Shania Twain feared she'd never sing again after contracting Lyme disease.
Shania Twain on ITV's Lorraine
The 'Still the One' hitmaker was left worried for her career after she was diagnosed with the debilitating condition - a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks - because she was left unable to speak.
Speaking on ITV's 'Lorraine' on Monday morning (11.09.17), she said: "I was clear of any immediate effects. But then I started having problems controlling my voice.
"At the time, I just figured I needed a break from music to rest. But that break became an extended break because my voice never came back. I lost a serious pleasure in my life. I believed I would never sing again."
The 52-year-old pop singer was told by doctors that she would never be able to sing properly again and that's why she is forever "grateful" that she was able to make new LP 'Now'.
She said: "I was told that it was a permanent injury - but I still did it, I made another album.
"I am so grateful for this because it was a huge challenge to get singing again."
The 'That Don't Impress Me Much' singer previously said it was a "blessing in disguise" to take time out because she was able to give her 16-year-old son Eja - who she has with ex-husband Robert 'Mutt' Lange - a "normal upbringing".
She said: "I was able to do performances but couldn't commit to recording an album, which is different; it's a permanent imprint of your instrument.
"But it was a blessing in disguise. I have appreciation for the break - I love domestic life and would have regretted missing it.
"My son Eja has had a normal upbringing - it's been the best of all worlds, in the end."
Shania - who is now married to Frederic Thiebaud - admits she would've mourned "every day" for the rest of her life if she'd had to quit singing.
She said: "It was devastating. I would have grieved every day for the rest of my life if I hadn't got [my voice] back.
"I knew I'd always have a life in music, because other people could record my songs, but I was sad to lose the joy of singing."
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