Nodules are small blisters formed on the thin folds of the vocal cords caused by overuse of the speaking voice, improper singing, a prolonged cold or just weak vocal cords to begin with. Choir director Hilary Morton has struggled with nodules for 17 years.

Morton noticed the prolonged hoarseness and inability to sing normally in late July and was diagnosed with polyps on her vocal cords in October. Polyps are nodules, but fluid-filled and harder to get rid of. Because of this, Morton has to go on vocal rest as much as she can at work and all of the time outside of work.

“Being a choral director who can’t sing and can barely talk is more frustrating than I can answer in words,” Morton said.

Morton had surgery to remove the nodules on Dec. 11. She was completely silent for five days, then amped up the talking by 25% each week. By the time she came back to school, she was at 75%.

“It was a learning experience for both Morton and the class as we tried communicating a couple of ways,” senior Tucker Click said. “I’m glad she is able to speak again.”

The surgery got rid of the polyps, but not the nodules.

“I’m very frustrated, as this surgery was supposed to really help, and I have sat in silence for so long trying to recover,” Morton said.

Juggling her busy schedule is hard for Morton with vocal re- strictions. An average day for Morton is jam packed. She arrives at about 7:45 a.m. to do the administrative part of running the choral department. She then spends the rest of the day directing, along with accompanist Jamie Bone and co-director Maggie Burk, the seven choirs at Free State.