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*sigh* Okay here's la deal. I've had a sore throat for the longest time, I can't even remember cuando it started. And it seems like its just getting worse... I went to the doctors *two weeks ago* and was perscribed a medicine... which i took half way to the doctors orders lol I hate taking medecine... so meh. Now its my throat and my nose. I'm pretty positive it is because of my singing, I think I am straining my voice from singing so much. It's just so hard not to. For me to listen to a song... and not sing to it... it's like torture. I need your guys help. Music is my happiness and If I can't sing, I don't think I should have the temptation of listening to music lingering. So I need your help to keep my spirit up. Not singing/ listening to muisc is going to be really tough for me.

Thanks for listening.

<3 Lauren

We'll keep your spirits up Lauren.... and I sincerely hope you'll eventually be able to sing better than ever.  :) :) :)

Hang in there Lauren.  I know how tough it is.  Try not to talk if you can help it also and drink lots of water.

Awww...Hope you feel better, Lauren.  I know it'll be hard to keep from singing, but hang in there.  In the long run, it's for the best.  We'll keep your spirits up. 

xx
Coleen

Hey, I know its hard but you need to rest your voice. My friend is losing her voice too. I hope you feel better!

Hugs Lauren!

Just do like Milli Vanilli Lauren.  They actually got a Grammy for lipsinking.

How long do you have to refrain from singing?  We'll back you up Lauren and hopefully in no time flat, you throat will be fine and you can sing again.

Lauren:  hang in there, I do hope the doc can help.  In a very ironic way, it's a little encouraging that it's gone to your nose, which more than likely means that once you get over this nasty bug you will be up and singing again in no time.  

In the meantime, what about instrumental music?  If you have Mairead's cd, that's a great one, if you don't, let me know.    :)

God Bless, and I hope your voice is feeling better really soon.  (For heavens sake, DON'T try singing "Solveig's Song"   ;D I tried that one and that high note is a killer!)

Hugs,

Mary (willow)

Not being able to do what you love most is hard. Just be careful because if you do sing while your voice is recovering, you could do a lot of damage. And then you wouldn't be able to sing again, at least not at the level you're used to.  :(

But with some TLC, it should be back in shape before too long and you'll be able to sing again. I'm not a professional but that's what I've gathered from other people who've had voice problems. Just take care so you don't do permanent damage and you'll be a songbird again soon.

Chris

lol lip-synching is no fun! and regarding how long... until im better. :)

Thanks everyone so much you are all the sweetest things. :) I knew you guys would bring a smile to my face. Thank you!

<3 Lauren

Aw Mary! You're so sweet and funny! hehe I'll do my best to stay away from Solveig's song lol
And yes I have Mairead's cd! That should help me through this... and Meesa as well has sent me a few lovely songs.

Hugs!

<3 Lauren

True that.  and Thank you Chris. Your advice is of great help!

<3 Lauren

man, that's the worst.  i have noticed that i sing so much it happens to me too.  especially when i'm trying to hit the high notes (nella fantasia i will conquer you!) but just think....take meds, can sing!  :)

Best of luck in getting well and singing again soon.  Take care of yourself

Right back at ya, babe. 100%.

Hey, Lauren!  Sit down and shut up!!
(http://www.ropescorner.com/smileys/36_11_6.gif)

Just teasin', sweetie.  You know I love you!  Hang in there, kiddo.  Rest those pipes, and you'll be singin' like a birdie again in no time.
(http://www.ropescorner.com/smileys/musical_notes_bubbling_md_wht.gif)

OMG, Lauren, I can't believe your throat is still bothering you. How awful for you, and how awful that you can't sing (awful for your You Tube  fans, too, don't you know  :-\) Please take care of yourself, follow your doctor's orders, and know that your WHOLE CW forum family luvs  ya'  and is behind you 100%

Hugs to the Max,

John

I love to sing too, I can't stop myself when I listen to music. I can see how hard that would be especially if you actually have a really great voice!
But I have an idea - listen to instrumentals! :D 
I love to listen to jazz, and I pretend that I'm playing the piano as I melt into the notes.......ahhhhh. It's as good as singing along!  ;)

~Jess

Hey Lauren!

When you told me what had happened I was saddened by the fact that you have to go throught this  :(. It is a very hard thing to do considering you love singing. As Chris says earlier not doing what you love to do is hard and that is true..I gave up hockey :'(...all becuz I broke my ribs..twice. As I told you earlier I am dedicating my 500th post to you as a Hero Member (haha!!!). I wrote something...LOL!...for you and it is a bit of non sense but I hope it'll cheer you up other wise  ;D

I'm sorry you had to go through this
Singing is a perfect bliss,
But sometimes it can be a pain
your voice becomes so strain.
Take it easy for now,
later you can give a Yeow!
Don't worry everything will be fine
sooner or later your voice will be a divine.
Lisa says "Keep the flame and still believe"
That icky pain will leave!
Hayley wants you to try Parsely,sage, rose mary, and thyme instead,
But Orla says "I'd rather beg for bread"
Meav says try taking Dulaman from Beyond the Sea,
but seriously I recommend a hot cup of tea.
Chloe agress and says "soon you can Sing Out!"
Mairead does her thing and says "No doubt!"
This has got to be the cheesiet poem ever,
but hey it is a bit clever.

-James ;D
 :D :D :D

I am not a very good writer.. :D :D ;D

James, that was adorable  :D

HaHa!  James, I love the poem!

Lauren...give yourself a big ole squeeze and tell yourself it's from me!  And if you can't sing and shouldn't talk you are more than welcome to send me an email!  LOL  I promise I'll respond  ;)

Take care of you, Méav would say it too!  (LOL, my extremely lame rhyming)

Love,
Kelli

Oh my gosh James... That poem is so touching! It had me in tears! Thank you so much! That really cheered me up!!!

To know that all of you are here for me and really care means so much.

John...now about the whole "youtube fan" thing ... one word... hah! But thanks John you are ameaving!

Kelli! You sweety! I'll be sure to send you an email!


And thanks everyone.. Ill be sure to stick to those instrumentals!

<3 <3 <3 Lauren  :)

Oh Lauren! My heart and prayers are with you.....mega-hugs!

Hang in there and do as the doctor says.

In 1995 I had to have the left lobe of my thyroid removed.....suspected cancer, which turned out to be something else TG).

Just before the surgery, the Navy surgeon told me there was a slight chance I would never speak again!!!!!! I wanted to jump off the gurney and run!
He explained the incision would be very close to the vocal chord and in any case, I would not be able to speak for several days afterwards.
I cannot tell you how much joy I felt a couple of days later, when an angel in the form of a Navy corpsman who looked just like Shaquille O'Neal, smiled and spoke to me very gently, and I hear my own croaky voice answer him.......

Anyway, your dilemma reminded me of this lovely tune......just listen, don't sing......let the words wrap around you........I'm sure you will be able to join in very soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFlrwgYN4f0

The clips in Enya's video are of various news items of that time....Kuwait was freed from Saddam Hussein, a veteran watches a Spitfire at the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain....the British hostage John McCarthy and Irish hostage Brian Keenan were released from Terrorists......

And here's another beautiful version, by a boy's choir in the English Countryside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lk7O4QOgNg

By the way, the gate they go around during the rain sequence is specially designed so that humans can get through but not animals....it keeps the sheep in their field.
Then they head for another gate outside the old Church. This is a Saxon Lychgate:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lych_gate

So there....you learned a little history too!

Lauren,

Anytime you can't do something you love doing, it is hard. Actually, resting your voice is probably the best thing for it right now. Chris is right, trying to push it is going to damage it. Losing your voice totally is a nightmare for a perfomer ! So hang in there. You might try gargling with warm salt water and drink lots of tea with honey and lemon. It helps.

Hope your back in full voice soon.

Susan Z

Sounds to me like a bad infection. I had one for over a month that clogged my entire respiratory system! But just singing a lot can't hurt you. I've been singing opera since I was 8 and I'm still going strong. However, if you sing improperly, like Yulia Volkova, then you could strain your voice in no time. I suggest resting it until you feel better, then some voice therapy to gain it back slowly. Throat Coat helps too. And if you're convinced that it is the singing, you can take lessons to learn how to sing so that you don't hurt your voice. It is possible, even when singing arias and coloraturas for years and years! I know my 8 years may not be much, but look at Beverly Sills. She sang the most difficult coloraturas her whole life and never broke a cord.

For now, listening to music can actually help, and I know you can resist the urge to sing along. Just imagine that you're on stage singing with them. That's what I do when I'm sick.

Lauren the last time I had to take a break from singing I played piano almost constantly.... do you know any instruments....

Yeah playing the piano is like singing, at least to me it is. That's another thing I do when I can't sing, if I have enough strength to get out of bed.

If you can't sing because of the strain, can you play the tin whistle?  Play the Piano? anything that allows you to express your music without using your voice.

When I get that sick, I grab a hot toddy <G> and then go to bed.

Jim

Thank you Maggie. *hugs*  And I'm so glad you were able to speak again, wouldn't have wanted to miss that Irish accent and amazingly uplifting and spirited personality when we met!  You truely are a very caring and thoughtful person! I want to thank you for all of the postings you've made on Ireland. I really enjoy them to the fullest! and about the videos.... How appropriate.. How can I keep from singing! I think that is my new favorite song... It's so sweet and I really like it. Enya has such a luvely voice and a passion for the song ... when she sings you can feel all of the emotions. It's truely beautiful and soothing. This song made me realize how beautiful the gift of song really is. Thanks maggie.

Thanks for the info about the Lychgate. thats pretty cool.

I really enjoyed the St. Phillp's Choir's version of that song.

Thank you bunches!

<3 Lauren

If I had a tin whistle... I'd love to learn! They seem to be great fun! :)

<3 Lauren

Oh come on...you can lip sync with me  ;D

Just rest up the old throat, drink some warm water with honey..and maybe..stay off the phone for a while  ;) ;D

Okay Mel, if i cant sing, I NEED to atleast talk on the phone! lol

<3 Lauren

Oh, Lauren, I'm so sorry to hear that your sore throat problem is still going on.  (By the way, I'm sorry I didn't post here sooner, I don't read general discussion as often).  Anyway....I hope you get better very, very soon.  I want you to be able to sing again, mostly because I know how much you love it.

All of my best wishes are with you.  And, just one quick thought for you.....at least your fingers work for typing on the forum!  :)
Kelsey

are you better yet???   ;D

Lauren

For thh Tin Whistle.

http://store.lollysirishgifts.com/feirtinwhbrc.html (http://store.lollysirishgifts.com/feirtinwhbrc.html)

Kind of a neat store. I already bought a Blackthorn walking stick. I occasionally use a cane due to my sciatica.

Jim

Zan, great site, tons of cool stuff on it!! Thanks for posting the link!!!

Chris

UPDATE:

 So I went to the doctors today, and he suspects it may be mono. I will be going in on monday to get blood work and all that fun stuff done. Honestly, I really don't think thats the case... but we'll see. Thank you Jim for that site! Also Thank you so much to everyone for all of your kind thoughts and well wishes. They really touched my heart. You are all so sweet and I thank you!

<3 Lauren

Eww bloodwork! I had that done! Its not bad. Better than i excpected

Ah Mono. I had that in highschool , just a minor case. My brother got it a while before me when he was away at college. He ended up missing a semester .

Blood work is nothing. Over the years I donated 10 gallons of blood and quite a bit of plasma before I stopped.

You will be fine.

Jim

I can't donate blood!

If you've never had blood taken, let the tech who is taking your blood know.  It does make the process easier, and they can let you know each step.  The first time I had blood drawn, I was scared, and I let the tech know.  He was a huge help, and before I knew it, it was over.   ;)

Sounds like your doctor is ruling out mono, so hopefully you'll be singing again in no time! 

About the tin whistle, this is from the site that Jim (zankoku) gave, it contains a whistle, instruction book and CD:

http://store.lollysirishgifts.com/guirwhwiboan.html

I hope all goes well with your tests etc.

I donated blood for years in the UK and here in Florida, then the Transfusion Service decided they would no longer accept blood if the donor has lived in the UK.
This was because of the CJD (mad cow disease) scare a few years ago.

I can recommend tea or herbal tea with honey and lemon.....very soothing.

I have a mug of Malted Milk Ovaltine every night, with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.
Delicious!

i think its stupid that we won't take blood from people that were in the UK.  i work in a blood bank and we have very little blood.  it sucks!  *begin plug* so...if you can donate, please do! *end plug*

Lauren, bloodwork is not bad, as long as i'm not the one drawing you.  i suck at it! ;) get lots of rest hope you feel better soon!

well....ok..I can understand...

you and a few other have got me hooked on the dang thing ...drove me crazy while in Ireland with no phone (kicks the dang rental phone into the Irish Sea) ;D

Nice Mel. lol

and thank you again everyone. I'm not really afraid of getting blood work. I'm just afraid they wont find out what this is and I'll have a sore throat forever! lol

<3 Lauren

UPDATE:

    I went to the doctors this morning for them to take my blood and get a throat culture.  I should know the results within 3-4 days. You'd think the worst part was getting the blood drawn, but it really wasn't... I sang Beyond the Sea to myself and it wasn't all that bad. Although when they stuck that cotton swabber in my throat! *Choke* lol that wasn't fun! I know it was what needed to be done for me to get better so it didn't really bother me...  ;)

I just want to thank everyone again for being so thoughtful to send me all of these really sweet wishes! As well as the instrumentals! That was really thoughtful! Muchas Gracias! Merci Beaucoup!


<3 Lauren

Listening to intrumental music is a great idea (I suggest the Chieftains).  You could also try reading poetry.  I find that most song lyrics read like poetry anyway. 

Lauren
Hang tough, probably just a case of Streph throat.




I used to be a recruiter for the Blood services in Arizona and donated blood and Plasma. Since I have been going to a cardiologist I no longer donate.

I always got a kick of how you could donate in Southern Ireland (FreeIreland) but not Northern Ireland. Guess the cows that found their way to the south (and their droppings) didn't know any better.

In addition there has never been a case of Mad Cow transmitted to a human thru blood transfusion. I guess all of the Europeans who get blood (as well as all the New Yorkers who got blood that was shipped in from Europe) are in big trouble now. I guess American blood is the only safe blood around. (said tongue in cheek) Just ask the brilliant minds that came up with it.




Jim

I agree.....especially as so many Brits donate blood, and we are knee-deep in Brits here in Central FL.
The blood banks are missing out, or rather, the unfortunate people who need that blood.
I needed blood twice in my life, and I will be forever grateful to those donors.

A funny story....
Because of my thyroid problem, I have blood tests every 6 months.
I used to get them done at the VA Clinic in Orlando, which used to be a super US Navy Hospital.
The staff of the Path Lab had that dark sense of humour that most Military medics have. You vets will know what I mean.
I was there just before Halloween, and the Lab was decked out as "Dracula's castle", with costumes to match.
I was in the chair, waiting for Dracula's helper, when in walked a huge Marine in desert camouflage, maybe he was hoping they wouldn't be able to see him!
He sat in the chair opposite me, and was shaking like a leaf, very nervous indeed.
He had been to Iraq and Afghanistan with no problems, but admitted he was s**t scared of needles! ;D ;D ;D

Hey Lauren, it's a piece of cake girl, don't worry!
My little trick is, turn your head away, and hum a CW tune.

That is hilarious, Maggie!  :D



Lauren, I'm sure everything is going to work out really well for you.  My best thoughts and prayers are with you. :)

UPDATES!

Thank you everyone for their kind thoughts/ prayers / and instrumentals!

I spoke with the doctor and I do not have mono, I am doing better and have all of you to thank!

Thank you!

<3 Lauren

WHOO HOO!  (http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s112/willowsworld/runaround.gif)

That's great news, Lauren!  I'm glad you are feeling better.  Are you allowed to sing again? 

Glad to hear you are better and healing.

Jim

...probably not for a while

  :'(

<3 Lauren

Glad to hear the good news,Lauren. Hope you are back in full voice soon!!

Take care.

Susan

Don't worry, it's your throat (and voice) that need rest, not your ears.  You can still enjoy the music.  So go on and enjoy it!  ;)

Lauren,

are you singing again?

I hope the problem is gone for good.