I am so excited. Kris had the usual monthly follow up today and we asked about the speaking valve. They went ahead and inserted it right then and there. Oh to hear him make noise was sensational. I am so excited and weepy with emotion too. Now he can't use it for a week to allow the swelling to go down so I will have to be patient. Then the practice will start in earnest. Not having a tongue to make the sounds will make this a difficult process, but practice, practice, practice. He wont ever get clear speech and many sounds will be impossible to produce, but any form of speech is surely better than none. He has been very isolated without speech so here's hoping.
Oh and his scope was great. (I'm still scared to say ) NED.
Tammy

Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!