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

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Janie
Date: 07 Sep 09 - 10:22 PM

Sheesh! You mean to tell me that New Hampshire is not the southern most county in Maine?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 08:38 AM

Live Free Or Die is their motto; ours is Dirigo (I (the state) direct or guide). Therein lies the rub. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 09:39 AM

BTW, Bill Morrissey's song "Live Free Or Die" was recorded in Tom's living room when he and his ex-wife lived in Epping, before they built the house here in Nottingham.

Tom was still under post-op orders not to talk yesterday (to reduce scar tissue formation after biopsy). He's supposed to limit his talking for two weeks.

Just confirmed the appointments and info (or rather lack of it) that the hospital gave us Friday -- they had the radiological oncologist's name wrong & NO contact phone # and the wrong location AND phone number for the chemo guy. Turns out, they are both in the same cancer center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover.

Tom's consultation is with Dr. Singh tomorrow -- he's the radiology oncologist.

I'm taking tips from Jacqui & Kendall -- and tape recording the entire consultation. Unless they can GUARANTEE that radiation won't damage his vocal cords, they ain't touchin' him! I need more info (probably from his nose & throat guy -- also unavailable over the long holiday weekend) but then we will probably make an appointment at Mass General -- they are on the cutting edge of treatment without undue damage to the voice.

Most of these doctors just don't seem to understand that, yes, it's important to get rid of the cancer and keep Tom alive and healthy, but it's also JUST AS IMPORTANT to preserve as much as possible the voice of a professional singer and musician.

Meanwhile, I've gotta scoot out of the house early and see MY doctor this morning about an annoying little problem before heading to work (12-8) -- that means I can't start the day with the comics! Argh!!!

Linn

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

No comics????
Life is tough, Linn

I know - CELLAR!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 11:21 AM

Linn, please keep us abreast of the situation, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: CET
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 08:04 PM

Tom and Linn:

Thinking of you both.

Edmund

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 08:22 PM

Watching, reading regularly and sending many good thoughts.....

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 11:01 PM

Me, too. Lots of love and thanksgivings and hugs to you both.

luvyabucketskat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Tinker
Date: 08 Sep 09 - 11:58 PM

Reading this regularly and holding you both close.........

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 07:56 AM

Too early for an update but REFRESH anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 11:13 AM

Today's the consult (1 p.m.) with Dr. Singh who, I believe, is a radiological oncologist. Despite the misspelling of his name (Fingh) and no contact information given on the "informational" sheet from the hospital post-op Friday, we found him -- he works out of the Seacoast Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover. Seacoast Cancer Center
(Where Tom had the biopsy done.)

It's a consultation -- we're armed with a lot of research, very helpful information from Kendall & Jacqui (plus we'll talk face to face with Kendall this weekend), and a whole bunch of question. I'm taking notes and intending to tape record the entire session.

More than likely, later this afternoon we will make an appointment for a consultation at Mass General's Voice Center. Tom also has an appointment with Dr. Paul who, according to the info at the WD site, is a oncologist/hemotologist.

I'm having trouble finding more info on Dr. Singh -- other than he has 10 years experience and was graduated from a 3-star medical school.

More later,
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 12:47 PM

Courage mes amis.

Thinking of you today and always. I hope your Dr. Singh turns out to be exactly the kind of specialist you'd want consulting on this case. And that if he isn't, you'll figure it out quickly and get the heck outta there!

Hugs and strength
Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Feadan
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 12:48 PM

Keeping you both in my thoughts and wishes for healing.

-DdlB

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 01:16 PM

Well, here's a little bit of a smile for you, Linn: in looking for more info on Dr. Singh, I found the following...maybe it's his night job**BG**:

Himanshu Singh, managing director, Travelocity India,...

Wonder if Micca knows him!?

You are doing a great job...don't forget to take time to stop and breath and have a cuppa...it will all turn out well in the end. Look at all of the knowledge and power you both have behind you. Kendall and Jacqui, you are so wonderful and helpful, thanks from all of us...I love the way friends take care of friends here at the Mudcat.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Micca
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 04:57 PM

I dont know if I know that particular Sikh, Kat, but you all know I like a good SingH, I am think about ypou both and sending energy and encouragement
Micca

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 05:04 PM

Ha! (re: the Travelocity guy)

Our Dr. Singh is wonderfully communicative, knowledgable, and I'm sure is more than competent in his field. He gave us the information we were REALLY needing and seemed genuinely happy that I'd done a lot of preliminary research (though he said taping the consultation is against policy). He explained everything very well and I am sure he is an excellent radiology oncologist.

Most importantly, he confirmed that Tom's cancer is EARLY STAGE squamous cell cancer of the true cords -- an area with almost no lymphatic connection and therefore the cancer is highly unlikely to spread. And that this is a highly survivable form of cancer.

That being said, he readily admits that preservation of a singer's voice is NOT his area of expertise, nor are treatments other than radiation. So we are definitely going to get a second opinion at the Voice Center at Mass General in Boston.

But right now, I'm zonked. It was a long and intense afternoon. (We also talked to a patient advocate about the disappointments in communication after Friday's surgery so that sort of thing can get fixed, and help on another issue.) Then we went to pick up some prescriptions and the one MY doctor sent over to the pharmacy evidently disappeared in cyberspace. Stopped at my doctor's office just down the road towards home, but the office had just closed for the day. So this means at least a couple more days without relief from an annoying resilient rash under my right boob.

Tom just discovered he forgot to pick up Scotch (to be used very moderately) so I'm heading back to Lee Circle and might as well get a pizza for supper at the same time.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Nancy King
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 05:29 PM

Glad you like your Dr. Singh (liking one's doctor has got to be a big part of any recovery...), glad the nasty stuff is an an early stage, and very glad you're going to consult with the folks at Mass. General. Sounds like you're doing everything right so far!

Hang in there, both of you! Don't forget to take care of yourself, Linn! I'll be thinnking of you both --

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 05:30 PM

Sounds ecouraging. Thanks for the update.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: maeve
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 05:34 PM

That's a good update, Linn; thanks very much. I look forward to seeing you both when I can do so.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 06:16 PM

Well, if we go with treatment at Mass General, we won't be seeing much of Dr. Singh -- although we promised to let him know how we're proceding.

Nancy, are you in Maine? Will we be seeing you Saturday? Holly, I hope we'll see -- and HEAR -- you!

The little fridge upstairs has been desperately needing defrosting. I unplugged it this morning in an optimistic fit and now have to go upstairs (after I put a load of clothes in the dryer) to deal with it. LIFE GOES ON!!! (And maybe I can get the Rx snafu dealt with tomorrow a.m. before I go to work noon-8:00 -- ain't retail grand?)

Linn

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

Just got dressed again and put my contacts back in.

After Tom left the consultation, he stopped to pick up an Rx from his doctor at the building around the corner. I waited in the car, parked a dozen spots down from the door. Tom made it back as far as a picnic bench halfway -- his legs hurt too much to walk further. From the examination chair he had been in? His muscles going through another round of post-surgery aches?

We stopped at the grocery store and both went in, but Tom couldn't stand at the deli counter to get the low sodium cheese -- he went back to the store and I finished picking up what I thought would be dinner. Ended up coming back to the vicinity to pick up a pizza.

Okay, now, just after talking to Micca (nope, not Micca's fault) Tom came up to lie down and see if the pain & tingling (like his legs want to keep falling asleep) goes away or if I need to take him to the ER (or maybe the new facility at Lee Circle has an Emergency Walk-In service).

I hear him moving around upstairs. Not sure what that means.

Later,
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 07:23 PM

Sending love and healing thoughts from the other side of the state!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bobert
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 07:36 PM

Just look at Kendall... A pillar in the Mudcat community... The Don Juan of Mudcat... The guru... Da' man... See what a bout with this stuff got him???

Tell Tom what awaits him... That'll get his legs (all of 'um) feeling a little perkier...

Meanwhile, small steps...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 08:28 PM

Okay. We were too late to go to the Urgent Care Walk-In at Lee Circle (brand new, affiliated with Wentworth-Douglass). Tom called the ER at W-D who put him in touch with the after hours connection at Avis-Goodwin, which is his primary care. She called him back and said he'd probably be more comfortable at home and that the pain was probably still due to the anesthesia (and "manhandling" during surgery) from Friday and was probably triggered by sitting in the diagnostic chair at the consultation today.

I just got off the phone from a half hour survey on healthcare & issues sponsored by New Hampshire Health & Human Services. Arghhhhhhh!!!! Wrong questions, asking for the wrong answers -- i.e. "none of the above" not accepted; real case specifics not accepted -- only specified answers without qualification. I DO have the number of the coordinator. Poor surveyor is prolly being paid minimum wage and is under orders to stick strictly to the script. No variations allowed. No real gathering of information allowed.

I'm going upstairs and read, have another sherry, and try to slow down. Pop a benedryl to try to sleep through the night.

G'night!
Linn

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

Goodnight, Linn and Tom. Sleep.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 12:00 AM

I was going to say, it's probably the anaesthesia...that stuff stays in the bod forever, it seems.

Most importantly, he confirmed that Tom's cancer is EARLY STAGE squamous cell cancer of the true cords -- an area with almost no lymphatic connection and therefore the cancer is highly unlikely to spread. And that this is a highly survivable form of cancer.

Excellent news!

Remember my "In the Pink, on the Road to Wellville?" Well, I've just seen you both dancing on that road, surrounded by a beautiful bright Light, buoyed up by Love from Mudcat. If that's too froo-froo for Tom, tell him I said to lump it!;->

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 04:00 AM

good news about the cells. Not so good news abut the stuff ups - I wonder if the patient info sheet was a new one, or if other patients have been send to the wrong Doctors & addresses

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: kendall
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:32 AM

They told me the same thing; early stage, not likely to spread, radiation is best. Well, maybe in the dark ages it was best! The cancer came back after a month of sore throat and no voice at all.
If I had to start over I would go back to Mass. General and have laser surgery. No radiation or Chemo.
That's where I found Dr. Shapshay who has since moved to Albany Medical ctr.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Tinker
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 06:11 AM

Okay Linn, after reading Kat's last post I have a vision of you and Tom lustily singing chanteys as you skip down a pink brick road..... perhaps we all need a bit more rest...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 08:24 AM

All good, Linn. Dr. Singh is an extremely good man to admit that a singer's voice is not his expertise. If Tom's leg is not better today, get him to the ER.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 09:56 AM

Hopefully a new brighter day.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 10:56 AM

Not enough time to type much before I head to work -- maybe Tom himself will add something.

He JUST got off the phone with Mass General and has an appointment set up. Connections slick, too, with Down Easter (train) and shuttle, so at least we won't have to put up with Boston traffic.

His legs seem to be better today -- consensus is that it's dregs of the anesthesia.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:19 PM

Just keep us updated... and thanks for that.

Hang in there both.

Much love, thoughts and prayers.

Gary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: ranger1
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 05:22 PM

Glad the consult at Mass General is all set up. Don't forget to take care of yourself, Linn.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 06:42 PM

There is no "Boston Traffic" only non Bostonian drivers not knowing how to navigate.

Glad to hear the weak legs were only due to the anesthesia. Mine get tired all the time, kind of numbing when sleep walking down the stairs, going up isn't a problem, I crawl.

Good luck Tom

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 07:14 PM

Good news, Linn. Mass General treated me like visiting royalty when I went for my thyroid consultation. Tom is in good hands.
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 10:51 PM

Uh-oh, now it's gonna be Lady Mary, your Ladyship, etc.!*bg*

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 11:08 PM

Personally, I like the sound of "Your Maryship". Why use what so many others have used in the past?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: KT
Date: 10 Sep 09 - 11:47 PM

Linn & Tom,
Joining in, in the chorus of well-wishers! Thinking of you both as you weather this storm.

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: fat B****rd
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 05:24 AM

Best thoughts and wishes from Charlie in Dunfermline.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 08:11 AM

I like Your Maryship...
Spoke with Tom last night about the lighthouse mini-event this Saturday. he has a speaking voice and is in good spirits. With the appointment set wih Mass general, he is feeling positive about his chances to keep his singing voice.
Now to get Spaw in order.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 12:46 PM

Spaw in order... it's been tried.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 01:09 PM

Thanks for the update, your Maryship. (I like that, too!) I hope Tom and Linn can be relaxed and have a good time this weekend. I am convinced the medical world, in general, has no idea how scary, disruptive, and effective in not good ways, they can be when passing on opinions, best guesses, edicts, results, and the like. I could write reams about such over the past five months. Then there are the gems who somehow eclipse ALL of the negative and throw us a lifeline, which works. I like seeing that for Tom and Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Tinker
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 01:11 PM

Sending a moment of light through on a gray dreary day here in Jersey.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 02:03 PM

Hugs for the Mudge and for Linn who is looking after him.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: My guru always said
Date: 12 Sep 09 - 03:47 AM

More love & hugs to you both from across the pond!
Hil x

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 10:43 AM

Spent almost all of the time at The Press Room Friday night going over (and over, and over) the whole story with a bunch of people. Tom is still, of course, under orders to talk lightly for the next week or so, but he did do some talking over the general din. Also got to talk to a couple other wives in the club -- the Wives of Husbands Who Have Gone Through Major or Life-Threatening Medical Problems Club -- including Justine. That's the core of MY support group.

Haven't had a chance yet to send out an email update to friends not Mudcat regulars or Facebook friends. Yesterday, I think, I just wanted to NOT deal with it. (Since we didn't go to the lighthouse event, I defrosted the upstairs fridge and went through magazines before getting rid of them. All I could handle for the day.) Also discovered that some of my FB friends (or at least one) missed the whole announcement, etc. cuz she's got way too many FB friends and things like that get missed.

Work today, then maybe get out that email. Tomorrow we meet with another oncologist (I think he's the chemo guy) at Seacoast Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Informational only -- since we're probably going to go with treatment at Mass General. We see them on Sept. 23rd.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: gnu
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 05:35 PM

Thanks for the update. Keep the faith!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 06:48 PM

We got dready weathered out - too iffy to set up a borrowed sound system so you didn't miss a concert. No music at my house either but a very fun evening.
I will be r

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Surgery 9-4-2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Sep 09 - 06:49 PM

Alice walked on the keyboard just as I hit Submit.
Deep breaths and one day at a time. I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Mary