Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#58291 05-18-2006 03:46 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Hello again,

I am 6 mos post radiation/chemo treatment. I lost my voice toward the end of treatment and it didn't come back for almost 2 months after that. My voice has become stronger and clearer, but it is still not "my" voice. Has anyone else had this happen to them. My speech therapist said it is because the vocal chords were shortened during radiation, but doesn't say if this is a permenent condition.
Joyce


Diagoned with SCC left lateral tongue 01/05: Partial left neck dissection, partial glossectomy. Lymph glands cleared. Reoccurence in June 05 on tongue base:radiation x33 plus chemo. Started treatment on my 35th birthday! On the road to recovery...
#58292 05-18-2006 10:02 AM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 417
YES, I have trouble getting people to understand me, to this day... They have visualized my vocal cords on many occassions and state that there is no damage....My ENT has told me on more than one occassion to stay hydrated and stay mute and your voice will return. I'm old and if I drank the amount of water she has stated, I would have to be catherized.... I am too fond of the sound of my voice to stay mute..
Darrell


Stage 3, T3,N1,M0,SCC, Base of Tongue. No Surgery, Radiationx39, Chemo, Taxol & Carboplatin Weekly 8 Treatments 2004. Age 60. Recurrence 2/06, SCC, Chest & Neck (Sub clavean), Remission 8/06. Recurrence SCC 12/10/06 Chest.
#58293 05-23-2006 02:28 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 583
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Offline
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 583
Hi! Joyce

I too have not regained my normal voice. My last few days of treatment I was hit hard. I have hope to get it back. My husband calls me Marge from the simpsons.. Ha Ha smile

When I go back in for check up in July I will ask about it. My last treatment day was Jan. 20th.

I have noticed that when I am tired it sounds worse. It bothers me as well! You are not alone.

take care....
DM


2004 SCC R.tip 1/4 tongue Oct. 2005 R. Neck SCC cancer/Chemo Cisplatin 2x/8wks. Rad. Removed Jugular vein, Lymph gland & some neck muscle. TX finished 1/20/06... B.Cancer 3/29/07 Finished 6/07 Bi-op 7/15/09 SCC in-situ, laser surgery removed from 1st. sight. Right jaw replacement 11/3/14. 9 yrs cancer free as of Jan. 2015
#58294 05-24-2006 10:47 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,552
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,552
My voice is fairly normal now although my singing range is a little lower than it was. The RO told me that the rad wasn't near my vocal cords so that wasn't a factor. Other singers have told me that a lot of vomiting can burn the vocal cords and I did a lot of that. I actually polished my teeth like glass. I am working on getting my vocal range back.

I completely lost my voice for a little while post Tx. Dry mouth doesn't help either.


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
#58295 05-25-2006 03:54 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
DM:
I laughed when you said your husband calls you
Marge from the Simpsons. I know the feeling!

Thanks for the encouragement Gary! I too did a lot of vomiting, (mostly after treatment) so maybe that had something to do with it!

Joyce


Diagoned with SCC left lateral tongue 01/05: Partial left neck dissection, partial glossectomy. Lymph glands cleared. Reoccurence in June 05 on tongue base:radiation x33 plus chemo. Started treatment on my 35th birthday! On the road to recovery...

Moderated by  Eva Grayzel 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,168
Posts196,924
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5