Hi, my father was told yesterday after 1 year of radiotherapy/laser treatment that he would have to have a laryngectomy.
I am worried about how much speech he will have afterwards and his quality of life. He is 68 and apart from having heart trouble is moderately fit and well.
Hospitals are great for factual information, but I would like to hear from someone who has gone through this what it's really like at first. I need to know what to expect - warts and all. If anyone can let me know their experience and any advice where I can help him that would be great.
Thanks
Anne-Marie

Good Morning Anne-Marie,
Your posting sounds very familiar,my father had radiotherapy tratment for laryngalcarcinoma when he ws 67. His voice returned for a few months then became a problem once more.A couple of months before his 68th birthday he had a laryngectomy.The healing process was slower than normal due to the tissue changes which are a concequence of radiation,but on the whole he recovered very well and went on to enjoy life for a further eleven years then he died in his sleep of a chest infection.
He learned to communicate by what can only be described as a series of controlled belches,but in the 25 years since then progress has been made and devices are offered which restore near normal communication,albeit he will sound a bit like a dalek but that does not matter the important thing is he will be able to communicate.
He will find lack of normal speech very frustrating in the early stages so please try to be patient with him and make sure everyone else understands this need.
Please keep us posted on his progress. I understand your dad's feelings, a couple of months before my 68th birthday I had extensive surgery to deal with mouth cancer,I am now turned 70 and enjoying life so there is light at the end of, what at the moment must seem like a very dark, tunnel.
Keep Smiling
John

Hi John, many thanks for your reply. My dad will be 69 in April so similar ages! I am worried about his laryngectomy and how he will cope with it. At the moment he's ok, laughing, watching football etc as if nothing is wrong. Says he's not scared. My mum however is an absolute wreck and doesn't cope with these things too well. Mind you, her sister died last Christmas and her other sister the Christmas before so you can imagine what we're all thinking - oh no it's Christmas again. The Christmas before that it was my mum with breast cancer so it just seems to be one year after another. Sorry to have a moan - I am sure there are people a lot worse off, having read some of these messages.
Anyway, many thanks for replying - it's much appreciated.

Good Morning Anne-Marie,
If a good moan helps then you go right ahead!
It sounds as though recent years have brought a lot of grief to your mum's door; your dad's problem must seem like the end of the world,or close to it.She needs help too, neither of them are likely to want sympathy, but they both need you and other members of their family to remain strong and positive.
Your dad seems to have a positive attitude and this will help him through the trials which lay ahead. There will be days when he finds it difficult to laugh and football lacks its magic, these are the days when you have to supply the positive approach to get him back on course.
Keep Smiling
John

Thanks John - it's good to hear from someone who understands - it makes all the difference. At times you think you are the only one to go through this - however my main concern now I'm over the shock is that removal of the voice box gets rid of the cancer.
Thanks again, best wishes
Anne-Marie

Hello Anne-Marie,
My partner Martyn had his voice box removed in May of this year. He to had been given laser surgery, but he was finally diagnosed with a stage 4 cancer of his Larynx.I understand how you are all feeling,I do know that having this operation has saved martyns life, he is now back at work, doing the job that he did before.I wish you all well and will be thinking of you.

Hi Julie, Many thanks for your messages.
We've had some good news from a recent meeting with a surgeon - he says my father's voicebox is perfect, so he doesn't want to take it out at this stage. He's going to operate from outside his neck and try and remove the tumour that way, and if that fails then it'll have to be laryngectomy but we're all kind of elated that there's another option been given! I much appreciate your message as it's really daunting being told that news. I am so glad to hear that you still have your husband and he's back to his job! Is it ok if I keep you updated with my father's story and if he does need a laryngectomy that I call you then? Many thanks!
Anne-Marie

Good Morning Anne-Marie,
that sounds like encouraging news,tell your dad that there is another "young" fellow in Yorkshire who has been through the mill and is thinking about him.
Please keep us posted.
Keep Smiling
John

Hi John - many thanks - there are so many nice people on this board! We're just waiting to hear of his operation date. I know it's not gonna be plain sailing operating from the outside as he's gonna need muscle grafts and after radiotherapy and laser he is gonna take much longer to heal. However I definitely think it's worth doing (as does the surgeon). The hospital also invited a guy who had had a laryngectomy done about 15 years ago to come in and talk to my mum and dad so they could ask questions etc which I thought was great. My mum was really comforted in the fact that this guy could talk really well!
I will keep you all posted - many thanks for your wishes!