I just had a really inconclusive visit with my neuro. I asked about a thymectomy, and he said, pretty much, I can have one if I want. So? How do I decide? I appreciate it that he's not paternalistic, but I would like a bit more guidance here.

I'm 46. I understand they work better in younger patients. I've had myasthenia almost three years. I understand they work better in the beginning.

I don't want to have my sternum split. There's a surgeon in the area who does them robotically, but sometimes he starts and discovers he can't do it that way, so he splits the sternum. My neuro says I can talk to him and see if he's willing to just wake me up if it can't be done robotically, but he says "surgeons don't like to do that."

My impression about thymectomies is that in the absence of any pathology of the thymus (mine's normal) the jury is out on the effectiveness of the surgery. I'd welcome thoughts and information.

Abby