Could any one tell me why my nose cannot be connected to my stoma and therefore abble me to smell again? The surgeon took a piece of my guts to reform my throat so if that can be done why cant they reconnect my nose?

Hi Joel,

Sorry that your question was not answered, and in fact I can't give an answer either. HOwever I can empathise with you after my operation the two things I missed most was my sense of smell and swimming. I still miss swimming but I can tell you that over time I have learned both to sip through a straw and "sniff" again. I am a oesophagal speaker so perhaps with the practice over many years of drawing in air to my oeophagus, my face/nose muscles have relearned toi draw in air even though they are no longer ocnnected to my lungs. The result is that I call use my sense of smell once more even though I need to make an effort to draw in air through my nose. I guess it follows that if you want to do something enough you can do it. I can't recall now when I first noticed that I could sense a scent again, but it was some time after my operation probaly a year or more rather than months, but if I can do it I am sure others could and I pray that in your case you to will be able to enjoy the scent of a woman, or aroma of coffee and good food again as I can. We take so much for granted it is only when we lose any of our senses that it brings home just how wooderful they were. Do not give up hope Joel.

Hello dancingwithroses

I didn't answer the question before as I couldn't understand it! But I think I do now.

As we breathe through our noses, air is drawn through the nose and it carries the molecules of smells and scents. So when you breathe through the larynx, this doesn't happen. It would appear to me that the answer might be to suck air through the nose into the mouth by pulling your cheeks in and learning to blow air trapped in the mouth out through the nose. I would be glad hear from anyone who has relearnt how to smell.

Best wishes
Vinod

Dr Joshi,

I have learned to draw air directly in through my nose rather than suck into my mouth and out through the nose. Quite how I did this I don't know but the desire to smell again was strong and occassionally natural draughts would push strong scents up my nostrils which gave me a great feeling. The sense of smell is precious as is of course any other of our senses and I am greatful that I can now enjoy that experience again at will - albeit with conscious effort; as I am naturally breathing through my stoma.

Dr Joshi----Hello after some time! Rosalie here, or Ishbel. As you may remember--or not--you are a busy busy man--I had my larynx removed in 2005. It has been a long struggle to start putting weight on again. But, one great thing wsas that I never lost my sense of smell. I had stomach pull-ups at the samr time but I can't think that had anything to do with retaining my smell.
I fou nd this out when still in intensive care and my eldest son, all dressed up in his hospital best, had gelled his hair with some really awful musk and I managed to write, in huge shaky letters that he must never visit me with that stuff on his hair again.
Son Daniel reported to family later that mother was going to get better!
Second smell was younger son, total contrast, hadn't bothered dressing up, had been styripping wallpaper from his bedroom anfd I was assailed by tghe smell of turps.
So whether they broke the smell barrier or not I don't know but I have smelled everything.
This slightly compensates for the fact that I won't be able to have a val;ve because of location of cancer and will always have to use an electric larynx. But I manage fine with a Servox and a TruTone and batteries galore.
I am glad that the site is thriving as ever, and look forward to renewing my auld acquaintances.
Regards Rosalie

Hello Ishbel (Rosalie)

Nice to hear from you, old-timer!

I hope that I am never too busy for the members here. Yes, the site is doing well. Do join in and help where you can. Was posting something about aspirin this morning band remembered blitzbob and pikeman and the other oldtimers. Glad to know you are managing well (as possible).

Best wishes
Vinod

to:-dancing with roses
I wonder if you have read the book by Sydney Norgate, 'Laryngectomy is not a Tragedy'? I think that's the right title but you will get it from the UK Laryngectomee Trust. It's just that he describes suddenly smelling new-mown hay from his window and describes how to do it. I must order some more copies as I have given so many away to fellow laryngectomees who live in the US.
How lovely to live in Inverurie. A place of couth!
I was born in Banff further up. I suppose you had your op etc. in Aberdeen. Is the ENT dept good there? my late mother (it runs in our family) had treatment for her oesophageal cancer in Elgin. She was too old for an operation, which would have meant going to Aberdeen I think.
Regards
Ishbel

Hi Ishbel,

I am a recent emigrant to Inverurie from Aberdeen. I had my laryngectomy at ARI ENT (Aberdeen Royal Infirmary) performed by a Mr McLay of whom I cannot speak highly enough. The operation was performed in May 1995, though it seems like yesterday and I was discharged from follow up in 2000. In 1991 at the same hospital I had a triple heart by pass aged 44 so I am a survivor. I still work full time as a contracts negotiator and communicate orally without too much difficulty though(being a man no doubt)I can't eat and speak at the same time Ha Ha.

Today I am still attending my local surgey's heart Clinic and recently had a heart scan and deep chest x-ray in response to additional breathlessness and tiredness, have an appointment with the GP tomorrow to discuss results.

The reason we moved into the wilds of the country (by the way having been in Inverurie for 15 months I would not now return to the city voluntarily) is that my wife is disabled by reason of emphysema, a lung disorder but despite that and my own experiences failed to follow my lead by giving up the horrible habit. We needed gound floor accommodation but could not afford that within Aberdeen City still suffering from the "Oil Economy" inflation in house prices.

However do not let us forget the original poster Joel Leroy and let us hope that he has been encouraged by our responses to know that he will, given time and the desire rediscover his ability to smell!!!!!

Although I can speak I cannot sing (not that I could before but gave a very good impression of a cat on a hot tin roof) and being a Christian who likes to praise God for his infinite Grace can only now mime my Songs of Praise, but they are no less heartfelt.

But I agree 100% with Mr Norgate a Laryngectomy is not a Tragedy and compared to some of the the oral cancers we read of on this site not least tongue cancers a comparitive walk in the park!!!

Cancer anywhere in the body is a pernicious disease and I have for all sufferers only the highest degree of respect for their fortitude and that of their carers combined with the drive as shown by the respondents here on this site to overcome the the effects of treatment and not give in to the disease or its consequences. The resilience of the Human Spirit is beyond measure and even when we succumb as we all must do eventually; that Spirit in my mind continues to exist on a better plain eternally free of pain and disability. Thank you for your words and support Ishbel, my wife by the way has fishing family in Whitehills "Lovie's" by name and lovies by nature!! Take care and keep in touch.

Alan Bush aka DWR

DWR nice to hear from you. You sound so well grounded in your religion which must be a great strength. Well I am too. But I think every religion has it right in some ways and I Mix'n Match. I know I could never have managed to fo through all this by myself without some added strength.
I hope you have a favourable outcome from your results. Always a nail-biting time.
The last time I was in Abedeen I stayed in Bell's Hotel. I wonder if it is still there. I was conceived, I was told, in the Caledonian. They haven't put up the blue plaque yet though!
Regards Ishbel

HI agian Ishbel,

Yeah the Bell's Hotel is still there a bit of an insitution in Aberdeen.

The Caledionian too renamed the Thistle Caledonian, but last time I went past the blue plaque was still missing Ha Ha.

Hello again DWR. Imagine Bell's still being there! I am having a bit of a trying time with mucus build-up in cold weather when walking the dog. Trouble is can't keep stoma completely covered or can't breathe.
Oh and do you keep a humidifier on all night in your bedroom? I have CH on throughout house until bed-time but find bexdroom still a bit stuffy. Need heating there during day as it is my study too. But when I get up in tyhe morning it takes me a couple of hours to really clear all the junk from throat.
Any tips most welcome. Thanks.
Ishbel

Hi Ishbel,
I have a chest infection at the moment and have particular trouble with mucus, bad at moment but normally easily cleared I use laryngafoam as stoma covering they are disposable squares of flesh colourted self adhesive squares. They do nopt stay on when I am doing manual labour sweat stops adhesion so then use a bib. I too have a dog. Do not use humidifier in house work in office all day. Mornings even with the infection it only takes me minutes to clear stoma but it is really crusty then only occassionally have I experienced say 90% blockage but easily cleared with coughing sometimes use pinky or cotton buds to get last cleared. It used to embarass me to clear my throat in company now I just turn my head away and cough discreetly into special non woven swabs I carry for that purpose. ASt tyhe moment I can go through up to 6 foam square a day when they get wet they are useless but in the summer I can get by with only two squares a day. I was tolka always to keep stoma fully covered, otherwise the tubes dry up, worse than dust getting in, must keep stoma moist for maximum comfort. Dont like bibs too large and cumbersome but must use these working in garden. Tried valves but I cough too much and produce too much mucus to make that option viable.If you have not tried Laryngofoam I would recommend them to you get on prescription produced by Kapitex come in two sizes i use catalogue ref. beige LA LLFF 0003 come in boxes of 30 individually wrapped.the material isspecially designed to keepmoisture the trade name is HYDROLOX 1 Foam (locking in moisture).

Hope you give them a try very light weight don't know you are wearinmg them adhesive on topo so easily lifted for cough relief, sounds like your stoma is too dry and this would definitely help I am sure.

Alan

Hello Alan,
Yes I must give the Laryngofoam another try. I just found it was such a pain, coming off all the time and the 'trauchle' (proof I hail from Banff!)of clearing neck and putting on another one when I am not in the house. My mucus production definitely increases in winter. I've just come back from walking the dog in the hilly fields around Colchester. Deserted today as everyone is scared of the maniac who is killing these poor women.
But Sally (scared of her own shadow, jet black, lab/greyhound) looks quite menacing and her eyes glow in the dark!
Have a nice weekend----wa s playing carols to grandchildreb on the piano earlier, joined in with my Servox, and nobody batted a bar!
Regsrds Ishbel

Hi all, martyn used the laryfoam for a short while then realised he was allergic to the sticky strip as it gave him a nasty rash.He now uses the navy bibs.He wears these day and at night, what do others use at night,

I use HME at night but sometimes I confess I don't use anything. Silly I know wkth all bed fluff and then in morning it takes me longer to get stoma clear. Usually use nebuliser first thing. Great help especially with central heating.