Sunday, January 19, 2014

Complete Vocal Rest - It's a Crack Up!

Happy Sunday.  I have had an interesting couple of weeks.  2 weeks ago today I went to bed because I didn't feel well.  No big dramatic symptoms, just not feeling well.  That was followed by a week of a dry cough.  Then I flew to Dallas on a business trip last Monday.  Then my symptoms blossomed into nasal congestion. 

Then something happened to me that has not ever happened to me before. On Wednesday, the 15th, I woke up, met my co-worker downstairs for brekkie, opened my mouth to say good morning, and nothing came out.  It was the strangest awareness to realize I could not communicate vocally! 

I had to deliver a leadership workshop that afternoon, so I asked for a microphone and whispered my way through the 2 hours.  It was odd for sure.

I flew home Friday morning (still no voice) and went straight to an ear, nose, throat specialist.  She assessed me and assured me that there was nothing "scary" going on with my vocal chords, no polyps or tumors, etc "just" swollen vocal chords.  I am being treated for a sinus infection and laryngitis.  The treatment for laryngitis is complete vocal rest until the voice is "restored an normalized". 

This morning (day 5 of no voice) I can make a bit of a croaking or barking noise, but still no actual voice.  The temptation is to power out a sound but the doctor assured me that this would be damaging to the vocal chords and to not speak until my voice is both restored and normalized. 

Why am I sharing this with you?  I see great parallels to a healthy journey.  It is another example of needing to take care of ourselves, even if we are tempted to do the opposite.  It is tempting to "diet" for awhile and then begin eating things that may not be in our best interest.  What is true and real is that we have to honor ourselves and make good choices for all time to come.  It is not enough for me to rest my voice for a few days, I have to honor that discipline and wait until my voice is fully restored.  It is actually really tough being quiet.  I know the universe is having a good laugh over this.  Anyone who knows me, realizes that I am quite verbal!  :-)

Another day/week/month, another chance to practice making the best right choices to honor myself!

Desire to get my voice back.  Dedication to heal fully.  Discipline to stay silent.

1 comment:

  1. Eerie that your Christmas presents included a "personal-sized" white board!! (Things that make ya go; "Hummmm".) Take good care of yourself!

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