Shhh!

I'm not sure you really ever realize how much you talk in a day until you are actually not allowed to speak.  That is my new adventure.

The trip to Singapore during Spring Break resulted in the discovery of left vocal cord parases.  As I mentioned, thankfully the right vocal cord is fine.  I returned to Surabaya with strong advisories from both my doctor and my speech pathologist to take at least a month (if not longer) off work in hopes to allow the time necessary to heal my voice.

There are many things that I don't miss about teaching in Saskatchewan, however, right now I'd be willing to trade all of that in for our health coverage and sick leave!  However, with the help of some really great friends, an amazing teaching partner who is willing to collaborate and team teach EVERYTHING and literally be my voice, there might be a way that I can get through until June without risking permanent damage.

Over the course of the last week I have learned a lot.  I have learned that my natural voice is actually about a third lower than the tone at which I have been speaking.  Finding this natural voice is key to my recovery.  Thankfully I have found it and I can hum.  Good signs.

I have learned many cool techy things.  I have learned that I am an exceptionally fast typer.  Having to actually write what you're saying is a pain in the butt.  Typing it makes it oh so much easier.  I have learned how to make my computer talk so that I don't have to.  I have many different personalities with whom I communicate: Alex is my Mac laptop voice.  Suzanne is my iPad app voice, Anna is my PC Laptop at school voice.  And then there is the voice in my head - you know, the memory of what my voice sounds like.

I have learned how to turn a simple math lesson into a PowerPoint presentation so that I can still "teach" my kids.  I have learned that patience remains a virtue that I lack.  I have learned that it still is very difficult to ask for help.  I have learned that there are more people than not who are willing to lend a hand in so many different capacities.  But most importantly, I have learned that it is more important to take care of myself than to sacrifice my voice for a job that I love (most days)

So, as of now, I am on complete vocal rest.  I will do my vocal exercises 4 times a day.  That is about a total of one hour of voice use.  I will visit my Speech Pathologist next weekend in Singapore and hopefully she will tell me that, even though I am working, I am making sufficient progress.  Then I will re-evaluate the situation.

And that is the week in a nutshell.  If you're up for a fun challenge, go a day without talking.

I'll write again next weekend from Singapore!  Until then, hope Spring is springing wherever you may be!