November 12, 2020

Today I had an appointment with a new ENT doctor for my paralyzed vocal cord. I have been trying to find a doctore that will do the procedure in the office and this guy does, Dr. Wong.

So I went to the appointment not thinking anything would be done, I just assumed I’d have to go back. Well once Dr. Wong finished his assessment, he offered to do the temporary procedure right then. He was honest and told me he would probably recommend the permanent procedure but he’d be happy to start with the temporary, last 2-3 months) and see how it feels and if I like it. Then if I decided to do the permanent procedure he would do that. That procedure is done in the OR. I am pretty sure he said I’d be awake but I could be wrong. We decided on the temp procedure.

We headed to another room that was equipped to do the procedure. He also had the speech therapist there as an assistant. So the first thing they did was squirt some “cherry” flavored numbing medicine in my mouth which was burning my tongue. Then, the speech therapist put the small scoop in my nose and down my throat. She held it there the entire time Dr. Wong was doing the procedure. Then Dr. Wong had me sit forward and stick my tongue out as he held it with a piece of gauze. He then squirted this nasty tasting stuff that I was told to swallow so it would numb my throat. Well he did this at least 5 times and i couldn’t talk or cough. Next step was the procedure, finally. He decided to inject both vocal cords which I felt. Thankfully that only lasted 1 minute and all I felt was a small pinch.

My voice is already better. Throat is a little sore but I can handle it. I will go back to see him in 3 weeks and at that point likely work with the speech pathologist/therapist to work on my talking and drinking.

Tomorrow at 1pm I have labs, then meet with the NP, then my Faslodex injections. On Saturday morning we leave for La Quinta. I am so excited!!

Until next time xoxo