Start of Journey to MP 1

We completed 100 miles cycled in the Peach of a Century 8/25/2019. We did it to remind ourselves that we CAN do hard things.

October: Hmm could be fall allergies…people can develop new allergies anytime. Try Claritin. It seems to help. It’s odd that your voice gets so weak in loud environments where you really have to project. You feel awkward in busy, crowded environments now.

November 8, 2019: You can’t hold your breath right now; that’s weird. Yes, I did have a VERY emotionally draining and stressful day and I think you’re empathizing with me–emotions are often reflected in the voice. Tomorrow is Saturday and we have a relaxing day planned.

Later November: You are stressed out by several different things and I think your voice is holding all that tension. The right side of your throat is painful–muscle tension dysphonia I deduce. I gather research articles, therapy materials, youtube videos and offer to be your SLP (and find that it’s difficult because I am also your wife). Pain subsides, voice is sometimes better but…

I think you should see an ENT since it would be wise to rule out anything else going on…and then maybe you can see an SLP that has actually specialized in adult voice therapy (no more breath and phrasing work on “Her grandmother, Harriet Hill”). I set up an appointment with primary care–they might get you in faster if they order the ENT consult, but I still get you on the books for the ENT’s cancellation list. Your voice is not reliable for phone calls, so I put myself as the primary contact.

We cancel a few fun activities because they would just be too loud for you to participate in. We often have to play the game “telephone” where you tell me what to tell other people and sometimes I just talk for you–it’s weird.

-Annie