Dooley Noted: 11/29/2015
In early September, I was struck with a serious respiratory infection.
It weakened me to the point of not being able to properly articulate speech. This condition is known as laryngitis, when the voicebox mucosa is inflamed, and dysphonia when the neuromusculoskeletal system is compromised.
I believe I had a bit of both.
For nearly three months, I had chronic hoarseness and little time for vocal rest.
For some, this may be slightly disconcerting.
It was particularly devastating for me, since much of my character is in my voice.
So, I had to learn to communicate more succinctly with words, since my voice might run out.
I found myself call on my students more for answers and explanations.
I found myself guiding them more than lecturing them.
I honestly think the vocal hiatus improved my teaching skills.
But during that same period of very long work days, I lost a major stress reliever.
I missed my outlet of singing, that prolonged exhalation that relieved so much of my stress.
I’m rounding out four straight days of being off work, and my voice came almost completely back.
I sang openly in the shower and in my rental car, hitting all the notes that were airy and squeaky for months. I felt the necessary release of my diaphragm from its chronically tight position.
I was scared for many months that I would never be able to sing again. But today, I felt that freedom from stress with every note I could reach.
As I learn the work-life balance more and more, I understand how big the small things are.
Never underestimate the stress-relieving effects of a rental car studio.
Never limit your own recovery time to help out others.
You must come first.
Take back your voice.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley
