UW Medical - Otolaryngology 1/23/26

​Today we drove to Seattle to meet with Otolaryngologist and Speech Therapist at University of WA Medical Center to learn more from this doctor about how they can help him with speech and also aspirating while drinking liquids. This has been an ongoing issue since surgery 10/21.  We learned that his left vocal cord is paralyzed on 1/12 in Wenatchee but they don’t handle this specialization in town.  This, the trip over the mountains   


It was a beautiful day. The roads were clear.  Willie’s appointment was at 3:30.  We arrived around the 3PM and they got us in a bit early which was nice.  

They did another camera through his nose and down his throat again as they didn’t have access to the films from Wenatchee.  They also did a swallow test with the camera in to see if various positions helped with speech or swallowing   

Long story short, once insurance is approved, We will head back or for either an in office or OR treatment to put an injection into his left vocal cord which will help to make it fuller to connect better with the working cord on the right, filling and closing the gap when he swallows or talks.  This is a temporary fix and will last only a few months (6 at most).  The doctor will test it out with only a partial dose which will wear off sooner.  If it seems effective, we will go for a more permanent solution.  However, she is concerned with the remaining treatment and potential of cancer reoccurrence which is why the temporary solution at first.  


If not for this issue with his speech and throat, I’d say he’s doing great.  It’s been 5 weeks and 1 day since his last chemo treatment on December 18th.  Christmas was tough with throwing up and dehydration due to so many factors in chemo. His weight was at an all time low.  Since then, he’s started to feel better and has put in just a couple pounds, is eating and drinking more, getting more energy, going out mowing etc as it’s spring here now “sort of” weather wise.  I’m optimistic about his recover from chemo and the surgery.  Now we just have to get through this little wrinkle with his voice and he’s all good.  👍🏻 


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