Complete laryngectomy

Hi @msherfinski, I was just thinking about you the other day. I moved your message to the Head & Neck Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/). I'm glad to hear that your laryngectomy was a success and that you've had the feeding tube removed.

Here are some past discussions that may interest you:
- Feeding tube removal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/feeding-tube-removal/
- Soft Food Suggestions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/soft-food-suggestions/

Now to getting tips to help make your recovery easier. I'm tagging @deborahe @jeffk @phinken @alpaca and @gaybinator and @loli to bring them into this discussion and for their suggestions about swallowing problems and constant mucous production.

Msherfinski, how is the transition to food going? What have you been able to eat and swallow?

It's tough to swallow. Of course it's been only one day!! I'm hoping it'll get easier with time. I've been trying to choke down whatever I can. I just don't want to go back on that damn feeding tube. I've been trying soft stuff like jello, malts, soup and whatever. Like I said it's only been one day since the tube came out. 10 days since 2nd surgery.

Hi,
Wishing you well. Sound like you are on a fast tract. The mucus in you mouth may be related to you swallowing. I had thick mucuses in my lungs and stoma. I found 2 thinks that helped. Stay hydrated and I still take Guaifenesin or plain Tussin. Mussinex it thins out the mucus. Make sure it does not have additives like DM, flu or allergy meds.
The second if you have mucus in you stoma is saline bullets or I use simply saline spray 2 x a day. You may need a humidifier at night. I did see a speech pathologist for swallowing therapy. Have a speedy recovery. Remember to follow up and it does take time.
From the sunshine state!

Thank you so much, Phinken. I wrote down your tips. I'm a snowbird and visit the Sunshine State in February, March and April. I love it. Ft. Myers area.

Hello,
I am considering having a complete laryngectomy as I am not able to eat or drink anything for two years. I was wondering how are you doing with swallowing.

Hi Karl,
I'm tagging @msherfinski to make sure that he sees your question about how he is doing after his complete laryngectomy 4 years ago, in particular with swallowing.

Karl, how are you doing with the feeding tube?

@msherfinski could you please let us know if how you are doing post your complete laryngectomy. Are there any challenges that you are still facing?

Hello,

For several months now, my days have been filled with coughing up phlegm. It's terrible. I had 2 mandiblectomies in the past 17 months, with the most recent being October of 2025. But I wasn't coughing up phlegm until about January of this year. Is this something that will improve over time by itself, or is there something i can do to help it?

I've already done things like drink lots of water and sit in an upright position when i consume my liquid diets (i'm on liquids for about another 6 months until I get my lower prothetic teeth). I've had swallow analysis and other tests, too, and nothing shows that there's much (if anything) going down the wrong tube. I'm feeling helpless and hopeless, as my quality of life has plummeted because of this. I never good a good night's sleep, and all through the day, I need to have a box of kleenex and a trash sack nearby.

Sometimes I have trouble coughing up the mucus, regardless of the fact that I've been blowing into the EMST 75 (an "expiratory muscle strength trainer"). I've been doing everything they've told me to do, but this problem is not going away.

So, yes - I've seen a pulmonologist and my primary care physician, but they tend to make my situation sound bleak. I'm hoping it's a matter of just getting my information to the right person. I've also seen a couple of doctors at the local VA hospital, but they didn't have the answer.

I'm 68 years old, living in SoCal. I'll travel anywhere to see who I need to see. You would think there should be someone near me who could provide the answers, given the population of where I live. But that's another problem; getting appointments.

Please help!

@skip0716
If you already maxed out your EMST 75 with it set at the 75, I would go up to the EMST 150 which is double but results obviously better. Talk to your Speech therapist about it.

It definitely made a difference for me a few years back. Matter of fact, I am going to start up with it again to get ready for my daughter’s wedding in October.

God Bless,
Rob

@roblem

Hello, Rob - thanks so much for your reply. So, did the higher setting of the EMST actually help with the constant coughing and phlegm? That's my goal. It's great to be able to strengthen the force of my cough, but I'd rather not need to cough at all. Thanks again!

Skip