The Swallows Australian Edition Magazine

Laryngectomy Story
India - Shrenik Shah
My name is Shrenik Shah. I am a 64-year-old
Indian businessman in Global Marketing and
have travelled to over 30 countries promoting
exports in Chemicals & Dyestuffs. I have also
been a Cancer Survivor for the past 20 years.
Until I was 44, I spoke normally but then my
voice gradually turned into a whisper. Several
doctors and ENT surgeons examined me but
could find nothing unusual. I had never
smoked, used tobacco or consumed alcohol.
However, I had been travelling extensively
seven or eight times a year for over 10 years
which might have been a factor.
Then, in 1997, I started to have difficulty
breathing and was unable to sleep on my
back. I also began to lose weight; 10 kilograms
in just 10 months. In August I found blood in
my sputum or saliva. My family physician
referred me immediately to a cancer specialist
who carried out an endoscopy or internal
examination of my throat using an endoscope
– a long, thin flexible tube. They found a huge
tumour on the opening of my windpipe. This
eventually led to a Total Laryngectomy which
involved the partial removal of my thyroid
gland and 56 other nodes together with much
of my neck muscle. I was discharged from
hospital after a week and was back at work in
under three months.
I was advised to use an Electrolarynx, a
hand-held, battery-operated device which
produces vibrations so allowing you to speak.
It took me a couple of weeks to get used to it
and I now use it in face-to-face conversations,
over the phone and in public speaking as I
travel all over the world in my work. It may
sound robotic but, to me, it’s a blessing in
disguise as it has given me a unique identity. I
never need announce my name when I speak
to someone for a second time!
When the doctors diagnosed my cancer and
told me they needed to remove my voice box,
my answer was quite simple. I said they should
do whatever was required. Since then I have
never dwelt on the fact I had cancer. Ten years
after my surgery, I began to get involved in
motivational work with cancer patients in
hospital and to spread awareness of cancer
among the business community, particularly
during World Cancer and No Tobacco Days.
Over the last six months, I have been a regular
visitor to Cancer Hospital Outdoor & Indoor
Patient Departments. I have spoken to them
about fighting cancer and how to lead
independent and active lives and helping
others to fight Cancer too. I am also actively
connected with the Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Centre in New York and regularly take
part in their webinars. In July there was the
launch of the book “10/10 Immersive
Narratives of 10 Cancer Survivors” which tells
the stories of 10 Head & Neck Cancer patients
who have survived over 10 years. I am one of
those lucky ones and my story is told in
chapter 1: “I am going to stay”.
During my 20 years as a cancer survivor, I have
been committed to helping, protecting and
comforting cancer patients and carers. I now
ask for your support please in carrying on this
commitment.
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