I'm sorry that a thymoma has been found TyJl but it's good to see it hasn't spread.

I'm not sure if our lovely [@Arth52]‍ had a sternotomy but he has been in remission for 4 years from this diagnosis and is more than willing to help others who are contending with this so I'm sure he will pop by when he can to offer his support and answer any other questions playing on your mind at the moment.

Keep us updated when you can TyJl and best wishes with your treatment.

Kind regards, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi TYJI

Sorry to hear you have a thymoma I’ve just received this email about your situation and upcoming sternotomy . Yes I’ve been there to be honest it’s not that bad Yes there’s discomfort for a while after but weigh up the alternative i would rather go through the op and treatment to be with my love ones. It sounds scary but like I’ve said to others your a sleep whilst they do the op. Thymoma is rare and an exclusive club so welcome not a lot is known why we get them. But I know one thing I’ve been in remission for 4 years and every day gets better yes I’ve had some knock backs from side affects of cancer treatment but that’s they way it is. Word of advice listen to your surgeon and medical team, stay of the scary net. If you want a chat I’ll be back in the UK next week enjoying the the weather in Lanzarote I would be delighted to answer any questions you have. Take care drop me a line soon..

Arth52 

Thanks for your post Arth52, and I hope that you are enjoying Lanzarote, it is a great place. I have read about how rare they are...lucky us! I am still holding out hope that it will be a VATS surgery as opposed to a sternotomy, but I will have to wait and see on that front. 

Hi TyJI

Good to hear from you back in the UK after a good break Lanzarote is one of our favourite destinations we try and get out there as much a possible. Usually in the Autumn when it’s cold in the UK it sets you up for the winter. Highly recommend going as it a short flight to the sun. Anyway they’ve suggest VATs which I understand is less invasive and better recovery times. I imagine you must feel a little bit at ease knowing what will be happening. I know when I went to see my surgeon before my op I was told to write down questions to ask which is a good idea as it helps to ease the worries of what was going on. The Reason I did this was twofold it helped me understand what to expect and plan my recovery basically setting goals, sounds daft but it helped. 

If you have any questions about thymoma and what is going on drop me a line and I will try to help. Stay in contact and take everything in your stride and ask as many questions as you can even if it sound stupid  remember not a lot is known about ailment lol  even my GP didn’t really know that much. 

Take care Arth52

TyJI

Sorry to hear your back in the realms of the unknown. Have you had a PET Scan yet and when will they be doing this needle core biopsy? I do feel for you and really understand what you’re going through. It can be very annoying when they say it’s one thing and you accept that then they change their diagnosis. All I can say we are all here for you and I wish you well try and hang in there my friend. It would be easy for me to say try not to worry but I’ve been in your shoes and I fully respect your situation. If you need a chat stay in touch. I wish you all the best at this difficult time. Let me know what they say. 

Ttfn

Arth52 

I had the biopsy last week, which was rather uncomfortable and sore for a few days after. 

Just had the results and it is not actually a thymoma, so at least that means no surgery. It is a lymphoma mass, but that is all I know for now. It will be treated with chemotherapy, and I will have an appointment about that next week. Still not sure what type, grade etc. or if there will be more tests to see if it has spread. 

The doctors seem certain it was a thymoma, and the only reason they did a biopsy was the fact that I mentioned alcohol related pain. Not sure how to feel about chemotherapy, but I guess that I will find out soon!