Hi everyone! My name is Hannah and I'm twenty six years old. Just before before Christmas I was diagnosed with the early stages of vocal chord cancer on my left vocal chord. I live overseas in China as an english teacher. My healthcare has covered by insurance so far, and they removed the majority of the upper left side of my vocal chord via lazer surgery. I wanted to reach out to anyone else who may have had similar laser surgery. I'm two weeks post op now and doing some voice therapy. I wondered if I could speak o anyone who has had this similar treatment and ask what their long term voice healing has been like. I'm able to speak quietly currently and I'm they've said my voice will get louder with time (maybe in 2-3 months). I understand my voice will be permanently hoarse but I wanted to see if there was anyone here who has gone through the same thing and how they are doing now.
I just wanted to share experiences with others who have been through something similar. It can feel overwhelming sometimes.
Thanks for listening, it's so appreciated. I've felt alone in all of this and hoping speaking to others can give me a sense of community :)
Hi Hannah and welcome. I hope somebody comes along to answer you here. As I mentioned previously, the Larynx section is pretty quiet. Most people here with your sort of problem have radiotherapy and I can't recall anybody who had done exactly what you have.
I must say you seem so terribly young to be suffering this way. Did your medical team offer any explanation?
I'll have a scout around for anybody who had laser surgery.
Best wishes and keep going
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I'll have a scout around for anybody who had laser surgery.
There's only one other thread I'm afraid. 9 months ago and the person posted only once
Stick around, though. There are folk here who have had radiotherapy to vocal cord lesions. I'm sure they will pop on to say hi
How are you finding your medical treatment in China? Is your team going to check progress with a PET/CT at some stage?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hello Hannah, sorry but another person unable to help much. My second cancer, around 18 months ago, was on my larynx and I was offered laser surgery but in my case it was considered to be just a "time buying" option, surgeon thought it very unlikely he'd have been able to get sufficient margins, So I opted for a full "salvage" laryngectomy which seems, thus far, to have done the trick.
Metastatic SCC diagnosed 8th October 2013. Modified radical neck dissection November, thirty-five radiotherapy fractions with 2xCisplatin chemo Jan/Feb 2014. Recurrence on larynx diagnosed July 2020 so salvage laryngectomy in September 2020.
I'm going to go back to the UK this year I think to be with family. It's been hard being away. Can I ask, how has your aftercare been on the NHS? I'm going to have to go back and explain my situation to them. Thanks so much for your support and guidance :)
Hi Hannah. The NHS is hit and miss depending where you are. I have had absolutely no problem with either of my two consultants but then I am in the system already and three years later still in the care of the same medical team that took care of me right from pre diagnosis. I’ve been seen promptly whenever Ive had an issue outside of normal routine appointments.
My advice would be to set up your follow up before you return. Can your team liaise with one here? It also helps if you can register with a cancer centre rather than a general hospital.
I hope that helps
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
