Laryngectomy

Hi Wayne. Sorry to hear you have been recommended this life changing surgery. Our other community champs, MikeO ,  chris2012  and Kasvin  had this and they would probably agree that it was life saving nevertheless. I’m sure one or all will be on shortly with words of advice 

Meanwhile you could look at the laryngectomee support group here www.laryngectomy.org.uk/

Hi Wayne, I bet you didn’t want to come along to this group but as Dani says there are a few of us on here, we are quite a unique people being a Laryngectomee. I can fully understand your concerns and fears as we were all there and it is a big change in your life BUT it saves your life and normally the Cancer is taken fully with the voicebox depending where it is situated, mine was on the vocal cords. You need to discuss whether you can have a valve fitted for speech after the operation as your description was quite short, the other big factor is whether you have had or they intend Radiotherapy, this really damages the tissue surrounding the VB and in turn effects the possibility of the voice implant to be fitted as the Surgeon has to do a salvage job.

I hope it helps and I’m sure both Mike and Chris will add to my comments, but please keep coming for support as needed and don’t worry about any question I’m sure one of on this site will have the answer or advise on what to ask the Consultant

Take care

Tony

Wayne. I remember we talked about iQoro some months ago. I’m so sad none of it helped. It’s hard going through such tough treatment for throat cancer only to have a failure somewhere else as a result. I can only give you a hug and hope you and your surgeon find a way. 
It’s important as Kasvin says to find out whether surgery can still give you a voice. 

Good evening Wayne, having a laryngectomy is a big change in your life as we have to adapt to a new way of communication mostly via a voice valve (TEP) that is fitted in the windpipe, also a new way of breathing through the neck as the nose and mouth become redundant so your sense of smell will become less and you sneeze through the neck. Once the hole in the neck (stoma) has healed you will have filters (HMEs) that fit over the stoma via a stick-on baseplate this helps control the quality of the air we breathe. It all sounds complicated but after the initial two weeks it will come together with the help of a dietician and speech and language therapist. You will have a feeding tube fitted (PEG) until your consultant is happy with your swallowing. I have been a laryngectomee for 12 years now so its second nature to me now, i have not had any problems since having the laryngectomy but we all recover at different speeds and the outcome is very good. Wishing you all the best, take care.

                                                                        Chris.

Thanks Dani xx

Can't add much to what Tony and Chris have said Wayne but just a few bits.

Had mine in Sept 20 so around two and a half years ago; the maintenance quickly becomes second nature if a little daunting to start. In my case a speech valve wasn't an option because of the amount of tissue damage I had from radiotherapy in 2014, so I have no speech at all (there is a method called oesophageal speech but I couldn't master it), but I get by OK most of the time. My son lives with me and he lip reads me perfectly now so he's my interpreter when I need one.

Was a life saver for me, was only given around six months without it so I've already banked an extra two years.

Thank you Dani! Very helpful and I have been looking at that website its Excellent thanks again x

Thank you Tony, I had 35 doses of Radiotherapy on the larynx and base of my tongue. We will see if I can speak somehow when I see the Surgeon I guess? Thanks bud ,much appreciated. 

Thanks Mike. Very much appreciated. 

Thanks Chris, very informative I will keep everyone posted.