Personally, I'd run from anyone who wants to saw open my chest.

And I did, in fact, as that guy was an aged quack. I found a better surgeon, one who does many laproscopic procedures, and had a thoracoscopic thoracotomy in Fall of 2008. Chest tube is a bit painful - if anyone ever asks you if you want epidural pain control, for the love of god say YES! I was out in 3 or 4 days and back walking/hiking almost immediately. I think I took about a week away or maybe a bit more, but I was in grad school back then and time was more flexible.

I haven't been to a neuro in a long time and I don't think I've taken any mestinon in over 6 months, so it sounds like I am pretty lucky, even if it doesn't always feel that way. First post, btw. Hi.