BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Guest MikeL
Date: 20 Nov 09 - 05:39 AM

Hi Tom

Glad to hear about the confidence returning. It sure helps.

By the way I notice that in my last message a made a typo....it should have read 32 days...NOT weeks !!

This was the radio treatment that was taken over 32 consequetive days. My treatment was around Easter and I even had to come in every day over the Easter week-end.....but boy was it worth it !!!

Keep your pecker up..

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 11:19 PM

That is really great news! Thanks for keeping us in the loop.

And, MikeL, what a welcome addition you are to our group. Thanks to you, too, for sharing.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: maeve
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 08:18 PM

It's wonderful to read your positive post, Tom. Thank you.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: curmudgeon
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 07:51 PM

Thanks to all for the good words, and esp. to newcomer and former fellow sufferer, MikeL.

For reasons which I can't quite figure out, I'm feeling more optimistic than before. Perhaps because I see the possibility of getting some voice back sooner than I had hoped.

Thanks again - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 07:22 AM

Oh, wonderful news!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Guest MikeL
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 05:52 AM

Hi All

Many thanks to Linn, Maeve and spaw - and others who I may have overlooked - for the very kind comments and welcoming me to the fold - so to speak.

I promise that I will join and stay very close to this thread as I start to try to digest as much of the interesting information here as I can.

Tom I am pleased to hear that you are progressing - I know the feeling of " one day at a time" and ( what to others may be small steps ) that even the chance of a cup of coffee can do to boost confidence.

As I said in my earlier message, I progressed through all this having lived for some time during and after my final 32 weeks of treatment on almost totally some kind of mixture that came in yoghurt-like pots that contained a paste of easily ( ha ha) digestible high calorie sludge.

The problem with cancer is that it is important to eat well to keep up one's strength but with throat cancer at times this is almost impossibly painful. A friend I made during our treatment together described it as "the nearest thing to eating broken glass".

So the high calorie "sludge" for me was a life saver.

Gradually though I progressed and now I am pleased to announce that I have no foods ( or drinks ) that I am forbidden to take. Yes I can even have "real" coffee and occasional glasses of my favourite tipple.

Voluntarily I have switched from drinking too much beer to a couple of glasses of red wine at night.

As a regular visitor to Spain I have come to regard Spanish red wine as a constant friend.

I do drink beer on the occasions when I go out with my mates.

So again Tom best wishes and I am with you all the way.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: My guru always said
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 03:26 AM

Great to hear good news!
Welcome & thanks to Mike!
Hil

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 10:40 PM

Maybe we'll bring along a bag of our favorite de-caffeinated Ethiopian coffee to the press Room this Saturday.

Sounds like better news to me.

I like it!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 07:44 PM

Linn, I am so happy to hear your news. You and Tom are nice people, I think of you both as friends, and I don't like it when nasty things happen to my friends.
Healing wishes to you both, for your scars and for your woes.
Thinking of you both.
John

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 06:27 PM

poor fridge, replaced by a garage.

It was good to read MikeL's report, & your latest, Linn

sandra (who can't stand the smell or taste of coffee, but understands others like the yukky stuff)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 06:13 PM

Good news from Spaw too! Turning into a decent day!

The fact that my fridge died a few hours ago is not a worry at all when I hear that friends are getting by okay... comforting... I have even stopped swearing about it.

All is reasonably okay with my world. And the beer will be cold in the garage.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 06:01 PM

Careful, Linn/ Spaw has an inordinate amount pf singing dancing battery operated crap mostly from the east coast.

Good news on the medic front. One step at a time.

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:57 PM

Only just caught up with this thread. All the very best from Worksop.

Love and positive thoughts
Rhiannon

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: maeve
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:40 PM

Thanks for the progress report, Linn. I appreciate the information, and I'm cheering you both on from here.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:36 PM

First, thanks to Mike L and I too would suggest you join. Only a few of us bite!

Linn, I said I was expecting good news and you brought it! It doesn't get much more encouraging then that!!! And..... Karen and I both got great reports today as well on our tests. Its a good day.


Send me your snail mail please......got something for ya'!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 04:12 PM

Get him GOOD decaf, and he can pretend until he can have the hi-test again!

Glad to hear the better news!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 04:11 PM

Sounds promising, Linn. Here's hoping all goes well.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Janie
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 03:48 PM

Sounds hopeful. I don't post much to this thread, but my good wishes go out everyday.

Decaf is better than no cafe, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 02:46 PM

That being said, here's today's report...

ALL GOOD NEWS!

(Basically.)

Tom is healing very nicely. So nicely that Dr. Z says he can skip the herbal tea (or rather, the roasted horse food) and have some de-caffeinated coffee. Not high test, but coffee nonetheless. (Still can't have tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, carbonation, alcohol, etcet etcet...but at least he can see it's working.)

At the time of the surgery a month ago, Dr. Zeitels had left the little bit of cancer on the left vocal cord so that during the initial healing that area wouldn't grow together with the area of the right vocal cord.

So mid-December (gotta check the date -- 15th or 16th, I think) Tom will have a much shorter procedure at Mass General to both remove the remaining cancer on the left vocal cord and to inject some of his body fat (probably from the stomach area) to start rebuilding the area of the right vocal cord. Dr. Z said he couldn't estimate how long or how many procedures will be necessary to rebuild the areas of the vocal cords. Everyone heals differently and differing amounts of fat is re-absorbed by the body, so it's hard to estimate. We'll just have to do it and wait and see.

A friend drove us down and back (and managed to incorporate a little work during the lift. If we'd had to take the train to Boston, we wouldn't have gotten home until after 6.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 02:10 PM

Welcome, GUEST,Guest MikeL! And thanks for your encouragement! See also Kendall's thread "Another Biopsy" -- he went through this all about 7 years ago. There are others here, too, who have weathered various vocal chord problems. Don't be afraid to join up here at Mudcat -- then you can use the PM communication system, etc. You don't have to worry about spam or other cyber hassles.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: maeve
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 10:05 AM

Guest, MikeL.- Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging post. Congratulations on your return to health and music. Welcome to Mudcat.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Guest MikeL
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 09:54 AM

Hi

I am very new here at Mudkat. So I have only just caught this thread.

Can I say that I know everthing that you are both going through because I have been through the throat cancer/vocal chords thing.

I too had many ups and downs and some false dawns.

I too had to give up eating and drinking most of the things that up until then were my favourites.

Above all I had obviously to give up singing.

There is a happy ending though - I got through it and gradually ( and I mean gradually ) things got better.

I have now been officially cleared by The Christie Hospital here in Manchester England. They finally threw me out and don't want to see me any more. lol

I send all my very best wishes to you both and can I finally finish on a very positive note by saying that recently I have dug out my old guitar and have started to sing again !!!!

All things are possible in this amazing World in which we live.

My prayers are added to all those thousands that have already been sent by this fine body of people.

My Best regards

MikeL

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 02:55 AM

sending more good wishes

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 02:52 AM

Here I am this morning. Just thinking....

thinking healing thoughts really hard at you, Tom.

thinking skill and ground breaking solutions at the medicals who are lookin' after you.

thinking calmness and strength at Linn.


just thinkin'

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 06:56 PM

My ICD battery is in great shape but I'm checking into some cutrate replacements from "Batteries-R-Us." Maybe Tom would like to try one out first? I ran across this guy who'll do it cheap too. I can send Sammy Stilletto over your way with one of the recycled batteries and if it goes well for Tom, I can try it later...........

However......Good luck tomorrow.....Karen and I are making the Doc rounds ourselves tomorrow but only light duty test/check things so we'll have our best thoughts winging your way. I'm expecting good news from you!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SussexCarole
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 05:49 PM

Hope all goes well tomorrow    Our love to you both
Carole & Andrew

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 05:34 PM

The midwest thoughts and $#@1-reduction candle continue as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: jacqui.c
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 03:21 PM

All the best. We'll be thinking about you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: maeve
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 02:48 PM

Go forth and conquer, Tom and Linn. We're still thinking of you both.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 02:26 PM

Hey Hil. Just don't let that candle get too near Tom's woolly shirt. The fumes as Linn describes them may just be flammable.

I am still finger crossing and toe crossing and eye crossing with wishes for good outcome.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: My guru always said
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 01:17 PM

Sending positive thoughts, love & hugs, candle lit!
Hil & Richard x

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 11:59 AM

Good luck, guys. I will be thinking of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 11:24 AM

Same here.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:43 AM

Here's hoping for the best!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:26 AM

I hate those christmas presents that arrive without a battery Linn :)
Hope all goes well tomorrow.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 10:22 AM

To Boston tomorrow for Tom's post-surgical follow-up with Dr. Zeitels. Will also find out about Tom's next vocal cord procedure in December. Hope Dr. Z considers things have healed enough that Tom can have some tastes of so far forbidden foods and beverages.

Tom saw his cardiologist last week -- he doesn't need to have his defibrillator battery renewed until after the holidays.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 09:44 AM

Yesterday morning I trimmed the scraggly ends of Tom's hair -- okay, so it looked like about three inches. This morning I had to "fight" with him to let me cut off a patch I'd missed.

I am NOT Delilah! He still has hair halfway down his back, but not the uneven ends that get tangled in the brush every day and pull out more from the top of his head. His pony tail looks amazingly neat and thick.

You'd think I'd thrown out his favorite (and very disreputable looking) wooly shirt (yeah, THAT one, the one that looks and smells as if he's been following around the south end of a north-bound moose).

Sigh.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 09:24 PM

Yeah, Bill, I read that, too, lately.

Too bad it didn't work on the cancer growing on Tom's right vocal cord. He makes WONDERFUL curries, several varieties. Alas, right now it's on the verboten list while he's healing.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bill D
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 11:02 AM

found this in today's news

"A molecule found in the yellow curry spice turmeric may one day be used to treat cancer. Researchers found that esophageal cancer cells treated with curcumin, the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color, began dying within 24 hours. These data support previous research that suggests curcumin can suppress tumors and that people who eat lots of curry may have a reduced cancer risk. "

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 09:42 AM

The hot brown liquid drunk with cream from a cup in the morning is just that; not much taste, pleasant hint if bitter, and capable of fooling brain and taste buds before they're fully awake - mostly harmless, but no substitute for real coffee.

However, it's now less than two weeks till my check-up, at which time I hope to be declared healed, at least enough so as to return, if briefly, to a more civilised life of food and drink.

Thoughts, sentiments, well wishes, etc., still greatly appreciated - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 07:53 AM

I got him some stuff with mate and chickory, I think, and roasted dandelion root from a long time friend and herbalist, but Tom hasn't tasted it because it would have to be put in a defuser or brewed in a tea pot and he can't deal with that first thing in the morning.

The brown coffee-looking like stuff (I find it tasteless -- not bad, just mostly harmless) is Pero.

I'll let him tell you about it.

Oil change, etc. on car this morning before I go to work -- argh. ONE MORE THING!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 06:14 AM

And from this side of the state, the loving thoughts are pouring forth~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Micca
Date: 05 Nov 09 - 05:15 AM

Yeah, Linn, what is this warm brown stuff??? I think we should be told!!! I am , of course thinking about you guys and burning candles(large and Green this week) and stuff with all the "reducing" stuff added (whether it is for "things in the throat" or stress I leave to you to decide)and my thoughts are often turn to the woods of New Hampshire,watching the rain and leaves through the window of your home in the silence, It is very soothing for me
Micca

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: maeve
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 08:53 PM

Nosy friends want to know exactly what Tom is drinking in these noncaffinatedcarbonatedacidic days.

TOM??

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 06:35 PM

A) of all -- I'm not worried, just, in light of Tom's diagnosis and early symptoms, more aware of those symptoms so want it checked out. And, B) of all, it WILL be -- by an associate of Dr. Zeitels when Tom and I are in Boston. It's just not going to be on Nov. 18th. Tom (and I) will have to be in Boston at The Voice Center MANY times over the next year or so. If it looks as if getting my throat checked out might be delayed too long, I'll make an appointment with Dr. Azar (the local ENT recommended by my friend).

Thanks, Marty (and all), for being concerned, but compared to everything else going on right now, this is a fairly minor issue.

By the way, I don't know why Tom hasn't commented on the hot brown stuff in a cup that he now (temporarily) drinks in the morning.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bupkes
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 05:29 PM

Linn, my 2 cents: Call and ask the "local woman nose & throat doctor that a friend has recommended" if she can somehow record the laryngoscopy digitally. If so, go see her, get a first look, and take from her a copy of the video or the multiple snapshots, in case you want to show another doctor for another opinion. I bet even Dr. Z would take a quick look at your images and tell you if there's anything suspicious. In other words, get some specialist to take a look soon. After all, even the local doc whom you don't trust anymore knew that Tom had a cancer, despite being wrong about how far advanced it was. Start the process, and you may get a load of stress relieved if you find it's a benign condition.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 04:54 PM

VT, I'm not finding it particularly worrying, just that the symptoms are annoying and not going away...and, at this point, they are ONE MORE THING adding to the general stress level.

Just found out (a couple minutes ago) that I won't be scoped on the day Tom has his follow-up with Dr. Z. cuz I just couldn't be scheduled on that day. (I can't see Dr. Z. because he doesn't take my insurance.) So it'll happen on another day I'm in Boston with Tom. Or I could see a local woman nose & throat doctor that a friend has recommended. I know I DON'T trust the nose & throat guy who did Tom's biopsy and said it was early stage cancer.

I was able to vent at lunch today about all kinds of feelings & issues I've been trying sort out lately. Really need to start writing all this down, but part of the keeping a lid on everything has made that difficult to do. Oh, yeah, and talked to Tom about some of it, too -- and getting him to talk to ME about what HE'S feeling, etc.

Gotta go escape right now into a couple episodes (on DVD) of Rosemary & Thyme.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 02:57 PM

Very worrying Linn. Please see your doc and if you are not happy with outcome ask for second opinion and be upfront about why.

Please keep us informed.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Hollowfox
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 02:38 PM

Sorry I haven't posted much. The @#$!-reduction candle series continues for you (both) apace.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 01:07 PM

Spaw, if we all draw into our lives what we deserve, you are a lucky man indeed. *g*

(No, no, that is not what I mean to say.)

Spwa, if we all draw into our lives what we deserve, your Karen is a grand testament to your character.

{{{{hug}}}}