Vocal chord surgery--due to intubation?

[Maryka]

Sorry! I bet this has been addressed before, but I am feeling sorry for myself!

I had an uneventful recovery, but after my throat healed from the breathing tube at 1 week, I got something that seemed like laryngitis. It has hung on for months at this point, so I knew I should have it checked. It seems that the breathing tube may have caused an injury and irritation that has generated a growth in my vocal chords. I am told I need surgery ASAP.

I am bummed out! Anyone else have to have vocal chord surgery here? (Maybe it is just me )

Maryka
----------------
Aortic root replacement, Dec. 23, 2008, Johns Hopkins, Dr. Duke Cameron

 

[Ross]

I know plenty of people have been damaged temporarily, but I think your our very first requiring surgical repair. Bear in mind, there are many people that have been through here in 9 years and many never posted after surgery, so I really don't know for sure.

 

[sheridan07]

Good luck with your surgery. I hope things go well

 

[Maryka]

I just googled my condition: granuloma on the vocal chords. It seems surgical intubation is one of the biggest causes of this. So, I have sort of answered my own question, I guess.

Anyone remember my story of yelling at the nurse to get ice chips when I first woke up (un-intubated). I could barely yell and, unlike one of the other members of this list, it did not occur to me to use my middle finger. I could have made things worse by all that attempted yelling in recovery.

Maryka

 

[Eva]

Good luck, Maryka. The doctor who recommended surgery, did he give you any input or what caused this?! I kow you googled it, but just curious about his opinion.

 

[Maryka]

The ENT doctor (a woman) did say that the intubation could have started the irritation that grew into the granuloma. (I knew things were going too well!)

Maryka

 

[Eva]

Do you know if you have acid reflux?! because this would have increased the irritation!

 

[csutherland]

I had a vocal cord polyp in 2005 that was caused by trying to have a conversation in a crowded church fellowship hall. The noise level is always high in there if there's a crowd. My laryngitis came on soon after and I had diagnosed it as a polyp by using the internet.

I had surgery which wasn't pleasant but, since you've had your chest cracked open, I'm sure you'll think this is a piece of cake. Recovery is quick.
Since then my voice seems just a tad weaker and I try very hard not to yell at ballgames, etc, because I'm afraid it'll happen again.

 

[Maryka]

The ENT said she thinks I probably have acid reflux too, even if I cannot remember having it. In any event, she put me on Nexium because reflux meds are commonly used before this kind of surgery.

Why did I not use that finger and not yell...

Maryka

 

[ccummins]

You deserve to feel sorry for yourself! That sucks! I have a big old sore on my tongue from surgery last week. Hopefully it won't lead to anything.

 

[Eva]

The ENT said she thinks I probably have acid reflux too, even if I cannot remember having it. In any event, she put me on Nexium because reflux meds are commonly used before this kind of surgery.

Why did I not use that finger and not yell...

Maryka

We can regret too many things, but it won't help. Let's just learn to take the right action at the right time for next time and not to feel bad for what we did not do.!

Concentrate on feeling better and how to improve what went wrong. Good luck and prayers.

 

[Jackie]

You have my prayers for a successful surgery.

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry to hear about this. Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

 

[lilteach3234]

I am having to see an ENT next week for the same thing. Even though I'm only 14 days out, they said I should be able to talk by now. My ent does steroid injections first, so we will see.

 

[Tbone]

I hope everything works out well for you. Good luck & God Bless

 

[CThrock]

I had vocal cord surgery in 2005 before OHS due to radiation treatments I had at the age of 20 for cancer. The surgery I had was pretty simple they tried putting a stent on my vocal cord to move it over. The surgery was'nt successful so now I have a really soft spoken voice. They cannot do the surgery again due to abstruction of the airway. People always ask me if I have a cold or sore throat.
Had no problems with my OHS surgery, except did have to have a specialist come to see how they were going to do the tube down the throat with my vocal cord problem. But all worked out.

Good luck on your surgery. Just make sure you have a good ENT surgeon.

Crystal

 

[Ross]

Anyone remember my story of yelling at the nurse to get ice chips when I first woke up (un-intubated). I could barely yell and, unlike one of the other members of this list, it did not occur to me to use my middle finger. I could have made things worse by all that attempted yelling in recovery.

Maryka

I remember waking up with it out and my throat was so dry that it was actually like glued together. I couldn't have yelled if I wanted too.

 

[hall]

Prayers for your surgery. Sorry you are having this problem.