neck with scar right on my wrinkle if you can see it 5 months post surgery

18 Weeks post surgery report

So glad that Linda Mottison is doing so well. Check out her blog. Teaching today after just a few weeks! Amazing. As for me, recovery continues with increasing volume. No fear answering phone any more. Almost forget I had that problem so long!  No one asks me to repeat myself or if I am feeling OK.  Nice change!

Finally figured out how to make paragraphs on blog so should be easier to read for folk just starting. Getting closer to adding pictures and voice samples. Did add a link to Diane Rehm interview which is quite amazing to hear if you have time!  Off for two weeks grandparenting inDC and then week at Peace Camp in Ontario before back for rest of summer in NH!

Yea, just added pictures on July 3rd!

one to two weeks post surgery before removing bandages

2-3 weeks post surgery showing swelling but little or no scaring

Interesting People #1104 "Diane Rehm"

16 weeks post surgery update

16 weeks yesterday and so far so good with a lot of good feedback from my Docs and others on latest voice recording. Trying to get them on here but can't figure it out yet or pictures either so help! Officiated at a Wedding this weekend and using a mic it seemed to go quite well. Still breathy but clear and understandable with no breaks. Just soft and a bit low and sexy I am told. Feels mellow and makes my whole state of mind kind of mellow and sleepy a lot.

But very busy with garden, activities, biking, hiking etc. Leave tomorrow to drive and then Bike across Michigan with 800 others as we do every June. Google PALM: Peddling Across Lower Michigan. Different route every year from West to East. Will need to be sure I have a horn or bell as can't tell people I am approaching from behind or whatever!

Usually just say something but hard to be heard still. I am very glad I dared to do this surgery and then post about it. Thanks for reading! Comments? Have a great summer!

almost 14 weeks since surgery. Today will report to the NE support group in Boston on progress in person. A bit scary! Weekly now getting stronger voice though still breathy. When I don't see people for a few weeks they notice and comment on the difference so that is good! Will be interesting to see what the group thinks about it.

Dr Grillone who went from Boston to observe my surgery says he is hoping to start doing it at Boston Medical Center when there is a need and demand. That will be a real breakthrough for people in the NE. I may be the first one in New England who has had slad-r surgery as far as I know. Others in NY and DC but also traveled to California if they didn't have it in Philadelphia or Baltimore.

Only symptom besides breathiness I am aware of at this point is slightly stiff neck which may or may not be related. Possibly from having head back during surgery? Massage and ben gay seem to be helping it. I definitely am delighted with the results to date and look forward to move voice as months go by. Smooth and no breaks! So far so good.

Thanks for staying posted with me here. Ask questions, make comments if you wish. Still trying to post pictures and voice samples here.

8 weeks post surgery

Wow. I can't believe I haven't posted here for a few weeks! Now 8 weeks since surgery and doing well. Very breathy still and a slightly stiff neck but others say another 4-8 weeks before stronger voice. Hope so!

Next week will meet up with Dr. Berke at the NSDA meetings in Chicago. Look forward to seeing other folk from our on line Facebook support groups and Dr. Berke who is presenting. People say they can hear me on the phone and there are no breaks. Others in person say they like my smooth and slighly deeper voice and can hear me if not much background noise. Have to be close to be heard so need to go to room where others are. Or use an amplifier. Will when I do a wedding in June. Certainly can't yell yet! Hope there are no fires!

Trying to post pictures of my neck with no visible scar to speak of and swelling gone. Also voice recordings but haven't figured how to put them here.Help!

Can send if you email me at: randrstuart@gmail.com if interested. Thanks for all your wonderful support and interest!