ladyblue

On another note. Today I finally got some validation. Monday when I saw my NS and complained that I was still having voice and swallowing problems, would you believe that the arrogant so and so actually had the audacity to make the statement to me that he thought that I "sounded better than the last time you were here". Then immediately he went on to ask "now what is it that you do for a living again?". I like to have fell outta my chair. This from a man who had a 5 minute conversation with me 7 weeks ago. Like he EVEN remembered me? Gimme a break!!! Its not hard to imagine him forgetting, but to state that he recalls the sound of my voice....what ever!!!! Anyhow, he did give me a referral to an ENT. He wanted to send me to one of "his good ole boys" but I turned him down flat and told him that I wanted to use one located in my own city so that I wouldnt have to drive to Little Rock for the appointment and treatments.

Well I would say that the good Lord was looking out for me because not only is my ENT a fantastic doctor, but he also specializes and is very interested in voice disorders. Today he did one of those nasty painful scope up the nose down the throat things to he could have a look see. He diagnosed that my right vocal chord is indeed paralized. And, not only is it paralized, but it is paralized in the completely open position. Now, with stuff like this, best case scenerio is that the vocal chord becomes paralized at about the midline postition. With it stuck fully open, it becomes more difficult.

Next week I have to have a barium (yum) swallow study and then I have an appointment with the speech therapist for a video study of the vocal chord. After that, an EMG. Doc did state that because the chord is stuck in the wide open position, he could see evidence in my throat that I have a big time problem with reflux and it is causing big time irritation and inflamation of the tissues. ( can anyone say I TOLD YA SO ) I have been whining about these things since the day I awoke from surgery and finally finally someone is listening!!!

The crummy news is this. To fix this thing goes in two stages. First stage after all the testing is to go under general aneth and then the doc injects stuff into the paralized vocal chord to "plump" it out and make it swell so that it at the very least makes closure with the working one. Then, in a few months after all that is settled down and the injection more or less wears off, the doc again under general aneth goes in and implants a prostetic vocal chord. Is that a trip or what??? The reason for the two is I guess to try to fool the nerve into working again. He did say that the nerves for the vocal chord are very very complicated and sensitive and most of the time they dont regenerate on their own. He also said that this type of side effect for ACDF only happens in 1 or 2 percent of the patients. Heck I coulda predicted this one!!! I am always the one who makes the odds...lol.

Still no word on why there is metal artifact in my MRI. I suspect that the next thing I will have to endure is a myleogram and some epidural cortisone shots. I just keep hoping for some good new for once on me.

We did get good news on my DH today. He went to see his n/s and the n/s DID NOT recommend surgery. He thinks that PT, pain management, medication and perhaps some trigger point or epidural injections would do the trick for him. So that makes me happy.
He is going to start working out lightly too. He knows that having the little buddah belly like he does is hard on his back too. I guess I am just too good of a southern cook cuz he doesnt drink beer. But I love his tummy cuz it makes such a cushy cozy pillow for resting my sore tired neck on.

Enjoying some cooler weather here in Arkansas!!!

Peace and sunshine,
Lisa

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edited due to the request of the family of the former member

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-12-2003).]