Marlene, How are you? I wanted to tell you some things that I have found out on my own. You don't get the information you should when you leave the hospital. Plus you are so wacked out on painkillers and steroids and antibiotics you can't even see straight. You are left to fend for your self. First,when you are taking a shower, I find if you bend over you can wash your hair and the water won't go inyour stoma. 6 weeks after my surgery my sister bought me a shower protector and it doesn't work. The next thing you have to do is get an electro-larynx. When you get it however (I got mine on E-Bay for $300) you might not feel like holding it against your neck, they come with atube that you put in your mouth. Just try it and it will eventually work. In a while when your swelling goes down you can push it against your neck. Writing will eventually become a thing of the past. Find your best friends and talk to them! I took up reading, studying Buddhism. It is very helpful to relax and you realize you don't need to say that much after all! My road rage went away. I don't say bad things about people any more. It is a waste of words. When you feel that nobody is listening relax, you know the answers! If you have questions, be patient,the answers will come somehow. I was given some knited stoma covers at the hospital. These are a god send. If you go without a cover you will feel the sneeze or cough and it will come out whether you like it or not. The humidifier the hospital arranged for me to rent is helpful but don't buy any water from the medical rental people.Go to CVS and buy distilled water. I think I paid $2.79 a gallon. The rental people charged my $42.00 a month. I havent used the suction machine, also from the rental people, but I could be lucky. I still have my feeding tube in my stomach. I am starting my radiation on Tuesday so I'm not in a hurry to get rid of it yet. I might need it if my throat gets sore. Eat organic food if you can. If you have a health food store anywhere near you, eat there if they cook or buy brown rice and beans. Also get some enzymes for your digetive system. It is probably in need of help after surgery and antibiotics. If you want to I can give you a laymans version of healthfood. I learned everything from the internet and a special friend. My stoma isn't fully healed,about 90%. But I have been driving into town on a daily basis and I am looking and feeling great. I don't get depressed anymore, believe me you will get through this and be happy again. It just takes friends and if you don't have any, make them! My thoughts are with you. Tony