Medical stuff

[Agent Zero]

Good luck Wolf. I'm due back Monday for another biopsy, this one a needle biopsy.

Thrills!

[Standing Wolf]

So sorry to hear that Wolf. I've never known someone to lose their voice from scar tissue, and I hope the surgery is a roaring success and that you're back to your own talkative self very soon. I'm also concerned about the shortness of breath. The doc say's that's a result of the scar tissue, too? Not something like COPD?

How is your swallowing? Is it affected at all?

According to the doctor, I've got two separate problems. The scar tissue obstructing my airway is what is making me short of breath - to the point where I have to stop and take a breath in the middle of a lot of sentences now - and causing me to have to clear my throat every couple of minutes. The "thinning" of the vocal chords is what is causing me not to be able to speak very forcefully; I never really asked him what would have caused that or if that might have been caused by the trach, as well. No, swallowing is not affected.

[FindersKeepers]

According to the doctor, I've got two separate problems. The scar tissue obstructing my airway is what is making me short of breath - to the point where I have to stop and take a breath in the middle of a lot of sentences now - and causing me to have to clear my throat every couple of minutes. The "thinning" of the vocal chords is what is causing me not to be able to speak very forcefully; I never really asked him what would have caused that or if that might have been caused by the trach, as well. No, swallowing is not affected.

I can see where the scar tissue in your airway would make you have to clear your throat often. It probably feels like there's something there that you can't quite get up. I sure hope the surgery alleviates that problem and helps your breathing. Boy, that pneumonia really knocked you for a loop. I wonder if the frequent throat-clearing could impact your vocal chords.

I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way.

[Collateral Damage]

Hope the surgery goes well. While loss of voice is not fun, breathing kinda falls into the 'have to' department.

Afterwards, you can still 'yell' at us here, via keyboard.

[Agent Zero]

Hope the surgery goes well. While loss of voice is not fun, breathing kinda falls into the 'have to' department.

Afterwards, you can still 'yell' at us here, via keyboard.

I happen to know a few people who would be dancing with joy if I were to come down with a loss of voice.

[Cotton1]

Ever since I got out of physical rehab in March, I've been short of breath, I've had to clear my throat almost constantly, and now I'm starting to lose my voice.

So I took the day off from work to go see a laryngology specialist, and got to watch a film of the inside of my own throat and vocal cords. Yeah I know, eww.

Turns out that my airway is partially blocked with scar tissue from the trach they had in my throat for two months, which accounts for the shortness of breath and the congestion, and my vocal chords are "thinned out", which is why I'm losing my voice. Not sure what has caused that last, but this doctor knows his stuff when it comes to vocal chords; a lot of his practice involves people who use their voices extensively in their work, like opera singers, and I read that he is one of the leading specialists in the country in that sort of thing.

Anyway, they're going to call me when they have set a date for the surgery, which will be in-patient. Really not looking forward to seeing the inside of a hospital again, but it has to be done.

My best wishes to you

[Collateral Damage]

I happen to know a few people who would be dancing with joy if I were to come down with a loss of voice.

Fortunately, most of my communications are via the keyboard. Now, if someone were to take away my 'e' key, I'd be in a heap of trouble.

[Cotton1]

I happen to know a few people who would be dancing with joy if I were to come down with a loss of voice.

The area one is dealing with is much smaller than most of us realize. Occasionally I will get dehydrated from my medications. The sinuses will ball up a bit and thats the start. Then if I get undue emotional stress the muscles in that area constrict. It makes it very difficult to speak with the 1,2 punch. It will feel like a tennis ball is in my throat. Once I get hydrated and calm down I will spit it out and the obstruction is no larger than a bb. Its a terrifying realization and makes me realize how easy it is for someone to choke

[BenjaminO]

Ever since I got out of physical rehab in March, I've been short of breath, I've had to clear my throat almost constantly, and now I'm starting to lose my voice.

So I took the day off from work to go see a laryngology specialist, and got to watch a film of the inside of my own throat and vocal cords. Yeah I know, eww.

Turns out that my airway is partially blocked with scar tissue from the trach they had in my throat for two months, which accounts for the shortness of breath and the congestion, and my vocal chords are "thinned out", which is why I'm losing my voice. Not sure what has caused that last, but this doctor knows his stuff when it comes to vocal chords; a lot of his practice involves people who use their voices extensively in their work, like opera singers, and I read that he is one of the leading specialists in the country in that sort of thing.

Anyway, they're going to call me when they have set a date for the surgery, which will be in-patient. Really not looking forward to seeing the inside of a hospital again, but it has to be done.

Best wishes friend.

[Common]

@Standing Wolf did you get the procedure ? if so how are you doing