Hi everyone, those of you who may have read my earlier posts know that I am scheduled for a thymectomy next thursday, was given no option but to have a medial sternotomy / spilt sternum, my question is those who have had the same procedure what was your recovery time like / pain and any other information you may think is necessary. My biggest dilemma is been a single mum with two toddlers and trying to explain to them mommy cant lift you does anyone know how long you are unable to lift things for? anyways I look forward to hearing all your thymectomy / sternotomy stories, have a great day / night everyone till next time

Melissa

Melissa,
I haven't had it, but I will keep you in my prayers next Thursday!
Simon

Melissa,
Mine won't be a good guide for you. I had the sternotomy and it caused a problem with a disc I was having trouble with, so I had to have a cervical discectomy exactly one month after. Even with that, though, I was back to work by September 4th after the thymectomy on July 18 and discectomy on August 18.

You'll be surprised how receptive toddlers are to the fact that for a while you can't lift them. My granddaughter reminded me that I shouldn't pick her up! At the tender age of 3 1/2. (She lived with us, so it was just second nature to pick her up.) If you explain to them that mommy has an owie and can't pick them up until it gets better, they will be very understanding! I am sorry that you have to explain that to them though! I was so lucky my children were grown.

Best of luck on your surgery - and we'll all be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way for a speedy recovery and REMISSION!!!!!

Hugs!

My chest was very sore after my thymectomy. I had it in Aug. and still feel weak in my upper body. It hurt bad for 3 days in the hospital, when the chest drain tubes came out(3 days)that helped a lot. I walked real gingerly for 1 - 2 weeks. I couldn't drive for a month, their main worry is having a crash and hitting your chest on the steering wheel. I went back to work after 6 weeks. I am a high school teacher and missed the first month of school.

Now my chest doesn't hurt, but every once in awhile it feels a little strained.

The main thing I noticed was the weakness. I couldn't even lift a pan of macaroni with one hand to drain it. Sneezing the first few times was extremely painful. I kept a pillow nearby and bearhugged it when I felt a sneeze coming on. That didn't last for too long.

My kids are 10 and 14, so I don't carry them anymore. I can tell though my upper body is weak. I have trouble reaching for anything over my head. It is hard for me to handle.

Melissa,
Please look up my post "thymectomy what to expect - in detail". I cover the hospital stay etc. I found that the first 7-10 days were the worst for pain but I managed with advil and tylenol. I did not lift anything including my kiddies for six weeks and did not drive during that time as well. I kept my pillow with me for the first three weeks. Sneezing will be the worst but it does get better. I would say I started to feel somewhat normal at the three week mark and was back to full mom duty by six weeks. Any questions just let me know. ~ Melanie

Hey hon! I was entertaining 9days after my surgery - making fajitias and hosting my niece's b day party! Granted, I am the exception, but it really wasn't that bad! I did take a lot (and I do mean ) a lot of pain meds (4--6 daily), but felt pretty good!

You willl prolly not be allowed to drive or lift anything for 6 weeks - is there ANYONE who can help you during this time? It just isn't worth it to go through the surgery and then mess up and lift anything too heavy!

The BIG thing for me was sleeping! I slept sitting up for months after my surgery - just hurt too much to sleep on my back! And I kept my chest pillow with me @ all times! All times! You will want to remember the pillow! It is HUGE!

JUst remember to take a deep breath and relax! It does get better after the surgery! It really does!

Big hugs!
Erin

Actually the pillow is small, but very important

Absolutely do not lift/push/pull anything before they tell you you can, you don't want your chest clicking 6 weeks of no more that 5 lbs is common and then they allow gradual increases of that. I know I cheated a bit by using my legs for things I wasn't supposed to move (car doors etc)... this worked out ok for me.

There're some discussions of what to expect from people immediately after their thymectomy's if you scroll back several pages of posts.

Best of luck

Cheers,

Brian.

I forgot to talk about pain meds. I did take Vicodin for about a week after I got home. I also took Benadryl because I was itchy from the meds, it also helped me sleep. I had to sleep on my back when I got home. I too kept my head propped up on a few pillows. I wanted to lay on my side so bad, but I couldn't because it hurt. I always had pillows around me for support. It was also tough to sit up from a lying position.

if you need to sleep on side put a pillow under the top arm to keep it from pulling hug the pillow

You may want to sleep in an upright position - I know I did, but I had my lungs biopsied @ the same time, so I was in a world of hurt for a while. I cheated b/c I was so stupid! I was driving 3 weeks after it and lifting stuff, which probably attributed to my chest pain to this day. Granted, it is NOTHING compared to my original pain, but I was so stupid and thought I could do it all! LOL

Sleeping upright really helps alleviate the pain - that and the pillow that everyone recommends! You will fall in love with it - be forewarned!

You are going to feel GREAt after a while! Trust me on this one!

Big hugs!
Erin