My Fathers Laryngectomy

Hi syd 

we have a community champ who might be able to help. I’ll tag him for you Kasvin 

You could also have a look at a nationwide association of laryngectomees here https://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/

Best of luck 

Nice one thanks for the reply 

Hi Syd

I had the message from Dani with regards to your Father, perhaps a little more information would help with the problem, the wheezing would most likely be his chest and not the Laryngectomy, I have emphysema ( found when I had the operation) which is helped with the way the air pipe is opened but regular nebulising would help with this as it eases the airway, he will also find in different types of air the breathing and function of the stoma gets effected. In cold weather the breathing becomes quite laboured and in hot, like recently, the stoma dries out and the cleaning becomes difficult.

As for the speech, did he have a valve fitted at the time of the operation, if so he would have to ensure it is very well looked after as it must be cleaned at least twice a day with the special brushes to ensure there is no food lodged into it, the small flap at the back has to be motivated sometimes but after a year then I would have thought the Speech Therapists would be concerned as well, they deal with all my stoma and speech part of the Laryngectomy I would not expect Doctors or Consultants to take an interest in this,in fact when I had my Oesophagus cancer the Oncologist hated to look in my stoma ! I have my speech valve changed approx. every 3 months.

Dani was right with the Laryngectomy Club as they have interesting details re the function of the speech and also looking after a Laryngectomy but really I think he should be seeing the Speech Therapists regarding the matter and also the ongoing care of the stoma and related equipment that has to be used for it to be a success such as baseplates, HME’s etc

I have had mine now just coming upto 3 years  and whist at times I get extremely frustrated, particularly if something happens at work, I am pretty up with it now, the only thing I can’t get to do is speak hands free, I have tried and tried but just can’t get my head round it, the Therapists keep pestering though.

Come back to me if you can give me any more clues or questions and I will try and help but I am surprised the Therapists aren’t involved – mine are MacMillan

Both of you take care

Tony

Firstly, thanks so much for the in depth answer that was really helpful. He does use the nebuliser i think 4 times a day and does all the cleaning and stuff, hes pretty on the ball with all that. I think it must be down to the air and stuff as you mentioned. 

And yeah the speech therapists were looking into it at first, they had said they were going to try botox to try and solve the issue. I think they were just unable to find out why he wasnt able to get any sound. Will have to get him to chase them up and see whats happening. 

Thank you so much for the response though thats very helpful