Pat, why didnt you want to have a thymectomy straignt away ?WHat were your worries?

Has anyone had a biopsy of his/her thymus? I know is not commun , but is still an option and thought to double check with you guys.
...

Thank you again
newmg

There were many reasons, but I'll make it brief. It was 2001, I was almost 50 and access to excellent medical care and good information was not as it is now.;)

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

Wow - that's terrifc. Thanks for the update - - but especially one with such great news!

Sue