Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months


Posted by JOHN S. BEEMAN ® , Sep 18,2001,14:16   Archive
I am now 15 months post operative of Dr. Berke's surgery. My voice is, in my opinion more along the lines of someone with Abductor SD. I am breathy and cannot project. I don't feel there has been much improvement since the 12 month mark. I will see Dr. Berke on Oct. 1st for collagen injections. Dr. Damrose (who replaced Dr. Blumin) advises me that if the collagen works - I will then probably benefit from Thyroplasty (insertion of "chips" next to the vocal cords). I had hoped the surgery would relieve my spasms and return my voice to a more normal voice. This has not happened yet. Time will tell if the next steps are effective or necessary. John



Recommend Current pageAuthor Profile
Replies to this message


Re: Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months

Re : Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months --- JOHN S. BEEMAN
Posted by Jan Joiner ® (JAN JOINER,Jan Joiner), Sep 19,2001,13:27 Top of Thread Archive
Hi John,

I am happy that you are staying determined and seeking the doctor's help regarding your voice situation. I am so sorry that things have not worked for you yet. I truly hope that the collagen injections will help you. Will you have to take those often like you would Botox injection? Do they administer them the same way as they do Botox? Also, I understand if the Collagen works you will benefit by having the Thyroplasty, however, what happens if the Collagen injections doesn't work? And you mentioned spasms, does neither of these proceduces work to stop, relieve or help the spasms?

Please forgive me if I sound uneducated on this Collagen and Thyroplasty stuff, cause the truth is, I am. I want to wish you the best of luck and say my prayers are with you in hopes your voice will return to normal. I wanted to also add that I recently posted my 3 month post-op report, so I have a long way to go to caught up with you but I am hanging in here. Blessing, Jan




Recommend Original Message Top of Thread Where am I? Current pageAuthor Profile
Re: Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months

Re : Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months --- JOHN S. BEEMAN
Posted by Jeff Brode ® (Jeff Brode 2,Jeff Brode), Sep 19,2001,16:54 Top of Thread Archive
Hi John, I do hope that the collagen injection does the trick for you. Although we have kept in touch by email, due to the fact that we were only a week apart (15 months +) in our identical surgeries by Dr. Berke (et al) and have had similar results, I thought I'd throw my two cents worth in again for the benefit of anyone who might be considering the SLAD-R surgery.

My voice is totally absent. The vocal cords aren't even visible on a videostroboscopy. However, I must admit there are no spasms. I guess that's a plus.

It would probably take a couple gallons of collagen to push my vocal cords together so I guess that is why Dr. Blumin didn't even bother suggesting it, but a thyroplasty instead. I suppose it's probably time to forget about the possibility of any improvement and get the process started for this additional surgery (by a local doctor).

Good luck, John!

Jeff


--modified by Jeff Brode at Wed, Sep 19, 2001, 16:55:20

--modified by Jeff Brode at Wed, Sep 19, 2001, 16:58:11

--modified by Jeff Brode at Fri, Sep 21, 2001, 21:54:46




Recommend Original Message Top of Thread Where am I? Current pageAuthor Profile
Re: Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months

Re : Re: Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months --- Jeff Brode
Posted by Sherry Overholt ® , Sep 20,2001,13:12 Top of Thread Archive
Jeff and John-I am so glad to hear that you are both pursuing your options regarding Dr. Berke's surgery. The only way they will know how to improve their surgical technique is to hear from their patients. Dr. Berke is brilliant and I am sure if you are not happy, he is not happy and he will do everything in his power to figure out a solution for you. Hang in there!



Recommend Original Message Top of Thread Where am I? Current pageAuthor Profile
Re: Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months

Re : Dr. Berke's Surgery Status Report at 15 months --- JOHN S. BEEMAN
Posted by Lynne Martinez ® , Sep 21,2001,19:53 Top of Thread Archive
John,

I kinda relate to that description also. With Dedo's surgery almost 6 years ago, I had no tremors or severe-spasms (per my very severe AD/SD case) post surgery; but, I have *surgical* after-effects. Like you (although you are male), I had a VERY powerful female voice and a powerful career that accompanied my powerful voice.

Now, I sound like I have asthma and my voice sounds like crap in the morning. Also, when my voice is good (later in the day), I sound high-pitched. Nuts...it's just hard to predict. That is the worse thing. Never know how I will sound.

You and I have been following each other for over a year, re all of this. Can you write me on private e-mail with your phone number? I'd love to talk to you. Seriously. We need to listen to each other and I may be able to tell you about a couple of people I know who have similar issues.

The main thing is...your reports are clear and honest and analytical and you have done a huge service in reporting what you deal with. Thank you. All SD patients should thank you for full information.

--Lynne

PS: I DO understand collagen and thyroplasty and all of that stuff (as an SD activist) as someone who attends symposiums throughout the country and meets SD specialists and has met patients who have gone through those procedures. Please stay in touch on the BB with your future treatment plan and write me privately also.




Recommend Original Message Top of Thread Where am I? Current pageAuthor Profile