Hey Nick,

New member here. I'm glad your surgery is behind you and hopefully the pain is less and less each day.

I've read your surgery experience several times now. I was diagnosed with MG two weeks ago and just heard from my neuro's office that my CT scan results showed a 4cm growth on thymus, or maybe the thymus is 4cm. All I remember hearing is 4cm! Have to go back to the neuro on August 19 to talk next steps. Last week he put me on Pred and Mestinon and I've been on those for a week now which has really helped with the double vision and droopy eyelid -- my only symptoms. I was so hoping that the CT scan would show nothing.

I read your profile and you are so young. I feel like an old-timer -- almost 57 year old female.

I'm sending good thoughts your way.

Kathy

The improvements are definitely on their wayyy! Cos you're Nicky! =D

Hey Kathy,

I am sorry to hear about your CT results. Don't you just love how they give you the results and then you have to anxiously wait 3 weeks to discuss them with the Dr. I too am 57 and had my thymectomy in 02 when I was 50. My MG started with just ocular, but within a year I had general as well...all before I was diagnosed. Try not to get too stressed out...easier said then done. It will make your MG symptoms worse. Just hang in there and know we are all pulling for you and are here for you. Take care.

Hugs,
Pat

Hey Kathy,

I wouldn't worry too much, like what Pat said...The smaller, the better....Even though 4cm seems pretty big, there are some thymomas that are 15cm! Mine was 5cm x 5.5cm x 7cm I read some study that said that when the tumor is smaller than 5cm it's less threatening just because it's more likely to be encapsulated, and therefore hasn't spread beyond the thymus--which usually means it's benign! Don't worry too much, girl! You'll get through it!

I know what you mean about the age thing...That's one thing I keep tossing around in my mind...It says that the most common age to get a thymoma is between the ages of 40-60...So does this mean that my body has prematurely aged to that of at least a 40-year old, or maybe I'm genetically pre-disposed to get a tumor there more easilly than others? I do have other autoimmune problems, so I'm guessing I might have that gene that makes the immune system frail and bedazzled...It's sucky! But I'm planning on making my lifestyle as healthy as it can be when my body recovers...I've been smoking since I was 13, and although this isn't a risk factor for getting a tumor in the thymus, I'm sure it helps to get the ball rolling in the cancer depot...

I'm looking into other avenues as well...I read a study that said that there are thymomas with estrogen receptors (those ones actually have a better prognosis), which might make a case for a hormonal cancer, much like breast, prostate, reproductive...I'm planning on steering clear of xenoestrogens as much as possible from now on...I'm also prone to fibroadenomas (one of which the docs thought might have been cancer as well, but it was biopseed and found to be okay...it's been a rough year Eek!)...i know that breast lumps are exascerbated by caffeine and other xenoestrogen-containing agents...so bring on the decaf and phytonutrients!

Anyway, things will be okay...We have eachother to turn to for advice, relating and comfort! Let us know how things are going each step of the way and please take care!

Thanks, Connie! You will also do well because you are Connie!

Hi Kathy, like what Nicky and Pat have said, please do take it easy and stay positive!! Am sure you'll be just fine!! Feel free to come here and ask anything, or just to simply talk it out. This site is a great source of support! Update us about what your neuro says, will be praying for you!

Nicky, I know what you mean by being trapped in a body thats much older. I feel this way too. Lol. Like I always say, I'm 26 trapped in a body thats 80 yrs old. Haha... But cheers to your wanting a healthy lifestyle!! Would say my lifestyle now is probably lots healthier that what it was. Your body will love you for it!