Hi Deb and @jeffk , just letting you know that my vocal chord surgery went quite well. The surgeon used one of my muscles to attach the Gore-Tex wedge, as the trachea was too friable. He's expecting the muscle to atrophy such that the chord will be in the right position in a couple months. I feel so fortunate, as COVID policies were changing rapidly during the two days I was in the hospital. I was still able to have my follow-up bronchoscope last week, which showed that the airway looks great. I was allowed to start practicing with my voice a couple days ago. It's small and raspy, and it takes a few tries to get started, like a stubborn lawn mower. But I do think it will sound like the old me. The cats and my husband are thrilled to hear it. I think singing will be possible too. Hoping all is well with you and your loved ones. Take care!
Hi Deb and @jeffk , just letting you know that my vocal chord surgery went quite well. The surgeon used one of my muscles to attach the Gore-Tex wedge, as the trachea was too friable. He's expecting the muscle to atrophy such that the chord will be in the right position in a couple months. I feel so fortunate, as COVID policies were changing rapidly during the two days I was in the hospital. I was still able to have my follow-up bronchoscope last week, which showed that the airway looks great. I was allowed to start practicing with my voice a couple days ago. It's small and raspy, and it takes a few tries to get started, like a stubborn lawn mower. But I do think it will sound like the old me. The cats and my husband are thrilled to hear it. I think singing will be possible too. Hoping all is well with you and your loved ones. Take care!
Julie, What fantastic news! I’m so glad you were able to have your procedure done and have such an excellent outcome. All the best to you as you continue to heal and find your voice again. Keep us posted on your progress! -Deb
Julie, thank for sharing such a bright spot amongst all the concern. So delighted that you were able to have the procedure and more importantly that it was successful. Hope that your voice continues it's path back to a new normal. I believe that it sound's like you will be joining Deb and I on the other side of all of this. I assure that at the end of the very painful journey is an unbelievable feeling of gratitude and appreciation for each and every day that we have with full functionality and life! Be safe and as Deb said, keep us informed we are cheering and praying for you! Jeff
Julie, What fantastic news! I’m so glad you were able to have your procedure done and have such an excellent outcome. All the best to you as you continue to heal and find your voice again. Keep us posted on your progress! -Deb
Hi Deb and @jeffk, I've been thinking about you often and hoping all is well with you. It's been 2 years since the Gore-Tex implant to prop up my paralyzed vocal cord. About 10 months ago, I had another surgery, this time to take lipids from my abdomen and inject them into my vocal cord to plump it up and make better contact with the other one. It made my voice less raspy and gave me a little more volume. The benefits are expected to fade over time. On a good day, my singing range is half an octave in the baritone range, but I played my clarinet with the alumni band at a football game last fall, and it felt exactly like normal (even while marching). Good to have some endurance back. Continuing to be grateful for you and your inspiration! Take care. -Julie
Hi Deb and @jeffk, I've been thinking about you often and hoping all is well with you. It's been 2 years since the Gore-Tex implant to prop up my paralyzed vocal cord. About 10 months ago, I had another surgery, this time to take lipids from my abdomen and inject them into my vocal cord to plump it up and make better contact with the other one. It made my voice less raspy and gave me a little more volume. The benefits are expected to fade over time. On a good day, my singing range is half an octave in the baritone range, but I played my clarinet with the alumni band at a football game last fall, and it felt exactly like normal (even while marching). Good to have some endurance back. Continuing to be grateful for you and your inspiration! Take care. -Julie
Hi Deb and @jeffk, I've been thinking about you often and hoping all is well with you. It's been 2 years since the Gore-Tex implant to prop up my paralyzed vocal cord. About 10 months ago, I had another surgery, this time to take lipids from my abdomen and inject them into my vocal cord to plump it up and make better contact with the other one. It made my voice less raspy and gave me a little more volume. The benefits are expected to fade over time. On a good day, my singing range is half an octave in the baritone range, but I played my clarinet with the alumni band at a football game last fall, and it felt exactly like normal (even while marching). Good to have some endurance back. Continuing to be grateful for you and your inspiration! Take care. -Julie
Julie, thank you for sharing yet another successful leg of your journey. I am so happy that all of the prayers that everyone has said for you are being answered. As a runner, with comprised breathing because of my paralyzed vocal cord I have huge admiration for you being able to play the clarinet while marching. God bless and God speed!
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Hi Deb and @jeffk , just letting you know that my vocal chord surgery went quite well. The surgeon used one of my muscles to attach the Gore-Tex wedge, as the trachea was too friable. He's expecting the muscle to atrophy such that the chord will be in the right position in a couple months. I feel so fortunate, as COVID policies were changing rapidly during the two days I was in the hospital. I was still able to have my follow-up bronchoscope last week, which showed that the airway looks great. I was allowed to start practicing with my voice a couple days ago. It's small and raspy, and it takes a few tries to get started, like a stubborn lawn mower. But I do think it will sound like the old me. The cats and my husband are thrilled to hear it. I think singing will be possible too. Hoping all is well with you and your loved ones. Take care!
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2 ReactionsJulie, What fantastic news! I’m so glad you were able to have your procedure done and have such an excellent outcome. All the best to you as you continue to heal and find your voice again. Keep us posted on your progress! -Deb
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1 ReactionJulie, thank for sharing such a bright spot amongst all the concern. So delighted that you were able to have the procedure and more importantly that it was successful. Hope that your voice continues it's path back to a new normal. I believe that it sound's like you will be joining Deb and I on the other side of all of this. I assure that at the end of the very painful journey is an unbelievable feeling of gratitude and appreciation for each and every day that we have with full functionality and life! Be safe and as Deb said, keep us informed we are cheering and praying for you! Jeff
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1 ReactionHi Deb and @jeffk, I've been thinking about you often and hoping all is well with you. It's been 2 years since the Gore-Tex implant to prop up my paralyzed vocal cord. About 10 months ago, I had another surgery, this time to take lipids from my abdomen and inject them into my vocal cord to plump it up and make better contact with the other one. It made my voice less raspy and gave me a little more volume. The benefits are expected to fade over time. On a good day, my singing range is half an octave in the baritone range, but I played my clarinet with the alumni band at a football game last fall, and it felt exactly like normal (even while marching). Good to have some endurance back. Continuing to be grateful for you and your inspiration! Take care. -Julie
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2 ReactionsThat is wonderful! Continued good health to you, Julie.
-Deb
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1 ReactionJulie, thank you for sharing yet another successful leg of your journey. I am so happy that all of the prayers that everyone has said for you are being answered. As a runner, with comprised breathing because of my paralyzed vocal cord I have huge admiration for you being able to play the clarinet while marching. God bless and God speed!