FOLFOX was my doctor's choice of chemo treatment. It is used a lot of times for bowel cancers, which is what I had. Like most chemo treatments there are many side effects that most cancer patients will need to deal with. I want to focus on a problem that is affecting my life at this time.
I hope you have enjoyed this episode of Healing. Please feel free to join me each week for the next 2 or 3 months, and hopefully, I can help you or someone you know become a stronger cancer warrior. Share this musical podcast with your friends and family. Cancer needs to be put in its place!
Episode 3-a Side effects of my treatment. 4/18/23
FOLFOX was my doctor's choice of chemo treatment. It is used a lot of times for bowel cancers, which is what I had. Like most chemo treatments there are many side effects that most cancer patients will need to deal with. I want to focus on a problem that is affecting my life at this time. My voice has seemed to have gone through some major changes. I'm not talking about puberty. I'm talking about what has happened to my voice since my cancer diagnosis a few years ago. I have done some research and have found this information on the effect of cancer treatments regarding vocal changes.
In an article entitled: Cancer Chemotherapy: An Overview and Voice Implications, composed by Jillian Mattioni, Dave A. Opperman, Dominic A. Solimando, Jr., and Robert T. Sataloff, it states the following:
One of the most concerning side effects of chemotherapy to the professional voice user is neurotoxicity. Chemotherapeutic agents that are neurotoxic, have the potential to damage the nerves that innèrvate the muscles of the larynx or those involved in support of the voice, such as the nerves that innervate the diaphragm or intercostal muscles. Nerve damage can lead to irreversible changes in vocal range and power, as well as the inability to precisely control pitch required for performance.
Side effects such as pulmonary toxicity or fibrosis can cause permanent changes in lung structure and function. Pulmonary damage can undermine the ability to provide adequate breath support for the voice. Inadequate breath support can lead to vocal fold injury, scarring, and nodule formation.
The treatment of cancer, regardless of its location, can cause many unwanted changes in the voice. Side effects resulting from certain currently used chemo-therapeutic agents can ultimately cause permanent changes in the vocal tract. These changes can impair the subtle features of the voice that are often critical to the professional voice user. The medical community must consider treatment options carefully before optimal recommendations of treatment protocols can be made to the professional voice user, and singing teachers should be certain that their students discuss voice risks with their doctors. Nevertheless, we must all appreciate the major advances that have been made in cancer therapy and must alter protocols for voice considerations only when cancer treatment success is not compromised.
I have noticed that as I have tried to record my voice on the various episodes of this podcast that much has changed in my vocal ability. I have worked very diligently, trying to get my vocal cords to cooperate. I just can't seem to make it sound like I want it to. I am not making excuses for my vocal performances. But there are reasons that my voice has changed. I have many of the symptoms listed in the article I just quoted. My vocal range and power, as well as the inability to precisely control pitch required for performance, have been affected greatly. Side effects have caused changes in my ability to provide adequate breath support for my voice. I hope that you will be patient with my lack of vocal finesse as I attempt to sing and share with you some of my music that explains the feelings I have concerning the topic of this podcast. My feelings towards my loved ones, my Heavenly Father, and the experiences I have had while on the road of cancer. I guess what I'm saying is that I chose life over some of the other things I have had to give up.