I have cancer of the voice box and it is to be removed and a storma made plus the prosthesis inserted. My operation is on the 1st July. I have seen the surgeon who explained the operation in detail. I am a very positive type of person, and am pleased that things are happening. The cancer is local and has not spread to the lymph nodes. I am aware that it could be 3 to 4 weeks in hospital, so I will no doubt be bored once I'm on the mend, and hopefully will be able to speak again. Anyone gone through the same operation, and any advise to help me would be great. Tommo.
Hi Tommo and welcome
I had a Laryngectomy 2 years ago next month, you will find it different and difficult at times, the baseplate and cleaning gets a lot of getting used to. I was in hospital for 2 weeks in total and went back after 2 weeks to have another check up and finally be able to use my voice for the first time it's a stange feeling to say the least.
A good info site is : https://www.laryngectomy.org.uk/ with stories of other larygectomees
Come back with any questions that you have, click on my photo and you can read my journey, the main decision you will have to make is wether you have or asked to have Radiotherapy after the operation, if they do think carefully and take on board the pros and cons and always speak with your Speech Therapists, I hope you get the same great treatment that I get from them
Take care and if you don't come back hope everything goes well
Tony
We will move mountains to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can.
We'll do whatever it takes. For information, support or just someone to talk to,
call 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
Onwards and Upwards
Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
Hi Tommo and welcome from me too. My first husband had a laryngectomy in 1987. Since then huge inroads have been made into surgical technique abd coping with the consequences. Nevertheless he made a wonderful recovery and used his TEP to great effect remaining the larger than life person he always had been.
Keep us in the loop and best wishes.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Had the op in Sept 2020 Tommo, like you I'd already had radio (in 2014) so it was termed a "salvage" laryngectomy and because of the tissue damage done by the RT I couldn't have a voice prosthesis; maybe the difference for you is that you "only" had four weeks RT, while I had seven.
I was in for four weeks initially and then another week a month after discharge due to an infection, also spent around five months "nil by mouth" due to swallow test failures.
But, as Tony has said, although it's a bit of a faff getting your head round the maintenance, life can pretty much get back to normal; the only thing you really won't be able to do is swim.
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.
Hi Tommo
You are able to swim but with a special snorkel, when you are fit speak with the Speech Therapists and they will point you to suitable training, I think but not sure also the Laryngectomy.org group have something about it as well. I don't miss the possibility as never really done a lot, what I do miss is the odd opportunity hot tubs etc
Tony
We will move mountains to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can.
We'll do whatever it takes. For information, support or just someone to talk to,
call 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
Onwards and Upwards
Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
