"What you eat....

....could EAT YOU!"

This is another take on that famous bumper-sticker phrase: "You are what you eat."

Those of you who have been following this blog know that, in addition to the cancer that is trying to get me down, I have been suffering from a chronic cough that has been exacerbated by speaking. The voice has also been adversely affected, preventing me from doing solo vocal work. It's been a real bummer.

But after learning of LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) from my friend Carol, who has suffered vocal problems from this condition, I began to more carefully monitor what I was eating and drinking. The results have been dramatic. I have totally cut out coffee, wine, beer and most (but not all) teas from my diet. I have also learned which foods are alkaline and which are acidic; the goal is to "drop acid" (fun pun!). I am also drinking a ton of water and sipping apple cider vinegar mixed with honey and warm water throughout the day. Eating large meals is a no-no, especially close to bedtime.

The result of my dietary changes is that the cough, although not totally gone, is significantly less frequent. I am able to speak for long periods and do some brief snippets of singing with little or no coughing.  I hope that, in time, my cough-ravaged voice will heal. After over a year of suffering with this, the relief I am feeling is monumental!

So.... hey out there.... if you know anyone who has a chronic cough, consider an acidic diet and acid reflux as a source of the problem. I cannot believe I suffered with this for so long and no medical professional seemed to have the answer. I have discovered that there are, indeed, doctors who know about this, but you have to know who those smart ones are.... alas.

Sidebar comment about chemo treatments: I am in the middle of a treatment-free week. I seem to be tolerating everything pretty well, thank goodness. Next Wednesday begins 10th chemo treatment.