Kimberly Williams-Paisley revealed that she recently underwent surgery to repair one of her vocal cords after struggling to use her voice for about two years.
The 52-year-old actress, who is married to country singer Brad Paisley, shared a health update in an Instagram post on Saturday, detailing her “difficult” treatment journey.
The “Father of the Bride” star posted a slideshow that begins with a selfie of him smiling while lying in a hospital bed with tubes attached to the back of his neck. In the next image, the words “Trigger warning: Scars (and bad artwork)” are printed on a black background.
In the final photo, Paisley showed a large scar on her neck, and above the photo, Paisley’s brother had drawn a face over the scar in marker, making it look like the scar was smiling.
“I’ve been through a lot,” Paisley began her lengthy caption, “about 2 years ago I lost my voice onstage at an Alzheimer’s event in Nashville. I was embarrassed, I was scared, and I’ve never gotten it back.”
Kimberly Williams-Paisley has revealed that she underwent surgery after struggling with voice problems for two years. (Kimberly Williams-Paisley Instagram/Getty)
She continued, “It’s been a tough few years but I’ve finally found out what caused it. I have damage to my laryngeal nerves and have tried everything I can to fix it (thanks, but please don’t give me advice!).”
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Williams-Paisley said she “finally” underwent successful surgery at Vanderbilt Health in Nashville, Tennessee, and that the procedure was performed by “experienced surgeons.”
“This sounds so much better!!” she said. “I have a nasty scar on my neck that’s smiling at me (swipe over the image to see the drawing my brother made if you can stand it).”
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The Hallmark actress admitted that she had previously refrained from speaking publicly about her condition because she “felt too vulnerable.”
“I’d always taken my ability to ‘use my voice’ for granted – for my work, for a cause, for a good joke, for self-expression, for a raucous dinner party,” Paisley said. “But I was the quietest person in the room. I felt demure. People who met me for the first time assumed I was shy and reserved. I felt trapped in my own body.”
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She continued, “I’ve gone through shame and self-loathing, all kinds of training, breathing exercises, orthodontics, healing, laughing, crying, explaining, and along the way I’ve met so many amazing helpers who have become great friends and for that I’m so grateful.”
Paisley said she was awake throughout the three-hour laryngoplasty, which involved “plumping the paralyzed vocal cord so that it could contact the other vocal cord.”
“(She’s) so happy she doesn’t have to do all the work by herself anymore. She was exhausted,” Paisley said, joking about her vocal cords being spared.
“I watched many scenes on overhead video screens while it was happening and can only say that modern medicine is miraculous,” she added.
The actress said the surgery was successful and her voice is “much better!!!” (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)
The “According to Jim” alum said her medical ordeal has brought about positive changes in her life.
“Over the past two years, I’ve felt empowered to use my voice in new ways,” she explained. “I’ve healed old emotional wounds. I’ve learned the strength and beauty of silence. I’ve taken meditation seriously. I’m deadlifting over 100 pounds. I’m taking better care of my body. I’m managing stress. I’m erasing shame. I’m feeling more fulfilled, confident, and joyful.”
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Paisley ended her post with a quote from author and podcaster Kate Bowler, writing: “If you’re going through hell, don’t come out empty-handed.”
“Was it worth losing my voice? Well, not necessarily. Was it worthless? Not for a second,” she added.
The day before revealing her health issues, Paisley shared a post celebrating her 17-year-old son William’s final year of high school. She shares William and 15-year-old son Jasper with Brad, whom she married in 2003.
Williams Paisley is married to country star Brad Paisley. (Noam Galai/Getty Images via Michael J. Fox Foundation)
“Summer 2024 is over and my first ever high school senior is born this week!” she wrote, alongside a photo of a chair in front of a lake at sunset.
“To any parents out there who have been through this, please offer me some wisdom,” Paisley added. “My eyes are watering!”
The actress also made headlines recently when she stepped out for lunch with friend Meghan Markle at Tre Lune in Montecito, California.
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“They had a lovely time together chatting and laughing,” the source said. People Magazine“They were unobtrusive and didn’t cause any trouble to other guests.”
