Thank you everyone for your responses. Because of a thymoma, I am having a full sternotomy. My husband will be with me for the first 3 weeks after surgery, which will help immensely. I am hoping that part of my recovery will involve working with a physical/excercise therapist to regain some strength and some lung capacity.... I am not sure if this is a normal part of after-care, or if it falls more on a wish-list...