I am 17 days post op , and still have n.g tube as I have a swallow test leak . Can anyone tell me if it's likely that it will heal. I have another swallow test on the 17th of March and I'm dreading it !
I was diagnosed on the 16th of Jan on my first E.N.T visit and underwent a biopsy/debulking operation 2 weeks later which requires a two week hospital stay ! I then spent a week at home before going back into hospital with breathing difficulties. I had a full laryngectomy the 22nd of feb. Everything happened so fast that I'm still in shock !
I no longer have a voice but I was consoling myself with being told I would still be able to eat and drink. Now with this leak it means I can't . Is it really possible for the leak to heal as I'm being told by the Doctors or am I just dreaming ? I am so sad about this !
thank you to everyone who takes the time to read or answer my first post . I wish you all well with speedy recovery for all
Hi meili I just wanted to pop on to say hi. I can’t help you with prognosis but our other two champs MikeO chris2012 are both laryngectomees and I’m sure they will both be here soon to give you a hand
Best wishes
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Good evening Meili, i fully understand your concerns as i was in the same situation back in 2010 when i had my laryngectomy, the answer to your question is yes it will heal up but it varies from person to person, mine took quite a while but i also had radiotherapy so healing can be a bit slower. I think you should pass your next test but dont get to disheartened as my second test it was just a small leak but they still cannot let you swallow because any liquid or food will go into your lungs/airways. I passed a week later and it was a great feeling to be able to swallow liquids again, hang on in there it will be your turn very soon. Please feel free to re-post if you have any other concerns, wishing you all the best for the 17th March,take care.
Chris.
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
Meili, hello. Can't post a long reply at the mo as I'm sat in a pub in Wigan after a meal having a few beers, but briefly...
I had salvage laryngectomy in 2020 and couldn't eat or drink anything for around five months due to what they called a "sump" forming, swallow tests were very dispiriting and I was getting used to the idea of being reliant on a PEG for life...but then it sorted itself, and now I eat and drink almost normally... just a little slowly.
My leak/sump healed, hopefully yours will do the same.
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.
Thank you Beesuit, your welcome is a lovely start to me joining this group that no one wants to join ! I am sure I will have many questions in the near future as I learn to live and find a routine t
ough this ! Sorry about the smiling face I don't know how it got there and I have no idea how to remove it ! I am not very computer literate but thank you again for your mind words !
It was always made clear to me that a leak was very likely, don't think many sail through problem free. I was in for four weeks on a NG feed before they changed me to a RIG and sent me home, then I had an infection a month later and was in for another week.
Now been without a voice for eighteen months, previous radiotherapy tissue damage means voice prosthesis not an option, but I'm very content with my life now.
You'll get there, always happy to help in any way I can.
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.
You're very welcome. Stick around
How times have changed. My first husband had laryngeal cancer which failed RT so he had a laryngectomy. He spent 6 weeks in hospital and had sinus problems of all sorts. He never managed his TPE so I got quite adept at changing it on a regular basis.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
