Cricoid Chondrosarcoma

Posted by deborahe @deborahe, Feb 25, 2017

I am currently being treated for this rare cancer at Mayo Rochester. Anyone else with this condition?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

Thank you, again, Jeff. You continue to be a great source of information and encouragement. I was expecting to feel like I could breathe better right away and that is not the case. Also very dry mouth and throat so your tips are very timely. All the best to you, Deb

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@deborahe

Thank you, again, Jeff. You continue to be a great source of information and encouragement. I was expecting to feel like I could breathe better right away and that is not the case. Also very dry mouth and throat so your tips are very timely. All the best to you, Deb

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What kind of nebulizer did you use?

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@jeffk

Congratulations, how exciting and what a BIG day! My learning from post trach removal is; when coughing, speaking or doing anything with your voice do place a few fingers over the area where the trach was, use a nebulizer to provide moisture and take some Musinex D. The good news is that the hole will close very quickly. Patience is still required to allow your body to learn how to breathe normally again. Good luck. Jeff

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@jeffk You are offering some great suggestions! Teresa

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The home nebulizer we bought from the Mayo Store and it was a Respironics brand Compressor Nebulizer.

Here is the link to the one we purchased from the Mayo Store:
http://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/product/HC1099966/innospire-essence-compressor
I used the normal saline solution used for the lavage process and it really helped. Did it 3 to 4 times a day. Good luck, Jeff

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@jeffk

Congratulations, how exciting and what a BIG day! My learning from post trach removal is; when coughing, speaking or doing anything with your voice do place a few fingers over the area where the trach was, use a nebulizer to provide moisture and take some Musinex D. The good news is that the hole will close very quickly. Patience is still required to allow your body to learn how to breathe normally again. Good luck. Jeff

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Deb, wanted to see how you are progressing post trach. I bet you miss the noise at night from the device used to provide moisture for the trach. Hope all is well. Jeff

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@jeffk

Congratulations, how exciting and what a BIG day! My learning from post trach removal is; when coughing, speaking or doing anything with your voice do place a few fingers over the area where the trach was, use a nebulizer to provide moisture and take some Musinex D. The good news is that the hole will close very quickly. Patience is still required to allow your body to learn how to breathe normally again. Good luck. Jeff

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Hi Jeff, I don't miss a darn thing about that trach! (I never had the nighttime humidifier mask, which I think I should have had.) My voice is improving slowly, though my breathing seems about the same as it did with the trach. It's good to be able to communicate verbally once again. I am sleeping so much better now and that makes a huge difference. How long did you feel it took for you to get back to your pre-surgery level of activity? Hope you are doing well, too. Deb

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Hi @deborahe and @jeffk!

I've enjoyed reading the support and information the two of you have shared and provided for each other here on Connect. This is what Connect is about and great to see it in action. Deborahe, so glad to hear your trach is out and you are on the path to recovery! great news!
You both mentioned paralyzed vocal chords- I'm curious if a voice specialist would have tips to help strengthen your voice? Did Dr. K or Dr. Moore talk about that? or was that not an option for either of you?

I hope both of you enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Jamie

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@jamienolson

Hi @deborahe and @jeffk!

I've enjoyed reading the support and information the two of you have shared and provided for each other here on Connect. This is what Connect is about and great to see it in action. Deborahe, so glad to hear your trach is out and you are on the path to recovery! great news!
You both mentioned paralyzed vocal chords- I'm curious if a voice specialist would have tips to help strengthen your voice? Did Dr. K or Dr. Moore talk about that? or was that not an option for either of you?

I hope both of you enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Jamie

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Hello, I have a follow-up visit mid July with Dr. Moore and I suspect that it will be a topic of discussion. The good news is that for my partners in the business is that they have to pay close attention to hear what I have to say, a real change of pace. Jeff

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In reply to @deborahe "Thanks!" + (show)
@deborahe

Hello Deb, I wanted to see if your breathing is still improving. Mine continues to improve along with time and exercise. I am running again, albeit a lot slower and not as far, I was a marathon runner. All in all patience and persistence and the desire to want to be as close to whole as possible. Wishing you all the best.

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