May 30, 2005
Joyous News From Katryna
Hello friends!
Wow. I hardly know how to begin. I am overjoyed because I am going to sing with my sister again. I am going to sing to my children again. I am going to sing when I am all alone in the house. I am going to sing to keep myself awake when I am driving. I am going to sing at Falcon Ridge!
I went to the doctor on Thursday. She stuck her expensive camera down my throat, made me sing eeeeee. made me clear my throat. Made me sing eeeeee again and again. Made me breathe while she examined.
Then she showed me the video. The beautiful video that shows my polyp flattened out on the cord. It used to be this big fluid filled sac weighing down my right vocal fold. Now it is a wispy, empty sac. She said I can sing again. She even said that singing will probably be good for it. Only time will tell if the sac itself will be reabsorbed. Only careful adherance to doctor's orders and continued work with my fabulour speech pathologist will insure that the wispy sac not fill up again. But I can sing!
My first taste that I might actually be gettting better came a couple of weeks ago at Nerissa's wedding. I was sick from a nasty cold. I had all but lost my voice. I was prepared to take pictures of Nerissa and Tom's beautiful day. I was FINE with the fact that I would not be able to sing as Nerissa had asked. I would experience the day without singing. But then I went to the rehearsal. I walked in late because William had to go to the pediatrician with a 101 fever. (he's fine- got a cold and a couple of teeth on the way, but other than that fine). So, I walked in and they were singing the song I was supposed to sing. I burst into tears. We all cried. My father asked if we were crying because I wasn't singing or because I was. (It's got to be challenging to have three daughters...) I thought I was crying because I wasn't singing, but in that moment I knew that I had to sing. I had to stand up there and open my mouth and pray that the notes would come. So I did. I sang for Nerissa and Tom. I sang for love. I sang for joy. It wasn't perfect, but I sang. Then there was the reception. Paul, Dave and Dave were there. Nerissa had her guitar slung over her wedding dress and was tuning. How could I not join them? So I did. We sang This Town is Wrong and Easy People. I will never regret it. We had no monitors so I don't actually know if I sang well, but the feeling was like no other. I have never been so grateful for music. I have never been so grateful for my voice. I have never felt so grateful to be able to make music with these fine musicians.
I sent Nerissa and Tom off on their honeymoon with my cold and I slowly got better. I suspected that things were better. My speech pathologist gave me a sort of test and we were both surprised by the positive results. The next day I went to NYC and found out for sure. The polyp is no longer big enough to keep me from singing. I will have to come back slowly. I will be retreating to the dressing rooms after the shows to warm down, hydrate, rest - also to nurse William, I imagine. I will miss talking to you after the shows, but I think it will be an important part of my recovery.
I cannot thank you all enough for all your support and advice. I cannot wait to see you on the road!
Wednesday June 1 is our first show. We will be at Joe's Pub in NYC. It is a cool venue attached to the Public Theater. The show is at 7:30pm and will be over by 9. So come and hang with us. We will be celebrating so many things including the release of PLASTIC ANGEL, Nerissa's book. I have a feeling that the elation factor on stage will be pretty high.
Saturday June 11 we will be in Watervile Maine at the UU Coffeehouse. Ahh... Maine in June what could be better?
Friday June 17 we will be at the wonderful Passim. A Homecoming of sorts. Our parents might even come!
Saturday June 25 we will be in Shelburne Falls, MA. This really is a homecoming. It's about 10 minutes from my house. Our Valley celebration for Nerissa's book. I cannot wait.
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