It's the little things that matter

I can swallow again! It's kind of funny how many insanely simple things we take for granted... like breathing without an inhaler, and swallowing. I think I brought this on myself. When my voice started to come back, it was about 1/3 octave in a register I never had, even as a guy. It's the "rumble of hell" voice from all those horror movies. Well, it was more expressive than the sound of a slow air leak - which is what I had before - so I tried to "limber up" my vocal chords by doing the sort of exercises singers do to warm up. Big, big, BIG mistake. Not only did my voice "suede up" during the day, but by the next morning I again couldn't talk AND now was so sore, just the act of swallowing saliva was like eating a handful of jacks. I may be slow to get a point, but eventually things usually sink in. I've been totally silent - except for the few things I HAD to do @ work. And since hearing the sounds I make seems to be as painful as actually making them, I got cut a lot of slack at work.
Now that I can swallow again, it's time to get reacquainted with my old friend coffee. Then lets see how far I can get through the day without saying a word. Since talking is the worst thing for me, it's all I can think about right now. At least I can still sigh. And that can be the most expressive sound of all. :)