Hi everyone, unfortunately after radiotherapy did not treat the Cancer I have as expected I now need the full and Total Laryngectomy for which I have the operation in March this year. This is totally out of the blue , no warning of any kind. Though at present I am coping I will be meeting someone soon whos had the op to guide me through the procedure and what to expect. I have spent some time myself re-searching the ins-an-outs, pros-an-cons and feel more apprehensive about meeting someone gone through it than the actual life changing process itself. I've been looking for organisations that deal with this but the one that did, NALC, National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs does not exist any more but I'm still looking.
The NALC website is still active
National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs does not exist any more
Are you sure?
I’ll tag one of our community champs who is himself a laryngectomee
Kasvin can you help?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Good evening Phil A i have been a laryngectomee since 2010 and have met other people in the same situation as you. My cancer returned within a year after having my first operation with radio and chemo. It is a big operation and it takes quite a bit of time due to the work involved but to be honest, i never had any issues with the recovery and healing. The main problem is learning to accept and adapt to becoming a neck breather, i tried not to think of what was ahead and took it one day at a time so that i was not overthinking. In most cases, you will be able to have some sort of voice afterward mainly through a speech valve ( TEP) If you click on my name it will take you to my profile where i have written about what i went through. I understand your apprehension about meeting someone, please feel free to re-post if you need further advice or help. Wishing you all the best.
Chris
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
