Maggie's story
To work outdoors, talk and breathe at the same time – that doesn’t sound too complicated, does it? If you are a laryngectomee like Maggie Geehan, it’s a different story.
Maggie Geehan lives in Florida, a place where you are able to be outdoors 12 months a year without having to worry about ice and snow. This is something Maggie, who likes working outside in her yard and taking long walks, appreciates.
Maggie has had more than her fair share of physical troubles in life, including a car accident and several strokes. When she was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 2001 one of her first reactions was “here we go again!”.
- It was a big shock of course, but I also said ok - if it is my time to go it is my time to go.
It wasn’t Maggie’s time - support from her congregation gave her the will to fight the cancer.
Bumpy road to hands free speech
The fight didn’t end with the operation. Maggie had a TE puncture during the laryngectomy, but to talk as well as she does today wasn’t a breeze. She had trouble with her stoma being too wide and soft. After two extra surgeries, where a tendon was taken from her leg to build up the stoma ridge, she could finally wear a customized button that didn’t pop out.
Speaking hands free now comes naturally to Maggie. After first trying a speech valve from another company, Maggie started using Atos Medical’s FreeHands HME* in 2003. Maggie walks 3 1/2 miles each day and the other valve would slam shut during the walks so she couldn’t breathe.
- For me Atos Medical’s hands-free works better than anything else together with physical activity. I can breathe well all the time and I don’t have to worry about the valve closing.
“It made all the difference in the world”
She appreciates new products helping her everyday life. Common tasks such as mowing the lawn can get messy when you breathe through a stoma.
- My lawn is not perfect and I used to get a lot of dust in my stoma while mowing. The inside of my stoma would be loaded with black mucus, which I then would have to cough up for several days.
At a laryngectomee convention she found the new Provox Micron HME and decided to try it.
- I couldn’t believe it! It made all the difference in the world. I had no problem breathing while mowing and I could still talk, and - above all – there was no dust at all in my stoma afterwards and no trouble with black mucus.**
As active as ever
Maggie is a member of the clergy in her church, where she also teaches classes, she is president and treasurer at her local LaryClub, among other things.
- I think it is important to inform other laryngectomees about methods that work for me, maybe someone else can benefit from my experiences.
One activity has changed compared to before the laryngectomy:
- I don’t swim anymore, but otherwise I keep very active. I have to, otherwise I get bored and then I’m up to no good, she laughs.
* Provox FreeHands HME is a heat and moisture exchanger with an automatic speech valve.
**Provox Micron HME is a heat and moisture exchanger that, when worn in front of the tracheostoma, helps to reduce the transfer of viruses and bacteria by means of its electrostatic filter. The Provox Micron HME is not intended or suggested to be used as a personal protective equipment. The filtration capacity may vary depending on the size, shape and velocity of particles.
Disclaimer:This story relates to how one individual has experienced the use of the product; not every person will get the same results. The opinions expressed are the personal opinions of that individual. Atos Medical AB does not suggest, imply or make any claims other than those detailed in the product manual. For further product information please see the manual or consult your physician/SLP.