My Voice: Laryngectomy and Head and Neck Cancer Information

Created by Itzhak Brook MD a physician and a laryngectomee. It contains information about head and neck cancer, life after laryngectomy, and manuscripts and videos about Dr. Brook's personal experiences as a patient with throat cancer. It has information about side effects of radiation and chemotherapy; methods of speaking; airway, mucus, stoma, voice prosthesis; eating and swallowing; medical, dental and psychological issues; respiration; anesthesia; travelling; and COVID-19.

"My Voice"

Order a paperback or Kindle Edition or e-book of "My Voice: A Physician's Personal Experience with Throat Cancer," the complete 282 page story of Dr. Brook's diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from throat cancer.

Order a paperback or Kindle Edition or e-book of "The Laryngectomee Guide," the 170 page practical guide for laryngectomees.

Obtain and/or view a video presentation, instructive manual and a slide presentation how to ventilate laryngectomees and neck breathers (free).

Dr Brook's story on Head and Neck Cancer Alliance website.

To obtain suggestions for laryngectomees how to cope with COVID-19 pandemic click the Laryngectomee Newsletter link.

Friday, August 2, 2024

Instructions for inpatient care of laryngectomees.

It is advisable that laryngectomees provide the Instructions below to the medical staff who cares for them:

INSTRUCTIONS: INPATIENT CARE OF LARYNGECTOMEE

GENERAL

100% neck breather. Breathe through neck stoma.
Air, oxygen, suction and respiration resuscitation is through my stoma.
Keep my trachea moist by inserting saline bullets every 3-4 hours.
I do not have radial artery pulse on my left/right arm (in case you had a free flap)

RESPIRATORY SUPPORT:

To deliver respiratory support, or if I am unconscious, remove HME (heat moisture exchanger filter) if you wear one).
Oxygen given to me should be humidified.
Oxygen mask should be “child-mask” size over stoma.
If I am not able to cough, I need to be frequently suctioned through the stoma.

COMMUNICATION:

I am unable to speak without HME (if you wear one over my stoma.
Without HME, I can communicate via lip reading or writing on a board or paper.
I have a round 10 mm plastic voice prosthesis inside my trachea, visible through the stoma.
Don’t remove, even if I need to be intubated.

NEED ASSISTANCE?

Contact a speech pathologist for supplies & help.

Click to get the link to obtain the Instructions