Kimberly Williams-Paisley undergoes surgery after losing her voice two years ago

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kimberly Williams-Paisley is recovering well after a successful surgery to repair damage to her laryngeal nerve, thanks to the skill of a team of expert surgeons.

The 52-year-old actress, who is married to country music star Brad Paisley, opened up about her "challenging" medical journey in a heartfelt Instagram post on Saturday.

Her health update comes just a day after she joyfully celebrated her 17-year-old son William starting his final year of high school. Paisley, who married Brad in 2003, also shares a 15-year-old son named Jasper with him.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley opens up about her surgery

Kimberly Williams-Paisley revealed she had surgery to fix a vocal cord issue that had been affecting her voice for nearly two years. She shared a carousel post that began with a selfie of her smiling in a hospital bed with a tube at the back of her neck.

The next image showed a black background with the words "Trigger warning: SCAR (and bad artwork)," followed by a photo of a large scar on her neck. Her brother had humorously drawn a smiling face over the scar with a marker.

Paisley began her post by explaining her struggle, "I’ve been going through a thing. Almost two years ago I lost my voice on stage at my Alzheimer’s event in Nashville. It was embarrassing & scary & it never quite came back."

She continued, "It’s been a challenging couple of years, but we finally got to the bottom of it. I have damage to my laryngeal nerve. I tried everything I could to heal it (so thank you but please don’t give me any tips!)."

She eventually underwent successful surgery at Vanderbilt Health in Nashville, Tennessee, performed by a team of "expert surgeons."

She then admitted, "I was finally able to have surgery this week at @vanderbilthealth with expert surgeons, & it is sounding so much better!! I have a bad**s scar that’s smiling at me across my neck. (Swipe for the drawing my brother made on top of the image if you can handle it. 😂😳)"

Kimberly Williams-Paisley felt too vulnerable amid her medical condition

Paisley explained that she had kept her medical condition private because it felt too vulnerable to share.

"I haven’t wanted to share about this much until now because it felt too vulnerable. I took for granted my ability to 'use my voice' before—for my career, for a good cause, for a timely joke, for SELF-EXPRESSION, for a loud dinner party," she said.

"Instead, I’ve been the quietest in the room. I’ve felt meek. New people I’ve met thought I was a shy or reserved person. I’ve felt trapped in my body," she added.

She also opened up about her emotional journey, saying, "I’ve been through shame & self-loathing, all kinds of training, breathing techniques, & braces & healing & laughing & crying & explaining. I’ve met many amazing helpers along the way who’ve become amazing friends & I’m feeling SO GRATEFUL."

Paisley stayed awake during her three-hour laryngoplasty, a procedure designed to "plump up my paralyzed vocal cord so it hits the other one."

She humorously commented, "I was awake for the three-hour laryngoplasty to plump up my paralyzed vocal cord so it hits the other one (She’s so happy not to be doing all the work by herself anymore. She was EXHAUSTED). I watched a lot of it on a video screen above my head as it happened, and all I can say is MODERN MEDICINE IS MIRACULOUS."

Reflecting on her ordeal, she noted the positive changes it brought to her life.

She asserted, "In the last two years, I’ve found power in using my voice in new ways. I’ve healed old emotional wounds. I’ve learned the strength & beauty of silence. I’ve become a serious meditator. I’m deadlifting over a hundred pounds. I’m taking better care of my body. I’m managing stress. I’m dissolving shame. I’m feeling more whole, empowered & joyful."

Paisley ended her post with a quote from author and podcaster Kate Bowler, "As I learned from a recent @katecbowler podcast if you’re going through hell, don’t come out empty-handed. Was losing my voice worth it? Mm, not exactly. Was it worthless? Not for a second."

Kimberly Williams-Paisley's fans are keeping her in their prayers

Kimberly Williams-Paisley's Instagram post quickly received over 83,000 likes and a flood of supportive comments from fans, who extended their well-wishes for her health.

One user claimed, "Thank you for sharing your experience. It truly does help others. 🫶🏻 I’m so glad you had great care, and that you’re on the healing side of the process. Continue to take good care of YOU, mind, body, and spirit."

Another wrote, "You are such an incredible human and I’m so happy to know you.♥️ It’s hard to imagine you being even better than you’ve been the last couple years but I’m here for it! 🙌"  [sic]

A user shared, "Send you a big Hug and tons of love!!! You are strong a big warrior my Annie Banks 💜🩹🤍" One fan said, "I'm glad you're getting better, Kimberly. I will add you to my prayer list until you're feeling 100% healed." [sic]

Another user said on Instagram, "Oh darling! What a journey you have been on. Thank you for sharing and so glad you’re on the other side feeling all the things so deeply and beautifully. 🙌❤️"

One individual penned, "This will be a great new chapter. Also I will miss the silence." [sic]

The last user shared, "Brave, strong, beautiful, vulnerable, resilient and incredibly inspiring! - That is you my friend." [sic]

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