I’m liking the new routine of vocal exercises every 30 minutes, and as I mentioned yesterday, I’m willing to practice being flexible with my schedule. I even let myself rest 45 minutes between one set of exercises today! That’s progress.
I’ve been reading up on suggestions to promote healing after vocal cord surgery, and I’m pleased to say that my doctor and voice therapist are way more careful in the plan they’ve given me than what I’ve seen. It was explained to me yesterday that the most critical part of healing happens within the first 4 weeks of surgery. It’s during this time that the vocal cords (which by the way, for a female, are about the size of a dime) are most susceptible to injury. But, it’s also the time that the vocal cords are the most responsive to the sort of therapy I’ve been prescribed. 
With this thought in mind, as I went through the exercises today, I imagined this dime-sized set of muscles in my throat gently moving and becoming stronger and more pliable. That (and a polyp) was the issue that created my need for surgery. Scar tissue had formed on my left vocal fold and was making the cord stiff and unable to vibrate properly/freely. The result…no sound at the pitch associated with that part of my cord.) So today, as I blew bubbles, I imagined the airflow to be like a warm massage of the parts that were in motion. Kind of a creative visualization experience.
Frankly, the idea of exercising “gently” is new for me. Exercise (spinning, lifting weights, circuit training, etc.) for me is typically uber strenuous, and for me to judge a workout as successful, I need to be sore and near exhaustion. That’s why I’ve never liked Yoga…it’s just too slow. Now, I’m given orders to exercise by blowing bubbles into water while creating soft, gentle sounds…and this gentle form of exercising is healing my vocal cords. Hmmm.
A friend told me recently, “slow and steady wins the race,” and I’m beginning to understand what he meant by that as Day #19 comes to an end.
Ahhh, reminds me about that time we went to yoga! Maybe next time will be different, with your new perspective! I have enjoyed reading about your journey, my friend. Thank you for sharing it. As an introvert, it’s interesting to get your perspective! See you in June!