Emma,
I am 6 years out from this surgery and have no real problems. Life is good. It has actually allowed me to eat many foods that I could not eat after radiation because I kept choking on them. Since I can no longer asperate food, if something gets stuck, I can massage it out of throat and cough it up. I was able to go back to full time desk job 8 weeks after surgery. I had a very easy time of it, no artery needed from arm and no skin graft.

There are several things I an no longer able to do. Swimming, boating, etc is a no-no. I miss this. I love the ocean. Showering is tricky initially but once you get the hang of it, is easy. In Health also makes a good shower guard. You lose almost all sense of smell unless it is directly under your nose. Bad for cooking, may affect sense of taste, but it didn't mine. Singing is impossible. No range left. I miss this also around the holidays. I was a second alto, now closer to base range. Voice will be anything from a whisper to low voice, but not full volume. Bad for crowded rooms but otherwise not a problem.

One other option for speech is the electrolarynx, the device that makes you sound like R2D2. You might want to look at the webwhispers web site for more info about laryngectomees. After holidays if you would like to talk to me on phone, email me with time and I will send phone number. Marliz in Pa and Tony ? in Saratoga have also had this surgery. I know Marlene had some problems and is not getting the TEP.

Your doctor and speech therapist should be communicating about how he will be able to speak after surgery. It is possible, he won't, at least initially, but get all details. Don't assume because he is losing his voice box, that he will never speak again.

Enjoy your Christmas and talk to me after you know more.

Take care,
Eileen