Comes another procedure on Monday. I visit Lankenau Hospital at 9:30 on 11/9/2020 for some work to be done on my vocal folds. It follows my last visit there on 8/17/2020 to have some leukoplakia removed. There were three of them. One of them showed severe dysplasia — just a scootch less than a carcinoma. Dodged a bullet but that doesn’t result in encouragement. I’ve got to get my acid reflux under control, as that’s a proximate cause of these leukoplakia. I have a hint on how to improve my results.
Did you know that scotch has a pH of 3.5? Guess who’s not drinking scotch now? Same is true of bourbon. Now, vodka, a neutral grain spirit, has a pH of 7. Since I’ve avoided the scotch and boubon, one of the symptoms of acid reflux, need to clear my throat, has virtually disappeared. Thank God for the internet as that’s how I learned about the pHs of alcohol. So I’m taking the necessary action. I’m also being absolutely true to the proper behavior required to give myself the best odds toward the defeat of GERD.
Ok, now I’m going to have injections of adipose tissue into my right vocal fold in order to bring both of them closer together. Proximity of my vocal folds to each other is what makes one’s voice work. Of course, I’ll have to heal before I find out how sucessful the procedure has been. Duct tape Van will return.
Monday, 11/9 was the day for my most recent procedure. I did my pre-op clearance exam, my bloodwork and, thanks to Walgreen’s in Stanton, got my negative Covid-19 test response four hours after my visit to their drive-through set up. It was good to go. Betty drove me to Lankenau Hospital in Gladwiynne and we arrived by 7:00 A.M. Mainline Health is very friendly and welcoming. I got through Admission in record time, with my Covid-19 negative result and my list of medications and supplements in hand. After a short stay in the waiting room, I was led into the prep room to be divested of my street clothes and forced to wear a robe that opens in the back and slippers with rubber on the tops and bottoms (reversible) to keep from slipping. Ever wonder why they call them slippers? So, I got to talk to the prep nurse who made sure the hospital’s info on me matched the real me, set my I.V., took my blood pressure, and introduced me to the anesthesiologist. Then things slowed down. I was gurneyed into the OR. I knew a number of the staff, some from Hahnemann and others from Lankenau. I wonder why I’m not in their frequent flyer program. I was forced to breathe real oxygen and was knocked out. Dr. Sataloff injected a compound into my right vocal fold and adipose tissue harvested from my stomach into my left vocal fold. The object was to make them touch. I came to in the recovery room and was officially on total vocal rest. My discharge instructions promised it would be short. Now for the real news. Dr. Sataloff told me just before I left that everything went exactly the way we wanted it to go. Now we wait and I fight to keep from clearing my throat, avoid coughing, keep from mouthing, whispering, or speaking words. It’s not easy but I’ve picked up some tricks But I’m encouraged. And, as usual, I credit all of your support!