vocal cord health after surgery/intubation

[e_moondragon]

Hello, music major here... I'm hoping someone in this community might have some advice for me. I'm an instrumentalist by trade but have always sung in choirs and have been taking vocal lessons for 2 years. As you know vocals are an important part of college music, whether an instrumentalist or not. my current college requires voice lessons whether

Comments

[altorogue]

I can't think of anything else big that might help- I'm quite impressed with all the thought you've put into this! I'm so sorry that you have to go through all this surgery- I hope this one ends up positively and being helpful.

The one thing I would make sure to do is talk beforehand to EVERYONE that will be on the surgical team and part of your aftercare. Extensively. They all need to be on the same page and all understanding how any 'neglect' or lack of special care can affect your school, career, etc. All you need is one person coming in who wasn't prepped like the others to mess something up. Especially the nurses who will be taking care of you after- they'll be the ones who you will have the most contact with and who are most likely to pay attention to smaller details. :D

Good Luck!

[e_moondragon]

thank you for the well wishes,
yes i definitely plan on talking to everyone there, you're absolutely right that it needs to be a team effort. :)

[changing_heaven]

I honestly can't imagine all the work and positive thinking that has gone into preparing for a surgery such as this. You are (and have been) very brave throughout this, and I want to commend you. I'm a piano major, and while in a choir (as, like you said, you can't really escape it being a music major!), so I don't have anything more to add; however, I wanted to comment and let you know that I support you and will keep you in my thoughts. All the best for a safe surgery and painless recovery. Be strong! ♥

[e_moondragon]

i dont' need commending for enduring. but thank you anyway :) the real challenge will be getting it done over break w/o anyone at my college finding out, and starting fresh next sem. i really don't want to be the kid w/ all the baggage, and i'm worried how it will affect my standing w/ the music dept. let's just say where i'm at it wouldn't really help me if they knew. :/ thanks for the thoughts i do appreciate it,
and how did you insert a heart??

[cluboxygen]

Ginger tea is very good for the voice. Either sprinkle ground Ginger in boiling water or buy it in individual teabags. Just warning - it's a bit spicey and is definately an aquired taste.

If you're allowed, I'd try to keep a humidifier on all night long and for some of the day if you wish. I've been singing for a long while now, and especially in the winter, I use it at night, and I've noticed a difference in warm up times and quality of my arias.

Good luck, I hope your surgery goes well!

[e_moondragon]

thank you, i will plan to pack my ginger! i've had different ginger-like horlitz and concoctions (rooibus) so i'm sure i canhandle it just find, i cook w/ it plenty!

do you know if ther are small travel humidifiers? and if i can pack it in checked luggage? what size/capacity do you recommend? i'd prefer to purchase one and pack it with me, and not purchase it out of state where i'm having surgery. i'm flying alone and will have to taxi to the hotel and hospital.

[cluboxygen]

I'm not too sure if you can find a small one... but maybe if you call the hospital you're staying at, you might be able to find out if they have ones that you can borrow for your stay. I can't see why a hospital wouldn't have at least one, and if they don't, maybe you could buy one there and donate it to the hospital later? Also, check with your family doctor at the office... maybe they'll have some suggestions as to where you can find a travel sized humidifyer.

[xtingu]

I had two abdominal surgeries a few years ago as well as two additional tube-down-mah-throat procedures more recently, and each time I politely stressed to both the doctor and the anesthesiologist that I am a singer and public speaker by profession, and my voice is my sole livelihood. I asked them to please take extra-special care because really, seriously... "if you ding my cords I'm hosed." Everything was 100% fine

[e_moondragon]

I'm really glad your abdominal surgeries went fine, I will definitely press that my voice can/will/is kinda what my life depends on right now.

unfortunately it will be a 2-4 hour surgery and pretty major and intensive, so i highly doubt an epidural would work...i'll be in general anesthesia, and usually with gen they intubate, unless it's less than a 30 min surgery. i'll definitely be starved for 2 days prior (clear liquids then nothing) so i'm definitely worried about being dry. i will definitely pick up some glycerine, thanks for the great tip!

Do you know if Luden's are also menthol free? I've never purchased them, are they easy to find or do i need to go to a pharmacy?

Oh yes lip balm is sooo impt in a hospital. the air is just so unreasonably and unnaturally dry... i wouldn't last 30 min in a hospital w/o it!
and i alwasy remember to pack my backscratcher :) definitely muy muy importante!

[xtingu]

Oh yeah, Ludens are everywhere. You'll find 'em right by all the other cough drops; they come in an olde-tyme looking white box (you can usually get a 3-pack) and best of all: they're cheap!

They come in many different flavors / combinations, and they do have one that's menthol (brownish box). The wild cherry flavor (sooo good) doesn't have menthol, I'm sure of it. The others might have a smidgen, but nowhere near as strong as a Hall's.

As for the epidural: My mom had a full hysterectomy (4 hours) and it wasn't a problem, so it still might be worth it to ask.

Best of luck to ya!