Myasthenia Gravis Support Group
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...
I am home after nine days at Vanderbilt, including five days of plasma exchange and a thymectomy. The surgery went well, but the post-op was a problem. My blood pressure and heart rate was high after surgery. I was in recovery for a long time because of this. My surgery was at 7:30 AM and took about four hours. I was in recovery about four hours. We finally made it to our room about 8:00 PM (I stayed in a recovery bed until the room was ready). My room was on the surgical floor. Almost as soon as I was in the room, my heart rate started increasing again. It was up and down, up and down. Several nurses were in and out for the next twenty minutes. When my heart rate hit 187, the nurses called in the Rapid Response Team. By the time they arrive (a few minutes) I have gone into atrial fibrillation. I do not know how many meds they gave me, but they finally moved me to SICU, which is on the same floor. They worked with me for some time and were able to finally lower my rate to the low 100s then finally to the 80s. Doctors were planning to shock me out of afib sometime Friday if I did not come out of it on my own. I came out of it around 11:30. Yea! Praise the Lord--without being shocked.
Since the thymus gland in on top of the heart, my heart was irritated and this happens sometimes with this type of surgery. I now have a Vanderbilt cardiologist. Thanks again for your prayers and support.
--Kerry
Since the thymus gland in on top of the heart, my heart was irritated and this happens sometimes with this type of surgery. I now have a Vanderbilt cardiologist. Thanks again for your prayers and support.
--Kerry
Glad to have you back (without being shocked!)
~Joe
I'm so glad you are doing better. It sounds like you had a rough time. You will remain in my prayers. Take care of yourself.
Michele
I hope it is ok to get into your conversation.
Dee
I am doing better. I have had very little pain from the actual surgery. Getting over the plasma exchange and surgical stress has been the most difficult issue for me. One the brighter side, thanks to some changes in meds I have lost 37 pounds since 2/25/14.
My heart has stayed in rhythm and I will see my local cardiologist next week.
Thanks everyone for you comments and support.
--Kerry
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.
Carly
Take care and keep updating.
Hugs,
Sherry
I have been home for a little over a week now after my Thymectomy. The pain from surgery has been minimal. The scars are healing well. The vascular catheter and chest drain tube holes have closed completely. The incision across my neck is three inches long and was super-glued together: all the surgery was done through my neck into my chest. That scar is still thick and hard and will be for several weeks as the swelling subsides.
My heart rate has been stable during my recovery period. This is an answered prayer.
I have an appointment with my local cardiologist at the Chattanooga Heart Institute on Monday. He has followed my condition since June 2010. I have always received a clean bill of health from him and he knows more about my heart than any other doctor.
I cannot tell any change in my condition yet. My focus has been on recovery. If my thymus gland was very enlarged or was cancerous, then removing it would greatly improve my chances of improvement. My surgeon said my thymus was very slightly enlarged, not enough to show on the CT scan. Yet, he was hopeful and so are we! I am looking forward to hear the pathology report. I am just glad surgery is over.
Was it worth it? If you had asked me that about midnight on Thursday while lying in the SICU bed, I would have said "no!" Now I would say "yes!" Let's get on with the healing.
Cathy has done an excellent job of taking care of me these last several weeks. I really love and appreciate her.
Thanks for your support and prayers everyone!
--Kerry Bunn krbunn.blogspot.com
I am following your case because is mirrors mine in some respect. I do not have tumor on thymus. But, my neuro thinks robotic surgery to scrape the thymus might be beneficial. Because I am over 65 it is usually not done. He is sending me to UW for consult with MG specialist. I am in no hurry to go through what you have.
Hope you are feeling well.
I hope you have good results and heal quickly!
Barb.
Will be sending you positive thoughts and prayers.....Get well Hugs,Marie