Striking a (Vocal) Chord

         So yesterday, March 1, I went to Dr. Zalvan's office to have injections done to my vocal chords. The idea is that the injection will increase the size of the vocal chord that doesn't work thus producing a stronger sounding voice. So I got to the office with mixed ideas on what was going to happen. I wanted my voice back because not having one made me feel as if I wasn't me. I wanted to be me again. I wanted the voice of a healthy person, not the voice of a sick person, because at this point I am healthy.
         So the procedure was really quick, only took three minutes. First they numbed my nose and throat. Then he stuck a camera up my nose so he could see where he was injecting. Then he said, "Don't swallow, you're going to feel like your drowning and you kind of are." Next thing I know something is getting squirted down my throat and I try not to choke! Then I get jabbed in the throat with the needle, he injects my vocal chord, and before I know it I am able to talk with a more normal voice.
          It will take a couple of weeks and several speech therapy sessions until my regular voice is back, but at this point I could not be any happier. Today I officially feel like my life is coming back and I can begin to live. It is absolutely amazing what is possible in the world of medicine. Thank you Dr. Z for this gift you have given me.