Wow, wow, wow...what a month it's been. Business is booming, kids started sports classes, my husband is busy with a new position at work, life is BUSY. I've had more shoots this month alone then I think I did all of last summer...it's crazy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm having a blast doing what I do, but combined with my husbands new role at work and added responsibilities it's been a bit of an adjustment for us both.
The weight of all that's been going on this past month hit me like a ton of bricks last night at about 5pm. I was making dinner talking to my husband and with every word my voice just kept fading. By the end of our conversation my voice was completely gone. I have NO voice...NOTHING. Now, this isn't out of the ordinary for me. My voice is usually the first thing to go when I'm tired and stressed. When I was working as a teacher I lost my voice every single year during the first week of school without fail. Then I'd lose it again during the last week of school. Stress is not good for my voice.
Unfortunately, this bout of laryngitis comes at a VERY bad time. See...I have a high profile photo shoot tomorrow. Yep, go figure eh? This is something I have been anticipating for over a month. It's something I never thought I'd have an opportunity to do, yet here I have a nationally known client on the books for tomorrow and I have NOOOOOO voice. Needless to say I'm in a bit of a panic. Luckily, I'm not sick...not even a little sniffle. It's just that I can't talk louder than a whisper.
Thankfully my uber-talented-soon-to-be-famous-opera-singer brother-in-law, Sam, e-mailed me with some helpful voice restoration tips. I thought I'd share them all with you in the event that you ever find yourself voiceless the day before a big event.
- Drink A LOT of water.
- Humidify- hot steam, shower, etc..
- Do NOT whisper
- Use Robitussin (or another decongestant)
- No antihistimines
- No asprin
- Don't gargle
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine (sorry...can't give up my tea)
If you have any good voice vibes to send my way I sure would take them right about now!!!!!
Hey Jamie,
Sure hope you're feeling better - wow...nationally known? That must be thrilling for you - please remember us when you're famous!
laureen
Posted by: laureen | April 30, 2007 at 12:17 PM
Sorry..don't have any tips..but I did want to say Congratulations on your upcoming photo session! Can't wait to see the photos! :D Also..hope you get feeling better. You know..some people take advantage of not having a voice and let the kids and hubby wait on you hand and foot. (Hmm..that sounds like advice. :D) Get better soon!
Posted by: Stephanie | April 30, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Exciting about your session tomorrow, I hope you get your voice back. I feel you pain I had laryngitis last week. No voice one day and I sounded like a seal for a couple after that. I hope you get better quickly.
Posted by: kelley frese | April 30, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Isnt'it funny the ways our bodies find to remind us to slow down. I hope all went well with your photo shoot and that your feeling less stress soon.
Posted by: Shelley | May 01, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Oh no! Good luck with your shoot! I know you said don't gargle but I lost my voice the day before my wedding in Hawaii. My minister told me to gargle salt water and it worked well enough to get my vowes out, but not much more! Talk about nasty though - ick! Hope your voice comes back soon!
Posted by: lyndsay | May 02, 2007 at 04:46 PM