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‘It was depressing and devastating’: Shania Twain reflects on being told she would never sing again after Lyme disease diagnosis and throat surgery
Shania Twain has revealed that it was “depressing and devastating” when she thought she would not be able to sing again afterwards contracting Lyme disease and undergoing open throat surgery.
The 57-year-old singer contracted the tick-borne disease in 2003, and her voice was affected by the effects of hoarseness as a result of the disease.
Speaking on Thursday, Lorraine Shania explained how her new album Queen of Me is the first album she’s released since the procedure on her voice.
While promoting the latest release on the daytime TV show, she also reflected on her earlier fears of not being able to sing again amid the diagnosis.
She said: ‘It was quite depressing and devastating to imagine that.
Tough: Shania Twain has revealed that it was “depressing and devastating” when she thought she might not be able to sing again after contracting Lyme disease and having open throat surgery
Even talking has been difficult with Lyme disease. Now I feel so grateful to be able to sing and express myself.
“And this is now my first album since my voice operation.”
He went on to describe the terrifying operation by saying: ‘You have to be awake while they do it. He was more afraid of never singing again than of going through the operation.
“The reason you have to be awake for the operation is that you have to sing during it so they know exactly what to do.”
She then talked about her new album and music videos saying, “I would say it’s very free spirited, it was a lot of fun.”
“I guess I’m really comfortable in my own skin now, it took me a while, I wish I’d come earlier in my life, but better now than ever.”
‘This is my celebratory album and it’s all about celebrating music, being happy and getting in a good mood!’
In 2020, she also opened up about her fears, saying on Loose Women, “There was a long time I thought I’d never sing again.”
Ouch: The singer, 57, contracted the tick-borne disease in 2003, and her voice was damaged by the effects of hoarseness as a result of the disease (pictured performing in December 2022)
Moving on: Speaking Thursday, Lorraine Shania explained how her new album Queen of Me is the first album she’s released since proceeding on her voice.
“It took me years to get to the bottom of what was affecting my voice. I would say probably a good seven years before a doctor could figure out that it was nerve damage to my vocal cords directly caused by Lyme disease.
“I was riding a horse in the woods and got bit by a tick.”
The That Don’t Impress Me Much hitmaker said it had also affected her speaking voice, making her very self-conscious and nervous.
She said at the time: ‘You start to avoid talking on the phone, you start to avoid going to places with ambient noise where you have to speak above the volume of others. It is very debilitating.
Fear: While promoting the latest release on the daytime TV show, she also reflected on her earlier fears of not being able to sing again amid the diagnosis
Returning to the stage: Shania is pictured performing on stage during the 2022 People’s Choice Awards in December
“Our voices are such a big part of our self-expression and for a vocalist it’s devastating in so many ways.”
She added: ‘Until I got to the bottom of why I had a problem with my voice, there wasn’t much I could do about it.
“It took a long time and I believed that I would have to accept at some point that I would never be able to sing again.”
“Luckily I persevered and am making records again and playing concerts.”
She’s Back: She went on to talk about her new album and music videos saying, “I’d say it’s very free-spirited, it was a lot of fun!”
The star underwent risky open throat surgery and was thankfully able to sing again.
The operation has had permanent effects on her voice, but she has embraced the new sound.
She said: ‘My voice has changed, my speaking voice is definitely the greatest effort. As you can hear, I get pretty hoarse and sometimes have to make adjustments while I’m talking. But singing is easier because there is more projection involved.
Now I have more power when I sing. I have more character than I find and I enjoy singing again, speaking is the toughest challenge for me than singing, but I’ll accept that.’