Good News!

Hi All!

I had speech therapy today - I used to have appointments every Wednesday but am down to only every other week.

Anyway - I wanted to share with you. Susan (speech therapist extraordinaire!) said that my voice sounded the best it has ever sounded - the tone was good and it sounds "normal!" Did you catch that word - normal! She played me a recording from two weeks ago and then a recording I made today - what a difference! She was so excited! Needless to say - so was I! There was even talk of going to every three weeks and eventually once a month. Progress is being made!

We had the same conversation we have had each appointment for the past several months - why is my voice doing so well? The answer is still "Who knows!" but, we both agree that my latest baby step of improvement is from the fact that I am becoming better able to "catch" my voice in a decline before it goes totally haywire. Then, after I notice my voice going down, I remediate with a much lower volume and more of the exercises - especially inhalation voicing. Did I tell you that I read totally on the inhale for about 5 minutes yesterday? Just wanted to see if I still could do it. Susan said that probably helped a lot to whip those darn muscles back into shape.

Another HUGE contributing factor was the use of my Spokeman. I just love that darn thing! Even writing about it makes me think fondly of it! Using the microphone helped keep me from stressing my voice by pushing for volume and allowed me to slowly make progress while still being heard.

I am so happy that I am doing well! Of course - I thought I was especially fine voice today but . . . I am always a bit nervous about going to Speech. Sometimes she sees things I don't - like pushing my voice too far. However, I am STARTING to get better about that!

More exercises, massaging, and reading. Can't stop now!

Trisha