My thymectomy is tomorra!!

[SheenaB]

Hello all,long time lurker of the old board and this one! After 9 hospitalizations this year (from Nov. 05-Dec.06!) I am finally getting this bugger out! It is really hard to believe one gland can be of so much trouble. The goal of course is ultimately remission but from what I read it can be anywhere from a year to 25 years later!! Which kinda dampens my hope for a relatively "normal" life ever.Normal life being one free from not being in the hospital every month!

I had to change my neuro for insurance purposes,he is not very postive,but at least he was willing to try me on Cellcept which my last neuro was not willing to do anything but put me on pred.(which is my last resort,I WILL not take that stuff..)

I am having a transcervical thymectomy,outpatient one day surgery. I am hella nervous(even after all I have been through with crises and being unconscious and not breathing!)

I just so don't want to be disappointed with this surgery,I am not expecting it to cure me immediately,but it would suck if It doesn't help somewhat.

Has anyone ever had a transcervical thymectomy? Ever had any problems with it? Anyone have any hope?

Thanks for letting me rant/voice my concerns/complain!

I hope all goes well, surgery is at 6:15 am(and another thing who thinks of these surgery times anyway?? Jeez 6:15 am...that means I'll have to leave at 4:30 am to get to the hospital..)

:)

[Maxs9th]

Hi Sheena,
I had a thymectomy in March but had the sternum split job. your recovery will probably be a lot quicker. My swallowing improved some after surgery - the thymus gland was growing up my neck on the left side. I am not in remission - take Imuran and Mestinon and up until recently had IVIg every two weeks.

Good luck to you - rest a lot after your surgery so your body has a chance to recover. Here's hoping for a fast recovery and a swift remission - believe that it won't take 25 years! Keep us posted.
Gabrielle

[GodDreamer2007]

Hey,
I just wanted to let you know, I'll be praying for you. Another MG'ers is having a thyectomy tomorrow as well, so the two of you will be on my prayer list. I haven't had this done, but I know how nervous a person can be having any kind of surgery. I've had more than my share, and the nerves are a horrible thing to battle.
Please let us know how your doing when you're up to it. I was reading that this other person might be having an epidural with hers, and others have said that made a huge difference. You may want to ask about that...I think, not sure, but it can be given once you're out, as it helps with the breathing and coughing exercises afterwards.
God bless You
Hugs
Love Lizzie

[GaBelle]

I hope all goes well! Will definitely say a prayer!

[stefanies]

I don't know your story, but I wanted to say that I live like 10 mins from you!
I was diagnosed in '98 at age 24 and had my thymus removed a few months later. I went into remission 5 years later, but haven't taken a Mestinon or thought about having MG in 3 years...so best of luck. I wonder if we have the same surgeon??
Stefanie

[Gracie99]

Best of luck on your thymectomy. Mine was removed with splitting the sternum and I was hospitalized for a full week. Recovery was very slow for me, but other AI diseases didn't help that factor.

Unfortunately , I did not experience a remission. I actually continued to get worse. Again, maybe the factor of other AI diseases. But that is not true for everyone, so I wish you the best in that area.

I love Cellcept and I actually wrote more about it on the recent Cellcept post.

Hope you are healing well!

Jean