Wendy, I want to add my welcome to our family. You're one of us now and we're here for you for whatever you need. I can only imagine how scared you are. But you sound incredibly strong and it sounds as if you have a good medical team in place. Take comfort in their expertise and in the body's natural ability to deal with adversity, and to heal.

I only had a trache for maybe 5 days. It's certainly an adjustment, but you get used to dealing with it very quickly. I'm sure they'll give you all kinds of help with communicating and taking care of it. As bwb said, eventually you'll be thinking back to a time when it was scary.

Christine is our co-leader here and has given you advice that's pure gold.

My thoughts are with you and please come here whenever you have any questions or just want to talk.

David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18