hi,
My mum is about 60+ years old, she will be going for an operation to remove her entire larynx. What is her chances of survival?
Is this operation dangerous?

Margaret

Good Evening Margaret,
All operations carry a risk,it would be quite wrong to say that any one is risk free.
In general terms the chances of survival are good depending on a number of factors such as your mum's general state of health and how soon the cancer was diagnosed.
Laryngectomy is quite extensive surgery and your mum will have to adapt to changes in her lifestyle.
You should talk to the medical experts,the doctors at the oncology clinic, and ask all the questions you need answers to. Don't be afraid of asking questions.
Let the experts explain to your mum what is going to happen, they are better equiped to understand how much she needs to know and what she doesn't need to know.
My father had this operation at the age of 68 and survived a further eleven years cancer free,he adapted to his new cicumstances and continued to enjoy life.
Please keep us posted on your mum's progress,our best wishes go out to your mum and to you.
Keep Smiling
John

Hi margaret,

My mum underwent her surgery in February this year for a full removal also, she just turned 70!

It all went very well, was alot of adapting for her and the rest of us, like John said only the medical profession can advise you and reassure your mum and her surrounding family of what to expect before and after surgery.

It will be a big shock to start with, your mum will need all the support you can give her afterwards, keep encouraging her all the way.

It does take time to recover from such a big operation,but the medical teams today are very well trained and if you have any questions just ask ask and ask again!

I hope that it all goes well and wish you and your mum all the best of luck and for a speedy recovery.

Hi Mr John Spencer and pussycat,
Thank you for the positive sharing about your parents. My family members are going through alot of stress regarding my mom's operation.
Your replies will definitely encourage us all and give us hope.
Will keep you all inform regarding my mum's progress.

Margaret

Hello Margaret--I am Rosalie, won't see 65 again, and had a total laryngectomy last year, along with stomach pull-ups which has made it very difficult to eat and at times I thought I would never get my weight back. But slowly slowly, as everyone promised, life is becoming sunner again as I am sure it will for your mother. It is too late for me to write much but I have just realised that the Mouth Cancer Foundation has more than it used to for laryngectomees.
If you want to know anything which might help your mother just let me know. Diet, exercise, psychological hang-ups, yes ma'am. I fgot most of my knowledge from others. That is the miracle of the internet.
Regards Rosalie Colchester

Hello Rosalie,
We (my family and myself) have no experience nor knowledge to help my mum when the time comes. We welcome all helps and knowledge in this area in preparing us to meet to her needs.
Will keep you updated about my mum.
Thanks for offering your help and we appreciate your kindness.

Margaret

Hello Margaret, My partner martyn had a total laryngectomy in may of this year at the age of 42.He is now 6 months post op and he is doing well. He has now returned to work as a long distance lorry driver.He did have a number of set backs with healing and fistula problems after surgery and it was a very stressful time for us all.It was a shock to us in the very beginning when martyn had his operation,however we all supported each other and we are now living life to the full.
Best wishes to you XX

Hello Juliee,
It's been a heartwarming experience for me eversince I became a member of this forum.
Many thanks to you all for your encouragement.
My mom will be having her operation this week.
It is a stressful time for us all now.
Thanks for writing about your partner's recovery. It is comforting to know that one can actually recover in a relatively short time.
Will keep you all updated.

Margaret

Hello!
My mum had a successful operation. The doctors are amazed with her speedy recovery. At this moment, she can only write and she is really depress about this.
Recently, I just received news that the disease did not spread to her voice box, so the doctors said this is good news!. Is there any doctors who can help me understand this? If the disease did not spread to her voice box, why did they remove her voice box???
I hope the doctor did not make any mistake because my mum was against this operation and I convinced her to go for it.
Confused,
Margaret.

hi margaret

im so pleased that the op went well and i hope everything is well........chat to the doctors with all your concerns they are the ones that can best help you as they will have first hand knowledge of your mums situation

hi jeffers
Thanks for the suggestion.
The senior surgeon will let us know about my mum's situation.
My mum's first visit to the speech therapist has been very disappointing, she could not make any sound.
My mum is very depress now because she unable to speak. She has to wait for 6 months before the doctors decide whether she is suitable for the voice prothesis. Any suggestions?

Hello Margaret.
Im sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the visit to the speech therapist, martyn had his speech valve inserted at the same time he had his laryngetomee,having had the same one now for 8 months, he hasnt had any real problems with it.It does take some looking after with regular cleaning throughout the day.All I can suggest is that work with the speech therapist,have they recommended anything to your mum in the meantime with ways to manage withoout her speech.I can fully understand how frustrating it can be as martyn wasnt allowed to use his voice for a while after surgery,until things had started to heal.I had many pens and papers thrown at me!!This was all part of the frustration he had.
I wish you well, at a time which can be very stressful and difficult, hope to hear from you soon
Take Care
Julie

Margaret
Being unable to speak is indiscriable, so in the short term make up an assortment of flash cards which allow a promt inclusion in any conversation, also try a download [URL=http://www.readplease.com a free very easy to use text to speech program.
I was only a short time without speech but my husband is blind so it was difficult.
hope this helps.
Sunshine..love and hugs
Helen

Hello Juliee.
Thanks for your reply. Indeed, it is a very stressful and depressing time for all of us.
What kind of speech valve does Martyn has? Maybe I can recommend to the doctors. I am quite surprised that it is possible to insert the speech valve during the operation.
Hope to hear from you again.

Margaret

hi helen.c,
You are going through a much more difficult time than us. You encouraged us to be strong... Appreciate your suggestion. Will look into this website. My mum only knows Mandarin, will check whether they have it in Chinese.

Thanks,
Margaret