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

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 03:13 PM

Installed? I understood he supplied the design specs for the prototype... and it went straight to market as it was perfect.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 04:07 PM

I went to the gym, then fed, watered, and petted the cats. I returned home to find a message from Lynn. Tom didn't get out of surgery until after 5 last night and then went out to dinner after. By the time Linn could call, it was too late. She said he was feeling/looking better today and that they might let him out this afternoon/evening. They still have to stay in Boston for a couple days.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 04:20 PM

YEAH!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Hollowfox
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:01 PM

(whew) The !@#$-reduction candle series for the two of them will go on a bit longer, just to be sure.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:04 PM

Hanging around Boston in the autumn ain't so bad, as long as they're both feeling ok.
Sending lots of love and light and healing energy your way, Tom and Linn!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:05 PM

Yesterday was a hurry up and wait day starting for Linn and Tom at about 10AM. No coffee for Tom made for a less than happy camper. He was supposed to go into surgery at 12:30. We said our goodbyes. Linn and I trecked the forty miles from his room to the waiting room and sat in the dreariest, noisiest surgery waiting room I have ever experienced. It was manned by volunteers who made and enforced "rules". LOL We had just sat down when Volunteer #2 stalked over, planted himself in front of us and announced "You left without signing out and came back without signing in."
We said - no, we just got here. "I watched you." NO WE JUST GOT HERE!
"Oh...it must have been somebody else" and off he stormed in search of a more willing victim.

Tom didn't get into surgery until after 2PM and out about 5:30. We got to see him at 8PM. His color was good but he was groggy from the anesthesia and it was hard to hear him with all the paraphernalia hissing, beeping, gurgling, etc. He wanted to sleep so once we were sure he was OK we left. By the time we got back to the hotel it was too late to call anyone.

So...the cancer has been removed., The doctor believes he got all of it. And I believe the doctor. He takes his work very seriously. The bad news is that the entire right vocal cord was involved as well as part of the left so there is major healing to take place before reconstruction can begin. The doctor said it will be a long process. Tom should not be discouraged by setbacks. He will have a speaking voice if he behaves and a singing voice if he works his ass off.
Now the really bad news - NO CAFFEINE. Anyone who knows Tom knows that he takes his morning coffee almost as seriously as I do. Poor Linn. The doctor suggested herbal tea and we both laughed out loud.

When I left this afternoon, Linn was headed back to the hospital expecting to pick up Tom, walk him to his surgeon's office nearby and then take him back to the hotel.

He had passed all the tests re: eating swallowing, and peeing. They checked out his defribulator (SP?). He looked good and was walking. Very eager to get away from all the healing noise and commotion of the hospital. They want him to stay nearby at least until Friday so they can monitor him especially for infections.

So - that's everything. As good as could be expected. Words of encouragement for Tom both here and on Facebook are welcome. Frankly, I think that Linn has the worst of this - a cranky caffeineless Curmudgeon.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Bob Frost
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:11 PM

Well, that is certainly encouraging news, except for the caffeine part. Plenty of white light on ya Tom, you, too, Linn...

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:12 PM

Though the waiting room was green, its official name is The Gray Waiting Room For Surgery Patients' Families. An apt description.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: ClaireBear
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:14 PM

Thank you for that most informative update. How wonderful that you are there, Mary!

As for the nformation you've relayed, I find myself breathing a cautious, tentative sigh of relief. As we all wait for more information...

{{{Tom}}} & {{{Linn}}}

And for that matter,

{{{Mary}}}

(you also serve, who only go to the waiting room and sit)

Cheers,
Claire

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: ranger1
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:17 PM

Oh, dear. Mega-huge hug for Linn! Big hug for Tom, too, but Linn's gonna need it more!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Tinker
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:18 PM

SINSULL, thanks so much for the update, and for all the support the rest of us can only fling into cyber space.

(Okay I can't figure out why google is trying to sell Bagpipe suppplies on this thread.... hmmmm)

Back on subject, as a coffee addict myself my sympathies go in to overdrive on this one.... A new morning ritual is in order, perhaps Spaw and the boys can come up with something rousing.... (and legal)

Love and light to you both

tinker

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:21 PM

Bless Linn.

Thanks Mary.

Tsk tsk Tom... you just gotta suck it up on the no coffee thing. Don't give your good lady grief.

BTW... good job coming through the procedure with flying colors. Now concentrate on it being permanently successful.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:26 PM

Double YEAH!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Jeri
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:46 PM

Sorry about the coffee! I mean sorry, Linn, and anyone else within the morning de-caffeinated Tom zone.

Mary, I'm glad you could be with Linn yesterday, and thanks for passing on the news. Here's to the getting-better stage of the journey.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,suzi
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:46 PM

What ClairBear said, love and blessings to you all. suzi. x

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess at Holiday Inn
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 05:54 PM

Ah hah! Finally got online via the hotel's business center.

What Mary said -- when I got back to the hospital (go in closest entrance to hospital, take elevator to Main Lobby, got to other side of Main Lobby, go down corridor a couple miles, turn left at Ellison Corridor, take Ellison elevators to 3, walk down another long corridor, beg entrance at PACU..., they'd returned Tom's clothes from wherever they held them hostage and had unhooked most of the stuff connected to him. (Spent the next half hour finding and removing other connections.) We needed to get to Dr. Z's offices in the Voice Center in Bowdoin Square, so they organized the shuttle. Finally, they took Tom by wheelchair to the opposite side of the hospital (through corridors Mary & I hadn't traversed previously), and the shuttle got us to about a half block from the Voice Center. Upt to the 11th floor, then wait. Then get into examining room...and wait. Snake cameras down his throat & nostril...and wait. Sonny came in and entertained us. Dr. Z wanted more pics...moved to another room, waited. More stuff snaked through nostril...and waited.

Yes, Tom's curmudgeoning. Finally got several more appointments sorted out, got the shuttle called and made it back to the hotel a little after 5. Had to go fill a prescription. Hope to get back to the room in a couple minutes so we can find close food.

Since Tom won't look at any of the pictures of his throat & vocal cords, I'm on more intimate terms with them than he is. And, by the way, the doctor who did the biopsy and told him it was "early stage" was full of compost right up to his eyeballs. It's been brewing for years -- right vocal cord is a goner and part of the left was involved. It's going to be a looooong haul with lots of work involved for both Dr. Z and Tom. But Tom's in a pretty positive state considering he can't have caffeine during the healing process -- or beer (carbonation), etc.

Thanks for EVERYONE's good wishes and positive thoughts.

By the way, Mary -- the name of the nurse that was taking care of Tom today was Mary Sullivan. I didn't actually look at her tag until I went back after you left. She got a kick out of it, too.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: bbc
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 06:14 PM

Hi, dears,

Sorry to hear the bad news, but hope it's not too bad. I'm glad you're, at least, through this part. Thanks for letting us know. Many care!

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 06:46 PM

Well that's good Karma, Linn.

Snaking down the throat again? Poor Tom. Any chance he can take Laphroiag intravenously?

Poor Linn! I still say that Linn is the one who needs the most sympathy and support.

Lots of wine, Linn.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 06:48 PM

Who's Sonny? And does he play the banjo?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: kendall
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 07:14 PM

Sounds like Tom has the same problem that has haunted me for the last 9 years. It's a bitch but it could be worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 07:14 PM

Sounds hopefull, and I wish him all the best, and a successful outcome.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: haddocker
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 07:15 PM

Tom and Linn,
            You are both in my heart and in my prayers.
                         Blessings and Peace,
                               Neil

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 07:41 PM

thanks for the updates & best wishes

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Peace
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 07:45 PM

Got Tom and you in my prayers, Linn.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 07:59 PM

Thanks for the updates, Lots o hugs for you both,

Julie Andrews has a lawsuit pending against a surgeon who apparently misdiagnosed and caused her to lose her singing voice...she was on NPR last week talking about her new book and mentioned it, I thought of you, Tom, AND you, Kendall.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 08:51 PM

Hi there Linn and Tom...have been going crazy trying to get to this thread but made it. Glad to hear Tom is in good spirits. Get some rest both of you. Jeff and I have been muddling through at work,,,I have been a bit overwhelmed, jusy found out my Dad is in stage 4 cancer and it is in the bones too...though they said lymphs still look ok...he is getting shot up with mass dosages of female hormones..will have hot flashes and all jsut like us! Ok I have to try and laugh about something.Rom

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: JudyB
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 08:54 PM

Must admit I'm moving pretty slow most mornings before I get my coffee - but taking it slow and easy is probably a good thing right now.

(Note to Linn - I'm also snippy until I get my coffee - extra hugs for you!)

Sending good thoughts your way - and (((((hugs))))) to Tom, Linn and their support network!

~JudyB

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 09:47 PM

Knowing is always better than not knowing. Now you know, and now you can move onward.

Jello ice cream is the answer!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 10:12 PM

How about caffeine injections? Or a caffeine patch?

Here's to recovery!

Is alcohol alright?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: My guru always said
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 09:33 AM

So glad to see that Tom's surgery seems to be successful, obviously just in the nick of time. Glad too that the surgery date was fixed fast despite the diagnosis of early stage. Love and hugs to Tom & Linn and also to the everhelpful Mary!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 12:39 PM

Check out this thread, Linn. Tom's doctor in the news. Julie Andrews is his patient.
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=124524&messages=1

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 01:06 PM

Ditto what Kendall said. Keep the faith guys.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 03:42 PM

That link is pretty exciting and I'm sure Tom will get the best this Doc can offer even though it might be a long road.

But if that's the case, you guys might be interested in some of the Vocal Cords at the NYCFTTS Spare Parts Repository I mentioned in the interim until Tom's are ready to go.

I went through the inventory and stock list but things are in a sad state and its a real mess. We do have the James Taylor ones I mentioned but I can't think a steady diet of "Fire and Rain" would be what Tom would like.

I found an old donation...a pair of cords belonging to the Velvet Fog, Mel Torme. Unfortunately, they were stored with the fog included which caused a lot of mold, rot, and other detioration on them and I think they're pretty useless now.   I don't think Tom would go for the Buffy Ste. Marie ones either as they also cause garbled words and an uncontrollable vibrato.

We DO have several sets of Dylan vocal cords and I see that Bob himself just picked up a new set to do his Christmas album. 'Course if you heard clips from his Christmas album you would know that these aren't worth a shit and might be some of the worst cords ever produced. Maybe they're just worn out but its hard to believe that anything could sound that bad even so.

Now here's something! The Official Frankie Valli model is still in stock!......Wait......bit of a problem. The only sets we have are the falsetto version. But Tom might like that for just a temporary thing............hmmmmm.......maybe not. I just read the instructions for them and see Tom would be required to have his balls in a C-Clamp all day so those are out too. Sorry.........

I'll keep looking.....This place is one helluva' mess though so don't hold your breath.


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 03:46 PM

I won't even suggest those 'Spaw overlooked from Everett Duerkson....

I will just hope Tom's own heal in the best possible way.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 03:57 PM

Walter Brennan's might be nice. I can hear Tom reciting "...that mule, ole Rivers and me."


Too late - I am already down in the CELLAR!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 04:03 PM

Can I order several? So I can change them out for the occasion?

You lookin at me? Yeah, go ahead and make my day, punk.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 04:08 PM

If there are any Tommy Makem models, I will donate top dollars to the the NYCFTTS. Lad had a t'roat on 'im like a Gannet, 'e did.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 04:21 PM

You got any Phil Ochs down in that there storeroom?

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: gnu
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 05:05 PM

Might be some pillocks.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess In Boston
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 05:08 PM

No alcohol, no caffeine, no acid (citrus, vinegar, tomatoes, peppers), no carbonation -- it all interferes with healing. Tom's already on a low sodium diet, so he slips into a bit of a depressed state saying almost everything he truly enjoys is being taken away. I counter that it's not permanent, but since he has another procedure scheduled (to romove the last bit of cancer from his left vocal cord) and then there will be rebuilding of the area of the right vocal cord, he just feels that the "healing period" will be stretching into long long months.

Yes, Tom's doctor, Dr. Steven Zeitels, is regarded as the best in the world for laryngeal problems, cancer in particular. He's been helping Julie Andrews get her singing voice back since the original surgeon screwed it up.

We'll be heading home tomorrow. It will be good to be home. It will be VERY good to be home!

Thanks for everyone's good wishes and prayers. His voice right now isn't as "breathy" as I thought it would be, but he has no volume whatsoever. I can hear him in a quiet environment. It's not really much quieter, though, than the voice he's had since June. (No match for The Press Room, though -- and his handwriting is, uh, less than optimal.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Bat Goddess In Boston
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 05:31 PM

By the way, the "no caffeine" means no coffee, no DE-CAF coffee, no tea -- herbal tea okay, but that's it.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Nancy King
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 05:58 PM

Thanks for the updates, Linn! Sorry to hear the cancer was more widespread than originally thought, but glad to hear the doctor is optimistic. Hope Tom is, too! Sounds like a dauntingly long list of forbidden foods/drinks, but stuff like ice cream should help a little. Take care of yourselves, both of you!

Nancy

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 06:04 PM

Linn-

Thanks for the update.

That's one pretty strict diet but I suppose it's what's needed for the long run.

But there's going to be one hell of a bash when the healing's done!

Home is OK.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: GUEST,Bob Frost
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 06:16 PM

David Behm would (and did) say, "Down the road to new adventure." I'm happy that there is at least positive prognosis for speaking and a collaborative positive prognosis for singing.

Caffeine will happen.

I join with all the folks here sending positive energy to Tom for healing and to Linn for maintaining at least a comfortable level of insanity ;-) White Light onya both.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 06:58 PM

" Tom's already on a low sodium diet, so he slips into a bit of a depressed state saying almost everything he truly enjoys is being taken away. I counter that it's not permanent..."

And not a peep from Spaw.

Everything, Tom? You need a slap this side of your head! There's Linn and the Press Room gang, the Mudcat enclave, your festival and its performers, the Getaway crowd, etc. etc. etc. - I am allowing you ONE WEEK OF WALLOW! ONE! Then I will come down and straighten you out!

A night in your own bed will help. Then think about a book or a CD of old recordings or whatever you think will occupy your mind.

Make a lsit of what you do like and can have and we will provide it -all except money.

SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 07:23 PM

There's still garlic and onions and meat. There are mushrooms and there's cheese and sour cream. There is white pizza, which probably has too much sodium, but you can invent your own. I'm getting hungry, and I just ate.

Tom ought to work on some recipes and write a low-most-everything cookbook, even if it's just a local seller.

Hugs to youse guys.

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Crane Driver
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 07:31 PM

So pleased that the doc was able to clear all the crap. Here's to a full recovery - we know you can do it together. We'll be back in Portsmouth one day to sing with you.
Carole & Andrew xx

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: JoeSimes
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 08:03 PM

Glad to hear the news Linn!! No coffee and no beer! Yikes it's gonna be a long road! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 08:20 PM

I could manage the 'No Alcohol' bit (HONEST !!) but the No Coffee would be a Killer ! Hang in there mate , and we can share a Coffee at Getaway next year !

Subject: RE: BS: Curmudgeon's Vocal Cord Cancer, Oct. 2009
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 08:20 PM

100