Hi Cindy,

Not a Dr...  but I  know PET scans: any increase in metabolic activity will result in a high reading and instrument calibration can be an issue.  A PET is indicative but not definitive.  A biopsy is definitive only for that sample but is still the best.... 

I admire your strength but even more than that, you know and understand LOVE. That is special and a big part of what makes you, you.

You are wonderful.

Hugs

Jen

I agree with Jen, you are wonderful and strong.

I'm booked in for a total laryngectomy starting at 7 am 21 March. The Surgeons are Eng Ooi who will do the laryngectomy and search for residual cancer. Nick Marshall will be doing the repair job using a flap from my left thigh.

I will lose speech and be a 'neck breather' (sort of weird expression). The surgery will take about 12 hours and I will be in ICU for a number of days. Nick wants me to come out of the anaesthesia after about 24 hours. I will be fed by a nasal-gastro tube and obviously covered in drains and monitors.

Complications are failure for repair to occur as I have been heavily irradiated and that reduces healing. Obvious complications from major surgery are clear.

I have been give a 40% chance to survive 5 years and beyond, I have 0% chance without the surgery.

I will be away from the site for a while until I'm aware again. Susan, Devlyn, FTMax and Wynternight will take over Admin duties in my absence, it would be lovely if they don't have anything to do and some pressure is taken off my Moderators.

I do love you all and thank you so much for the lovely messages you have been posting.

Cindy

Cindy, hoping to hear from you soon!

barbie~~

Cindy, go grab that 40% with both hands. We're all rooting for you.

Cindy,

   My prayers and thoughts will be with you. Have faith in the doctors that will be doing all they can to have the best outcome for you possible. Losing your larynx certainly will not keep you from giving voice to everything you have to say. It will just take a different form. Stay strong Cindy.

  Hugs,
   Jeanette

Cindy, a close friend had that surgery years ago, and is going strong today.  She misses singing (took up the guitar instead) and is delightful. You will do well.
Love Randy

I will keep you in my thoughts, praying for the best possible outcome and a very quick recovery.  Be well sister.

Hugs,
Karen 😊

I'm so sorry to hear that you have to go through this Cindy.
I don't how you have been so brave thorough it all.
I will keep you in my prayers.

All my love is with you.  X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Cindy,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm looking forward to seeing you back on the site soon.
Love
Ciara
xx

Keeping you in my thoughts, Cindy! You are such a wonderful person.

Hugs....

Jennifer

Haven't noticed this thread before!

I'm sorry what you're going though Cindy, I am new around here but can tell you're a lovely person, stay strong and I am sure we're all looking forward to your update after your surgery!

(I wrote part of this as a reply to a PM  fro my friend and colleague ElizabethK)


It has been an interesting week and I've gone from grief, horror, worry and to acceptance.

I've mourned the loss of my voice and I have visualised the operation with many outcomes and I am now visualising recovery and life outcomes.

I'm getting very close to being at peace with the process.

I have been overwhelmed with the love and support of the community and their friends, and from my none Susie Place friends. Obviously in Adelaide they are the ones dealing with my emotional earthquakes, they do so with calmness and respect and a ->-bleeped-<- load of bad jokes.

I never ever expected the out pouring of love and support, contacts with other laryngectomees and prayers from so many people. I feel so utterly inadequate to thank people.

Life could have been a little easier if I hadn't stubbed my little toe and the next one on the wooden leg of the bed. I think I broke the toe and I cannot walk too well!

So I was feeling very sorry for myself and then started laughing.

I recalled the advert for "Aliens" - In space no one can hear you scream!

So next time I stub my toe, I'm a movie star - no one can hear a laryngectomee scream!

I have to admit it has taken a week of hard meditation, thinking and working through my life goals to get to where I am in my brain.

Peter would have curled up in a foetal ball and wept. Cindy has not shed a tear; she has found a way to cope.

When you are feeling low and there is no hope, you can give up just decide to die. I now disagree with that attitude and I do so from experience. I have been there not only as a trans woman but as a woman who has dealt with losing her partner to paralysis and now dealing with hypolaryngeal cancer.

You can overcome anything and it is YOUR attitude that allows it.

It is not the life I have chosen but it is what it is.

I have arranged for my two life contacts to inform Virginia and Susan after my surgeons finish with me on 21 March. Remember I will be starting my operation at about 7 am 21 March in Australia. This will be about 3.30pm 20 March Tennessee time. The operation is expected to take about 12 hours.

I will be in ICU for about 4 days and I have been told I will come out from sedation after 20 hours.


Writing this helps me control my mind. My apologies if it is repetitive.

I'm feeling OK but may not be doing my Admin duties until I regain my balance.

So be good!!!!!!!!

Good luck, prayers sent & a seat waiting for you on my Sportster. Bring yer leathers!

Quote from: big kim on March 18, 2017, 07:58:08 AM
Good luck, prayers sent & a seat waiting for you on my Sportster. Bring yer leathers!

You now what? I'd love it. I'll wear Roo skins.

Thank you

I will pray for you also Cindy. You've got this lady. You've dealt with the sorrow and fear already so all that's left is for the doctors to do their thing. Recovery will be a breeze now that you have finished with all the other crap.
  We all will be waiting for the good news that it's done and you are doing well.
Enjoy your vacation from Susan's and return rested and better.
   Hugs,
    Jeanette

I can imagine how hard it is to accept the loss of your voice and I'm really sorry that this is the only choice you are left with but 40% sounds a hell of a lot better than 0. A lot of people could learn from you when it comes to dealing with hardships. I just quickly checked the time difference to make sure that I'll send the most positive thoughts your way at the right time
Wishing you a quick recovery and a lot of strength!

I agree 40% is better than 0%.

My thoughts are with you and wishing you a speedy recovery.