Laryngitis Anyone
Matt Seinberg

For anyone that has to use their voice as part of their job, having laryngitis is devastating. I've been in sales for a very long time. My job is to talk. As in radio, your voice is your boss.

► A tickle in my throat.

Very early Sunday morning, last, I felt a tickle in my throat, my ears were hurting and my chest felt heavy. For me, that is a sure sign I had something. Being at work I felt miserable; I left early simply for the reason that I couldn't talk anymore. Not even a squeak to say goodbye.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, the voice box. It’s annoying, although family members are often grateful when a relative has it. Usually, laryngitis clears up in an week or so and the afflicted family member can get back to annoying others.

I got up at 8 am on Monday morning, hoping to get an early appointment with my physician. No such luck; the only time available was 2:45 pm. I texted my manager, as I couldn't talk, telling him I wasn't coming in that day. I would have been useless; why even bother.

I always am early for most of my appointments; the waiting room was full. Oh joy, having to wait with a bunch of other sick people is just what I needed.

Nurse Debbie gets me about 3 pm and takes me into the room. She does weight, height and blood pressure, which was surprisingly good considering how miserable I felt. She leaves and Dr Robert comes in about ten minutes later. That gave me a chance to nap. Yes, I can nap very easily when I'm sick.

He listens to my chest and back, examines my neck, throat and ears. Thank goodness, I don't have an ear or sinus infection. What I have is another upper respiratory infection, which I get at least once a year, but usually in the winter not the spring.

I already had enough medicine at home as well as an inhaler. Thus, the physician gives me prescription for Amoxicillin, an antibiotic. These pills are huge and I wonder how most people can swallow them.

► Another prescription.

The physician sent my prescription directly to the CVS, which is on my way home. I got to CVS early there early and only had to wait a few minutes. I finally got home, took a pill, took some cough medicine, had a quick bite to eat and took a nap.

Naps have become one of my favourite ways to pass time in the middle of the day. If I could take a one or two hour nap at work, I'd be very happy and probably more productive. I should look into that possibility.

As Tuesday is my day off, I can sleep a little bit later, even though I have a follow up appointment with the oral surgeon. She likes the progress my implants are making and we make an appointment for July to finish her portion. I then head over to the dentist and make an appointment for two weeks later, so I can get the crowns down. I really hate having this hole in my mouth. The temporary appliance that they made me is not comfortable and just doesn't fit correctly.

Anyway, I was fairly tired by the time I get home, on Tuesday. I relaxed by working on some airchecks that I have to edit on my computer. Melissa finally gets home from school; we have lunch. I had a BLT with bacon; bacon makes everything better.

Then we have to go to her orthodontist because Melissa is complaining her bottom teeth aren't straight enough. She wants to see if she can retrofit her current retainers. The top one gets an adjustment, but she needs a new one for the bottom and she is willing to pay for it. Sure, go for it.

Back home, yet again, and my voice vanishes for the day. Guess what, it was time for nap. Yes, it’s always a good time for a nap.

I get to sleep for about two hours before the cats start jumping on me, wanting to get out of my room. Naturally, I can't yell at them; I just get up and open the door. I love my cats, but sometimes they can be annoying.

► My late-night-Dick-Summer-radio voice.

There's nothing much to do for laryngitis except try not to talk and drink plenty of fluids. I drink so much I'm ready to float away. I’m back to work tomorrow, Wednesday. I’ll use my low inside voice also known as my late-night-Dick-Summer-radio voice.