Acid Reflux Erosion in the Esophagus (not mine)

Hidden in the depths of my blog is my personal journey of vocal damage from acid reflux.  In the past three years I’ve gone from being fine to being told my voice was going to disappear forever to having surgery, almost dieing and surviving organ damage only to have them damage my right vocal cord. 

Bad enough for a singer; Devastating for a voice teacher, professional singer and voice talent.

So many of you have asked me to update you on where I’m at with my medical condition and tell you if I was able to sing again after all of my surgeries. 

I’ve also heard from so many of you going through similar situations and I hope you know it breaks my heart to know you’re there too.

So let’s get through this together!  Here’s what’s happened with my voice in the last year:

Did I Sing Again?

 I did!  I have to tell you I can’t even count the number of times I myself thought it was going to be impossible given not only my severe acid problems but the barrage of medical mistakes and damage to my body and larynx. 

But I CAN sing again.  And I see it completely differently than I used to.  I no longer hear people sing and compare voices.  I find that I marvel at them.  I’m more inspired and much less critical.  I see potential faster than I see problems.  That’s been a good change.

But I also have to admit a ting of jealousy for those with a real joy of singing.  I remember joy being the only feeling I had when I sang before this.  Now that is much more hidden underneath the pain and limitations I feel in my voice, even if people can’t hear them.  That’s sad for me.

Did I Sing at the Same Level?

No.  I sang at an INCREASED level after my medical junk than before.  I added another half octave to my range!  

I didn’t see THAT coming.   

I trained my voice to recover.  I’ve trained other vocalists to recover from vocal damage.  I’ve watched them surpass where they were vocally before the damage, so it shouldn’t have surprised me.  

But it’s just different when it’s you.  It is harder to hope when you’re the one feeling the pain and frustration.  Being your own coach when you’re depressed about your voice is not the best thing.  I did reach out to a couple of instructor friends for unbiased input.  I wish I had done that more so I would’ve been less discouraged.

Yet, it happened.  And way sooner than I would’ve ever imagined. I knew that what I teach WORKS and it worked for me too.  I still laugh when I think about all of the speech therapists who begged for more information on what I teach when they saw the super fast repair of my voice. 

I believed in what I taught before all of this.  Now, I honestly can’t help but be a charismatic evangelist.  I’ve watched what I do impact other singers voices for years, but I never expected that I would need it so desperately myself.  I am so grateful.

What Made the Difference?

The healthy balanced voice technique I teach was created with vocal surgeons.  It was the result of years of study on how the voice works and what goes wrong when it doesn’t.  That’s why it’s used by thousands of Grammy award winners and Metropolitan Opera and Broadway stars who can’t afford to be without a strong, healthy voice.

Stuff happens to your voice; bad technique causes vocal damage or in my case, and so many others, a medical condition threatens to take it all away.  All the fancy scales and butt pinching in the world won’t help you then.  I’m a really good butt pincher, so I know it’s true!

Little did I know when I spent those years seeking to learn a vocal technique to open up new potential in my range and power that it would literally save my voice.

Where is My Medical Situation Now?

 My surgery was supposed to permanently stop the flow of acid up my esophagus.  But as later specialists predicted, it didn’t last. My new medical team of specialists says I’m back at square one.  The only difference is that I have lasting damage from the other surgeries to contend with.

I will go through all of the procedures and tests all over again to see how bad it is.  I will be tested for Barrett’s which is a pre-curser to esophageal cancer.  I doubt I have it but I’ll have to be checked every year because of the extent of the damage in my esophagus.  

They believe I may be at the end of possible treatment options. That means I may never see any improvement in the pain.  That’s really frustrating.  But when I remember the prognosis was that I would never sing or speak at the same level again AND have permanent pain, I feel better about it.

What’s the Next Step?

I sing…because I can.  And I do everything I can to let those of you who are struggling with anything that holds your voice back that you CAN sing.  It doesn’t always mean other medical conditions won’t get in the way, but there is really very little that can completely silence a developed healthy voice.  I’m proof of that.

Have you gone through something that’s held your voice back?  Share your story below.  You’re not in this alone.

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy

Not even weeks without food could make hospital jello taste better

So here’s the cliff notes version of my last year:

Trip to see a pro singers specialist in Beverly Hill

I went to the ENT with a bruised eardrum from a gig and was told acid reflux was about to burn my vocal cords at the stake (fall ’08).

After all other treatments failed, I had a surgery for acid reflux last December. My stomach burst three days later.

They woke me in the hospital so my husband could say goodbye before I underwent emergency surgery. I spent most of the month in the hospital.

My favorite ride at Disneyland, where my daughter sang

More looks at my vocal cords

The year included a total of four surgeries, an eight inch in scar opened twice and 10 laporascopic holes to try to repair the damage.

When I started all of this I had no trouble singing. Now, on top of my other medical issues, I have a constant gravel in my voice and pain in my throat that is made worse by speech or singing.

After a year of ongoing recovery, barely walking or talking let a lone singing for much of the year and losing my job as a producer/talent and, as a result, our home….just before Christmas 2009 they told me maybe it’s not acid reflux after all and maybe we should start over again with the ENT.

My mom & I at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix

I don’t mean to be all gripey, but it’s been a long year. It’s been doable in small doses, but then came Christmas and the realization that I haven’t sang O Holy Night for two years now. Sound trite, I suppose, but I’m a singer. It’s the one thing I can (or could) physically do that brings me incredible joy. And for most of my life I’ve had the honor of singing O Holy Night at the Christmas Eve services at my church.

Christmas Eve rehearsal 2007

Now I love rock and the blues and there’s nothing like belting out a good Ella tune, but O Holy Night is in a class of it’s own. It mixes an endless possibility of opportunities for vocal expression with a powerful, timeless message that I’m personally passionate about. I sat and cried like a stupid baby when they sang it at the Christmas Eve service this year. Not because I didn’t get to sing it, but because I so desperately miss singing. I miss the beauty of the notes flowing together and the depth of dynamics that weave in and out to tell a story. I miss being a living part of that. I miss it desperately.

My Sweet Family

I’m in the middle of six more months of vocal rest…though I’m not even sure why at this point. The one thing everyone agrees on is that my vocal cords are strong and healthy; not at all burned from any acid reflux or the truckload of drugs I’ve been on this year. But after one of my surgeries I developed a constant pain that starts just below my vocal cords and runs down my throat. For awhile I couldn’t talk at all. So even though I can technically sing, sneaking out anymore than a few lines is still too painful. No one knows why or if/when it will go away and enable me to sing freely again.

My year wasn’t all bad though. I’ve soaked in the time with my kids and my wonderful husband. I’ve discovered cooking and, believe it or not, crochet! I’ve lived unashamedly and vicariously through my students whom I adore and I have bathed in the beauty of song I suppose like a blind person must soak in each little sound.

Before

After

So I’m thankful for my year. Thankful to have lost weight (can’t ever complain about that!) and to have been surrounded by lots of loving, incredible people.

The doctors aren’t saying what my medical future holds. There are only plans for more medical tests, more medication and maybe more surgery in the new year. And hopefully some answers.

But even if it kills me…I’m going to sing in 2010. God only knows how, but I will.

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy

The demands of touring can wreak havoc on a singer, especially on their first major tour when they don’t yet know just how much their bad habits are going to work against their voice.   But the problems you hear in those live performances are just an exaggeration of the basic problems all singers face.  Here are the top 10 ways to avoid them:

10.  Get Some Rest Already

Physical fatigue has a really bad effect on the voice.  That’s what you’re hearing a lot of from singers on the road.  Sure you have to work with the situation you’re in but understanding just how important adequate rest is to performing your best might just make you turn in a bit earlier.  Nighty night.

9.  Watch Those Burritos

Spicy, greasy, milky or heavy foods (farewell Mr. Cheesecake; I knew you well) are big no-no’s when you’ve got a performance coming up.  Depending how sensitive your body is to what you eat you might want to avoid these foods several days before a performance.  The best advice;  eat a healthy, well balanced diet all the time.  For those rolling your eyes right now; back off the junk food before you sing.  It helps.  It really does.

8.  Make H20 Your Favorite Element

Your vocal cords are teeny tiny, slippery little suckers.  They vibrate so fast during speech (or singing) that it wasn’t even until the last year or so before they developed a camera that could slow down enough to see it.  But without adequate hydration, they can’t perform those incredible rolling waves of vibration nearly as well.  Keep them slippery.  Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.  Not in the habit of drinking that much?  Don’t bet on that bottle of spring water during the show to cut it.  It can take a week or longer to rehydrate your body.  We’ll wait while you go get a glass.

7.  Get in Shape

Even if you don’t have to serve as your own backup dancer, the better shape you’re in, the more energy you have (and give) in your performance.  And and that little edge could mean turning those people who would rather play on their iPhones than really listen to you into loyal fans instead.

6. Don’t Rock ’till You See the Doc

When was the last time you saw an Ear, Nose and Throat doc.  Really?  It’s time.  Singers of all levels should make this an annual event to head off dangerous damage you might not see coming down the pike like acid reflux or signs that your technique might be slipping and physically compromising your voice.

5. Let’s Clear the Air

Smoke=bad.  It’s not even o.k. if you just inhale, Mr. Clinton.  If you tend to sing in smokey venues, start booking more outdoor ones or places that have a no smoking rule for the room where performances take place (some casino’s do this).  If you plan on singing for awhile you’ll be adding years to your voice.

4. Don’t Play with Pain

If you have pain while singing or after a show, somethings amiss in singersville.  See this article to find out if this means you.  Pain is not a part of being a singer, regardless of what style you sing.  Danger, Will Robinson.  Danger.

3. Save it for the Show

I’m not a big fan of the ‘I don’t sing the day of a performance’ mantra.  Sure, if you’re a mega star bombarded by hundreds of crazed screaming fans, maybe you want to keep it on the down low, but the basic principle is this:  Don’t be screaming or talking excessively when you have a demanding show coming up.  It’s damaging at worst, and taking from what you can do on stage at best.

2. Step Up Your Style

Working with a good vocal styling coach can help you develop a bag of styling tricks that are useful way beyond impressing that guy/girl that finally made it to hear you sing.  They allow you options at different difficulties to choose from so if you find yourself having an off night you can still thrill your audience while protecting your voice.  And you do want to thrill them, don’t you?

1. Teacher Knows Best

A qualified vocal technique instructor who understands how the anatomy of your voice works and can assess how your lifestyle and tendencies affect your vocal potential.  Regular vocal lessons should not only provide continuing growth in your skill level, they should also teach you how to best care for your voice in your specific situation and they provide a trusted resource to ask questions as they arise.  Find a good instructor and get started!

Got another tip to add?  Think I’m full of it?  Leave a comment at the top of this post.

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy

My fellow voice instructors agree it’s time to get a real pro to weigh in on the vocal pain I’ve been having.  And I couldn’t ask for a bigger pro than the doctor Nassari who has helped a multitude of million dollar voices.  And after all of the surgery I’ve had this year, I really appreciate a surgeon who would rather not cut.

I’m really hoping it’s something simple, not a cyst or a node.  As a voice teacher and working voice talent, I can’t imagine how I’m going to get by if I get the news that I can’t phonate (make noise) for weeks while I heal.   They say it could be the result of the severe acid reflux that required my first surgery to prevent more damage to my vocal cords. Either way, I’m relieved to be in very capable hands, knowing I’ll finally have an answer in just a few weeks. 

Leave a comment with your vocal questions.  I’ll ask the doctor for you!

AUDIO:Hear Dr. Nasseri’s own description of the vocal problems he sees in professional singers all the time and get his great tips for a healthier voice.

ARTICLES:

Dr. Nasseri helps ZZ Top Singer

Dr. Nasseri treats Gossip Girl Star

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy

Happy Halloween! I love this time of year, with all the decorations and costumes. I realized this year that I’ve outgrown the really scary movies, though. After having gone through some very real scares in life, they’ve lost their entertaining edge for me.

In the same way, there are things as a vocalists I’ve found harmless in the past that I now have a new fearful respect for. I remember teasing another vocalist in a live band for over reacting every time there was any feedback. In the last two years I’ve had my eardrum bruised by excessive feedback and later permanently damaged the same inner ear due to feedback. I now have permanent pain in that ear and have to wear special ear plugs to prevent completely blowing the ear out.

As I’ve written about in the last post, my ignoring a seemingly insignificant acid reflux issue turned into an acid monster burning my vocal cords, damaging my voice and requiring surgery. All said, this has been a scary year for my voice.

So, what vocal habits are you playing around with that you really should be scared of? Do you find yourself almost screaming to get more volume? Does it hurt sometimes when, or after, you sing? Do you protect your voice when you’re not singing? It’s easy to think these things are harmless. Most singers do, until it’s too late and they’ve developed nodes or bleeding in their delicate vocal folds. Sure surgery can help repair them, but if you ever get to that point your voice could be changed forever.

Healthy fear is a good thing. And combined with a solid solution, you can protect and make the most of the voice you’ve been given. Learn good vocal technique from a qualified instructor: technique based on a solid understanding of the anatomy of the voice, not just a list of singing exercises. Understand that little things like feedback, singing incorrectly or even singing correctly when your health is compromised can cause serious problems.

Be aware of what to avoid, remember to take potential risks seriously and put vocal fears in their right place… and keep the really scary stuff for Halloween!

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy

The most common cause of vocal damage is incorrect use of the voice.  For singers, that often means belting, or pulling up your chest voice beyond the point at which it’s meant to mix with the head voice, or potentially even more damaging; overusing falsetto.  For voice talent (those who speak for commercials, etc. which I also do), damage is more often related to overuse when the voice is tired or dehydrated.  But even if you do everything you can to build a strong, healthy voice, there’s still something that can severely, and sometimes permanently damage your voice.  And that’s exactly what I have; acid reflux.

It’s amazing that acid reflux can damage your voice, considering that the voice box, or larynx, is in the wind pipe and the acid comes up the food pipe.  But in some cases, the acid comes all the way up, over the epiglottis (the little wall between the two pipes) and spills acid over onto your delicate vocal cords.  It hurts just thinking about it.

If you have acid reflux, here are some signs it may be time to talk to a GI specialist; a reoccurring hoarseness, a persistent cough or throat irritation, losing your voice for no apparent reason, shortness of breath, or a change in your voice (loss of volume or missing notes for singers or for voice talent, the fluidity of your read becomes stopped at points).

Most acid reflux can be kept in check with dietary changes and/or medications.  But in some cases, like mine, all the drugs and chocolate banning in the world doesn’t slow down the acid machine.  In those cases, surgery is required, followed by a slow healing process for the blisters surrounding the vocal cords.

Thankfully, my doctors says he expects my voice to recover fully from the damage after my scheduled stomach surgery and a few more months of vocal rest.  But I expect to recover much sooner than that.  Because what my doctor isn’t taking into account is the incredible resilience of the well trained voice.  The method of vocal instruction I use, and teach, is proven to actually reverse vocal damage, and it’s my secret weapon.  I just saw the proof for myself!  The two months of ‘no voice’ I was told to expect after my last procedure, turned into only one week thanks to a few vocal exercises with one of my fellow instructors. (Thanks Mr. Hayes!)

Since I make my living with my voice, vocal damage is my kryptonite.  But thanks to solid vocal technique and the knowledge of how to both avoid damage, and heal it if it happens, this will just be a bump in my vocal road.

So, after my surgery and some regular vocal work, soon I’ll have both my voice, and my chocolate back again.

Ready to take your voice to the next level? Check out online training at The Voice Club Academy