Given the silent treatment!

@Humbug25 (12540)
September 27, 2009 4:47pm CST
As some of you may be aware that I was in hospital recently having a pollop removed from my throat which means that I am not permitted to use my voice for 2 whole weeks! Yes that's right, you read it correctly, 2 whole weeks, not even a whisper. You would think that my kids would be extactic without having mummy shouting at them but to be honest they have found it very frustrating. When they don't understand what I am trying to tell them they screw their faces up and say just whisper mummy it's ok I won't tell the doctor, lol . I must admit it has been quite nice not hearing my own voice, shouting at my kids but there is one thing I have really missed not being able to say and that is 'I love you' to my kids! I always tell them that before they go to bed at night and before going to school. Sign language just isn't the same. What do you think you would miss saying if you couldn't talk?
2 people like this
15 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
27 Sep 09
Hiya dear friend, this sounds really strange but I wouldn't miss being able to talk! I was having this discussion with my therapist on Friday would you believe. I don't like talking, sounds strange I know but I prefer to listen, so for me I would find it much harder if I couldn't hear. I can go days without talking and it doesn't bother me. I don't communicate much and I am not a people person so whenever I go out it's very very rare I will talk at all, going to the gym I never talk, I have my Ipod on, hence the importance of hearing. I would love to learn sign language and losing my voice would be welcomed by me. I can't sing, I hate talking to people, providing my therapist can do sign that is and my friends too, mind you I could still text and email so having a voice isn't of any importance to me.
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya wolfie It doesn't sound strange to me at all, what does sound strange is that you were talking to your therapist just recently, weird huh? I too would miss the ability to hear more so than speach but I will be glad when I can talk again. I think if I was never to talk again I would accept it and get on with it but knowing that my voice is there and can't use it is just plain frustrating!! Having my phone to text has been a great help I can tell you and a notepad and pen!! Thanks
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Sep 09
I hope u are getting along real well & CAN SOON TELL YOUR CHILDREN I LOVE U. tHAT IS SO SWEET.My 5 year old grandson & i have some great conversations that i would sure miss if i couldn't talk. Hope get better soon.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
28 Sep 09
tHAT'S GREAT. tHEY ARE QUITE INTERESTING to talk to, sonmany people just don't take time to listen to them. hope u feel better soon.
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya ANTIQUELADY My mum popped in to see us yesterday and I just watched her talk with my son of 4 years and they were having a great conversation! Thanks
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7433)
• United States
27 Sep 09
Signing is not good when people don't understand it. My daughter had this problem, not being able to talk. Not for the same reason. She could not talk for a few months. She kept a small notebook and pen handy...worked really well.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Sep 09
Well lady it sounds like you are doing all you can. I'm sure with the little ones that pictures drawn out work well to let them know what you want along with hand signals and signs....You also have an older one to help with letting the young ones know what you want as well. I hope you heal well and quickly!
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya moondancer No it isn't good and as my kids are only 4, 6 and 8 it is very difficult for them to understand. They can lip read some things though like 'GET TO BED NOW' hahaha. I have gone through 2 notebooks already but am so glad that my eldest can read quite well. Thanks
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
29 Sep 09
I have to agree with you, I would miss saying "I Love you" also. Why don't you have a notepad nearby and you can write and draw hearts for your kids.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
30 Sep 09
Hi ya Shar19 Oh I do have a notepad and I have gone through 2 already!! Trouble is that the youngest 2 don't read well as they are only 4 and 6 and we have make sure the eldest is around to translate, has done wonders for his reading skills I can tell you! Thanks
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
29 Sep 09
I'm glad the operation whas a success for you, hon. Maybe you could make a little sign that says, 'I love you', on it and every night when you tuck your kids in you can flash them the sign? LOL! If I couldn't speak I would miss not being able to talk to Mija (my furangel). I love it when I speak to her because as soon as I'm talking to her she starts swishing her tail! She loves me and loves hearing my voice! Purrs, Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
30 Sep 09
Hi ya kellyjeanne Oh I am signing it to them but it certainly isn't the same as saying it!! I have missed saying bless you to them when they sneeze too!! Thanks
@harmonee (1228)
• United States
29 Sep 09
I think it would be the little things. Your voice is one of those things you take for granted until you can't use it anymore or for awhile. I think I would just miss the conversations with my hubby and singing in the shower.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
30 Sep 09
Hi ya harmonee I agree with you, we do take a lot for granted and don't realise how lucky we are to have such things until we haven't got them!! Thanks
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
28 Sep 09
I saw in an earlier comment where you said you've already been through a notebook. I bought a dry-erase board at the dollar store. That might save you some paper. Just a thought. I know you have your hands full with 2 children and not being able to talk! I can't imagine doing that. I'm sure you all will find a way. Sometimes we just don't have a choice, do we? Good luck. Take care of yourself!
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi there miamilady Wow thanks for the great idea, I didn't think of that and you think I have my hands full with 2 kids well actually I have 3 hahaha Thanks
@p1kef1sh (45681)
28 Sep 09
Awww. That made my eyes moist Humbug. As a guide I suppose that the idea of two whole weeks not talking would make life very difficult indeed. I think that I would miss saying the same thing as you too.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya p1kef1sh Yes it is very very hard, especially as I am a very chatty person but my kids come first and I just want to tell them how much I love them!! Thanks
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
27 Sep 09
hi humbug well lets see,if I could not talk I would miss saying thanks, excuse me, pardon me, may I, Please pass the salt, no thanks. You are welcome. I love seeing you,Nelda. She is my best friend. Also to my son, I would miss saying thanks for fixing my computer problems again.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya Hatley Oh I miss saying all those things too but most of all it is saying 'I love you' to my kids. Thanks
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
28 Sep 09
idk I'm not much of a talker. I guess I'd miss teasing my kids and singing (even if they DO tell me to stop)...
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
30 Sep 09
Hi ya dawny Aww you are a horrible mommy but that's funny thanks
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
27 Sep 09
Well if I couldn't talk I wouldn't be able to sing, so I would miss singing, because even though I'm not a working singer I grew up in a family of singers and artist, and I would just feel a bit strange not being able to sing even just for fun.
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya apples99 I too love to sing, just for fun and I miss that too! Thanks
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
28 Sep 09
to be honest exactly the same. I tell my children daily that I love them
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi cynthiann Yeah it's tough not being able to say it I can tell you!! Thanks
@substance (585)
• India
28 Sep 09
hey!! I don't know. It might be too frustrating not being able to express your feelings. If i couldn't talk for a week or so, I might miss saying "thank you".
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi substance Yes I miss saying that now too! Thanks
@Bandeed (82)
• Australia
28 Sep 09
I Would miss saying "Hello"
1 person likes this
@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya Bandeed I miss saying 'good morning' and 'good night' too. Thanks
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
27 Sep 09
How sweet that they wouldn't tell the doctor How can you manage not to talk? Can you really manage to remember not to? I don't think I could as I am a chatterbox Goodness knows what would be the most important thing that I would miss saying. I wouldn't be able to answer the phone - goodness gracious!
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@Humbug25 (12540)
28 Sep 09
Hi ya mysdianait Yes it was rather sweet of them! The following day I did forget for a second and grunted something first thing in the morning but then as I started to wake properly I suddenly realised!! It is really really hard but I have only one more week to go now! I have put a message on my answering service to say that I am unable to speak right now but please leave a message or call back later when my son can take the call after school!! Thanks