I had a total Laryngectomy in May and just finished radiation a couple weeks ago.

Hi Cat, A cancer diagnosis is very hard to deal with but when you are going through it with minimal support it must be soo much harder. You need to speak to your CNS nurse or GP regarding your problems with clogging as they can advise on how to help with this. You don’t for one minute sound pathetic are there any local cancer groups near you that you can attend as I have found these can be very helpful. Try to stay positive, which I know can be hard sometimes. I always find some lovely advice and people on this community wishing you all the best.

Max

Hi Cat

I am so sorry that you are going through this alone. I had the same feelings, spent hours crying before and after surgery, but at least I had my husband and family to support me, so I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you being alone. As Max66 advised please speak to your nurse and gp for advice, look into what local support groups are available, speak to someone on the Macmillan support line. And please please do come on here, there are so many wonderful people who will listen to you and give you valuable advice. You are not pathetic you are human, with emotions that are normal, give yourself time, sending a big to you x 

Hi Cat...this is awful for you but it will get better. I'll echo the advice top get practical help from your medical team because that can get sorted. Also, could I suggest you go to your GP. I'm not making a medical diagnosis but depression is common amongst us cancer survivors and many of us have had short courses of antidepressants to lift our mood enabling us to cope better. There's no shame in it.

Another thing you could do is maybe have a look at this excellent article by psychologist Dr Peter Harvey. It sure hit the spot with me during recovery. After the Treatment Finishes, Then What?

Have you a MAGGIES near you? You can drop in there for help too and if  you look at this link Laryngectomy support you might find a support group near you. 

I don't know what sort of voice you have after your operation...probably none, considering you have just finished radiotherapy, but I hope you can access something here, just click on the links I've created in red

Best wishes

Hi Cat can’t add much to what the others have already said. But no you’re nit pathetic cancer is hard enough when you’ve famiky around you on your own it’s got to be frightening contact your cns and yiur gp you might need a low dose anti depressant it’s nit uncommon especially in head and neck cancer patients. 
Rant oin here we understand you .

Hi Cat, I am a Laryngectomee have been for 2 years so know the feeling you are getting as Beesuit says you haven't mentioned your voicing, as for the clogging in your airway I experienced this but not when I had my Laryngectomy as i decided against the Radiotherapy follow up however when I had my last cancer the treatment was Chemo and RT which the RT reached my stoma and caused a complete flair up inside and the thick stuff started. It was very distressing but I was assured by my Speech Therapists and Consultants that it would clear and glad to say it did.

There are 2 things that will help, nebulise at least 4 times a day as this will loosen and thin the mucus and if you haven't been supplied one ask if they will urgently loan you a suction machine as I have, both of these were loaned to me on my day of release after the Laryngectomy 2 years ago and the Suction machine I still use daily.

You can also speak to either your GP or consultant regards limiting the production, I suffered for 2 years with the over production of lung mucus and was constantly having to clear it, I thought it was due to having Emphysema this didn't help but and I can only say it is working for me and you should speak with your GP but mine has prescribed Buscopan-Ha Ha - yes it is for IBS but there is an active ingredient evidently that works and it does

As the others have said your thoughts etc can be helped, I was very lucky I know I had my dark times but I had family support and was eager even at 70 to get back to work to get my mind off the Cancer recovery so possibly you can imagine how I felt when they found the second cancer – stress it was not connected. I returned to work after that and am still working even with my prothesis voice valve.

There are others of us on this site who are Laryngectomees who will also be able to support and it will get better I assure you

Take Care

Tony

Hi cat..reading this making me very sad..now you reach out that's a good start..have you phone  Macmillan yet as they are very good ..and they very good putting you in touch with people who can help.. x