"The goals of treatment are cure and retention of a functional larynx. The probability of achieving both goals is high for patients with early disease." That's from a review article by a group of laryngologists at the University of Florida in Gainesville. My recommendation is to find a surgeon with lots of experience, preferably at a University medical center, and preferably one who has worked with singers. If you can have a frank and open discussion with him or her, if you feel comfortable and sense that he or she is paying attention to you and listening to your concerns, then go forward wholeheartedly with the treatment.

At the same time, I'd definitely look at Bernie Siegel's books and make use of visualizations, music, prayer, whatever you feel is comfortable and useful. This is a curable condition, and between you and the doctor and the other therapists and all your friends and family there in Maine and here on the 'Cat, I know you'll be back to singing and storytelling very soon. And you'd better be...because when I bring my daughter to visit the East Coast sometime in the next year or two, I want to hear you!

Aloha,
Mark