Thursday, November 19, 2015

Some Comments About my Health

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Friends,

     I have been trying to find the best way to do this. I thought about placing a small blurb in our weekly bulletin but that felt a bit pretentious so I finally settle for this blog note. For the last year or so I have been struggling with hoarseness in my voice. Now, my regular voice is naturally hoarse so at first this did not worried me; since this is one of the symptoms during the  Prodrome stage of a migraine attack (just before the Migraine is set to hit). However for the last few months I have had a couple of instances in which I completely loose my voice for a period of a few hours. I finally went to a specialist and he diagnosed me (three months ago) with "Granulomas" on my vocal cords. At that time he indicated that these are most likely caused by acid re-flux and that I should just take it easy and monitor my diet, and go back for another check up in 90 days.
   I returned to see him a couple of weeks back and the news were not as encouraging as I had hoped. He said that the granulomas have expanded and that if I can not get them under control I could loose my voice. He gave me strict instructions not to raise my voice, sing, whisper, yell or strain my voice in any way as well as some medication and the command that I should use my voice as little as possible. He also indicated that if I can not get these under control the only option is surgery which will leave scar tissue and will definitely change my voice as well as require for me to take speech therapy so I can "learn to use my voice again".  I don't know you but these are the worst  news you can give a preacher!
   Of course one of the first things I did was inform my priest about this situation and ask him to pray for me. Him, been the good priest that he is, enlisted the help of our prayer warriors and I have had more people approach me and say "I praying for you" in the last couple of week than in my almost 9 years as deacon! Of course with all these prayers come speculation and based on some of the questions and comments I have received I feel I have to set the record straight.
    First, to use the words of my physician "The good news is that is not cancer". No, I do not have a "lung condition" or some other nasty bug. The reason why I have not been preaching at St Michel's is not because I've been punished, or will be transferred shortly is just because  my voice could not take it and Fr. Mike, Fr. Kurt and Deacon Cliff have come to the rescue in short notice.
   Currently I feel fine, I'm starting to notice I have more better days that bad ones so all the tender care to my vocal cords seen (at least to me) to be working. The one thing you could do for me and my family is pray; if you are no doing this already, ask for the intersession of St Blase, patron Saint of throat illnesses to procure from the Lord the grace of healing (If it is His will), or the grace I will need to endure this time.
   Again I thank you for your prayers and may God bless you richly today.

"Viva Cristo Rey!!"
Deacon Harbey

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