I am 5 weeks post op from having the left 1/2 of my thyroid removed with a nodule (that ended up being benign).
I have been singing since I was a child. Not professional but in my church choir and little talent shows here or there.
Since my surgery, it took a few weeks for my speaking voice to get back to normal but is fine now. However, the upper range of my singing voice is not there.. literally, I open my mouth for higher notes and other comes out...
The incision area is still slightly swollen... Does this sound normal? The surgeon had said 4 weeks for the swelling to go down. I don't know if I just need to be more patient or if I should be concerned.
Christine
The following user gives a hug of support to Chris931: Phyllis Lovit (11-23-2010)
My surgeon told me it can take months for the internal swelling to go down, and everyone is different. Don't push your voice if it's not ready yet. It took about 3 months for me to extend my voice for different ranges such as singing---one day it just happened. My friend who actually lost her voice, got it back over the period of a year.
Patience, and it will come---in the meantime, take good care of your voice, don't abuse it, drink a lot, no shouting, and it will come back so gradually you won't even realize it.
Hey Chris Not to worry. I actually had my right laryngeal nerve removed along with TT in April 08 as the cancer had wrapped around the laryngeal nerve (which controls the vocal cords - one nerve on each side). So - I will always have vocal cord paralaysis on the right side, but actually had bi lateral vocal cord paralysis post surgery (lots of swelling & trauma to the area).
Although my voice isn't 100% a year later, it is still improving. I also love to sing (at church, etc) and it has been so difficult to not be able to for so long. But even with my paralysis, I am happy to say my singing voice is coming back!!!
So never fear! I have been seen by otolaryngologists for my vocal cord situation and they have assured me nerves take a long time to heal, but the body is amazing. Hang in there!! Also Reece is correct. As the specialists have told me, I can ***use*** my voice, but it's not good to ***strain*** the voice.
Thanks for all of the replys. I am an alto and didn't really have much in a high range to begin with and I have nothing there right now.
I knew that it would take some time but never expected 3 months or longer as mentioned it your replys. Just praying it comes back. I certainly don't make my living by singing but it is a great joy of mine.
I do make my living with my voice..as a teacher so I guess I might use my voice more than others on a daily basis.. Think that might strain too much and make the singing voice take longer??
I am a newly retired teacher, so I know how you feel. Minutes before I was wheeled into the operating room, the idiot anesthesiologist said I could lose my voice!! My surgeon had previously told me this was a remote possibility---that anesth. had no business making me cry right before my surgery!!
I am an alto and sing better than before. Actually, for many years (before I was diagnosed) I noticed I couldn't hold notes. In retrospect, my enlarged thyroid was probably pressing on my vocal chords.
BTW, there are things they can do for voice issues---therapy and injection with botox.
Not to worry. I actually had my right laryngeal nerve removed along with TT in April 08 as the cancer had wrapped around the laryngeal nerve (which controls the vocal cords - one nerve on each side). So - I will always have vocal cord paralaysis on the right side, but actually had bi lateral vocal cord paralysis post surgery (lots of swelling & trauma to the area).
