Nonnie's Corner

Boy! Blogger sucks! I have been trying for 3 days to even get to the "create box" and I get nothing. It probably wasn't anything important to write about, but it's the principle of the thing. Now I have something to write about, so here is a letter that I wrote to family regarding my trip to SLC.


Report on paralyzed vocal chord

Okee Dokie, Here goes:

Rich drove me to Salt Lake City on November 29. They did 2 tests. The first one was the scope that the other doctors had done in the past. The left vocal chord is still not showing any signs of moving. The main doctor told me of the different procedures and surgeries that are available. Because of the kind of paralasis and my lung problems there is only one surgery that could work for me. They did the second test which checks to see if there are any motor neurons sending signals to the vocal chord. I did have a couple still working. Because complications can happen in anasthesia when lung problems are present, he wants me to wait another 3 months to see if the neurons will regenerate and bring my voice back on it's own. That will put the paralasis at one year. But the specialist said that 1 year to 18 months is more the time table than the 6 to 8 months the other doctors had told me. The surgery is also rather gnarly involving transplanting nerves to stimulate the other nerves or something close to that and so I am waiting. If I do the surgery it will still take ANOTHER 3 months to see if it works. By then we are hoping to be in Bakersfield or close to it. If he doesn't do the surgery he has a colegue at UCLA he trusts.
We got back home about 6pm last night. We went up in a storm, but came back without incident.
All is well and happy in Cedar City. Love, Non

posted by Nonnie @ 12:40 PM 0 comments  

Happy Turkey Day!

And the Grinch himself, carved the roast beast. Rich and I had roast, garlic bread and I baked a sweet potatoe. UMMMMMmmmm. Congrats goes to Jenny who I hear from Joe made a big, delicious turkey dinner. Yeah!!!!!!

posted by Nonnie @ 7:16 PM 0 comments  

Vegas Baby!

On my way to Las Vegas in less than an hour. Get to babysit my grandbabies on Friday and then stick around for Little Richie's 2nd. Birthday party on Sunday. Woooohoooo! I'm excited.

Rich and I reworked a small skit to be put on December 1st. by the primary for the Ward Christmas Dinner. Rich is going to have to have the first rehearsal without me. Good luck Rich. We only got the assignment a week ago. We are doing the speaking parts ala readers theater. Have them sit on the edge of the stage with their scripts. We also have a small nativity scene being acted out behind them. It's cute in our heads..........

A couple of deacons and the Bishop came Wednesday afternoon and went under the house in the crawl space and cleared it out. We now have the entire contents of the crawl space in our front room. UUUuhhhggggggg. Oh well. Maybe Rich can get some of it to disapear in my absence.

posted by Nonnie @ 5:25 PM 0 comments  

SLC date set

I have a date for my Salt Lake City Visit. November 29th. The idea is to go up either on my own using a bus or catching a ride with someone in my ward. If I have to spend the night, I'll probably stay at a hotel near the hospital that gives patient rates. Cross your fingers. A husky voice might have worked for Marlena Diectric, and Kathleen Turner but I wasn't "drawn this way" and I would like to go back to the old me.

posted by Nonnie @ 9:53 AM 0 comments  

Vocal Chord agony

Okay dudes and dudettes, Here is the skinny on my appointment with the ENT Doc. It has been 7 plus months since my voice started changing and eventually has become nonexistent at times. The doc in August said to give it at least 6 months and it should start coming back. So I went to the ENT in Cedar City today. The left vocal chord is showing no signs of movement. Not even twitching. He feels that it should have returned to normal by now and the fact there is no sign of movement means it will need intervention. So.... I have to go to a specialist in Salt Lake City who will attach electrodes and sensors to the chords to see if the left one shows any sign that would indicate messing with it will bring about good results. If not...I will sound like a chain-smoking 60-year-old for the rest of my life. If it does show that improvement is possible then there are a couple of different surgeries that could be performed depending on their findings.
There isn't a doctor in the area that could perform the tests or procedures. It evidently is a specialty area.
One option is to wait 'til our move to Bakersfield and then find a specialist at UCLA. I have some options with people in town that make regular trips to SLC. So I'm going to continue to ask around and see what I can find out. There is no pain involved with having the paralyzed chord, but it does cause problems with my airway at times, and that hinders any knowledge of progress with the Pulmonary Hypertension. Plus it makes it hard to understand me.
I still love to talk and I do not get upset if you need me to repeat something. Sometimes I have to repeat it, just cuz I know I didn't hear it so I know whoever's listening couldn't possibly have gotten it. Also NOT talking (besides not being a very good option for me) has had no effect.
What caused it? Both docs just say "more than likely a virus". As always, Thank-you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. They are felt and appreciated.
Love Non
P.s. I just finished my 6th Physical Rehab appointment and I am building stamina with each visit. All is well in Cedar City.
Nonnie

posted by Nonnie @ 4:40 PM 0 comments