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 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

Hi Luckyus

I'm so glad your husband's X-Ray results were clear - another weight off your minds.

My appointment was fine thanks (phew).  My consultant wants me to go to cancer survivor (head and neck) group therpy once a month as I'm finding it hard to move on.  He said he wants to discharge me next year at my 5 year appointment but he knows I will keep coming back for reassurance!  I constantly worry about the cancer coming back and I obviously want to be happy in life without this dark cloud looming over my head and this worry everytime my voice is hoarse.  He said my voice will probably get worse as I get older bearing in mind wear and tear and the damage already caused by radiotherapy.  I just need to look after it more and stop raising my voice over background noise - which is very hard when you're in a noisy environment.

Anyway, I'm relieved for now and I start my group therapy on 12 July.

Hope your husband continues to be healthy and will keep an eye out for your posts.

Love Marion x

Hi Luckyus

I'm so glad your husband's X-Ray results were clear - another weight off your minds.

My appointment was fine thanks (phew).  My consultant wants me to go to cancer survivor (head and neck) group therpy once a month as I'm finding it hard to move on.  He said he wants to discharge me next year at my 5 year appointment but he knows I will keep coming back for reassurance!  I constantly worry about the cancer coming back and I obviously want to be happy in life without this dark cloud looming over my head and this worry everytime my voice is hoarse.  He said my voice will probably get worse as I get older bearing in mind wear and tear and the damage already caused by radiotherapy.  I just need to look after it more and stop raising my voice over background noise - which is very hard when you're in a noisy environment.

Anyway, I'm relieved for now and I start my group therapy on 12 July.

Hope your husband continues to be healthy and will keep an eye out for your posts.

Love Marion x

Hi Marion

I am so pleased you got the all clear again (it has been hard these past few days eating and walking with my fingers and toes crossed xx). I think unless you have truely been affected by Cancer you can understand the fear that every appointment, cough,or sore throat brings.  Good luck with your therepy but i think time will be the only cure, remember im always at the end of a computer (well not always but often).

Such good news so pleased for you

Luckyus

Hi Marion,

Great news on your last appointment and I think the fact your ocnsultant wants to release you next year must mean he's very confident your near being cured. I think the group therapy is a great idea it will help you put things into perspective and help manage your worry as I know exactly where your coming from, the worry never really goes away but I do think now your in year 4 post treatment you can start to let your self off the hook a bit!! as far as worrying goes

I had my check up with Rt consultant today and he had a look down and its all clear which was a relief although on this occasion I felt quite relaxed about it, don't ask me why??

He says theres still swelling there and that the edges of the vocal chords are slightly rough from the treatment and lasering and that in time they should heal and get smoother which will improve my voice, this could take another 18 months. However i'm inclined to think this is as good as its going to get and they are perhaps being a bit optimistic, but hey I can live with it and most days am able to communicate ok which was my main worry and off course getting rid of the cancer.

We must get together again soon, havent contacted chris as I didnt want to bother him but guess he will get in touch if he has any news.

Anyway good luck with the group therapy and let me know how you get on and try not to worry, your almost there!!

Speak soon.

Andy x