Hi Zarker

I had severe displacia of the vocal chords around 5 years ago and was told that I needed laser treatment immediately as it "was very close to cancer". I had laser treatment a few times and had to have biopsies done around every 2 - 3 months but in my case it had gone too deep so they could only laser the surface and it kept coming back. If you are a smoker you should give it up immediately as my consultant told me to avoid smoke at all costs.

I went on to have larygneal cancer but I was stage T2-3 when I was eventually diagnosed. I was successfully treated with radiotherapy 28 months ago and touch wood everything is fine and my voice is better than it's been for years.

On a positive note they are closely monitoring you and as you are at a very early stage hopefully they will be able to get rid of it with laser treatment alone.

I wish you well and hope that the next laser treatment will be the end of it.

Marion x

Hi Marion ,

Thanks very much for your reply it was most helpful. I hope you don't mind me asking but how long was it from when they found displacia to you being diagnosed with laryngeal cancer? As this is what I think may be happening to me. They said inicially It could be treated with laser alone and after my last laser treatment yesterday that the return was on the surface only and did not warrant rdiotherapy at the moment and he had done deeper biopsys which he says hes sure arn't cancerous. This has as you know been a very difficult time for me as i'm so scared of loosing my voice or having to have a laryngectomy which I've been told is unlikely. i'm reassured to know that after your treatment your voice is now good. Thank you again and I hope you continue to do well. Andy

p,s gave up smoking 5 years ago and after this will never go back to it!

Hi there, must say i'm slightly surprised about the wait. Did they not do a biopsy when they did the laser? When I had my first laser I found out within a week. Perhaps they feel that it does'nt look like anything serious, which if thats is the case is good. If your in any doubt though go back and tell them if your concerned about the wait as six weeks is a fair time and it would help put your mind at rest to know what is happening and what the course of treatment will be if any. Hope you get some answers soon.

Andy

Hi Michael

We live in Lincolnshire and we have to wait as they didn't do a biopsy so they have to wait until the scaring from the laser is healed so the can make sure there is nothing left i rang hospital last week and the secetery spoke to the consultatnt who told us this.

His throat is still very sore but he is doing ok he went back to work a few days after the op and although he feels more tired (and grumpy) hes ok

This is such a great site as you are talking to people who really understand (unfotunatly for them). I appreciate you thinking of us but if i told him he would just laugh at me. he burries his head in the sand and i want to know it all (oppisites attract and all that).

Thinking about you too thank you for all your help

Luckyus

Morning Andy

Yes i was shocked at the wait ( my husband was happy not to find out ) i rang the hospital last week to see if it was a mmistake and to ask if we could have our appointment any sooner ( me and my christmas) and the secatery spoke to the consultant and said they did not feel the need for a biopsy and they wanted the area to completly heal before looking at it again. when they did the laser they said the cancer was sat on top of the scin and not gone all the way through?

It is amazing how people take time out of their busy lives to help others so thank you Andy for your help (i am sure i will need more in the future)

best wishes to you

Luckyus

Hi Micheal

on here to ask you for help there is  a thread called "what next" started my Mermaid1966 asking for help with a full larynoscopy gave your name and this thread but i think you are the perfect person to help.

on a silly note my husband had a fall at work today after being rushed to hospital he has sprained his ankle (what a faker) so now he expects more TLC ( he has had his quota for this month)

Ah Bless hugs to you

Luckyus

Hiya,

Thank you so much for your reply, I am not sure how these chat rooms work so I thought I would reply to you.  I am in shock but everyone keeps telling me how brave I have been and how well I have done, but it was just a case of getting on with it.  Now I have time to think about things and experience what it is like actually living with this I am getting more resentful and frustrated at the situation.  I do not feel brave or think I have done well because after all what choice did I have.  I have even regretted having the operation even though I was told without it I would only have 2 to 3 months.

I know I am lucky that I have been given another chance but I cannot help feeling the way I do.

I hope you don't think I am an ungrateful person. I am just very confused and don't know where to go for help.  My family have been great but I cannot talk to them because they don't understand, they are just so pleased I have come through this.

Thanks for your reply,  x

HI

you are right to feel angry,  confused and resentful why should you have to go through this, the little i do know is when the operation is first done the scars look awful but they do heal. i think you are also right in what you say about just doing it and now (only now) you have time to think about all you have been through. most people have time to get used to the idea of an operation for a few months but with cancer that is not always possible.

As for thinking you are ungrateful no never feel that on here i have found out this site is the best place to get out what you honestly feel, and like others, i do not want to upset family or friends with my true feelings (or fears) sometimes. the friends i have made in ever such a short time have been a great help for me.

big big hug going to you today

xxxxxx

Hi Mermaid 1966.

I talk to Luckyus about her husbands cancer, I dont know if she has told you about mine. what cancer do you have, if it will help I will tell you a bit about me. I had throat cancer 3 years ago, it moved about a bit from one side to the other in the space of 6 months, I had throat cancer in my vocal cords, had a couple of biopsys, laser, radiotheropy ETC. to cut it short I landed up having a total laryngectomy ( voice box removed ). it has been 2 years now and I am fine, can talk. if this helps you about what you might have get in touch and I will give you help with any questions you might like to ask, there is a lot of people on this site that can help, like Luckyus and a few more that have people and relations that have cancer.

dont be afraid to ask we are here to help if we can.

look after your self.

Joeninty  Michael.

Hi Luckyus.

How is the husband have you been giving him lots of loving after his bad fall, we men are so strong you women dont under stand how frail we can be. how did princess 1966 get to know you I have sent her a message to see if I can help.

I know what it is like waiting for infomation, I was lucky, I didnt wait more than a couple of weeks, maybe it was because of how bad my cancer had got. are you looking forward to christmas not because of the bad health, have you got any kids, my grandkids have just gone home they have been up for the weekend keep you young.

Well look after both of you good news is around the corner keep in touch.

michael.

Hi Micheal,

I was so glad that luckyus replied to my message because at the time I was so down I thought I was the only one going through all the negative thoughts I felt a bit selfish and ungrateful for the excellent treatment I have had.  Just over seven weeks ago I was admitted to hospital with what I thought was a chest infection. I had never been ill and had never smoked in my life although I did live and work in a smokey environment when I was younger.  I had a camera up my nose and the doctor looked really shocked.  2 days later I had a laryngectomy as I was struggling to breath, they also took a biopsy. Everyone kept saying I would be ok and not to worry about things, and the word cancer was never mentioned.  A week later I was told I had cancer of the larynx and had to have a laryngectomy. After two weeks at home I went into hospital and had the operation . I was on auto pilot and did everything I had to in order to get home as quickly as possible. Everyone said I was going a fantastic job!.

I have been home now for three weeks nearly and I have the most awful feelings that I wish I had not had the operation as I feel like my voice is not good enough to have a proper conversation and unless I get eye contact with the person I am talking to I am being ignored and therefore don't have an opinion on anything. I thought I should be feeling lucky, grateful and relieved but I am frustrated and depressed that this has happened.

My scar has healed well but the skin around my stoma is still inflamed so I have not been able to use the sticky pads and cartridges which I think will be easier.  I cannot understand why I feel so bad and feel ungrateful as I have had excellent medical treatment and my husband has been the best with emotional support and practical help too, he has been at my side throughout.

I am glad to hear you are 3 years down the line and are doing well, I just have so many mixed feelings I don't know where to turn.  I have also refused radiotherapy as the side effects frighten the life out of me, this is all to much to get my head around in 7 weeks.  I hope you don't mind me bending your ear like this as you have probably guessed my feelings are all over the place.

I would love to hear back from you as I do not know anyone else that has been through this.

Thank you and best wishes,  Chris x

Hi Mermaid1966

so pleased i could be a little help keep in touch.

Luckyus

Hi Mermaid1966

so pleased i could be a little help keep in touch.

Luckyus

Hi,

Thanks again and pass my best wishes to your husband, Good Luck to you both.

Chris x