Thread: Thymus removal
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Old 01-16-2010, 12:07 AM
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JCPA JCPA is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Ga Girl
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10 yr Member
JCPA JCPA is offline
Junior Member
JCPA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: South Ga Girl
Posts: 85
10 yr Member
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Hi,
Since this was an older thread...I thought I would post an update.

I did have my thymus removed on October 29, 2009. Partial sternal "t" incision about 3.5 to 4 inches down.

Best think I've ever done. Emory University Dr Joseph Miller performed the surgery. Excellent care ever!

Since my surgery....it took about 5 weeks to really get over the incision itself...had a little setback with one part being slow to heal.

I spent 1 day in ICU then I was moved to the floor for 4 additional days. I had an epidural pump in my upper back that administered pain medication for 3 of the 5 days after my surgery. It was not an epidural block but one that helps to manage the pain. I highly recommend it.

I had to sleep in a recliner for just about the whole 5 weeks. You never realize how much you use your chest muscles until you have this done. Keep a pillow close by for any coughing or sneezing as it is pretty painful. Do the deep breathing exercises to keep your lungs full after surgery. I was not told this and I developed some problems with that but nothing major. I had to do some additional breathing exercises to resolve the problem.

But the great news is........ I have went into remission. I know this is very unpredictable from person to person so i am sooooooooo Thankful each day that when my feet hit the floor and I have good muscle strength all throughout most of the day....I am very blessed.

MG is no respector of persons and I know that it could come back at any time with a vengeance but.....I do believe that removal of my thymus has helped this process in my case.

If you had asked me 1 day after my surgery about it...I would have said "What have I done" but now on day 76 I would say "I'm glad that I did it".

Good Luck with your decision.

Jujuan
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"Thanks for this!" says:
DesertFlower (01-16-2010)