Just thought I would share this...Blowing up a balloon

wmc
wmc Member Posts: 1,804
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

No blowing up a balloon is not a big deal to most people. To me it is a very big deal, I am a laryngectomee, a neck breather and have no vocal cords and can't breathe through my nose or hold my breath. I do have a TEP which is a prosthsis in my neck [just under 6mm] that lets me divert air to my throat so I can talk. Because of the TEP I can now whistle, blow out candles on a cake and blow up a balloon. All of those things I'm not suposed to be able to do. It took two months to learn how whistle and had to  practice every day. So everyone needs to know they can do this and fight as hard as you can, you too can beat the beast and the "New Normal" can be just as good as you let it be.

 11 months cancer free..........

 

 Here is the link blowing up the balloon, the whistle isn't much as everyone was asleep when I did this.

Highlight with mouse then  Right click on mouse, select  GoTo Https.  and I hope you enjoy it. It's just a rough draft so far.

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/f0bm54smj801psc/Video 3.wmv?dl=0    

Have a wonderful day

Bill   10/2013

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Comments

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #2
    2014-09-04 I think I will

    2014-09-04 I think I will hire you for my next party ha ha

  • Anonymous7/6/2023
    Anonymous7/6/2023 Member Posts: 176
    #3
    You are great! My hero!

    You are great! My hero!

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103
    #4
    No

    I can't whistle, spit, blow out candles or blow balloons up.  Just me!

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #5
    LOL...Way to go!

    I'm truly impressed with both the whiste and the balloon!  My mom was a lary, and I don't think she ever knew any of these things could even be possible.

    p

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    bill, you are definitely my

    bill, you are definitely my hero.  i've tried and tried and CANNOT do any of those things.  you rock.

    dj

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #7
    Thank you all..........

    It is because of the TEP that it can be done. You can also blow your nose as well. I thought there has been many "new Members" and all seem vary scared, [which is normal] and thought this just might help in some small way let them know you can beat this and never stop trying. 

    Thanks

    Bill

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #8
    humbled

    Bill,

    I just watched your video upon returning from speech therapy.  Thanks for the incentive to try a little harder.

    Keep whistling,

    Matt

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #9
    CivilMatt said:

    humbled

    Bill,

    I just watched your video upon returning from speech therapy.  Thanks for the incentive to try a little harder.

    Keep whistling,

    Matt

    Fantastic

    That is great, shows what the human spirit really is. There is a guy named Tony Talmich, drummer with the Jersey Boys, look up his name on youtube, you and he are truly inspiring.

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #10
    CivilMatt said:

    humbled

    Bill,

    I just watched your video upon returning from speech therapy.  Thanks for the incentive to try a little harder.

    Keep whistling,

    Matt

    Matt Thanks

    Thank you Matt.

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #11
    denistd said:

    Fantastic

    That is great, shows what the human spirit really is. There is a guy named Tony Talmich, drummer with the Jersey Boys, look up his name on youtube, you and he are truly inspiring.

    Thanks Denistd

    Thanks for the complament. Yes I have seen Tony's video's on YouTube. He really can get the most out of the EL.

    Bill

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #12
    wow

    Thanks for posting the video. I learn something everyday here. So the TEP passes air flow but with no vocal cords how does one speak? Is there something in the TEP that acts like the vocal cords? Seems like a huge advantage to have the TEP so air can flow up to the mouth and sinus. You mention not being able to smell, if you can move air through the nose shouldn't your smell work? Thanks don

  • Kritter
    Kritter Member Posts: 147
    #13
    WOW

    Watched your video and that is just awesome. It really did inspire me, I have showed that video to my family, and my niece said.. Whoa! he rocks!.. LOL.. 

    Kritter

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #14
    donfoo said:

    wow

    Thanks for posting the video. I learn something everyday here. So the TEP passes air flow but with no vocal cords how does one speak? Is there something in the TEP that acts like the vocal cords? Seems like a huge advantage to have the TEP so air can flow up to the mouth and sinus. You mention not being able to smell, if you can move air through the nose shouldn't your smell work? Thanks don

    Thanks Don

    If you go to my expression you will see a photo [drawing]showing a laryngectomee with a TEP.

    I am a neck breather, all my air comes and goes out my neck. My treach has been seperated from my throat. The Tep is a oneway valve so when I inhale it goes to my lungs, now I block my stoma so the exhale is forced through a hole that is 5.6mm round and then out my throat. The mucus folds in my throat now vibrate and that gives me sound. The words are formed by my mouth. The TEP justs keeps food and liquid from entering my lungs with the oneway valve. If I use an electric larnyx to talk [ that is the tool you put to your throat and it vibrates] all I have to do is move my mouth to form the words, no air. You get a robot sound but it will give you a voice for those who can't use the TEP.

    Because it is a oneway valve you can't get air in, only out. I have made a tube that will fit in my stoma and the other end goes in my mouth. Now when I inhale it will go in my nose then out my mouth and in my throat. That is how I can smell. I do not go outside with that. It is only used to help unplug my nose. 

    Try this test: Close your eyes and remember seeing a peach.   Next try to remember the sound of a bell. You can do both of those. Now try to remember how a peach smells....... I can't, or a rose.

    Bill

  • Goyca
    Goyca Member Posts: 220
    #15
    Thanks for posting the video

    Thanks for posting the video Bill :)

    I guess we should keep going no matter what :):):)

     

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #16
    Kritter said:

    WOW

    Watched your video and that is just awesome. It really did inspire me, I have showed that video to my family, and my niece said.. Whoa! he rocks!.. LOL.. 

    Kritter

    Thank you and your niece Kritter

    I was asked to put one on YouTube by my SLP and Dr. just have not done a good one yet. I put this up with the hope it would give people hope and understanding that you can overcome many things, you just have to try and if you want it don't give up. For me after the surgery I wake up with no voice and not allowed to swallow anything, not even saliva for six days. You write everything down. If you have an emergency you pull the cord to the nurse call box out of the wall. You will learn to swallow, then eat, and talk all over again because everything was cut. Now the best part is you can relearn. You also get your life back you almost lost. You also get some great stories to tell. 

    Have a great day

    Bill

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #17
    Goyca said:

    Thanks for posting the video

    Thanks for posting the video Bill :)

    I guess we should keep going no matter what :):):)

     

    Goyca......YES

    You give it 110% and you will be amazed what you can do. From what I have been told I am the only one my SLP has ever seen do that. She is one of the SLP who certifies others from all over the US. She had me go to a seminar and show about 20 of them and they did not know it could be done.   So YES you keep going. You are doing so good and getting closer to the end of the RAD. You go girl..........

    Bill

  • hope3210
    hope3210 Member Posts: 27
    #18
    wmc said:

    Goyca......YES

    You give it 110% and you will be amazed what you can do. From what I have been told I am the only one my SLP has ever seen do that. She is one of the SLP who certifies others from all over the US. She had me go to a seminar and show about 20 of them and they did not know it could be done.   So YES you keep going. You are doing so good and getting closer to the end of the RAD. You go girl..........

    Bill

    Hi Sir,
     
    I am so happy to

    Hi Sir,

     

    I am so happy to hear this.Congratulations and carry on with your journey.

     

    Thanks

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #19
    hope3210 said:

    Hi Sir,
     
    I am so happy to

    Hi Sir,

     

    I am so happy to hear this.Congratulations and carry on with your journey.

     

    Thanks

    Thank you Hope

    Thank you and your father will come through this fine. Keep giving him support and remind him to take one day at a time. Only today matters. The road is bumpy but it does get better, slowly, but it will. Never give up and you can do amazing things. When you do get to the point that you accept the "New Normal" it just gets better for you. Be proud of who you are, you fought the beast and are a suvivor.

    Bill

  • CoryDee
    CoryDee Member Posts: 21
    #20
    You are an inspiration

    I admire your tenacity and hard work. You have shown your hard work paid off. Keep on whistling!

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #21
    Hi Bill

    Great post, I too have problems blowing as the soft palate is so damaged when I blow all the air comes out the noise. No problem I just pinch my noise close and keep blowing, Ha ha then the air comes out my ears, all we can do it to keep trying.

    Tim Hondo

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