[UUPoly-L] A lump in my throat - literally

[Desmond Ravenstone <desmondravenstone@yahoo.com>]

Hi folks:

A little over two weeks ago, I had a bad case of laryngitis.  Then, this Sunday, while I was reading candles during the service, my throat seized up.  I had to leave the sanctuary and the service when I had finished, and then found it hard to speak.

So I took the day off Monday, called the doctor, and went in for an exam.  It took quite a while, and as fascinated as I am with the fiber-optic cameras they now use, having one put down your throat is no fun.

Long story short, they found a mass in my larynx just above the right vocal cord.  The good news is that, given that I've never smoked or drank, they're convinced the chances of this being malignant are close to zero.  But, they are not yet sure what this is.

I am on anti-inflammatory drugs, prescribed vocal rest (no talking) and scheduled to come in Friday for another exam.  Hopefully this will have shrunk enough so that neither a biopsy nor surgery will be necessary, and a conservative course of treatment will get my voice back.

Don't know if anyone else has been through this, but if you have advice or words of experience to share, please do.  And grateful for any support folks can offer.

Thanks,

Desmond Ravenstone

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http://www.myspace.com/desmond_ravenstone