| Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | So I just got back from my first meeting with the speech pathologist and I have to say I feel good about it. Normally I cringe at the thought of a new medical professional dealing with me, however this gal was intelligent and definitely not the pretentious type.
She was amazed at how good my speech was considering all of the changes I've gone through over the past two years. She was knowledgeable on Vitalstim, actually hit on it before I asked and seemed to have a great grasp on things. Very refreshing, especially in my neck of the woods. I'm really very confident with this and think she'll be able to help me with my swallowing and speech issues. Good times
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Eric
Yes my brother, speech therapy can work wonders and the VitalStim at least lets me swallow some of my saliva. My plastic surgeon who did the tongue flap reconstruction said just today at our meeting that my speech was "EXCELLENT" for such extensive surgery - even though I sound like Dick Clark on New Year's Eve. The key to success is home practice, each and every day in addition to the therapy visits. You know the drill already from physical conditioning and will do just great I am so glad to hear some good news for you. You deserve it all. Charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Thanks Charm, after reading your posts about your experiences I felt very informed prior to my appointment. I wouldn't mind sounding like Dick Clark though, it would be an improvement, and maybe I could get a gig in radio!
You've been an inspiration to me my friend and I appreciate your posts and insight.
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | If either one of you can talk like you type, you will both be fantastic public speakers. You are both eloquent with words.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Charm, Eric and Jim,
All three of you guys are awesome. I follow your posts regularly. (This happens to be my 100the post. Yippee!)
Anita
Anita (68) CG to husband, Clark, 79, DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08, HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft. Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear, PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14 Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22 PEG 7/21 Botox injections
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Jim, I used to have to do a lot of public speaking for work, miss it actually. Although I will say that visualizing people naked while doing it never worked for me...just kept making me laugh. Anita, congrats on your 100th POST!!! and on my thread no less! It's great to have contributors like yourself, Charm and Jim on these boards...why I keep posting.
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I useed to have to do it when I was a Mayor but the worst was performing Weddings. Holding court wasn't bad . Anita,, congrats on the 100 posts and I hope I am around when you do the 1000th.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April. --- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | Eric, Did you find this speech therapist on your own or did your Drs recommend her to you? I am wondering if I should get one ofr my swallowing issues? I know I just finished treatment, but I have been craving water and really want to drink it. I love ice cold water.
Angelia 31 at Dx. DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth, T1NOMO, T2N1M0 TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09 PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement PEG/PORT: 11/09 TX end: 02/01/10 PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear PEG Out: 06/21/10 Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Angelia, If you are not choking or sputtering, it is going down correctly and drink all of it you want. Keep that swallowing going. It will allow you to eat sooner. It will also keep you hydrated.
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Angelia
One of the benefits of getting a speech pathologist is that they will arrange to have a modified barium swallow test (MBS) done for you (although you will need your ENT to "prescribe" it). This easy test shows graphically how you are doing swallowing and exactly where anything goes. I have failed 4 of them so far which is why I am still on a PEG. This clearly won't be your problem if you can sip water already. Although the first time around, I did not get any speech or swallowing therapy nor MBS since I went thru that TX with no PEG and swallowed the entire time. Charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
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