Thymectomy recovery advice
Hello everyone, I'll be getting a Thymectomy in 2 weeks and I'm in need of some recovery advice or experiences. My kids will be spending 2 weeks with family because they're too young to be able to help me and I dont think I'll be able take care of them during my recovery time. My husband is a truck driver and is only able to get my surgery date off so I'll pretty much be flying solo for 2 weeks. So far I plan on having a cooler in my room and health snacks in the drawers to my side dresser because I'm pretty sure I wont be able to walk up and down the stairs. If anyone else has any ideas on what I can do to better prepare myself please share. Even if its a list healthy snacks I can buy.
Hi Jazmin! I hope that your surgery goes well. Do you know which type of surgery you will be having? There are 4 types of thymectomy removal. (transcervical, minimally invasive, transsternal, and combined transcervical transsternal thymectomy) The recovery times would vary. If you haven't already, ask your health care providers what you can expect during the recovery. I found that my surgeon had an excellent idea of what my recovery would be like (I had a transcervical thymectomy in 1995). For the first few days, I was not able to get into a sitting position on my own, but once I was I healed quite quickly. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Claire (myasthenia-gravis.com Team Member)
Yes my surgeon said I'll be getting the minimally invasive one. I had another phone appointment yesterday and I was told of all the risk factors. They also mentioned I could have a hard time waking up after the anesthesia, as well as a difficult time breathing. They'll be inserting a breathing tube to help with that, but I'm honestly scared of a tube being in my throat. I'm going to ask if the oxygen mask is an option. The nurse told me not to eat anything 12hrs prior to the surgery but also told me to take all of my meds. I told her that's not possible considering I have a sensitive stomach and I MUST eat to take my meds. She seemed a little irritated by my response so I told her I can take them after my surgery but not before. Thank you for your wishes. - Jazmin (team member)
You seem to be thinking through those recovery days carefully. Don't overestimate the normal exhaustion that occurs after every surgery. In my experience the hospital physicians often send you home with a lot of medication "just in case." Be sure to contact your primary physician for follow up quickly, to know what meds must be taken and what meds are optional. Pain meds need to be taken with great care. (One side effect is constipation.) Wishing you a quick recovery. Juliana (myasthenia-gravis.com team).
Thank you
, I just had a phone appointment today and I was told I can only have Tylenol leading up to the surgery but he didnt say which pain medications I'd be going home with. I'll make sure to set up another appointment with my primary just in case. Thank you. Jazmin - (team member)
Is it possible to set up a temporary bedroom down stairs. So you could have access to food, water & getting out of the house incase of an emergency. Do you have some one that can stay with you for a day or two or at least check on you? Depending on the type of surgery and what kind of medication you will need after. I have not had a Thymectomy. But I have had a hysterotomy ( I had 3 kids to take care of on my own after surgery, 1 was 6 months old, the others were 5 & 7. Not fun even after the 2 weeks after surgery) As well as hernia surgery, and a golf ball sized tumor removed from my neck.
OMGGG how did you manage to take care of your kids right after surgery? Mothers can do extraordinary things I tell you. I'm pretty tall (5'11) I'm not sure how comfortable the couch would be for me. My mother in law will be here to check up on me from time to time. Also my mother with be spending a few days with me. I'm thankful my sisters are able to watch my kids. My son is 2 and has A LOT of energy and my daughter is 9 so I dont want to bother her. I rather her focus on her schooling. Thank you. - Jazmin (team member)
