I’m just gonna say it.  Doing these vocal exercises every 15 minutes is inconvenient.

I know there is great benefit in doing them, and I am committed to performing them, but it truly doesn’t feel like much is happening while doing them.

Today, there were a couple hours during which I worked out 3 times instead of 4 because  I’m still not in the habit of immediately re-setting my timer for 15 minutes when I complete a session.  Taking my workout equipment on the road was interesting:  working out in a grocery store parking lot, at a restaurant with friends (I maintained silence and relied on my white board  in my favorite noisy Mexican restaurant). On a positive note, the 2+ hour round trip in construction to my nutritionist’s office today seemed to go by more quickly as I was focused on the 15 minute interval training.

Yesterday, I wrote about the orders I received from my voice therapist.  Today, I received the actual written instructions from her office.  I’ve been told, “when all else fails, read the instructions.”  In order to stay accountable, I’m going to share how the Lakeshore Professional Voice Center describes Week #2 after surgery.

Week 2:  EXAM & THERAPY

During the second week after surgery, you will come in for an exam. [check] The doctor will look at you vocal folds to see how they are healing. [check] You will then meet with the voice pathologist to begin using your voice under supervision and plan your therapy course (usually 6-8 weeks). [check] You will be allowed to practice specific voice therapy exercises for 1-2 minutes every 15 minutes during the second week after surgery. [check] Regular, gentle vibration of the voice followed by periods of rest is ideal for healing. [check] Continue vocal rest apart from your exercises. [uh-oh]

My voice therapist did say at my appointment yesterday that it was ok for me to talk…quietly, and not frequently. After reading “the RULES,” however, I’m going to err on the side of caution and try to talk only if absolutely necessary. (Now, that’s sure a subjective phrase, isn’t it?)

I know this is all gonna come together, but for now, the new routine is not yet smooth.

I’m ending Day #12 feeling a little frustrated by the awkwardness of these new activities, but still very hopeful.