niccig
02-13-2008, 02:37 PM
I can talk :yay: Well sort off. I had a 2nd surgery yesterday that's a temporary fix for my paralyzed vocal cord. The doctor injected collagen to bulk up the vocal cord, so that it covers the trachea as it is supposed to do. Unfortunately, he didn't take me up on the offer to use left-over collagen to smooth out any wrinkles. :p
My swallowing is 100% better, no choking on food/drink. My voice is stronger, but there's still a way to go. I'll keep doing speech therapy, and hopefully the damage will heal before the collagen is reabsorbed by my body. If not, they can inject it again. But the speech therapist is very confident that my voice will return as long as I do my exercises.
So as for the list of positives about not being able to talk, the main benefit was my patience. I had to be more patient with DS, and go right up to him and say something once. And it worked. He's listening better, and I wasn't getting frustrated when he didn't listen. The morning routine was much more mellow. I never screamed at DS, but I would raise my voice like "Hurry up we have to go." Me being quieter and calmer has been a real eye opener, and I hope this will stay with me when my voice is 100%. This is how all the parenting books say to interact with your child, but I found it difficult to do, as it's totally opposite to how I was raised and my personality. Well, now I know I can do it.
We're also going to keep up the sign language to use when our friend's DS#2 with Downs Syndrome gets older. She's teaching her DS#1, so I'll keep using it my DS too.
Unfortunately, DH is already back to - well can't you make the phone call. :banghead: But I'll keep working on him.
So, as frustrating as it was for the first week or so, this whole experience hasn't been too bad.
Nicci
_________________________________________________
I've posted about the vocal cord injury from surgery, and it's been getting me down, so I came up with a list of pros.
1. I can't yell at DS - I was brought up in a yelling house and I didn't like it.
2. DS and I are learning sign language. A good friend's DC#2 has Down's syndrome and she is teaching her DC#1 signs as they might need to use it with the baby brother. So, now DS and I will be able to talk to Baby G as well.
3. I have to go up to DS, get his attention before I sign or say something.
4. DS's listening skills should improve, I really really need him to listen well.
5. DS may become more independent, as he needs to help mama to do things
6. DH and I will find arguing difficult.
7. DH has to help more with house management, I can't make any phone calls to organize dr's appointment or call the plumber
8. I have to take small bites of food, chew them well and be careful with swallowing otherwise food goes into my trachea. Mmmm maybe if I eat more slowly (always been a fast eater), I'll eat less and lose the 10lbs I put on last year.
You know, no. 7 alone may be worth it! DH organizes nothing, and it drives me crazy as pre-me he managed everything.
Nicci
My swallowing is 100% better, no choking on food/drink. My voice is stronger, but there's still a way to go. I'll keep doing speech therapy, and hopefully the damage will heal before the collagen is reabsorbed by my body. If not, they can inject it again. But the speech therapist is very confident that my voice will return as long as I do my exercises.
So as for the list of positives about not being able to talk, the main benefit was my patience. I had to be more patient with DS, and go right up to him and say something once. And it worked. He's listening better, and I wasn't getting frustrated when he didn't listen. The morning routine was much more mellow. I never screamed at DS, but I would raise my voice like "Hurry up we have to go." Me being quieter and calmer has been a real eye opener, and I hope this will stay with me when my voice is 100%. This is how all the parenting books say to interact with your child, but I found it difficult to do, as it's totally opposite to how I was raised and my personality. Well, now I know I can do it.
We're also going to keep up the sign language to use when our friend's DS#2 with Downs Syndrome gets older. She's teaching her DS#1, so I'll keep using it my DS too.
Unfortunately, DH is already back to - well can't you make the phone call. :banghead: But I'll keep working on him.
So, as frustrating as it was for the first week or so, this whole experience hasn't been too bad.
Nicci
_________________________________________________
I've posted about the vocal cord injury from surgery, and it's been getting me down, so I came up with a list of pros.
1. I can't yell at DS - I was brought up in a yelling house and I didn't like it.
2. DS and I are learning sign language. A good friend's DC#2 has Down's syndrome and she is teaching her DC#1 signs as they might need to use it with the baby brother. So, now DS and I will be able to talk to Baby G as well.
3. I have to go up to DS, get his attention before I sign or say something.
4. DS's listening skills should improve, I really really need him to listen well.
5. DS may become more independent, as he needs to help mama to do things
6. DH and I will find arguing difficult.
7. DH has to help more with house management, I can't make any phone calls to organize dr's appointment or call the plumber
8. I have to take small bites of food, chew them well and be careful with swallowing otherwise food goes into my trachea. Mmmm maybe if I eat more slowly (always been a fast eater), I'll eat less and lose the 10lbs I put on last year.
You know, no. 7 alone may be worth it! DH organizes nothing, and it drives me crazy as pre-me he managed everything.
Nicci