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Bigd
Member
09-13-2001
| Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 8:42 am
My ENT doctor discovered a "nodule" in my throat and sent me for CAT scan and Esophogram. When I returned for my follow-up visit he told me I have a thyroid nodule and two "masses" in my throat. I am scheduled for surgery to remove the two masses on the 20th. Here is the surgical procedures description: Microlarynagoscopy, excision Rt. base of tongue pharyngeal mass, (L) Vallecular mass, Rigid Esophagoscopy. I am wondering if anyone has had this and if so what was recuperation like? What was prognosis after? What foods did you eat after? Did it affect your voice? BTW, I am NOT a smoker or drinker so the cause is a little mysterious to me. I am a little nervous, not overly, but I would appreciate any information or advise I could get. Thanks!
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Tuesday, June 14, 2005 - 10:44 am
i had nodules removed from my vocal chords when i was 14. (too much singing). it dropped my key down 2 steps, and it took me a long time to find my pitch again. recovery without pain was about 4 months. i still get extreme sore throats with colds, and lose my voice a couple of times a year (mainly when i'm yelling alot, like at a baseball game or swim meet). hope this helps.
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Citruscitygal
Member
08-07-2003
| Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 3:11 pm
I had surgery on my tongue in 2001 to remove small tumor. I was on liquids for at least a week (used protein powder and soy milk for added protein) then soft foods (jello, yogurt, mashed potatoes etc.) for about another week I think. I was advised to keep foods at a moderate temp, not hot. I used a food processor to blend stuff. Baby food fruit, vegetables & meat would work (fruit and veggies not bad - meat not the best flavor). In my case, the tongue heals pretty quickly, but the surgery did not affect my throat or voice. I'm still not supposed to chew gum or each too much crunchy stuff like tortilla chips that have sharp corners. I was not allowed to talk AT ALL the first week. After that I was sort of self regulated because if I talked too much it was uncomfortable - sore. I had stitches that dissolved. I was on pain medication for a few days. Then just tylenol, but my surgery may not have been as extensive. I also am not a smoker or drinker and asked a lot of questions about what might have been the cause. Dr didn't have an explanation. I have been faithful about follow up visits with dr. Every month first year following surgery, every 2 months the second yr, every 3 months 3 rd year etc. I had a PET scan shortly after surgery, and followup MRI after the 1st yr. Chest Xray last year as part of followup. All tests have come back clear so far. Wish you good luck and a speedy recovery.
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Bigd
Member
09-13-2001
| Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 8:46 pm
Thanks Landi and CCgal for posting your similar experiences. It helps to know someone else has been through this and come out fine. My surgery is in the morning and I have done pretty well until yesterday when I began to freak out. Today has been a little better - I distracted myself with my "last meals" so to speak. I treated myself to all my favorites today (in healthy portions) in preparation for the 10 - 14 day liquid diet the doctor has told me is coming. I really am looking forward to dropping some weight but I would rather have chosen another way. My girlfriend brought me a dry erase board and a rather loud "cow bell" so I could get my families attention when I need help. I have also been recording some messages for my husband - he made a few too many jokes about not having to "listen" to me for a while - he has a surprise in store! I thought it would help me to get details of exactly how the surgery is performed, boy was I wrong - it's all I think about! Anyway I just keep telling myself that 24 hours from now it will be over and I can begin to recover - maybe then I can offer someone else the encouragement you two offered me! Thanks! ..... stay healthy!
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Egbok
Member
07-13-2000
| Sunday, June 19, 2005 - 9:27 pm
BigD, this is the first I'm hearing about your throat surgery and I want you to know that I'll be thinking of you and hoping for a good outcome with a speedy recovery. I just had to giggle about you recording some messages for your husband!! I love how you two can joke and kid with each other. I'll always remember sitting with you two (and Reiki) at the Cubbie game and how at ease I was being there with you guys. I think it's because one joker can spot another joker a mile away!! I look forward to hearing how you are doing as you recovery from this surgery. Since you'll be unable to speak, it's a good thing you can come here and express yourself. Take care and I'll be checking on you!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 10:07 am
Ack! Just reading this! Bigd, hope you are making out okay and that the nodule and masses proved harmless. Thinking of you! 
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 10:20 am
Bigd
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 11:40 am
I'm just now reading this too! BigD, I hope everything went well and you are doing okay. I'll be thinking about you, honey.
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Bigd
Member
09-13-2001
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 6:33 am
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. I am doing pretty well. I got permission from the doctor to begin speaking this week. It sure has made everything easier around here - I think my husband actually missed me - (imagine that). The reports are mixed. One of the masses actually turned out to be "tonsil tissue" and so therefore was of no concern except that it was infected and very large. It was deep in the tissue so the doctor was not able to remove very much of it. (very strange - I had my tonsils out when I was 16, I wish some of the other "parts" I have lost would "re-grow" - ha ha!) He successfully removed the other mass and biopsied some other "suspicious" areas. I am trying some meds to treat this. I am now going to have to schedule the surgery to remove the nodule on the thyroid. Not looking forward to more surgery. Thanks everyone!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 7:17 am
Well, yay for your hubby missing your voice! Hope it is not painful to talk (or eat, for that matter). Weird about the tonsil tissue, huh? (Maybe you've got some starfish in you! Heh.) The meds you are taking are to get rid of the infection in the tissue that he couldn't remove, right? Hope that goes smoothly, hon. Praying that those 'suspicious' areas prove to be nothing, dear. Did you mean the meds you are taking are meant to tackle those? Golly, and the thyroid issue yet to be addressed. I'll bet you're tired of surgery. I know how it can be to feel as if you are constantly concerned with medical stuff. Feel like you're too young for that, don't you? (I keep thinking I'm 12 til I look in the mirror--or try to bend or get up from a prone position--ha!) Sending you hugs and offering my prayers for a solid resolution to all these medical issues, hon.

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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 7:20 am
BigD, I don't know how I missed this thread for so long... I'm sorry I wasn't here for you! You are in my prayers now as you go through your second surgery... hang in there!! I bet Bisquiteater has been enjoying the relative quiet!! I was just thinking about you two in the car on the way to Chicago, trying to one up each other on your ailments... ROFL!! What did he come up with for this one?
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 10:24 am
Wishing you a quick recovery, BigD.
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Calamity
Member
10-18-2001
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 10:44 am
Hi there. This must be difficult time for you but I hope you'll soon be well on your way to a full and complete recovery. Take care!
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Tess
Member
04-13-2001
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 4:00 pm
{{{{Bigd}}}} Keeping my fingers crossed for good results. I'm trying to imagine not talking for all that time and....well, I just can't. ack!
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Twinkie
Member
09-24-2002
| Friday, July 08, 2005 - 6:04 pm
BigD, its so good to see you back with us. I can't even imagine not being able to talk. Hubby would swear that would kill me. LOL I hope things go smoothly for your next surgery but it sure is a shame that you have to have another one. I'll be praying for you, hon.
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