I CAN TALK!!!

debbiejeanne
debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
edited July 2013 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

on 2/28/12 i had a complete laryngectomy for cancer of the larynx, stage 3 (i had 35 rad trmnts in sept./oct., 09, this was a recurrence).  since the surgery, i've tried several devices to make me talk.  one was a sticky thing that stuck to my neck around the stoma.  trouble was they never lasted more than 10 minutes b/c i would cough up phylem and it got between my skin and the sticky.  that broke the seal and i couldn't talk b/c the air leaked.  i also tried a plastic sticky w/the same issue.  again, couldn't talk.  then i bought this thing called a lary button.  the speech therapist said f i didn't cough when we put it in, then it wasn't in.  well, i coughed every time we tried it.  i coughed it right out!  that piece didn't even let me talk for 1 minute, much less any longer!  well, i withdrew from my family, friends and life in general.  we had a family gathering in may.  everyone was laughing and talking and just having a good time and there i was unable to participate.  it depressed me so i went n the house and went 2 bed.  i pretty much spent everyday in my room, alone.  i felt completely disconnected from the world and totally alone.  well, i had an appt w/the ent on 7/18/13 and the speech therapist stopped n 2 c how i was do'n.  i told her not good b/c i still couldn't talk.  well, i couldn't believe what happened!  she said, "i can put holes in ur lary tube and u'll b able 2 talk, do u want me 2 do that?"  HELL YES!!  y didn't she do this 2 start with 1.5 yrs ago???  y did i have 2 go 1.5 years not talking?  y did i have 2 spend all that money on crap that didn't work?  y did i have to suffer such a deep depression and withdraw?  i have been talking non stop since she put the holes in.  i still cough up mucus but i simply clean the lary tube w/a tissue and i'm right back 2 talking!  it took her less than a minute to put the holes (3) in the tube!  i thot my sister was going 2 cry when i called and told her.  after our phone call ended, she waited 15 minutes then called me back to hear me say hello.  Laughing  this was my first phone call.  it sure feels good 2 b able to answer the phone.  oh, yea, we went out to eat from the doctor's office and for the 1st time n 1.5 years, i ordered my own food!!  i go out 2 eat now whenever i want.  i also go to thestore and anything else normal people do.  i can talk for myself now and its a great feeling.  no more wanting people to b able to read my lips and we would both get discouraged.

i know there is only one other person here w/a complete laryngectomy but we may have more in the future.  this is to let them know there is an easy way for them to talk and they don't have to go thru what i did.  sharon, i think ur husband talks already but f not, maybe this can help him.  john, now f u call me, i can answer  Cool !

God bless,

dj

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Comments

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    This is awesome news!!

    I am so happy for you!  I can't imagine going that long and not being able to talk and join in conversations.  I had about a week where I couldn't talk and it drove me nuts!!  I am so, so glad you are able to communicate better now.  Why in the world didn't they punch those holes in there way back when??  

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member

    This is awesome news!!

    I am so happy for you!  I can't imagine going that long and not being able to talk and join in conversations.  I had about a week where I couldn't talk and it drove me nuts!!  I am so, so glad you are able to communicate better now.  Why in the world didn't they punch those holes in there way back when??  

    thank u so much, tracy!  it

    thank u so much, tracy!  it is nice to b a part of the world again.  Laughing

    dj

  • peggylulu
    peggylulu Member Posts: 375
    dj

    That is so WONDERFUL !!!! I am so happy for you ! That must be the best thing that could happen for you next to being NED ! I couldn't talk for about 5 weeks so I know how awful it is .

    Peggy

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    good to hear

    dj,

    Well you have some catching up to do.  It is nice someone finally helped the situation.

    Rick (ToBeGolden) is in similar circumstances, he taught himself to Esophageal speak (I believe). Either way, you are doing good to hang in there.  Who knows what (good) surprises are still out there for you?

    Matt

  • Grandmax4
    Grandmax4 Member Posts: 723
    OMword

    what awesome, wonderful news~~I teared up at the pain and sorrow in your story~~chatter, sing,yell and shout~`i'm just beside myself with happiness for you !!

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    OMG that is wonderful!!

    I'll bet you've stored up a whole of things that need sayin', too Smile.

    My mom had a laryngectomy....and she was a talker all her life.  I saw her go thru the depression when she spent the first few months of not being able to talk to her friends.....and then the frustration when she couldn't be understood.  I'm just so SO happy for you!!

    p

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    Great!

    What a story! So glad you are able to talk now but one does wonder what the inmates at the asylum were doing for the past 18 months? Did nobody even think to try an apparently really simple procedure to restore your voice? Oh well, better late than never. don

  • cadharose
    cadharose Member Posts: 52
    That is wonderful news. I

    That is wonderful news. I know how great it feels when something goes right after such a grueling ordeal. I am very happy for you.

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    You

    I am so happy for you.  You must have a TEP.  That is something my husband couldn't have because of all the radiation he had.  In fact when he decided to try one, that's when the doctor found the cancer at the cervical of his esophagus.  But he does use the electrolarynx and can speak with that.  Do you have a TEP?  I have seen the lary tube with the holes and if that would help him speak better I will order him one.

    Sharon

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    I didn't know...

    DJ,

    For whatever reason, I had no idea you were unable to speak! We all have our cross to bear with this disease but dang! Hard to believe something so simple solved a year and a half issue. It does make you wonder why they didn't do it sooner. I'm happy for you!

    BTW... Be careful with those one letter spelling choices... you just told John "f u call me" ~lol~

    "T"

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    Great News

    Debbiejeanne

    What can I say that you haven't aready said(LOL). That is fabulous news. I only had to go a few months without talking and had paper and pen and even one of those erase boards with me. I also had no idea of your situation but am certainly very happy for you. Your poor husband, a year and a half of catch up. You can yell at him for something he did a year ago. (Just kidding)

    Yes like "T" said you did do a "f u" to John and now I await his response.

    Enjoy the day

          Jeff

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Well F Me... ~ LOL

    All that I can say is AWESOME......

    LOL, well one other thing does come to mind...., your poor hubby...

    He's going to get an ear fulll, two years of catching up..., LOL..

    Extremely happy for you girl...

    BTW, we can make it the CSN "secret" code for telling some one to F Off...., just say "Well... 5FU", LOL...

    John

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    Ladylacy said:

    You

    I am so happy for you.  You must have a TEP.  That is something my husband couldn't have because of all the radiation he had.  In fact when he decided to try one, that's when the doctor found the cancer at the cervical of his esophagus.  But he does use the electrolarynx and can speak with that.  Do you have a TEP?  I have seen the lary tube with the holes and if that would help him speak better I will order him one.

    Sharon

    sharon, yes, i have a tep.  i

    sharon, yes, i have a tep.  i don't know f the lary tube w/work w/o it.  ck w/your doc.  good luck.

    dj

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    fishmanpa said:

    I didn't know...

    DJ,

    For whatever reason, I had no idea you were unable to speak! We all have our cross to bear with this disease but dang! Hard to believe something so simple solved a year and a half issue. It does make you wonder why they didn't do it sooner. I'm happy for you!

    BTW... Be careful with those one letter spelling choices... you just told John "f u call me" ~lol~

    "T"

    t, u r so funny.  i actually

    t, u r so funny.  i actually laughed out loud.  good point tho....lol.

    dj

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Well F Me... ~ LOL

    All that I can say is AWESOME......

    LOL, well one other thing does come to mind...., your poor hubby...

    He's going to get an ear fulll, two years of catching up..., LOL..

    Extremely happy for you girl...

    BTW, we can make it the CSN "secret" code for telling some one to F Off...., just say "Well... 5FU", LOL...

    John

    That came to mind!

    That's funny John/Jeff ~lol~.... the thought crossed my mind as Marcia is sitting here talking away about her dreams from last night that make no sense whatsoever, that being a woman and unable to speak would be sheer torture ~lol~

    "T"

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    Duggie88 said:

    Great News

    Debbiejeanne

    What can I say that you haven't aready said(LOL). That is fabulous news. I only had to go a few months without talking and had paper and pen and even one of those erase boards with me. I also had no idea of your situation but am certainly very happy for you. Your poor husband, a year and a half of catch up. You can yell at him for something he did a year ago. (Just kidding)

    Yes like "T" said you did do a "f u" to John and now I await his response.

    Enjoy the day

          Jeff

    jeff, y were u not able 2

    jeff, y were u not able 2 talk?  did u have a laryngectomy?  anyway, i'm glad u can talk now!  talk on.

    dj

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Well F Me... ~ LOL

    All that I can say is AWESOME......

    LOL, well one other thing does come to mind...., your poor hubby...

    He's going to get an ear fulll, two years of catching up..., LOL..

    Extremely happy for you girl...

    BTW, we can make it the CSN "secret" code for telling some one to F Off...., just say "Well... 5FU", LOL...

    John

    what a great idea...lol.dj

    john what a great idea...lol.

    dj

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    thank u everyone!  it is

    thank u everyone!  it is great 2 b back amoung the living.  i have been making up for lost time Laughing.  hubby told me 1 day i talk to much, take a break.  i told him he had a break for 1.5 yrs and that break is now over.  all jokes aside, its nice 2 have a conversation w/him, especially in the car.  car rides were always lonely and very quiet.

    john, i like ur idea.  that way it doesn't even make us appear rude...lol.  we all knew u'd come up w/something clever. 

    thanks again all and KEEP ON TALKING!

    dj

  • lorig01
    lorig01 Member Posts: 83
    Wonderful! Marvelous!

    Wow. I read your entry at work this morning and screamed out loud! FANTASTIC!!!!! MIRACLE!!!! I have a big smile on my face.   That is the best news I have heard in a long while...  Congratulations!!!!

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    lorig01 said:

    Wonderful! Marvelous!

    Wow. I read your entry at work this morning and screamed out loud! FANTASTIC!!!!! MIRACLE!!!! I have a big smile on my face.   That is the best news I have heard in a long while...  Congratulations!!!!

    thank u lori, i'm glad i

    thank u lori, i'm glad i could make u smile.  have a wonderful day.

    dj