Singing after TT

[choirgirl]

How soon after your TT were you able to sing fully?  I have researched the internet and heard anything from 2 months to a year, but wanted to know if any of you who have undergone TT surgery have a better feel for a timetable.  I'm 3 weeks after TT and my vocal chords are still swollen, I want to give them time to rest, but what kind of timetable am I looking at?  P.S.  I used to sing opera arias before surgery and right now I can barely manage a hymn.

[choirgirl]

Okay, it's August 08.  Just had my post-op 6 month ultrasound, cancer free, yeah!  But the voice, basically back to normal.  Hallelujah!  I really took it easy and didn't sing a lot for a couple of months, but I'm happy to say I am ready to perform again.  Good luck, be patient, give it time to heal, hope you have great success!

[purplebutterfly08]

I noticed a knot on my throat probably around February 08 and it seemed to get a little bigger over the next month so I went to the doctor and I was told it was my thyroid so I had ultrasounds done and had a biopsy done and found that it was paraliminary cancer on my thyroid. I had surgery done on 7/24/08 and singing is my passion. I've always gotten great feedback on my singing. I noticed that my talking is normal except for sometimes are still strainous but I've noticed that my singing is not there and it scares me because I love to sing. I'm trying real hard to keep my voice preserved and praying that I will get my singing back. I know it's only been a week but I'm not patient when it comes to some things. I plan on asking my surgeon's office about this and find out when to expect my voice to return to normal.

[choirgirl]

Thanks so much for your input.  It is really frustrating to have a "partial voice" after a 20 year career of singing.  This was my biggest worry going into the TT.  Idiot that I am, I wasn't worried about cancer.  Now, after discovering cancer, I am relieved I had my thyroid out, but am still a bit bummed about the voice, though.  Somedays I have a few notes, but it is really raspy most of the time.

[SuzieQTT]

I had a TT June 26th of 07...They told me that it would probably be a day or two before I could talk ...I woke up talking.  My vocal cords were not directly affected but the swelling from my enlarged thyroid caused a lot of pressure on my nerves, vessels and on the vocal cords.  I have an 8 year old little boy who I have sung to just about every night of his life...and I still do...but my voice has lowered at least an octave and the note control I had wavers more times than not.  I find that I have to concentrate on each and every note.  The high notes just are not there anymore...i am sorry to say.  I was a First Soprano in my high school choir many years ago but I did have the diversity to sing alto as well so it may be different for you.  I do know that little by little it is easier and I practice when I get the chance.  I suggest vocal coaching to take you slowly and don't push, force or overwork your voice.  While it may not ever be "normal" again I have heard of people who eventually get their voices back to competition status.  Hope this helps and let us know how it goes.
SuzieQTT

[TOLD YOU]

Mine was in August and I still cant sing.  I cant talk fine and sing for a minute just fine but my voice tires REAL easy and I get hoarse.
I hate it...it makes me kind of sad I love to sing and I am having to pass over some parts in our choir because I just cant do it.
Forget a high note too...LOL..cant even think of doing that.
I had no trouble with surgery no vocal cord damage or anything but still having trouble with my voice.
GOOD LUCK =)
Dana

[whittie918]

Yes, mine was 07.  I have heard other folks here not have any voice affect what so ever,  I just keep telling myself, I had cancer there.  I'd rather not have the cancer.

[CUZMO21]

i had a tt on 11-7-07 and my vocal cords are still not working they are paralyzed, just keep your hopes up as will i keep you in my thoughts if you find anything that works in getting your voice back please tell me

[choirgirl]

Was that 11/29 of 2007?  So you're about 3 weeks further along than me, right?  I guess "thanks" for the info, maybe more will come along, it did seem like a long process when I was researching it, but I'm not a real patient person :-(  Thanks for responding!!

[whittie918]

I hate to tell you but by beautiful voice is not what it used to be post TT.  My surgery was 11/29.  It may get better, who knows but as of right now, I can talk but not sing.  My voice is also about a tone or two lower than it used to be.