Laurence Swan, known as Flo, is looking forward to the day he can order a steak again.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) captain based north of the Latrobe Valley underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumour on his voice box in October last year.

That means softer food is a necessity while he works on strengthening the muscles inside his throat.

Total laryngectomy

A total laryngectomy has also meant Flo no longer has a voice.

The CFA captain now communicates using a digital speech aid device, which he presses against the skin underneath his chin and its vibrations create sound.

“I don’t even blow me own nose because no air goes inside my mouth or nose.”

Long-haul battle

Nearly 20 years ago he started treatment for the cancer doctors say was caused by a combination of smoking and drinking beer.

Intensive radiotherapy improved the tumour, but when it returned, doctors advised him to have his larynx removed.

The surgeon replaced part of his oesophagus with a small piece of his bowel.

Because it tightens in his throat, every three weeks he must have a procedure to expand his oesophagus back to a comfortable level.

Smoky complication

He now breathes through a hole in the front of his neck, called a stoma, creating a significant safety concern for Flo as a firefighter.

“Smoke will get in there [the stoma] because I know dust gets in when I’m working in the shed. So, I know I have to be very careful,” he said.

Despite the changes to how Flo operates as a CFA volunteer, he was voted by his brigade earlier this year to continue as captain.

Flo, who is also a CFA deputy group officer, has celebrated his 30 years of service for the Erica & District Fire Brigade, where he started his third tenure as captain in 2011.

Memorable moments

Since he signed up to the CFA in 1980, he has seen fires claim two local pubs, including the Erica pub that burnt down in 1983.

Flo said it was traumatic for the community because it was in the days when pubs were key meeting points.

“They started serving beer within 24 hours in a shed,” he said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

WATCH

Duration: 1 minute 50 seconds1m 50s

He remembers the bushfire that was deliberately lit near Coopers Creek in December 2006.

“It was that fast we couldn’t catch it. We had a big job,” he said.

The fire had raced east initially, then later turned back to where it started.

Flo was standing at the historic cemetery overlooking the Coopers Creek pub.

“We saved the Coopers Creek pub. We had our one pub we saved.”

Sudden onset of silence

Flo’s partner of 21 years, Julie Tairua, reflects on how cancer has affected the two of them and their family. Between them, they have six children, Rebecca, Amanda, Kate, Ronnie, Donna and Tzar.

Julie describes one of the biggest challenges as “going from someone to talk to at home then not having it”.

For about four months after Flo’s operation, his throat was too sore to use the speech aid, so Julie quickly learned to lip-read.

“I had no idea what he was trying to tell me, so it was notes, lots of writing. Yeah, it was pretty frustrating,” she said.

Funny, yet frustrating

Flo keeps a sense of humour about it.

“It’s very hard to have an argument when you’re writing notes,” Flo said.

For Julie, it has not only been coming to terms with a quieter home, but she has had an uphill battle trying to manage Flo’s affairs because he cannot speak over the phone.

Community values capable captain

His family, fellow brigade members and others from around District 9 have been a big support to Flo.

“I’m always getting messages from some of the members asking how am I going,” Flo said.

District 9’s northern catchment commander, Emma Conway, said Flo’s experience and knowledge was a gift to his brigade and to those around him.

Missing his ‘sexy’ voice

Julie says her one regret is not taping a video of her partner before the operation to keep as a memento for their grandchildren.

“People said he had a sexy voice because it was so husky,” Julie said.

Like the actor Sam Elliott, she said. He is known for looking similar, too.

“That’s why she likes me so much,” Flo replied.