You are one brave girl for wanting to do that yourself lol! I didn't even know that you can do something like that yourself, but I think you should let the professional do it just incase you accidentally damage something.

Quote from: kwala on December 02, 2015, 05:00:14 PMI had great difficulty trying to schedule with an ENT today so I ordered an endoscope cam and if I can't get an appointment I'll try to take some pictures myself when it arrives.  Prime shipping ftw lol.

Quote from: jollyjoy on December 02, 2015, 06:29:57 PM
You are one brave girl for wanting to do that yourself lol! I didn't even know that you can do something like that yourself, but I think you should let the professional do it just incase you accidentally damage something.

Yeah, I think we know what the problem is so it's not worth the risk and I'm going to abandon that idea.  However, I think it's definitely doable.  There are even some videos on YouTube of people taking crystal clear videos of their vocal cords with just an iPhone in their mouths. Not something I'm going to mess with but with today's technology it's not impossible.

Kwala!! I am so relieved. I'd hate for anyone to have to go through more trouble than she would have to... especially something so costly like this.

I do have a couple ideas for you:
If you have Android, I downloaded this awesome text to speech app called "Type and Speak" by Googamaphone, and I actually use it to talk to people at work (when we're not working of course) and to just sit and "chat" with my roomie.

The other idea I have is to learn sign language--which I've been playing with and badly progressing... but most people get thank you and please, so it's been useful.

Hope this helps 🙂

Audree

I used a similar app called Text to Speech. It can pronounce different languages and I used it to 'talk' to my parents in our native language. So glad apps like these exist, it really got me through those no talking periods!

Quote from: audreelyn on December 02, 2015, 09:59:05 PM
Kwala!! I am so relieved. I'd hate for anyone to have to go through more trouble than she would have to... especially something so costly like this.

I do have a couple ideas for you:
If you have Android, I downloaded this awesome text to speech app called "Type and Speak" by Googamaphone, and I actually use it to talk to people at work (when we're not working of course) and to just sit and "chat" with my roomie.

The other idea I have is to learn sign language--which I've been playing with and badly progressing... but most people get thank you and please, so it's been useful.

Hope this helps 🙂

Audree

Quote from: audreelyn on December 02, 2015, 09:59:05 PM
Kwala!! I am so relieved. I'd hate for anyone to have to go through more trouble than she would have to... especially something so costly like this.

I do have a couple ideas for you:
If you have Android, I downloaded this awesome text to speech app called "Type and Speak" by Googamaphone, and I actually use it to talk to people at work (when we're not working of course) and to just sit and "chat" with my roomie.

The other idea I have is to learn sign language--which I've been playing with and badly progressing... but most people get thank you and please, so it's been useful.

Hope this helps 🙂

Audree

Aww, thanks, Audree.  I have android so I'm downloading that app right now.  Yeah, it's a bummer that my healing will take a lot longer than average but it sounds like there will be a light at the end of this very long tunnel so I'll just have to get by and keep hoping for little bits of improvement along the way.  If the web has formed then I have to believe that the prognosis is still very good down the line.  And he did say "up to 4 months" so there is a chance things could start to turn around sooner. I truly hope your recovery is much faster than mine!

Joy! Yeah I looked at that app, but I just jumped on this one because of one real good review. I think I may check it out later if I have trouble with this one. What language do you speak, and how good was the accent? If they have a ton of different voices... this may be very entertaining for me later... Lol

Kwala! Thanks, girl
I hope your voice gets better soon. Crossing my fingers for ya; though I feel confident your next update will be better 🙂

I 'spoke' mandarin with the app, the accent is pretty good, doesn't sound very robotic. They do have it in many other languages, but you have to type in that language in order for it to work. 

Quote from: audreelyn on December 02, 2015, 11:14:37 PM
Joy! Yeah I looked at that app, but I just jumped on this one because of one real good review. I think I may check it out later if I have trouble with this one. What language do you speak, and how good was the accent? If they have a ton of different voices... this may be very entertaining for me later... Lol

Kwala! Thanks, girl
I hope your voice gets better soon. Crossing my fingers for ya; though I feel confident your next update will be better

So since I have been a bit of a Debbie Downer lately, I'm happy to share a bit of positive news.  Over the past few days I've had several moments where my voice has gained a bit of volume and clarity.  Still not close to normal levels but I was actually able to call my cat from across the room and he responded by running over immediately.   Haven't been able to do that since the surgery.   Unfortunately, it gives out after a minute or two but it's a good sign and has calmed my fears that I'm going to be mute forever.   🙂

Quote from: kwala on December 04, 2015, 04:07:13 PM
So since I have been a bit of a Debbie Downer lately, I'm happy to share a bit of positive news.  Over the past few days I've had several moments where my voice has gained a bit of volume and clarity.  Still not close to normal levels but I was actually able to call my cat from across the room and he responded by running over immediately.   Haven't been able to do that since the surgery.   Unfortunately, it gives out after a minute or two but it's a good sign and has calmed my fears that I'm going to be mute forever.   

Called it! I'm so happy for you!!

Btw, how long was it for you, or anyone else who got it with Dr. H, before the swelling in your throat went down? I mean, when I swallow I feel like it can be a conscious effort to to keep things going down...

A

Quote from: audreelyn on December 04, 2015, 10:13:43 PM
Called it! I'm so happy for you!!

Btw, how long was it for you, or anyone else who got it with Dr. H, before the swelling in your throat went down? I mean, when I swallow I feel like it can be a conscious effort to to keep things going down...

A

For me, that sensation of having a lump in my throat went away after the first week I think.  Swallowing has not been an issue, and honestly I've had very few coughs throughout recovery.  However, there is obviously still a lot of swelling and also the issue of granulation tissue that is preventing my cords from closing and vibrating correctly.   I must have overdone it today because for now the little bit of clarity I experienced  is totally gone.   Time for me to shut up and let it finish healing.  Can't wait until I can speak at a normal volume.  I'm at 6 weeks and 3 days post op.  The first four weeks were tough, but I had mentally prepared for about a month of no voice and so the last two and a half have been brutal lol. 

Ah I see. Did you get the cta? I definitely think that's another factor. My throat, while flatter on the outside feels lumpy on the inside. I guess I just need to heal and rest up more. Though I do feel slight improvement every day

Sent from my 831C using Tapatalk

I'm sure that could be a factor.  I had the glottoplasty alone.  Rest up, drink plenty of water, and keep us all updated on your recovery 🙂

Quote from: audreelyn on November 27, 2015, 12:56:08 PM
OMG! Do you play any games? I'm playing waaaay too much Heroes of the Storm right now. It totally consumes all of my free time... How was the con? One of my guy friends was gonna go, but he didnt have anyone to go with--didnt think I was interested, but I definitely want to try next year!

Sorry Audree I just saw this post! Yes I play a variety of games: World of Warcraft, Runescape, and a huge range of other MMOs. I did try Heroes of the Storm during Blizzcon. If you're trying to go next year you know who to hit up 🙂 I am definitely going and would love to introduce you to the big group of people I go with every year.

Well...I'm pretty sure I just coughed up some of the stitches.  It's funny, I've been soooo good about suppressing coughs throughout this recovery period and I finally got a tickle I couldn't suppress and out popped a little spikey object, just like Elaine described.  It looks like two tiny strings tied in a knot.  Now, I'm like a day and a half away from 7 weeks so I'm actually not too alarmed.  If anything I'm more surprised that it hadn't completely dissolved by now.  I sent Dr. Haben an email explaining what happened so I'll have to wait and see what his opinion is.  In a weird way, I'm almost thinking this might be a good thing.  My body was obviously not reacting well to having a foreign object in its system and
with some of the stitch removed and any remaining pieces in a frail state, perhaps I'll be able to heal more rapidly.  There was no pain, which leads me to believe the web has formed already and the stitch was no longer holding anything in place.  That's just a guess, though.  At this point I'm just really looking forward to talking again no matter how I sound.   🙂

At 7 weeks you were overdue for the sutures to come out. I must have inhaled mine because they never came out.

Quote from: Dena on December 07, 2015, 09:49:39 PM
At 7 weeks you were overdue for the sutures to come out. I must have inhaled mine because they never came out.

That's what I think, too! I was surprised they were still somewhat intact and the knot was still super tight.  I took a photo I will upload so future patients can see what it looks like in case it happens to them.  I'm sure yours dissolved naturally, Dena.

Edited to add: Here's the image

Quote from: Roni on December 06, 2015, 04:44:12 PM
Sorry Audree I just saw this post! Yes I play a variety of games: World of Warcraft, Runescape, and a huge range of other MMOs. I did try Heroes of the Storm during Blizzcon. If you're trying to go next year you know who to hit up 🙂 I am definitely going and would love to introduce you to the big group of people I go with every year.

Oohh that's so funny! I used to play WoW. I was a Night Elf Warrior in Vanilla then I stopped for several years. It wasn't until Cata that I did a Blood Elf DK, but my ex stopped playing with me so I quit too. Anyway! Yeah I would love to meet all your peeps and hang out, that sounds like fun 🙂 if you're ever playing HoTs or Diablo, PM me and we can trade info.

Kwala! That suture looks like a fishbone, must have been fun getting that coughed up... anyhow, can anyone explain how or why granulation forms on the membrane?

Audree

I guess either my sutures completely dissolved or I unknowingly swallowed it. It seems scary to cough up sutures, but since a good amount of weeks have passed since your surgery, it's probably nothing to worry about and part of the healing process.

Well, I heard back from Dr. Haben.  He says the stitches coming undone at this point is "normal."  He stressed again that my issue is granulation tissue that it just needs to resolve on its own.  Audree, as I understand it, granulation tissue can form over a wound or injury when your body is being overprotective.  It's different than a scab, but sort of the same idea- which is to create a protective covering.  In my case, that tissue is forming over my cords and thus prevents them from vibrating and coming together.

I tried three times to get an ENT to take a scope of my cords today and had the worst luck.  One is on maternity leave and can't get me in for another month, one said they don't have the equipment to do that,  and one was not sure they take my insurance and said if it doesn't go through it would be $1250.  I live in a major metropolitan city but all of this made me feel like I was back in 1950 lol.  I  was really hoping to get to the bottom of this but I guess I just need to have faith and wait it out.  I still have moments where there is improvement but they are very short.  Never a dull moment in this recovery!

Good to hear it will resolve on it's own. You're probably used to not talking by now, so another 3-4 weeks will go by quickly for you.