BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 08:52 PM

Linn,

Thanks for taking time to keep us informed. Coninuing to hold both of you in my thoughts. (And now pointing them slightly south of Maine;^)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 08:24 AM

Too early for an update but not a well wish.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 08:41 AM

Updating here, but haven't yet had a chance to inform or update all those friends not on Mudcat or Facebook; sigh.

Stopping on the way home from the hospital this afternoon at Dover's health food store to pick up some Bache's Elm -- surprise, surprise; I'm feeling a wee bit overextended...

And my boss managed to poison himself on Friday removing anti-reflective coating from a customer's lenses. Too macho to wear rubber gloves using hydrofluoric acid. Arghhhhh! (Men!)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: maeve
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 08:41 AM

Thinking of you both, Tom and Linn. I'll check back here when our errands are finished for the morning.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Micca
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 08:52 AM

Linn, your bosses suffering will be directly proportional to his stupidity, I mean Chreeist HF without gloves!!, Never mind , best wishes and support to Mudge and you

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 09:04 AM

From Wikipedia (OK maybe it's an exaggeration!):
The danger in handling hydrofluoric acid is extreme, as skin saturation with the acid in areas of only 25 square inches (160 cm2) may be relatively painless, yet ultimately fatal. High concentrations of hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen fluoride gas will also quickly destroy the corneas of the eyes.

So is he in the hospital too? And will you finally be forced to work paid overtime?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 09:06 AM

Too macho to wear rubber gloves using hydrofluoric acid.

It's a good thing he has an autonomic nervous system. Talk about stupid things to do!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 09:06 AM

Didn't ER have an episode with a guy who got doused with HF and didn't know it was a problem until he took an injured co-worker to the hospital? He died.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 10:28 AM

Thinking of you both, here, Linn and Tom. Good for you, getting some Bach's. Don't know why I always forget about Rescue Remedy..always good in a crisis. Don't stress over getting back to us...breathe.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: GUEST,susiemuse
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 10:48 AM

I am one of the FB friends who has missed the whole thing till today. Just read it all, and I am hoping this gets through. All i have are well wishes and good thoughts, but I send, I send, I send.

Best, Susie Deane

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 05:22 PM

Today was basically nothing but good news.

Tom saw Dr. O'Day, his nose & throat guy who did the biopsy, before seeing Dr. Paul, who would be his chemo guy if he needed chemo.

Dr. O'Day had the results of the biopsy -- it's even earlier stage than suspected, and he DOESN'T recommend either radiation or chemo. He'd be happy to do the necessary surgery -- but has no problem with the fact that Tom will be going to Mass General where they are experienced in preserving a singer's voice while eradicating the cancer.

Tom ain't out of the woods yet, but the prognostication is even better than we've believed the past two weeks.

Now, if he can just get rid of the residual leg aches and pain when walking that is the dregs of the anesthesia. Dr. O'Day said it might take two weeks after the surgery. Because of the location and nature of the surgery, Tom had to be practically paralyzed.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Nancy King
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 05:45 PM

Thanks for passing along the good news, Linn -- I'm still keeping my fingers crossed!

Sorry you didn't make it to Mary's on Saturday (our small group had a fun, tipsy time!), but obviously you had more important things to deal with.

Try to get some rest!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: maeve
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 06:48 PM

The posts keep getting better, Linn. That's happy news.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 07:21 PM

YAAAAAHHHOOOOOOO!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 08:25 PM

yah!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Sep 09 - 09:11 PM

Excellent!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: ranger1
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 12:40 AM

Phew! 'bout time someone got some good news for a change.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:15 AM

tes -- good - looking better.! Wonderful





.....

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 11:10 AM

Wish my body would let go of some of the recent stress -- my BACK is killing me -- for no apparent reason other than STRESS! Arghh! Even my exercises didn't help much. Now off to work to stand and run around all day.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 11:43 AM

Such good news, so glad!!!

Bach's rescue remedy is a good idea, might even have some myself over the next few days!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Tinker
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 01:20 PM

So glad to hear some news that comes with a sigh of relief.... now to send out some relaxing vibes for that back of yours....

Breathe

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 02:03 PM

What


WOOTERIFFIC


news!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Sep 09 - 10:16 PM

Linn,

If you can get some of THIS it will work wonders on muscle pain, esp. due to stress. I swear by it and have used it for years. Whatever is out of stressed, be careful, as you may aggravate it more with certain types of exercise. If you can find the time and dosh to get a good massage, please do. It will also help.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SussexCarole
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 04:30 PM

So pleased to hear more positive news. All our best to you both
Carole & Andrew xx

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Tinker
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 10:38 AM

Still thinking about your two.... hows your back and his balance???

Blessings and Light,

Tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 11:05 AM

I took a vacation day today to sort of head off at the pass any stress-related physical problems that might turn up as a result of my feelings of over-extendedness. Was on the company optech conference call this morning, but maybe I can get some de-cluttering done around the house to help me feel a bit more relaxed. Picking up Bache's Elm at Portsmouth Health Food today (since nobody else around seemed to stock anything but Rescue Remedy). Slept through the night -- and that's a GOOD thing.

The body sometimes stays stressed even when the brain figures things are working out okay. Sigh.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 11:40 AM

Indeed they do. Just do your best. Still sending T&Ps for youse both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 11:43 AM

Well, I think I'm caught up with where things are and right now it sounds better than it did before I went on crap-about.

Still holding good thoughts and expecting the best......Much Love

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: kendall
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 04:17 PM

Good news indeed!

If my original surgeon had gone to work 9 months earlier I might have better news. He wasted 9 months commenting on the obvious and I finally dumped him for one who wanted to work.By then it had advanced enough to almost destroy the right vocal cord.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 09:15 PM

Tomorrow we head to Boston (by train!) to talk to the experts at Mass General.

We'll keep everyone posted!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: maeve
Date: 22 Sep 09 - 10:24 PM

Thanks, Linn. Love to you and Himself.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 12:46 AM

And we'll be here waiting to hear!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: bbc
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 06:37 AM

Hoping for good news. Love to both!

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 06:57 AM

Sending positive thoughts for good news today!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:46 AM

We're off to Boston in a few minutes to consult with the team at Mass General and find out what the game plan is.

The timing could have been better than the week(s) leading up to the festival -- but, then again, is there ever a "good" time for cancer?!?

We'll report in when we get home this afternoon.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 08:14 AM

I suspect this not necessary but take notes, go prepared with questions and hammer away at what OTHER options are available.
Good Luck guys.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 08:19 AM

Good luck guys. Thinking of you both.

JM

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:38 PM

Sorry, Sins -- this is the guy who LITERALLY wrote (and is still writing) the book on preserving the voice -- Steven M. Zeitels, MD, FACS. (Sorry, we JUST got home, wolfed a steak & cheese sub, got a whole bunch of other stuff to do -- don't have time to make blue clickies.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_M_Zeitels
http://www2.massgeneral.org/voicecenter/staff/zeitels.htm
http://web.mit.edu/shbt/research/citations/zeitels_s.html
http://web.mit.edu/shbt/research/citations/zeitels_s_1.html
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Steven_Zeitels.html

Etcet Etcet.

Basically Tom's right vocal cord is a goner -- good thing Tom's an old Leftie. Surgery is set for Oct. 20th at Mass General. Tom will stay overnight in the hospital, and we need to stay in Boston -- close to the hospital -- from the Tuesday of the surgery until Friday. Basically Dr. Zeitel will remove the cancerous tissue from the right vocal cord -- that's most of the cord. I watched while they took all the pictures (with a tiny camera snaked through Tom's throat and nose & displayed on the screen next to Tom -- who knew better than to look). The tumor is a big irregular globby thing bubbling up from the cord. This endoscopic partial laryngectomy will be the first procedure.

Then, in several more procedures, he will (this, I think, is where the magic happens), he will rebuild the area of the right vocal cord so that the intact LEFT cord can play off the area and do its thing. Then, I imagine, there will be a lot of voice therapy.

All I've got time for right now -- got a pile of reading to do, too.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: maeve
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:47 PM

Thank you, Linn. I'm following along. I hope these are all of the links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_M_Zeitels

http://www2.massgeneral.org/voicecenter/staff/zeitels.htm

http://web.mit.edu/shbt/research/citations/zeitels_s.html

http://web.mit.edu/shbt/research/citations/zeitels_s_1.html

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Steven_Zeitels.html

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 07:53 PM

You did explain that Tom does NOT want to sound like Frederika Von Stade, right?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 10:02 PM

C'mon Magic!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 10:08 PM

"You did explain that Tom does NOT want to sound like Frederika Von Stade, right?"

So then maybe he gets a job with Frankie Valli or with the Vienna Boys Choir........


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 23 Sep 09 - 10:15 PM

Just checking in. Will be hoping for the best possible outcome. don't forget to take care of yourselves as well as one another.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 03:33 AM

Ditto what Janie said. T&Ps both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Micca
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 04:55 AM

"You did explain that Tom does NOT want to sound like Frederika Von Stade, right?"
Why not? She has a lovely voice with an incredible middle/lower register, I like the idea of Ricky Von Stade singing sea songs and forebitters in the Press Room, accompanied by a concertina!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 06:56 AM

Tiny Tim is no longer with us, and Tiny Tom would be passé, so...

Come on magic


JM

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 07:06 AM

Tiny Tim?   Damn.....that one is eveen better than my ideas!

Okay then, let's get up a collection and get that boy a ukelele............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 10:37 AM

Here's another thing to read --

From Boston Magazine

I think some of us wives ought to form a support group -- Karen, Jacqui, Justine -- Sinsull's been there, too.

I'm feeling the strain and Tom's still weeks away from the surgery. Gotta check today how many vacation days I have left. (At least most of the restorative stuff will be done after the first of the year.)

Just heard from Dr. Zeitel's office -- he wants Tom there for tests the day before the surgery, so we'll have to stay at a Boston hotel close to the hospital for 4 nights and I'll need to take that whole M-F week off from work, throwing the strain on my co-workers.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: maeve
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 11:34 AM

So, Linn- You'll tell your co-workers ahead of time, and you'll work together to prepare as well as may be.

In the meantime you and Tom will take care of each other and your friends will do what we can to help, even if that just means learning about what the two of you are facing so we can understand when you give us an update.

"The world is always turning toward the morning..."

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 24 Sep 09 - 12:58 PM

Linn, talk to the hospital staff, they can accomidate spouses overnight at cheaper facitities that they're assocated with & I believe within almost walking distance
Good luck
Barry