If you know me in real life, you know that I'm a 'loud talker.' And so is my family -- my husband, all three of my children. I talk loud. I laugh loud. I cry loud. Even if we're being quiet, we're still loud. I'm constantly shushing the kids, but it's hard for them to use soft voices when Mom is yelling across the room.
John is no different. He's always been loud, probably extra loud in order to be heard over the racket his two older sisters make.
I've mentioned his epic tantrums before - the screaming is crazy. He does this kind of tantruming at least twice a day, sometimes as often as four if we're having a horrible day.
He has the cutest raspy voice.
Yeah. See where I'm going with this?
When we had him evaluated for articulation problems (which he has) the speech pathologist asked if he had a cold because he seemed hoarse.
No. He has a tiny little smokers voice.
She asked about his history, did he have reflux? Oh, sweetness did he ever. (the smell. Did you have a reflux-y baby? Remember that horrid smell?) Did he do a lot of screaming? Oh, sweetness does he ever.
So she referred us to an ENT, where we went yesterday. Now, I know John's voice is raspy and a little hoarse. People comment on it and say how cute it is. It is cute. But when the doctor, the medical student and the physicians assistant heard John talk? Eyebrows flew up all around the room.
Excellent.
So. Given his history of severe reflux and his current state as a loud talker (cough cough) and screamer, he has developed nodules or callouses on his vocal cords. They need to actually see the callouses to confirm, so he'll be having his throat/vocal cords scoped on February 16.
In the meantime, the speech path, who is a loud talker (and totally awesome), suggested that we "ENCOURAGE JOHN TO USE A SOFT VOICE." I managed to not laugh. We're going to use a sticker chart to encourage it. He also has to drink a lot of water to lubricate his vocal cords.
I guess maybe his hoarseness isn't as cute as I think. But it is, it really is.
Nodules on vocal cords aren't too too bad (I've worked with singers for forever), but I don't know if I've ever heard of them on someone so small.
ReplyDeleteThe Batzer family, is, also, a family of loud talkers. Actually, I don't think Duffy's voice is any louder than anyone else's . . . she just, well, she speaks in a range that isn't used, so you always hear her voice above anything else.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this. I'm glad though that this was caught.
ReplyDeletePoor guy
Poor John. And his cute voice will be gone? How sad.
ReplyDeleteBuddy is my loud child. He is just SO LOUD. It's mind boggling.
I wish I could snark back at my husband, but, well, he's right. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAre you a fan of Friends? There was a really funny episode in which Phoebe got a cold that gave her a sexy raspy voice. After she got better, she kept trying to get reinfected.
I think all you need is duct tape and NyQuil.
lol, that's so funny, you wanting to snark back. I wondered if you'd read it . . . I do remember that Friends episode! Whenever I get a cold and sound hoarse I think of it.
ReplyDeleteHis voice won't change b/c they aren't removing the callouses. The docs say they'll just come back, with him being so young and loud. I think we should get Buddy and John together, it would be staggering!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. It's been interesting so far, trying to teach him to use a quiet voice, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteDuffy just read this:) You two make me laugh. I love it. Yeah, the nodules being on someone so young is different - tells you how much he's abused his voice. Although he did have severe reflux and they say that started the damage.
ReplyDeletePoor little dude. Well hopefully yall can figure out what to do next. Who woulda thought that the reflux could have caused those issues?!
ReplyDelete"a tiny little smokers voice" hehe
ReplyDeleteBut in all seriousness, ugh! Saying a prayer for you guys... medical tests are never fun!
Thanks, Branson. I'm not all nervous about the procedure just yet, but the day off? Oh my. So not looking forward to that. Feb 16 is the day. Prayers are much appreciated. I recently felt the power of prayer, in the very moment I had asked for it. It was earth shattering.
ReplyDeleteHis reflux was ridiculous, but I had no idea it would be damaging. At least his voice doesn't bug him at all.
ReplyDelete