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So how did the vocal cord surgery go?

Since 1999, this brain tumor, although benign, has taken a lot from me–hearing and feeling on one side, reduction in fluids like saliva, tears, on the left side. And so on. In 2016 and a year after Charles died, I had gamma knife radiation treatment to fry it which left me with trouble swallowing (dysphasia), upper esophageal reflux and vocal cord issues. By far the most devastating was the loss of my voice. It was barely above a whisper. For a while, the botox injections (called vocal fold injections) were working and then they weren’t.

To qualify for the more permanent solution, a implant surgery called medialization thyroplasty, my neurosurgeon had to declare the tumor dead, fried, unable to cause any more problems. And it was this past December. Dead at last.

As soon as he gave it a memorial service, I scheduled for this gortex implant to be placed under the vocal cord. Emotionally, I struggled with not being able to socialize or not being heard if there was any background noise in the room. I was left wondering if I should focus on a speaking business, given my limited vocal cord function. The breathy part had me using so much air in order to communicate I was exhausted at day’s end and while microphones helped, without one I struggled.

It was too much after losing my child to suicide and I hoped that this would work and when it did, I cried in the operating room after the procedure I was so overjoyed. You’ll see that at the very end.  I had to be awake but I was not afraid and couldn’t wait to get in there.

You will be hearing more from me now!

Published by

Anne Moss Rogers

I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief. As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory. Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.

8 thoughts on “So how did the vocal cord surgery go?”

  1. Wow!!!! I am so happy that you have your “other” voice back!!!! But do NOT believe, for one second, that the raspy one has not been heard. You have touched millions with your writing voice, your speaking voice (both of them, all of them), and with just your very existence. Keep on keeping on.

  2. This is so awesome. I love that you recorded before and after. So powerful! We’re all glad you have your voice back! Speak on, warrior! ❤️

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