I was 78 and in very good health. The 5cm ascending aortic repair with Dacron and hemiarch repair went well, but my heart would not restart immediately after surgery. The surgeon explained to my family that my heart needed to rest. My chest was left open for 5 days. Carcinogenic shock, ECMO, pneumonia, intubation all followed in cardiac intensive care for 10 days. I believe I would not have survived unless I was at Mayo. After 22 days I could go home where it felt essential that I be. I used a walker for a week, a cane for a week, then slowly regained strength with much rest, quiet, and a superhero husband.
Now I am 18 months out. I gave up pickle and tennis, but walk daily. Still enjoy an afternoon nap time. I regained memory completely. Lucky there.