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 Andy

Hope you had a good weekend and it's really great news that your voice is getting stronger.  I know exactly what you mean about being excited about your voice but anyone who hasn't been through it wouldn't realise how scarey it is the thought of never being able to talk again - not to mention how frustrating it is.  I used to not want to go out as it was such an effort trying to keep up the conversation and knowing that it would only make your voice worse by straining it.

No wonder you get tired after doing too much.  I'm still amazed you are getting on with work so early after finishing treatment - especially in your job as a fitness trainer.  I felt tired for months after radiotherapy and I'm just sitting at a computer!

The 2nd or 9th of March is fine with me but do you want to message me privately about the arrangements as I'm sure no-one else would be interested n our get together.  At least I won't have to wear a red carnation as you know what I look like now (well, 4 years ago!).

Speak soon.

Love Marion x

Hi Marion,Lucky Us,

Have just been for my first check up since RT and have been given the all clear, he says the cancer has gone!.  I'm so relieved!! really feel over the moon. :-) As we all know it isn't an absolute total  all clear as I will have to wait 5 years for that but its a great step forward. He says my voice will get stronger but that will take a few months and I will still have to go back for monthly check ups. Thanks a million again for  all your hlep and support, I don't know what I would have done without it.

Marion will mail you privately re meeting up.

Love Andy x

Wow Andy

Second to hearing my husband get the all clear again last week that is the next best news i have heard ( i know we all say all clear with our fingers crossed) when you all go out have a special drink just to celebrate this step in the journey.

BIG BIG congratulations from me

Luckyus

Hi Andy,

That is fantastic news matey....have you celebrated yet?

I hope that doesn't mean you will not come on here again and will keep in touch with your fans.

Glad it was good news and looking forward to that 5 year window!

All the very best

Tony

Hi Andy

That's FANTASTIC news!!   I know exactly how you feel, it's a huge relief and I'm so happy for you.

I'm sure they told you that it's monthly visits for the first year, 2 monthly the 2nd year, 3 monthly for the 3rd year and then it goes up to 6 months.  I'm now on 6 monthly visits but I quite liked the reassurance every 3 months as I worry every time my voice is a bit hoarse (mainly caused by my constant chatting)!

Now we really must crack open that bottle of champagne soon!

I'm so happy for you Andy and I know your voice will just keep getting better.

Love Marion xx

How lovely to hear good news.May this big step in the right direction be the first of many.

Thanks so much for your message, did have a nice glass of champers at the w/w to celebrate. Have to go back for next check up in 3 months so I guess they must be pleased with me. So glad to hrar all is going well with your husband and hope he continues to make good progress, i'm sure he will.

Will be in touch soon.

Andy

Hi Grumpy,

Thanks so much for your message, it was very kind of you. It has been a great support to know that there people I don't even know that are looking out for me, hopefully we will get to know each other better, thank god for this site!

Andy

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your message. Had a large glass of champers at the w/e, which went down a treat and thank you for your good wishes. I will definately still be on here and hope I can help others as you have all helped me.

Best to you too.

Andy

Hi All

Just a quick up date:- My husband had a check up again last week and got the all clear yet again ( feels good to type that) they have sent him for a chest  xray for a cough but i think it is just nerves as his appointment gets closer i am sure this started and its fear coming out in a cough (well fingers crosssed).

How is every one else doing fingers crossed you are all ok

Luckyus

Hi All

Just a quick up date:- My husband had a check up again last week and got the all clear yet again ( feels good to type that) they have sent him for a chest  xray for a cough but i think it is just nerves as his appointment gets closer i am sure this started and its fear coming out in a cough (well fingers crosssed).

How is every one else doing fingers crossed you are all ok

Luckyus

Hi Luckyus

That's really good news - you must both be so relieved!  I have been thinking of you although I haven't been on this thread for a while.

I¿m meeting up with Andy (Zarker) and Chris (Chris 77) tonight so I¿m really looking forward to seeing them in person!  It¿s great that what started off as a post from Andy, has led us to all meeting up.

Keep posting as I do check every few days.

Take care.

Love Marion x

Hi luckyus

I just wanted to say i happy i am you got a clear scan and i hope everything goes ok with the xray.There are some nasty summer colds doing the rounds.It is difficult not to worry abourt every ache,my sillyest one was when i first wore my wig and my head began to really ache in an odd way and i wandered round this beautiful summer fair with my family thinking Oh good it has gone to the brain.It took me a good couple of hour to realise that the stupid wig was to tight.

Hi Marion

I also keep an eye on this thread and read all the catch ups i hope you had a good night meeting up with andy and chris. we have heard nothing about the Xrays so i am just assuming it is good news we are back in a few weeks again but after his xrays my husbands cough stopped i am convinced it was nerves about his appointment bless him.

So nice to hear from you

Luckyus

Hi Grumpy

Still find that name hard to call you as you are never grumpy. As i said above to Marion i think the cough that led to the Xray was just weeks of worry, i love what i think (hope) was a typing error i think you meant oh god not oh good its gone to the brain.

As i say you never fail to cheer me up keep posting.

Do you do the red, blue, blonde and brown hair colours for all your moods ( think mine would be platinum blonde as im a dirty blonde now)

Best wishes

Luckyus

Hi lucky us,

Really pleased to hear you have more good news, sounds like your husband has been lucky and they have managed to nip it in the bud, hoping it all stays the same for you . Think your right about your husbands cough a lot of these things are psycosymatic when we are worried about things and the fact you gave not heard any thing is I expect a good sign.

Met marion and Chris last week we all had a great time, it was great to finally meet each other in person and I don't think we stopped talking for about 3 and a half hours! We are going to meet again soon before Chris goes back to Manchester.

I have my next check up this weds so keeping my fingers crossed but my voice is a lot better and the side effects of the treatment are diminishing. All the best and I hope everything continues to go well for your husband.

Best wishes

Andy

Hi lucky us

It did make me laugh when i realised what i had typed,I think that would be taking positive thinking a step to far.The wigs of many colours does sound like a good idea but unfortunately for me my head is to big and i can never get one to fit but i have cornered the market on silk scarves.My newphew has suggested i shold paint a smiley face on the bald bit i have where the hair wont grow back which would be another solution.

Hi Andy

Will keep my fingers (and everything else) that you also get some good news tomorrow i am so pleased you all had a good night makes me smile when i think what you have all been through and you say "didnt stop talking" that is so so good.

All the best for Wednesday

Luckyus

Hi Grumpy

My family are always telling me i have a big head, but i love the thought of drawing a smily face on any bald patches.

best wishes and keep in touch

Luckyus

Hi Luckyus

I've just realised that I didn't reply to you - sorry!

Hope the x-ray came back all clear - hopefully no news is good news and they would normally be in touch quite quickly.  Let us know how he gets on.

It's my next appointment on Wednesday and I'm not really looking forward to it as I have been hoarse for weeks now but have resisted bringing forward my appointment as I normally do.  Hopefully I will get the same result as I have done in the past nearly 4 years - that all is OK.

Take care.

Marion x

Hi Marion

Got a letter this week to say Xrays were clear ( thank goodness)

I really hope your appointment went ok and you got good results. I hope your voice has returned and you are feeling better. My fingers and toes are crossed for you

Luckyus x