Tickle in the throat
In 2017, Kevin gets a little tickle in his throat. Nothing special, he thinks, maybe a cold. Until his dog reacts differently to him. Kevin: ‘Normally he always licked my face when I came home, but now he turned his head away. Suddenly I thought: maybe I should go to the doctor.’
Major surgery
Within a few weeks, Kevin will be in the hospital for surgery for throat cancer. An eight-hour operation follows, during which Kevin’s vocal cords, cartilage, lymph nodes and part of the trachea are removed. Brigitte: ‘We were just in time. The dog has saved him from needing radiation, thank God.”
There is a beautiful photo of the dog on the wall. Unfortunately, he is no longer alive, but the love and gratitude for the faithful four-legged friend is evident from the way Kevin and Brigitte talk about him. “He meant a lot to us.”
Learning to talk again
Because Kevin’s vocal cords have been removed, he can no longer speak naturally. During the first period he communicates via the computer and always has a notebook with him. Not always easy, but fortunately Kevin and Brigitte need few words to understand each other.
Kevin receives a voice prosthesis: a connection between the trachea and the esophagus. He can breathe through a hole in his throat. When Kevin closes the hole, air enters his throat, allowing him to produce sound. With the help of a speech therapist, he eventually learns to talk again.
Fear of cancer
In the period that follows, Kevin does better. The cancer is gone and he is returning to his normal life. Kevin’s normally cheerful face darkens: ‘The fear that the cancer will come back is sometimes quite strong.’ For a while that seems to be the case, but after a number of examinations and a second operation it turns out to be a false alarm.
Different life
The surgeries changed Kevin’s life. A voice prosthesis is not without risks. If the valve in the prosthesis leaks, fluid can enter his lungs. It must then be replaced as soon as possible. Brigitte: ‘So you always have to make sure you have your medical supplies with you. And if he goes on a trip, he needs to make sure there is a hospital nearby so they can replace the valve.”
Part of Kevin’s social life has disappeared. Cozy dinners are no longer an option, because he runs the risk of food getting into his windpipe. For Kevin, clearly a sociable man, this is very frustrating and unfortunate. “I usually eat alone.”
We are at Kevin and Brigitte’s house in a small group and without background noise. That way we can have a great conversation. “But I can’t talk any louder than I do now,” Kevin says. As a result, he rarely spends time in large groups.
All is well
Despite everything, Kevin has a positive attitude. He provides information to healthcare providers about how to resuscitate someone with a voice prosthesis. He still works full-time and enjoys it, although he is also looking forward to retirement. ‘I’m still alive and I’m still cancer-free. All is well.’
Tickle in the Throat: A Tale of Survival and Sass
Ah, the infamous tickle in the throat! It’s a classic, isn’t it? It’s the sort of thing that could also be the title of a bad romantic comedy or perhaps a student’s thesis on the joys of hay fever. But for one man named Kevin, this seemingly benign tickle turned into an epic saga worthy of a sitcom. Imagine his dog—let’s call him ‘Sniffles’—recoiling at his approach like he’s just stumbled out of a wet sock factory. Of all the signs to take seriously—who knew man’s best friend had such a keen sense of ‘Oh no, not today’?
Major Surgery: The Plot Thickens
Fast forward to 2017, and Kevin finds himself in the hospital for surgery to tackle the beast that is throat cancer. An eight-hour operation that could have easily featured as a game show challenge—“Who Wants to Lose Their Vocal Cords?”—and thankfully, he was just in time. Thank you, Sniffles! It’s not every day you hear about a dog saving a life just by being a bit rude. Kevin’s surgery turned into a mixed blessing, chucking out the cancer but also taking his vocal cords with it. So long to ‘Hello, darling!’ and hello to ‘Uhhh, could you read my notes please?’
Learning to Talk Again: New Tricks for an Old Dog
Now, imagine trying to communicate without your trusty voice. Poor Kevin had to resort to a computer (the type that can’t fetch a stick, mind you) and a notepad for every conversation. I mean, can you imagine the frustration? “Honey, I love you” replaced by “*scribbles furiously*!” But, like a superhero putting on a cape, Kevin receives a voice prosthesis. Yes, you heard me right—a voice prosthesis! Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? It might even get him in as a guest star for the next “Transformers” movie. But it’s no easy feat—he has to breathe through a hole in his throat, like he’s just survived a very awkward beach party.
The Shadow of Cancer: A Drama Unfolding
Post-op, there’s a new fear lurking around, just like that last sliver of cake at a party. It’s the fear of cancer returning. Ah, sweet irony—beating cancer only to live in terror of its return! Kevin’s worry is very relatable, akin to checking the fridge multiple times, hoping that one day there’s something different inside. After some false alarms and a dramatic second round of examinations, he emerges victorious again—like every superhero waiting for another sequel.
A Different Life: The Price of Survival
But it’s not all tea and cupcakes. Kevin’s life is transformed—social dinners are out, and communicating in groups becomes a tricky game of charades. You don’t want to be that guy who accidentally inhales his dinner like a vacuum! Imagine having to carry around medical supplies like a walking pharmacy. “Oh, you’re going on a trip? Don’t forget your prosthesis valve and a hospital map!” Just think of the air miles he’d rack up. “Yes, I visited Paris, but I also strategically chose the hotels near emergency rooms!”
All is Well: A Silver Lining
Despite the challenges, Kevin’s got a champion’s spirit. He’s now in the game of educating healthcare providers—because what’s better than turning tragedy into teachable moments, right? Working full-time and eagerly anticipating retirement, Kevin’s outlook could teach us all a lesson. “I’m still here! Cancer-free and ready to rumble!”
The Final Scene: Life After the Curtain Call
So, what can we learn from Kevin’s extraordinary tale? Whether it’s through a ticklish throat or a four-legged best friend with a nose for trouble, sometimes life throws us curveballs that we simply have to laugh in the face of. Or, at the very least, write a cheeky article about. After all, it’s not every day you get to regale a heartwarming story wrapped in hope, perseverance, and just the right amount of sarcasm. To Kevin, and to everyone fighting their own battles—keep smiling, keep scribbling, and don’t forget a good sense of humor along the way.
