friend with laryngeal cancer and trach

[Pacsl]

Adult SLPs:
I have a friend who is going in for trach surgery today for Stage III-IV laryngeal cancer. Laryngectomy is not on the table yet as they are trying to treat it with chemo and radiation. First chemo treatment reduced the mass from 6cm to 1cm but she had other medical issues which necessitated a hold on chemo so the tumor grew again. She is currently an inpatient, NPO with a g-tube and is on chemo again. Would a speaking valve ever be an option with such a patient? The tumor has of course affected her vocal quality but she does have a voice, and I'm sure she will want to speak if possible. I explained to her briefly what a speaking valve is and recommended that she ask her doctor about it, but I've only used them with the pediatric population.

Thanks,

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Shelly Gramza, M.A., CCC-SLP, PC
Pacific Speech and Language, Inc.
Seattle WA
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