Jan’s Story: A Journey to Recovery and Renewed Energy

In 2021, Jan Boesch was on vacation with friends in Fort Myers, Fla., enjoying a well-deserved getaway. But on March 17, her life took an unexpected turn. As she stepped out of the car, she suddenly fell. At first, she dismissed it as clumsiness, but her friends immediately sensed something was wrong. Without hesitation, they called 911.

The EMTs determined Jan was having a stroke. At the hospital, doctors discovered that an aneurysm had ruptured, causing the stroke and she was sent to another hospital that specialized in heart care. The next day she had emergency aortic dissection surgery—a procedure to repair not just one, but two life-threatening tears in the main artery of the heart. The surgery was successful, but Jan faced a long road to recovery. Regaining her strength required patience, determination and a positive mindset as she worked toward healing. She spent a full month in Florida—first in the ICU, then on the cardiac floor, followed by nine days in rehab. Ten days after leaving rehab, her surgeon cleared her to fly home to Michigan.

Once home, Jan met with her primary care provider, Dr. Ailese A. Scott, at Bronson Internal Medicine. She was then referred to Dr. Christopher Rogers at Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare. From the start, she felt supported, appreciating Dr. Rogers' expertise and the care of his entire team. Attentive and knowledgeable, they were always ready to answer her questions.

Despite her remarkable recovery, Jan wasn’t satisfied with just feeling "okay." She refused to accept that lifelong blood thinners and her "new normal" had to be permanent. Seeing her doctor annually to monitor her heart health, she was frustrated with the frequent bruising and limitations caused by her medication. In 2024, they discussed an alternative, the Watchman procedure, a minimally invasive implant that reduces stroke risk for people with atrial fibrillation (Afib) without the need for long-term blood thinners. When Jan learned she was a candidate, Dr. Rogers scheduled the procedure right away.

On November 15, 2024, Jan underwent the Watchman procedure. It was a quick, outpatient procedure and she returned home the same day. Her recovery was smooth. She prioritized her rest and avoided heavy lifting to let her body heal.

Now, at 73, Jan feels better than ever. Her energy has returned, her stamina has improved and she no longer feels restricted by her medication. Most importantly, she can fully enjoy her favorite activities again—spending time with friends, hosting trunk shows as a wardrobe stylist, volunteering at fundraisers and gardening.

Grateful for the exceptional care she received at Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare, Jan considers herself the luckiest woman alive. Thanks to Dr. Rogers and his team, Jan can live life to the fullest, without limitations.