BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration

Subject: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 09:49 AM

Okay, yesterday morning I reported on the Michael Douglas thread Michael Douglas Post that Tom was on his way to Boston to meet with the anesthesiologist at Mass General and then with Dr. Zeitels to set up the first procedure to give Tom some more vocal volume.

He survived the day (and Boston without me, not that I would have made any difference -- well, maybe; my voice is a LOT louder than his right now) and is set for a procedure next Tuesday morning, September 7, at Mass General. We should be safely ensconsed at the Holiday Inn Beacon Hill later in the day and home sometime on Wednesday.

The anesthesiologist figures Tom's in fine shape -- heck of a lot better than last February when he was still waiting to get his defibrillator's antique battery swapped out, so Dr. Z will start with the preferred first procedure which needs to be done under general anesthesia, but as day surgery. In this procedure, Dr. Z will remove some of Tom's tummy fat and inject it into the area where his right vocal cord used to be -- stuffing in absolutely as much as he can because some will be reabsorbed by the body. He's trying to close the gap between Tom's cords so the intact left vocal cord can work with tissue on the other side and Tom will have a real voice.

So today Tom is off having blood work, he's faxed the papers to his cardiologist but needs to follow up on that this afternoon to make sure they get to Dr. Z's in a timely fashion, and needs to make our hotel and train arrangements, etcet etcet.

We COULD take a very early train and get to Mass General by 8 a.m., but yesterday's train was 25 minutes late at Durham because of the heat (train, I guess, has to slow down if it's too hot) and 45 minutes late by North Station. Tom has to talk to Amtrak and decide whether we need to go to Boston Monday afternoon after I get out of work (yes, I have to work on Labor Day) and spend another night we can't really afford at the hotel.

But it's finally starting! It's been a couple days shy of a year since Tom's biopsy when the surgeon looked at me and said, "Squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords."

I firmly believe that between Tom's determination, Dr. Zeitels' skill, the prayers and good wishes of the Mudcat and local music community and the fact that I DO believe in miracles, Tom will have a voice again.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: MikeL2
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:23 AM

hi Linn

I am sending my best regards to Tom and know that the surgery planned will be very successful.

As you probably remember I had cancer of the vocal chords some time ago.
15 years in fact !! My how time flies.

I know that this type of treatment has come on in leaps and bounds since I was treated. I now have a normal speaking voice ( can even shout !!!) and even a singing voice!! The range of my singing voice is now limited and requires some arrangements to my songs to make the notes. Strange to say it is the lower range that I have most problems with.

So if they could do this 15 years ago just think what they will achieve today.

You are in good hands.

I will rememebr you both in my prayers.

Kind Regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:30 AM

Hoorah! Hard, patient work, no doubt, but so now it begins. The best of good fortune to the both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:48 AM

Yes! -- Especially Dr. Zeitels, who is regarded as doing the cutting edge (laser edge?!?) research and treatment on voice preservation and restoration.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:48 AM

Good luck, Tom. Once again, Kendall has been there before you and can probably offer advice and ruminations.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 10:51 AM

Glad to see things are starting to happen.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 11:28 AM

hooray.

adding my good wishes to the chorus

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: kendall
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 12:15 PM

Wonderful news! I'm next!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Donuel
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 12:20 PM

Enjoy some Legal Seafood while you are there. How soon can Tom have anything but milk shakes and such?
A new voice is a wonderful gift.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 12:39 PM

So between the two of you, does Mudcat own shares in Zeitel's practice, yet?**bg**

Congratulations for persevering, believing, doing the hard work, BG and Curmudgeon..you have both been an inspiration, you, too, Kendall, and I am so glad to hear things are going so much better. Last year was tough. I was happy to tell my doc, recently, that I am 100% better than I was last year. May it be so for you, too.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Amos
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 12:42 PM

Good luck and the best of vibes to both of you, Batgirl.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 01:46 PM

Lots of love and positive vocalizing from here!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: bfdk
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 02:04 PM

Best of luck with it all!

Bente

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 02:25 PM

ohhmmmmm...... ohhhmmmm..... rastid bruck fuster frackin plod


meditating over some good swear multisyllabic words for Tom to practice on soon as he can.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Nancy King
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 03:13 PM

Excellent news! I'm looking forward to HEARING you in a week or so!

--Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Hollowfox
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 07:56 PM

Lots of midwestern juju coming your way, and the $#@!-reduction candle series continues apace. (Ha! Bet you thought that series had piddled out didn't 'cha! *g*)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: maeve
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 08:14 PM

Hey there, Tom and Lynn. Thinking of you both daily.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 08:54 PM

I gotta meet this Dr. Z. sometime... Hopefully at a party and not in his office... Tell ya'll what... Between Curmudgeon and the other curmudgeaon seems that ya'll keepin' Dr' Z's boat payments up to date...

Hey, Curmudzer... Ya' take it easy... Ol' Bobert growin' ya some pot if ya need it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Sep 10 - 09:11 PM

Cool thing about Dr. Z is the only insurance he accepts is government-based insurance...such as Medicare. If you have a different insurance, you see an associate, not the man himself. So I imagine the big names he's helped -- Steven Tyler, Livingston Taylor, Julie Andrews, Richard Chamberlain, Cher, Frederica von Stade, etcet, etcet -- pay full freight.

BTW, we WON'T be staying at the Holiday Inn Beacon Hill -- they are no longer giving medical discounts to patients at Mass General.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Slag
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 01:15 AM

God bless, Tom, and best wishes for a safe and COMPLETE recovery. That Bat Goddess, she be keeping (from what I understand!) a nice tankard of margarita in the coolbox! Hang in there amigo!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 02:41 AM

Holiday Inn Beacon Hill -- no longer giving medical discounts to patients at Mass General.
That's disgusting. Should start a facebook page agin them. Get us mudcatters to mail complaints to Holiday Inn HQ, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 03:19 AM

Tom and Linn-

Good to hear this news. Lord knows it's been a long hard year for you both. But now you're entering a new phase where's there's at least a chance of something better in terms of voice quality. Best of luck with this next set of procedures!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble and JudyB, away in the UK

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 08:29 AM

Tom's waiting for a call back from another (much less expensive) hotel close to Mass General. I need to see if there's a friend who can drive us to Boston so Tom can be at the hospital by 8 a.m. Tuesday. Train is too iffy. Then find someone who can pick us up at the train station in Durham on Wednesday when we come home.

Logistics!

Meanwhile, we've laid in a supply of water and batteries as prophylactic against losing power in the wake of Earl. We're with the NH Electric Co-op -- we lose power when a butterfly rams a pole, let alone a hurricane. When we lose power, we lose water (electric pump) and phone (cable) as well. I made a smart move during last February's power outage and bought a cell phone charger for my car. Not that I can USE the phone within 5 miles of the house...

Off to work...
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: kendall
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 10:16 AM

The place we stayed in Sommerville is nice and affordable. Can't remember the name, sounds Spanish. They have schuttle buses going to Mass. General.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: jacqui.c
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 03:52 PM

It's called La Quinta and it is easy to get to by car, with good parking available. They give Mass Gen discount and that is where we will be staying if necessary. They also have a good buffet breakfast in with the price, unlike the Holiday Inn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 06:54 PM

Sounds like a plan!

Best wishes to Tom and here's hoping that at this time next year he'll be singing, with gusto!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 07:34 PM

Who's gusto?

But, who care's... if Tom can get some voice back, I am sure all and sundry will be overjoyed. Especially one Bat who is definitely a goddess.

Youse both keep the faith and the hard work up.

T&PS

g

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Sep 10 - 09:55 PM

A friend is driving us to Boston early Tuesday morning and we're booked into a MGH affiliate, the Beacon House on Myrtle St. They say it's a 10 minute walk from Mass General, but, since it's UPHILL, we'll prolly take a cab. The shuttle only runs morning and evening.

We'll come home via the Downeaster on Wednesday -- not sure when, or whether Dr. Z needs to see Tom before we head north.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 10:59 AM

BG, my Rog, a native of NH, said to tell you Harbor Freight had generators on sale for about $89, recently.:-)

Best to you, both. Glad to hear you have the ride and place to stay sorted out.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 01:40 PM

Thanks, Kat, but we'd rather not deal with generators - too many problems with them. (And, while I work for a licensed business, I get a Sears discount.) And I REALLY hate how they make our neighborhood so incredibly noisy at a time that could be incredibly peaceful.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: kendall
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 07:52 PM

A good quality generator makes very little sound.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 08:00 PM

Honda with an Eco-throttle or a like genie is the way to go. Honda is pricey, but good equip.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Sep 10 - 09:04 PM

Haven't had a chance to say how happy I am that even with the problems, Tom is finally getting the op.......Sorry for all the logistics problems but............I'll be checking in even if I don't post. May it all go as planned!!!!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 02:58 AM

Kendall -- not the ones in our neighborhood!

No logistics problems, 'Spaw, Beacon House is sooooooo much cheaper than the Holiday Inn, 'tho it's a 10 minute walk from Mass General -- UPHILL. (That's what cabs are for -- Tom can't walk it.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 07:02 PM

Packed (travelling light) -- and I've got to schlep the bag with me all day at the hospital before Tom's released and we go to the hotel.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: ClaireBear
Date: 05 Sep 10 - 07:11 PM

Best wishes for a smooth procedure and fast recovery, Tom -- with no unexpected adventures for either of you two!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: GUEST,citterngirl
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 08:20 PM

Best of good luck with the operation! We want to hear you singing again soon. We know you will. They'll take good care of you there, too. A whole new lease on life is coming your way!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: GUEST,Bob Frost
Date: 06 Sep 10 - 08:44 PM

All the best white light be with you, Tom, and Dr Zeitels, and you, too, Linn. I'll be thinking of you all. See you Friday, I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 05:20 AM

We're off...

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 11:23 AM

Good luck Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 04:51 PM

Ditto.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Big Mick
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 06:31 PM

Get ye on about it, lad. We have songs to sing and evil left wing anarchistic views to spread. Love to the both of you.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:18 AM

Any news?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: maeve
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 08:53 AM

Listening and waiting...

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Nancy King
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 09:51 AM

...and hoping...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 10:23 AM

me too

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:51 AM

Waiting around here too..........................


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: ClaireBear
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:48 PM

Helplessly hoping, her harlequin hovers nearby, awaiting a word...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:50 PM

We arrived home (via Downeaster) around 1 p.m., me with a raging headache, the skin rubbed off between two toes (from what? a previously benign orthotic?!?), and very, very tired. I think Tom's throat is still numb from this morning's scoping and pictures -- he was having problems swallowing water. Good thing he ate a good breakfast at Eat Street at the hospital. Why is two days of mostly constant waiting (just in different waiting areas) so exhausting? Besides, I'm feeling definitely over-populated -- hanging out at Mass General makes even Fox Run Mall seem like a deserted glade in an unpopulated forest. I don't want to talk to anyone or see anyone until I become one with the universe again.

Anywho, I'll be a bit brief now, cuz the headache is still a bit of a bother and fill in more later.

Tom came through the procedure and the anesthesia with flying colors. Dr. Zeitels was very pleased. The surgery itself took about an hour and a half and Dr. Z stuffed a lot of body fat into his throat. We left the hospital for Beacon House around 4 p.m. -- took a cab because, though only a 10 minute walk, it's straight up Beacon Hill. Last night Tom's major discomfort was in his navel, from where they procured the fat. He was under orders yesterday for pretty much complete voice rest for awhile.

This morning we grabbed the shuttle back to Mass General for breakfast, then over to see Dr. Z early. Besides the usual scoping and pictures through the nose, they numbed him up some more and got more photos through the mouth. Things look good, but his throat has been beat up a bit and he's feeling it today.

He needs to heal for about 6 weeks -- and he's back on the no alcohol, no carbination, no caffeine, no chocolate, no tomato sauce, onions, etcet etcet diet for awhile, too. And right now mostly soft stuff because his throat is still tender.

Some of the fat will be reabsorbed by the body -- usually 35% to 75%. We hope most of Tom's will "stick".

After Dr. Z sees how he's doing, he'll schedule another procedure either in December or January to fine tune what's there. Tom will be awake during that procedure so that Dr. Z can "tune it like a guitar string". We'll have to stay in Boston about a week for that one.

So...right now don't expect a lot more voice. There's more there, but he's not supposed to exercise it much. Plus he'll be a bit on the, uh, "grumpy" side -- remember, no Guinness, scotch, COFFEE, etcet etcet.

So this is what happens when I'm going to be brief, eh?

Later!
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:56 PM

"no alcohol"

Well that sucks. >;-)

Hang in there both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: maeve
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:56 PM

Thank you for the good update, Linn. Love to you both.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: ClaireBear
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:09 PM

You're an angel to share so much when you need to rest, which is what I hope you're doing now.

Love and healing strength to both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:38 PM

Good to hear from you, and good there's progress. Did you say "Hell for 6 weeks" or "heal for 6 weeks"? (Undoubtedly, "yes") My sympathy to you both, but there's hope up ahead.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 05:52 PM

Glad to hear you are making progress with the restoration! Rominy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: GUEST,Bob Frost
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 11:21 PM

Good news. I'm glad things went well.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 04:42 AM

Remember Tom, it's all in a good cause.
Heal quickly.

J

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Micca
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 04:59 AM

I am sending such healing energy as I have,I hope to spend a few days with you both in mid-October!!!
Micca

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 05:08 AM

a good report

rest well, both of you

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:44 AM

Hell of a way to get a tummy tuck, Tom. I remember when Kendall had his done - that hurt worse than the throat. Now it's back to waiting. Get some rest.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:55 AM

I'm glad it went well - I remember those times all too clearly!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:33 AM

Hey.....Good news!!! And if you run out of fat, I'd be happy to help.   Matter of fact, if the pictures of this bunch around the 'Cat mean anything, there is probably enough fat to rebuild the vocal cords of everyone on earth 279 times apiece!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:36 AM

You've been peeking Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 02:44 PM

SIGH!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: curmudgeon
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 08:44 PM

Many thanks to all for the many good thoughts and well-wishes; they were greatly appreciated.

And I am quite certain that their efficacy will continue in completing the healing process so that I may once again indulge in coffee, stout and whisky in order to prepare for the completion of the restoration.

Thanks again - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: maeve
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 09:09 PM

It's good to see your post, Tom. Thanks.

Maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 09:09 PM

Woo hoo! Word from the man himself! Good to hear from you, Tom, and glad the news is good.

Hope to see you soon!
Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 09:26 PM

Good to see posting, Tom. Welcome back to the land of the living.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: jacqui.c
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:00 PM

Good to hear from you Tom. Rest and heal.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:04 PM

Ditto that, Tom. REALLY good to *hear* from you, again! Good news, too.

Spaw can't help it...besides being the evil twin, he's also a Peeping Spawn!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 05:55 AM

Agreed. Warms the heart.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: ClaireBear
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 11:35 AM

I've never been happier to see someone's name in the list of posters. Welcome back, Tom; it's been way too long, and I'm very glad the healing has begun.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 01:34 PM

Here are a couple YouTube videos of Tom recorded by Joe Stead on March 14, 2009 at Sinsull's. Tom's voice had gone away entirely by June.

Battle of Bull Run

Bound Away for Australia

I'm REALLY glad Joe posted these! Thanks, Joe!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: kendall
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 03:41 PM

Hey Tom, let's hear from you more often.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: gnu
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 03:51 PM

I'll second that, K.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: CET
Date: 18 Sep 10 - 08:44 PM

And I'll third it - best wishes to you Tom.

Edmund

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 12:31 AM

Me, too, me, too!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon: Starting Voice Restoration
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 01:04 AM

thanks for posting the links

looking forward to hearing more in due course.

sandra