Hello, Seekinginfo.

If it weren't for my Indiana University (IU) ENT, I would have died a few years ago. The IU ENT discovered the tumor and recommended a life-saving procedure. Between contracting COVID-19 twice and undergoing radiation treatment, my vocal cords became paralyzed. For an entire year, I fought the ultimate solution suggested by my ENT: a tracheotomy. I barely survived until the surgery date due to severe air hunger. It was terrifying.

If my ENT is a "bottom-feeder," then he is the most valuable one! Finding the "non-existent" tumor and performing the tracheotomy surgery saved my life. The excessive mucus that often accompanies throat radiation treatments is now easily expelled through the tube or suctioned as needed.

It's true that some less-than-desirable (LTD) ENTs exist. Previously, three different ENTs scoped me and concluded that I needed a tonsillectomy (despite having no tonsils), had arthritis, or required psychological counseling because they saw nothing! The IU ENT scoped me and immediately identified a cancerous tumor. We should always listen to our intuition, which I believe is a divine guidance. That inner voice told me that the diagnoses of those LTD ENTs were incorrect and urged me to continue seeking the true cause of my worsening ear and throat pain.

I thank God every day for my ENT. He is about to retire, which he fully deserves.