my vocal cord

When i was 16 and diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I had to have a very long and extensive 1st surgery. During that surgery, the doc hit a nerve which paralyzed my right vocal cord. There was a chance it could heal, but it never did. Since my left vocal cord is the only one that works, my voice would strain when i was in a loud place (restaurant, bar, weddings, etc). About 2 months ago i woke up and couldn't talk. My voice was gone. After a week of the random hoarse voice, i went to the doctor to check it out. Basically, my good vocal cord was having to work twice as hard since my right one was not working at all. Because the left one was working so hard, it hemorrhaged, causing a huge blood blister on my good vocal cord causing my voice to be even worse!

Yesterday I had surgery to remove the blood blister and they injected a botox like medicine into my paralyzed vocal cord causing it to swell and kind of act as if it is working to keep the left vocal cord from working too hard again. Eventually I will probably have to have another surgery after the "botox" wears off in about a year. Then they will make a permanent structure to keep my paralyzed vocal cord closer to my left one.

This surgery wasn't bad at all and really I only have a sore throat with some swelling on my tongue and inside my mouth but really it isn't that bad. The worse part is that I can't talk for 8 days and then my voice will still be very hoarse for about 2 months or so. I did forget today and went to open my mouth to say something (out of habit) and nothing came out...my voice is totally gone right now (which the doc said would happen). crazy!! so that's the story...if you call me and I don't answer don't take it personally...i will call you back in a few weeks. Until then, i will be catching up on my movies and tv shows..and sleep!!!