September 2001

Pollen | Support Groups | Special Thank you

| Pollen |

1.                          Lets talk about esophageal speech.  We in the West (inland West) have had a terrible time with the pollen.  This year the mountain and valley plants have created tremendous amounts of pollen. 
            What happens to a laryngectomee that is out and about every day with normal people breathing in all of this stuff?  I have had a bad experience with air borne debris, this year.  We are  remodeling a couple of rooms in my old house.  This has created terrible amounts of dust. 
            This dust and the pollen really got to my sinuses and bronchial tissue (nose and upper chest)  I finally went to a doctor.  Yes, like pulling teeth.  Well, to my surprise, I find out that they now have antibiotics that are specific for every part of the body. 
            Products for the nose and some products for the chest.  I had a knee explode last year and finally went to a doctor and to my delight, they have pills for swollen knees.  I took one a day for a week, low and behold my knee went back into shape without another visit.  One pill a day.  Anti-inflammatory pill no less.  I digress. The subject is esophageal speech. 
            In an old fashion remodel a plasterer just smoothes out the walls and ceiling but not with the these new plasterers. They fix the cracks and let it dry.  Third operation is to come in and sand it smooth.  Dust like you can’t imagine. 
            This and pollen outside really got to me.  I took antibiotics for a couple of weeks and still am wheezing a bit.  What do normal people, in the same situation do?. Out here they suffer along with me in the summer heat, low humidity and pollen.  Hopefully they are not rearranging an old house with  modern workers that create more dust than you can imagine. 
            Anyway the new drugs are wonderful.  They have sprays with a measured squirt.  Like an inhaler but expensive and wonderful.  One puff four times a day and no cough.  What happens to the stuff you inhale is what I want to know, where does it go? 
            My speech was affected because when I talked (esophageal) I wheezed about a third as loud as the phonated words.  I worked and played every day but I was miserable at times. 

| Support Groups |

1.                           I receive notes from laryngectomee support groups that are disbanding.  Several so far this year.  I notice in the newsletter from such groups that the attendance is way down.  Has anyone figured out why this is happening?
             Support groups used to have a common theme, to instruct the new members in esophageal speech.  How many laryngectomees do you know that use esophageal speech at home or with close friends and relatives but not out in public? 
            How many laryngectomees have you encountered that have a prosthesis in place, carry an artificial larynx but have good esophageal speech?
            Why not take a step back in time and include esophageal training sessions at your next meeting.  Get the group to show how well they can use esophageal speech out in public. 
            Start by asking each one to stand up and say their name and a little about themselves.  Have each attendee critique each others esophageal voice.  Yes, even with a prosthesis in place a laryngectomee can use esophageal speech.  The reason is the one way valve in the prosthesis that will not allow air to go from the esophagus into the lungs.  All support groups with large attendance used to have a short business meeting and then go into esophageal speech training.  I say training not practice sessions because anyone can show you the rudiments of esophageal speech. but it is up to the  individual to train their new voice. 
             Every laryngectomee that has a prosthesis in place properly, has good esophageal voice without occluding the stoma but not as loud.  The easiest way to get air to speak into the esophagus without occluding the stoma is by using plosive sounds.  Start counting at twenty.  The t puts air into the esophagus for speech.  The quality and timber must be trained but the sound is there if the desire is there ,to use it.  To get more volume takes training. 
            The true esophageal sound is the vowels vibrating the top of the esophagus.  The quality and timber must be worked upon but the esophageal sound is there to be trained. 
            How many laryngectomee do you know that would rather use the A/L than the prosthesis which is properly in place?  Why do they prefer the A/L?  Why do they use esophageal voice only in comfortable surroundings?  How can we get these laryngectomees to become independent and use hands free esophageal speech? 

Pollen | Support Groups | Special Thank You

| Special Thank You |

                      I wish each laryngectomee would try our stoma care products.  We are offering a  special whereby you pay a small shipping/handling charge ($6.00).  With each order this year, we are enclosing a special return envelope, which for only $6.00 you receive one of the following:

       30 Foam Filters (thick or thin foam)
OR  Two Contour Shower Collars
OR  Two Ready to Wear Cloth Stoma Covers

This is a $16.00 to $19.00 value, your cost $6.00.
        Order today and receive a special return envelope.