Any professional career issues by sharing personal blog publicly?

CivilMatt said:

low to loud

Don,

 

I am still in my rookie year and my voice for the most part is normal.  The incidence with losing my voice was just as Skiffin described and after a few sips of water and a moments rest my voice was back.  Raising and lowering the volume of my voice is (currently) a sticking point for me,  When I try to raise it slightly it may start out loud.  It is similar to an old dusty tuner and the volume knob seems to cut out and then blast on.  Mind you this is only when trying to talk loudly.

 

T the one area that (virtually 100% )H&N members share is the taste no taste, the voice is a different story.

 

Matt

Knowing that each of us is different and react in our own way to the treatment is actually a hope I'm grabbing onto with both hands concerning my voice. It's true, my ability to create and play will remain. The voice, I know is a crap shoot BUT... had I stayed local and followed the treatment plan prescribed, I most certainly would come out on the short end of the stick based on the dosage and area prescribed radiation. In fact, the Radiation Oncologist at JH looked at the prescribed field and dosage. He then showed the other doctors and speech pathologist and they told me that in most likelyhood, that plan of treatment would leave permanent negative ramifications. Their goal is to do as little damage as possible. When I went for surgery, I gave a copy of my CD to Dr Richmon and I asked him about that. He said that their goal is to get the cancer and keep me singing. 

We'll see... I know there are no guarantees. I can only hope, and I hear you guys loud and clear (that can change too), but losing my singing voice would be devastating  

"T"
  

donfoo said:

Thanks - gonna come out

After pondering this for some time now and getting enough feedback from here and afar, in my gut now, I feel sure the decision to communicate openly is the best course. Envisioning far more benefits than negatives is much clearer now and the negatives are in some ways, not negative at all, as a filtering exercise of sorts to see who comes through from those who's indifference is revealed. I think it will also help some folks who are lost for words and action if they hear things indirectly through the grapevine, not sure if they should say something, remain silent, or otherwise confused and possibly a bit conflicted as to how to broach the subject. By me communicating directly to all, it removes any hemming and hawing and discomfort for those caught in limbo -- they are then free to have a conversation with me or elect to distance themselves -- either way is fine with me as long as they find THEIR comfort zone. To some degree I have already experienced many of the typical responses --- it seems like it will be the same song, just with the volume turned up with an authorative twist. Off to build that email list now. thx again. don

 

Hi Don

I think you have the right idea.... get your story out there as an FYI and then just let the chips fall where they may.

I feel for all of you that had/have to face going back to work after treatment.  I don't know how any of you did it.

I was blessed that I had retired 2 years before diagnosis, so that was one challenge I didn't have to face.

donfoo said:

Thanks - gonna come out

After pondering this for some time now and getting enough feedback from here and afar, in my gut now, I feel sure the decision to communicate openly is the best course. Envisioning far more benefits than negatives is much clearer now and the negatives are in some ways, not negative at all, as a filtering exercise of sorts to see who comes through from those who's indifference is revealed. I think it will also help some folks who are lost for words and action if they hear things indirectly through the grapevine, not sure if they should say something, remain silent, or otherwise confused and possibly a bit conflicted as to how to broach the subject. By me communicating directly to all, it removes any hemming and hawing and discomfort for those caught in limbo -- they are then free to have a conversation with me or elect to distance themselves -- either way is fine with me as long as they find THEIR comfort zone. To some degree I have already experienced many of the typical responses --- it seems like it will be the same song, just with the volume turned up with an authorative twist. Off to build that email list now. thx again. don

 

Not that I'm partial or anything but I think it's a wise decision Things will work out the way they're supposed to. Keep fighting the good fight... I'm right behind you! 

BTW... I had posters done for my benefit/silent auction... they're a take off of Stanley Kubrick's "the Shining" movie poster. We're calling it "Mark T's Beat the Beast". I wonder if it would be against T&C to post an image of the posters and t-shirts?

"T"

staceya said:

Unfortunately, I sound like Barry White as well...

unless I am coughing, then I sound like Barry White with tuberculosis.

To soothe the cough, I drink a ton of cofee, which has the end result of soundling like Barry White on speed.

Stacey,

Call me!!   A female Barry White!!  (drink  a lot of coffee, please)

867-5309

Greg

Greg53 said:

STACEY

Stacey,

 

Call me!!   A female Barry White!!  (drink  a lot of coffee, please)

 

867-5309

 

Greg

Hey Greg......

that's wasn't a Barry White tune was it ?

/s/ "Jenny" 

LOL

donfoo said:

Thanks - gonna come out

After pondering this for some time now and getting enough feedback from here and afar, in my gut now, I feel sure the decision to communicate openly is the best course. Envisioning far more benefits than negatives is much clearer now and the negatives are in some ways, not negative at all, as a filtering exercise of sorts to see who comes through from those who's indifference is revealed. I think it will also help some folks who are lost for words and action if they hear things indirectly through the grapevine, not sure if they should say something, remain silent, or otherwise confused and possibly a bit conflicted as to how to broach the subject. By me communicating directly to all, it removes any hemming and hawing and discomfort for those caught in limbo -- they are then free to have a conversation with me or elect to distance themselves -- either way is fine with me as long as they find THEIR comfort zone. To some degree I have already experienced many of the typical responses --- it seems like it will be the same song, just with the volume turned up with an authorative twist. Off to build that email list now. thx again. don

 

Don,

i personally was thinking, I'll post, and tell him, I'd keep it quiet... But then I thought, what did we do? 

We are on caring bridge, everyone from my office, my boss, to everyone in Dan's school and his supervisor are reading a glimpse into our daily lives.. So glad to see you made the decision you did.

my dad used to say honesty is the best policy, and so far it's worked for us...

take a peak if you wish, I just don't talk as specific there as I might here... Always try to find a positive spin, yet Even that was a challenge at times...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dansmith1960

Kari