Today I had a 2nd opinion from an ENT not involved in my surgery or after care about my swallowing and larynx problems. I told him what my surgeon told me about needing 12 to 18 months for cranial nerves to heal, and that I would ultimately recover completely in his opinion.
I have been improving for the 8 months since surgery, but still have problems. The ENT today reviewed the information about my surgery and told me he could "look at" my vocal cord, but his advice would be no different from what I had already been told, that it will take more time. He also added he believes that once the vagus nerve starts to heal, it continues to do so which is reason for optimism. I am to just use my voice as I normally would and see where I am at the one year point in Oct.
My one year MRI scan of the residual tumor is already scheduled. That is the next step. This recovery can entail some significant time, but other than the throat involvement, I feel completely normal. No complaints about that.
