How will my voice hold up?

A friend of mine brought me a bell to ring when I was going through treatment, and a white board to write on.  My interest in talking was just not there!  It also hurt and due to such of my dryness, which is mainly in my throat I sound like a man sometimes.  The testing from my speech pathologist said I was in a Male's level, my vocal cords where damaged from the radiation.  Today, after 4 years, it is still hoarse, except when I spray with Oaisis Moisture Spray, then I get some lubrication and can speak and people don't ask "what" "huh" all the time.  Or ask if I'm mad when I speak as I am so hoarse and unable to be understood most of the time.  Frustrating I know!  I have a close friend, who is 6 years out and I can't understand her for the life of me sometimes. We all are different, heal differently and hopefully, God willing, you will have your voice back same as before.  I am so Grateful to be here at this point.  I type and text alot as I know people have a hard time understanding me.  The speech therapist also gave me excersizes to strengthen the cords, which I do occasionally, but due to the dryness it is hard for me to be clear!!!

I also had a point there for a while, still do but not as much as I would get my words all tangled up and backwards,  the voice could would just not work well!

We are here for you and will help out as much as possible!  You will be great and come out on top!

Blessings

Patricia

I'm sure your seeing the many variables. Treatments and effects of treatments are different for everyone. I had radiation for laryngeal cancer in 98.  Radiation did not have much effect on voice. My neck felt and looked like a crispy critter but talking seemed to be no problem. Eating was the big issue. Not just because swallowing was difficult but because you have to compell yourself to eat when you do not want too.  Loss of appetite seems to be consistent with most people.  You may want to alert your team for the possibilities of mood swing and depression.

I do have one recommendation for anyone about to have  radiation treatments.  Ask your oncologist about IMRT. Standard beam radiation is primative and barbaric.  Cost is the only reason for maintaining the practice.

Hi Rob,

I don't recall losing my voice, although it did become kind of "froggy" and raspy.

Regarding swallowing, it will become difficult due to the radiation, loss of saliva and so forth.  As noted by others, we are all different and you may have more or less ability to deal with swallowing problems.  In my case, I used the magic mouthwash before each meal (which consisted of an eggbeater omelet sometimes with chopped up ham, 2 Boost Plus and tea with honey); I used a tylenol/codiene syrup for general sore throat pain; I gargled with salt water/ baking soda solution; and I took streoids (mostly for the horffic pimples I got from erbitux, but I also liikely got some help on the sore throat from the steroids).  I only lost 5 or so lb during rad/chemo.

Long term I have no serious voice problems (I am 3+ years post-treatment).  I don't think my voice holds up quite so well as it used to (e.g., I have trouble speaking after a while in noisy environments).

My advise is to stay on top of any and all throat pain issues; get the needed medications to help ease any pain - and be aware that as with all side effects, you may respond differently to different medications and may have to try a second or third medication if the first one(s) do not work.

Best wishes,

Chris

Rob,

I did the normal lymph node resection, 7 weeks of radiation and 3 sysplatin treatments. I lost my taste buds and salivary glands and had the severe sore throat. My voice became much weaker, but I needed to use if for my work. I carried a bottle of water everywhere I went and did not schedule anything that required long or continuous talking. I was able to meet the bare minimum needs of my job. Within a month to 6 weeks of completing treatment I was able to increase my speaking ability, but needed the water bottle. It gradually improved and by four months I was about 80% of normal. By about six months I was pretty much normal. The important thing is that after three years My latest scans were clear. - Sam

That's wonderful...I can just hope for a miracle for my dad.  I am so happy for you...