March 1, 2005
Dear friends,
I am writing to report some sad and very disappointing news. This past January I got a case of laryngitis. I remember calling Patty and saying that I'd lost my voice, but that for the first time I didn't have to be anxious about it because there was so much time before I would need it for a show. Thanks to the petri dish that is nursery school, Amelia brought back several colds which the whole family got in succession. As a result, I did not think much of the fact that I was still hoarse. When the middle of February rolled around, I called my doctor and made an appointment. He thought I still had a cold, but he sent me to a voice specialist. Yesterday I went to that appointment and got the very bad news that I have a polyp on my vocal chord and a severe case of acid reflux. Both of these are
conspiring to make me hoarse. I have had both diagnoses in the past, but I had gone several years without a problem with my voice. I am heartbroken to say this, but after careful consideration with my doctor and Nerissa, we have decided to cancel our shows for March. The doctor said that if I were
to try to sing on the injured cord right now, that I might damage it severely. When I was first diagnosed about a decade ago, I considered surgery, but was able to recover without it. The doctor I saw this week believed that surgery was my best course of action. I will be weighing my options and getting second and perhaps third opinons over the next few weeks. I will also be taking good care of my vocal cords. I cannot tell you how much I was looking forward to getting back on the road, William in
tow, to sing again with my dear sister. I miss it more than you can imagine. I am feeling a renewed love for music and singing and performing. I am just crushed that our break from the road is having to be extended. I sincerely apologize to everyone who has put in work making the shows happen and to all of you fans who were looking forward to the shows. Thank you for your continued support and I can't wait to see you all again – and to sing with you!
Katryna
Nearest and dearest Nields fans,
Spring is here. Not just coming; here. Yeah, I know what AOL weather is telling me — that winter's worst storm is on the way. In fact, to be honest, it's snowing right this moment and I was woken by the sound of the snow plows again. But I have irrefutable evidence that spring is coming: I saw it. I saw it from an airplane last weekend as I flew over Texas. Glancing down, I gazed upon a patchwork quilt of green fields. I almost sobbed with joy. I spent the weekend in Phoenix training to be a Life Coach (!!) (More on that on the current blog: www.nields.com/blog/), and the Southwestern US desert in the rain is a wonder to behold. I had no idea "desert" could mean "green," but now I know. Any way, as I lived in spring over the weekend, I got the shivers which always mean Something Good Is Coming.
Something good was coming. After almost 5 months of maternity leave, Katryna and I were going to do what we love most: sing together in front of nice people who sometimes sing too. But as Katryna told you, she is going to be waylaid for the next few weeks at least. Both of us are sad, frustrated and a little scared. But we will sing again, and this bend in the river might be enjoyed if we look at it the right way. Something ELSE good is coming. We just don't know what.
The shows at Homegrown and Skidmore are going on with me solo. I will do my absolute best for you, though I know I can't make up for Katryna's absence, and I still haven't learned that Tibetan trick of singing two notes at once. But I WILL sing a few new songs and perhaps read from my book(s) if you want me to. I will also recite jingoistic poetry and do astrology readings if you insist. I draw the line at doing a Boston accent, though.
Updates:
- Amelia said yesterday while I was on the phone to Katryna, "Mama, today I'm going to teach William to crawl. Okay?" Katryna kindly and patiently said, "I don't think William is quite ready to learn to crawl, Amelia, but as soon as he is, you can teach him."
- I got a wedding dress.
- Plastic Angel galleys arrived and I held my book in my hand.
- Beth Amsel has a new CD produced by Dave Chalfant and it is so good, I have not taken it out of my CD player since Christmas when Dave gave me a preview copy. Check out her web site. Also check out Dave's: www.davechalfant.com.
- 142 days till Falcon Ridge.
- I have a new session starting in my Tuesday weekly writing workshop as of March 22. The March 18-20 retreat is full, but I am just now adding a second mini-retreat, Saturday March 26 called Creativity: Come On In And Play. This is for writers and anyone who wants to have a great time exploring their creative side. For more information, visit my webpage at www.nerissanields.com.
- Pam Houston, Anne Lamott and Martha Beck all have new books out. How happy am I? Maybe Katryna can do some reading when she's not allowed to speak.
Keep your eyes out for crocuses.
Love, Nerissa
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