Wendy

AWESOME news!

Oh boy bring it on!

Addie, Cheers to the breakfast concoction! Hope your feeling better in no time. Wendy

I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said, but I do want to extend a welcome! Wendy

What a great picture! Wendy

Beth, Glad you are going to stick with it. I know the rash isn't fun, but if it works it's worth it! Enjoy your weekend. Wendy

Glad to see that there was nothing serious going on. It is always better to check than not to. Best wishes, Wendy

Barb, Welcome and Good luck with your scan on the 9th! Wendy

Cindi, Oh man I feel for you. Seems like everyone in Minnesota has some kind of flu or cold - makes me just want to hide to I don't get it. I agree with others, drink lots of fluids, be good to yourself, and dream about sitting on a beach somewhere relaxing. Good vibes and healthy wishes coming your way! Wendy

Just goes to show you that it pays to be persistent. Good luck! Wendy

Lilgna, My understanding is that the nerves were damaged around the vocal cord during surgery. With some people the nerve will regenerate itself and eventually repair the paralyzed cord - which sounds like what happened to you when it came back after a few months. I would think that it would be permanently "better" and that your recent troubles would be only temporary - however can't say for sure. Mine never repaired itself and we monitored it for almost a year in hopes that I wouldn't have to do the more permanent surgery. IN addition to the weak voice (which by the way comes and goes depending on the day and how tired I am), I have tons of problems with choking on liquids and am unable to cough because my throat won't fully close. I have been able to compensate for the paralysis on the one side by pushing more air through my throat but when I am tired my voice virtually disappears. Maryann, it would be that something happened to your husbands throat, especially since he had lymph node involvement. They took 22 nodes on me, which is where the damage occurred. An ear, nose and throat doc would be able to look into it further. To diagnose is a simple scope they insert through your nose and takes about 3 minutes. Hopefully it comes back for him - I know it can be frustrating! Wendy

I will b epraying for peace and comfort to you and yours. Wendy

I still have pain from the surgery, but have been able to finally get off the pain meds and keep it at bay. The overall pain has just finally quieted down in the last month so I would say about 10 months after surgery. Not a fun ride that is for sure. For quite a while I was convinced that the surgery was screwed up and that something was wrong that they needed to fix - sure wish that it had been that easy. I belong to a local support group and several of the members continue to complain about the after effect pain. Sorry to hear that it is still giving you trouble, nothing worse than feeling lousy all of the time! Hopefully they can find something to nip it in the budd for your soon. One last question for you on the thryoplasty, how sore was your throat after the surgery? My doc said I would be back on my feet in about 24 hours after they keep me over night, but he really didn't elaborate on any pain after that - I was too excited that it was finally scheduled to ask. Thanks again for your insight and cheers to continued NED to you also! We all have alot more living to do...... Wendy

Thanks Mini George for the information. Sounds like I will be having the same procedure - I will be getting the teflon version though. I am really excited about it! I have been able to compensate for the paralysis on the one side by pushing more air through and working the right side harder, but if I am tired or talk alot it gets pretty week and really wears me out. It also really depends on the day whether it will be weak or not. My bigger problem has been swallowing and choking - this has been a real treat for the last 10 months. I had a temporary injection of collagen but it didn't stay for more than a couple of months. Good to hear that your experience was positive and that it was pretty painless!!! Doesn't sound like it is a real common procedure but sounds like they have pretty good results. Again, thanks for the info - It definetly gives me piece of mind to hear of someone else that has "been there". All my best, Wendy

Has anyone had a Thyroplasty implant to repair nerve damage and vocal cord paralysis caused from lung surgery? If you have any experience with this I would love to hear from you. I am scheduled to have it done in a few weeks. I did place a question in the Ask the Expert section to see if they have any input on it. Thanks! Wendy

Prayers coming your way, Wendy

Hi MaryAnn, I truly hope that this is what was causing the problem for your husband and that he will feel better soon. Keep us posted, Wendy

Jackson, not really sure on your question here. I am in a clinical trial for Iressa and all medication costs are covered by the organizing sponsor but they don't cover my regular doctors visits and CT scans/xrays because I would need to have them whether I am in the trial or not. That may be why they need to get the insurance company's approval? I will be interested to see what others chime in and advise you on here. All my best for a quick answer for you, Wendy

STABLE is a wonderful word! Keep us posted on the med switch, Wendy

Aw shucks, sorry that the ride has been bumpy. I will keep my fingers crossed that somethng better shows up on the horizon. Wendy

Yahoo Cindi!! I am so glad you received the good news! Wendy

Oh be careful driving into the appointment - here in Minnesota the snow brings out all of the morons! Cheers to an empty head! Wendy

great plan, enjoy! Wendy

Thanks for sharing, I have a 23 year old that is very quiet about the cancer too and has trouble expressing it.

Rob, Sorry to hear about your dad's health. Keep your chin up, maybe it was a fluke. I will keep my fingers crossed for that. There are many survivors here that are very knowledgeable and helpful in this area. As to your question on whether people need to know 100% of the details or just part of them, I am with Rochelle - everyone was different. I personally didn't ever get many statistics from my doctor, she actually stressed that they were very outdated and stated how every situation was different. I knew the diagnosis was bad, but really spent most of my time coming and going to appointments, doing chemo, surgery and what-have-you and left the statistics to the doctors. I was truly too numb at the time. I did become more knowledgeable during the journey, but for me I needed to learn it at my own pace. I know a few people that were info junkies and knew every statistic and medical alternative too, this is also good for some. Overall I think taking it one day at a time and accepting only what you can in that day works for most people. Good luck to you and your father. I will be praying for good test results. Wendy All