NSV: do re mi

Today at church, I was reminded of one of my favorite NSV! I love to sing--have studied vocal performance, have sung solo and in choirs, and have led choirs of children and adults.

For many years of the past 15, I have developed bronchitis almost every winter. More and more, in the past few years, it would not clear up with anything--not inhalers, nada.

A doctor suspected it might actually be acid reflux. For a time, the reflux meds helped, sometimes. But then, in the past few years, nope.

So I would sit for months in church, over many years, unable to sing. And feeling sad.

Now--post WLS, I can sing again! I can hit the high notes, I can hold out my breath for the long phrases, I can sing with resonance. Since WLS, I have had colds here and there, and sure those affect the singing, but not one experience with the chronic cough/bronchitis that I used to have.

I am pretty convinced that my chronic cough and trouble singing had to do with my extra weight. Reflux or not.

I think there are lots of such NSV that are easy to overlook. I wanted to write this one down, to remember it.

Good for you for writing this down. In maintenance it's easy to forget the struggles we had when we were obese. Remembering these things helps us stay on track and make good choices everyday. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.

That's a wonderful NSV! Enjoy your many years of singing Pokemom!

Kathy, since you are the emoji queen, I was trying to figure out which one seemed the best singing emoji.

Opinions!?!

Darn we don't have a singing one so I guess those would work!

Great NSV! I definitely notice that I have more stamina for singing. Better breath control and no discomfort when standing for the duration of a concert. Pilates really helps with that too!

Definitely have a larger volume of air on my instruments. Also gained a major second in my chest voice (we'll see if that's temporary or not...).