Tonsil Trouble

As a singer, especially as a semi-opratic classical soprano, the absolute worst thing that can happen to you is to have throat surgery. It makes your throat and vocal chords tender during the duration of the recovery and, if not done properly or allowed to heal properly, can even cause permanent vocal damage. Also, for two or three weeks, you're pretty much down for the count.

I bring this up because I recently diagnosed myself with tonsillitis. Yes, myself. I'm not fond of doctors because if you aren't sick when you go in, you'll probably catch something while you're there. Besides, unless it's cancer, eventually it'll heal itself without spending $800 on visits and antibiotics. Usually. But I take the gamble. Plus, I prefer homeopathic solutions anyway.

I'm getting off-topic again.

Anyway, I was researching tonsillitis to see if my symptoms match. I have had a severe sore throat on only one side of my throat, mild headache, mild cold symptoms, and chronic stomach pain for about a week now without any sign of improvement. When I looked it up, I noticed all of those symptoms on the tonsillitis symptoms list. It doesn't take someone with a $100,000 medical degree to figure that one out. The good news is, it will usually go away by itself in a few weeks.

The bad news is I'm planning to enter a huge singing competition here and my audition is due in early April. I don't have a few weeks to spare and it hurts to talk right now, let alone sing.

After doing some research on a tonsillectomy's impact on vocalists it's apparently not only my concern, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the majority of sources said 20% of people found a dramatic improvement in their voice, most noticed the acoustics of their voice were stronger, and none reported damage. Suddenly, I want surgery, despite the "moderate to severe" pain that follows for two to four weeks. I'd even opt for it now to improve my acoustics for the audition, except for the recovery time, which wouldn't be over in time for me to condition my voice or get used to the new feeling of it vocals are like anything else, you have to train for them. All that and the expense, which is the biggest problem... I could suck up the pain in my throat and practice, but I can't suck up the pain in my wallet and pay.

When things slow down, I think I will get them removed, even if this bout clears up. I think the chance of increased vocal performance far outweighs the expense and pain that comes with it. I want to do this professionally for the rest of my life if I have to drag myself to Finland to scare up a band the best ones seem to come from there. A little effort just shows I'm committed.

I wish it could be before the contest, but there's really no way.

Sumimasen!