Hello to everyone: First of all, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to my dear friend and mentor: Tom Kelly. I'm so glad that you finally took my advice <chuckle> and decided to join this wonderful group. Know, now, that you are among family and jump right on into discussions with your wonderful perceptions! Next, Barbie Mallut-I need some clarification about your soon to be implants! I have recently met with a Dr. here in Peoria who has been doing permanent implants in vocal chords for some time now. After a long discussion with me, however, he had researched and decided to do collagen injections in my vocal chords...I would be his first <gulp> patient-no, actually I have quite a bit of faith in his abilities and he has gotten rave reviews from other patients. I didn't realize that the collagen injections had to be repeated at such frequent intervals. Should I try the collagen first and then talk about permanent implants? -- --- Joan Snyder (47/10/8) <[log in to unmask]> Peoria,IL "Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/snyder/page1.htm