Hi Kimmy,

Your first question needs to be how is the surgeon planning on doing the operation. Is (s)he going to be using a minimally invasive method or are you looking at a full split sternum surgery? Is your MG well controlled currently (if not, you'll want to ask about plasma pheresis and/or IVIG to get it well controlled before surgery.) Are you going to need to talk to oncology (is there a mass to be concerned about? or is it just for an enlarged and/or hyperplastic thymus?) You're going to want to speak with your anesthesiologist at some point - let them know you have MG and that they need to consider this when they're putting you under.

Your questions really depend on your current situation. And Annie is 100% correct - bring in family & friends to help with the little ones; you'll be out of commission for at least healing time. If it is a minimally invasive method you're looking at a week or two; if a full split sternum you're looking at a month and a bit. Talk to the little ones about it and let them know what is going on. My daughter was 8 when I had my thymectomy, she really did understand that I'd not be able to be carrying her around for a while when I talked to her about it.

If you have any specific questions about what is going on, feel free to shout out.

Best of luck,

Brian.