Will I have to always worry about my stoma growing over? Keep tube in

Posted by hutch304 @hutch304, Apr 12 12:22pm

I had a total laryngectomy last may, was wondering if I will always have to keep something in my stoma , so it don’t close, thnx

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

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 15 8:10pm

Hi @hutch304, I moved your question to the Head & Neck Cancer support group here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/

I'm tagging fellow H&N cancer members like @harshita4155 @karlm @thomason @stephanie101 @rbitcher @jimthomasintl, who have had a total laryngectomy or similar surgery to share their experiences.

Hutch, I can understand your concern about the opening growing over. The stoma often shrinks during the first weeks or months after it is created. To prevent it from closing completely, a tracheostomy or laryngectomy tube is initially left in the stoma 24 hours a day. Over time this duration may be gradually reduced.
Do you have a tracheostomy tube? Do you keep it in all the time or overnight?

hutch304 | @hutch304 | Apr 17 9:39am

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @hutch304, I moved your question to the Head & Neck Cancer support group here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/..." + (show)

I have a Larry tube but it’s held to the collar with wire atm, insurance won’t pay for nothing

jimthomasintl | @jimthomasintl | Apr 21 12:26pm

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @hutch304, I moved your question to the Head & Neck Cancer support group here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/..." + (show)

I have had a trache for 2.75 years. No problem with anything growing over the stoma. I rpobably shower 5X/week. Wear a guard-no dama. It's a pain to maintain, but every tim I think I'm breathing and its easy.

There is a lot of physical stigma with a trache, but it's easy to get used to.