As some of you may know, Curmudgeon (Tom Hall) has been voiceless -- both speaking and singing -- since the end of May. His doctor had been treating it as an allergy problem -- and at least part of it may be just that. His doctor's office really dragged their feet, though, at getting him in to see a nose & throat guy, which he was finally able to do two weeks ago. He found a lesion on Tom's vocal cord, though doesn't seem to be inordinantly concerned about it. Tom is scheduled to have outpatient surgery tomorrow to biopsy and probably remove the lesion.

I've taken a vacation day, so will deliver him to the hospital, wait during the surgery, etc. and will bring him home later in the day. Then comes the hard part -- he can't so much as utter a word for three days. (I've got to check with his doctor -- I think that means 3 complete days following the day of surgery; Tom thinks it means 72 hours from when he comes out of surgery.)

He says he's not worried, but the strain of his voiceless summer is showing on him. He desperately misses the ability to TALK to friends, not to mention not being able to sing.

His surgeon (whom friends in the local medical community say is "the best") is optimistic that he'll have a voice before the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival the last full weekend in September.

We'd appreciate some of the famous Mudcat healing energy focussed in this direction!

Thanks!
Linn