I had a bicuspid valve until it caught up with me. 
Yeah, I’m nervous but NOT doing this isn’t an option. 
Thank  you for praying for me, I appreciate it. 
The date is also my dad’s birthday! A good date! 
Thank you for posting this to me!