Talking = Awareness
Meet Henry King, who in May of 2020 underwent a full laryngectomy procedure, after being diagnosed with the most common form of Head and Neck Cancer called Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx. It spread into his lymph nodes, thyroid, and surrounding cartilage, and was discovered in February of that year. This particular form of cancer is mostly unknown to people, though the most recognizable. The surgery consists of removal of the larynx, most known as your voice box, as well as placing a hole in your neck that you permanently breathe through called a stoma.
His diagnoses came at the worst of times, as the country shut down just a few short weeks later, due to the Covid-19 outbreak. This made and already difficult disease that much more difficult, as all support groups and resources were closed for in person meetings. Everything was online.
“I really didn't know what to do. The shut down really screwed things up. At the time, everyone assumed this thing would go away. Little did we know however. But at this time there was no online meetings, or counseling. I was scared and was searching online for any kind of information I could find. Depressed and home watching TV. I kept seeing a commercial for Facebook groups. At first I was pissed off it played every 15 minutes. But. Curious I typed in laryngectomy in my Facebook search bar, and to my surprise I found a whole world of fellow laryngectomees. I found several pages and a few support groups. I was able to chat with folks who had gone through this. Some going back 15 or more years. I was able to find good information, rather it be a website or a book. Most importantly, I was put at ease and decided to actually do the surgery. This probably saved my life really. I wasn't listening to the doctor like I should have been. I mean what does he know? It's just his job... But this experience showed me how much negativity surrounds this disease. Everything you look up is depressing or is mocked, and miss informed. I want to help people find information and know that this isn't as horrible as it sounds, everyone is different, and every cancer is different. But Hope. Laughter. Love. The will to live. These are all things we share, and hopefully thrive for. I want to give back and help others is all and if doing a bootleg podcast brings a smile on someones face as they learned something, or took their mind off the dramatic. Then I have done what I set out to do!”
Henry credits the online community for all his support outside of the amazing medical team surrounding him.
“Doing online support groups wasn't exactly an option for me after the surgery. I wasn't given a Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) at the time of my surgery. So I used a hand held device called an electronic larynx. However, to use this device you have to press it against your throat and press the button. This will cause vibration and you are able to speak. But it is tricky to use in the beginning, and with swelling, sounding clear was impossible. Especially on a phone or over the computer. I relied on my wife Melonie for communication. She became my voice. Without these groups, I don't know what I would have done. Doctors and nurses can only tell you so much. Hearing first hand from other larys was a big help!”
Henry would go through 37 rounds of Radiation directed on his throat 1 session every day for 37 days, as well as 3 doses Chemotherapy. In September of 2020 a scan had shown no signs of cancer. But 5 years of no detection is really when they can say you are cancer free. It is never 100% guarantee however, as cancer has a way of popping up, and most times not in the same place.
“Really it's a one day at a time deal. I try not thinking about if it will come back much. If anything it has allowed me to step back and enjoy life a bit more. Find the beauty in simple things you always over looked. For me keeping my humor was key. If you can't laugh or smile, I feel there is no point. You have to enjoy living to fight this.”
Henry was able to adapt to the lary life style fairly quickly.
“I got extremely lucky no doubt about that. Not only did I have an amazing cancer team, but I healed pretty well and quickly. I didn't have a lot of issues I had seen or read about others having. Radiation sucked, and being at the hospital everyday for hydration was a pain in the ass. But all in all I got very lucky. Plus met some pretty cool folks in the medical field. What was really nice was when the swelling went down I was able to use my EL. Even had Alexa understand me..once.. could have been a fluke tho. Glitch in Matrix or something.”
Almost one year to the day Henry went in to receive his TEP. A prosthesis that allows air to flow one way from the lung through from the trachea to the esophagus, causing vibration to imitate vocal cords. Though raspy and low, one can be understood better in most cases.
“Before I got the TEP, I was searching around for current laryngectomy news. The movie Val from Amazon was in the works, so I decided to go on internet and see what larys has been doing what. I seen a ton of interviews and podcasts. But none were actually hosted and produced by an actual lary. Most larys are guests, and telling their stories. Most of it just seemed scripted and watered downed. Most sites have to be professional. Which I get and makes sense. But a ton of us have a great sense of humor. Some darker than others. So I kept wondering when and if a lary was going to fill the void. Once I seen how well I sounded with the TEP. I figured stop talking about it, and be about it. At the time I was mentoring a future lary and tossed the idea to him. As well as a few others. Everyone seemed interested, and with their support as well as my wife's, I decided to do Lary Talk.”
Henry is new to the podcasting game. Though not new to the media/entertainment industry. Producing local shows over a 7 year span at his local public access. This however was a different stage all together.
“I mean.. Really it's just F@#$ing radio, just with a video camera. Have I done this before? Not at all. Will I suck? More than likely. But me just doing something like this helps others. I mean if a radio host went through this. Seen me and didn't give up on his career and was able to go back to work. That would be a highlight. I'll be real. I'm just bored and this occupies a ton of time, from recording to editing to posting. Also it takes a bit of my money to. But I am more than happy if it helps others.”
Where does Henry see Lary Talk heading going forward?
“Honestly not to sure. I mean sky is the limit with something like this. I would love to work with some organizations and do some charity drives and raise some money for research. Maybe branch out and get an actual staff of folks to help me with this. Ya know? People that know what their doing more than I do. Would love to expand the YouTube channel. Add in some other shows, making a Lary cooking show. Since eating is different for us, plus just be fun to see I think. Larys singing, dancing, stand up, doing sketch comedy. I think all of that could be done, and could be very entertaining. But who knows? For now I just wanna make some one smile during hard times.”
If you are a laryngectomee or if being one is in your future, Lary Talk is the show you may enjoy. A mix of humor and facts, all in hopes of spreading positivity and awareness. Come along with Henry on his journey of Lary living and hopefully have a laugh or two.
“Best advise I can give someone is…. Relax. Take a breath. Life isn’t over, it has just begun!”