Hello all. Quick intro. My name is Marcus. I live across the pond,United States, in the desert no less. Cancer DX Jan 2018. 35 rounds of radiation a success. Fast forward to 2021. 3 days before my complete knee replacement i had to go to my E.R. Something not right with the knee. 10 minutes later i was pronounced dead, 3ft from the nurses station. Wow. Was in never-never land for about 4 minutes, and yes, just like the movies, some nurse pulled out her butter knife, sliced the throat open and was able to do whatever it is they do to save lives. wow again. Talked to the nurse later on. Took her days to shake it off. lots of things happened down the line as well
My type of Cancer is Chemo Resistant. I cant do radiation anymore, chemo is out, surgery, all 12.5 hrs was in. Died twice more while on the table. My case was so bad that they are now using the footage of my surgery as a learning tool at there medical symposiums. Got my 15 minutes.
I am living day by day. i have lost 100% of my voice, taste, and smell and have had my left peck muscle removed so as to re-enforce my neck. lost 3 senses in 1 day. yeah, am still trying to cope with that every day. Our little T.E.P device for speech failed. had surgery to have it removed. so did the voice modulator.
if any of you have questions, i am pretty sure i have the answers, in 1 way or the other. please feel free to ask me anything at any time. i will do my best to give it to you straight.
Heavens Marcus...what a journey.
Like you say, this type of cancer doesn't respond to chemotherapy which leaves few options once RT can't be repeated.
We have another forum member who had to have a salvage laryngectomy after his throat cancer returned just like yours. He's had a few scary bumps too. He can't have a TEP so can't talk but he has a voice.....and a great one here. He might pop on to say hello.
Just shows how resilient we are
I hope you have many years to come
Best wishes
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Thank you for posting this Marcus, i know the feeling of losing three senses after my laryngectomy and like you, my speech valve did not work out for me. You have certainly done it the hard way, i don't think my operations were as death-defying as yours I just remember being put to sleep and waking up a bit groggy for two days 
. Cases like this help surgeons learn in real time, I'm sure your 15 minutes of fame will help many people whether it's a patient or part of a medical team. Great that you remain upbeat about it all as I'm sure this is what helped me get through it all, wishing you all the best for the future, take care, be good.
Chris
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
Good evening Marcus, please let us know how you get on, all the best for the 5th, take care.
Chris
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
