I have stage 3 Larangeal squamous cell carcinoma, and tomorrow at 12:00 noon I will have my larynx surgically removed. I am currently sitting here on the side of my hospital bed typing this on my laptop and trying to wrap my head around all of this.
Life long smoker until about 4 years ago which coincided with my job loss, gave it up but too little too late. Lost my health insurance , couldn't afford COBRA. When my UI ran out I was given Medical Assistance, by which time my Dr recommended I apply for Disability for COPD.
The good news(I thought) was that I was awarded my disability but my change from $0 income pushed me past my MA thresholds and I got cut off. Aha, but more good news, I discovered that after one is awarded disability for one year that Medicare allows enrollment at my age (62). My date is August 2012.
The problem is that my throat symptoms kept getting worse and I was just trying to hang on until August. Instead I had to call an ambulance on 4/20(4-24) and was diagnosed with paralyzed voiced box , thyroid lesions(results were benign, the great rejoicing a was a tad premature) and pneumonia.
I returned to the hospital by ambulance this 5-6 Sunday gasping for breath and here I am. I have had a tracheotomy in since yesterday afternoon.
I'm not sure why I'm trying to write this now, I don't suppose I'm making much sense, but It may be that last thing I'll get to send out over the innertubez and if so, I want it to be to all you wonderful people that I spend so much of my day reading.
6:37 PM PT: Update 9:35
I'm getting too tired to read & reply now, but I will catch up tomorrow?
Fri May 11, 2012 at 12:37 AM PT: Update: 3:39AM
Can''t sleep andI started to read the comments. I can see I won't be able to reply to all of them personally, just know how very much I appreciate your thoughts, it means more than you all will ever know.
PS: I'll ask my Sis to post to my account to let you know how it went.
Fri May 11, 2012 at 12:59 AM PT: 3:55 Just a quick note to answer a frequent question. Yes I do have someone to help.My sister has been a rock.
Sun May 13, 2012 at 9:52 PM PT: AntKat's sister here, letting you know that she made it through surgery okay and is making good progress. It will be a long recovery. I want to thank you all for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers.