VI. Five Weeks After Surgery

June 24th, 2015

Today's post is going to be short and sweet because that's how my week was: short and sweet!

I am recovering fairly smoothly still, with some minor bumps along the way. I had another therapy session two days ago and it was exhausting. I am still trying to discern the difference between proper closure between the vocal cords and squeezing. It is really fascinating to feel how different singing is without that polyp in the way. I had gone over five years with that thing in there and discovered ways on how to make the voice work; now, I am trying to uncover the bad habits I formed and reverse them, slowly but surely.

My vocal therapy lesson lasted over 30 minutes, and by the end, my voice was SO TIRED! It is crazy to think that before this I would partake in rehearsals and gigs lasting 2-3 hours! As of now, that seems miles away. This week, my therapist built on the previous vocal exercises and also gave me another one to start.

1. Holding [i] ("eee") from C4-C5 individually, and as quietly as I can 
- Last week, G4 was a struggle for me. Now that note feels EASSSYYYY compared to my new notes that were added! (Which is how it should be!) Even before my surgery, B4-D5 were always troublesome - not only because of my break, but because of the pseudocyst. As you sing higher in pitch, your cords lengthen and stretch. With a polyp (and for some time, polyps) in the way, my cords would try to stretch and not be able to touch completely.

- I found my first bad habit I have to fix! I knew it was always there... tongue tension. My tongue tries to reach back and help squeeze the cords together as I get higher. My therapist made me take a napkin, hold out my tongue, and move it around to get rid of the tension. I have to do this exercise all week with my tongue out. I can hardly phonate as of now on B4 and C5, and I feel my tongue quivering because it wants to help out.

2.  Practicing onsets on [i] ("eee") from C4-C5 five times on each pitch, holding the last pitch
- From years of fear and attempting to avoid irritation and swelling of the polyps, my closere is too soft and let's too much air escape. This exercise helps practice this.

I have to do these exercises twice a day.

By the end of the 30 minute session, my voice felt almost sore, but not hoarse. My therapist advised me that this is the sign that you are doing things right. Throughout the day, my voice was so tired I was scared to talk. I attempted to start the exercises again later in the afternoon, but the cords kept breaking and two pitches formed. I got really protective and decided rest and lay low the rest of the evening. Luckily, that hasn't happened since Monday evening.

It's a process and I am making headway this week.

I am counting down the days before I can start teaching and singing at church again. A week and a half to go!