Shania Twain had Lyme Disease. In 2003, Twain stated that she caught the bacterial infection after being bitten by a tick while horseback riding in Norfolk, Virginia. She took a break from performing after experiencing difficulties with her vocal cords and losing her voice.

The 54-year-old singer had three throat surgeries in an attempt to repair the damage, which nearly prevented her from ever performing again. She “luckily” persevered and can now record and do concerts again, she said.

Twain is one of the most successful female country performers of all time. She has received five Grammy awards and sold millions of recordings throughout her three-decade career.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which is communicated through the bite of an infected tick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disease’s varied and unexpected side effects are highlighted by Twain’s struggle with it.

Shania Twain is not deaf. However, she teamed up with America’s Got Talent contestant and deaf singer Mandy Harvey for a performance at the show’s finale in 2017