Any musicians out there?

[hasher98]

I have my surgery coming up this next Monday, March 29, 2010. I am having some nervousness about it but it doesn't seem to be as bad as it could be. But I still have a few days to go!

I am posting in this area because I have been a drummer nearly all my life. I am 47 now and have been playing since I was in 4th grade, and playing in bar bands since I was about 23. I have been kind of laying off the gigging since I found out I was having surgery back around the first of the year but I am wondering if there is anyone else out there who is a musician post-op.

I am hoping to at least get back to practicing at home within a couple of weeks, even if it is just working my hands on a practice pad. I know I won't be able to lug my drumset around for a while, but I am hoping to get the sticks back in my hand as quickly as possible.

Anyone have any input?

 

[Doug]

What type of surgery are you having? I am not really a musician (I do play a little Ukelele on occasion.) but, post surgery activity really depends on the surgery, your fitness, and the type of activity you are attempting. I have practiced drums in the past and I can say if you have OHS with a full sternotomy you may find it a bit painful after the first couple of weeks. But, you will find things improving pretty quick.

 

[mainframe]

I went to Berklee as a drummer (79 - 81) and even though I don't play anymore, physically I don't feel like it would be any problem. Practicing on a pad shouldn't be a problem within a few days of getting home. Moving around (playing) a big drum kit might be a challenge for a few weeks but within a month or two you should be fine. Get someone else to do the cartage for awhile.

Good luck with your surgery. You'll be back to playing before you know it.

 

[hasher98]

Yes, I am having the sternotomy.......I can't hardly wait! I have a bicuspid aortic valve and an ascending aneurysm that they are going to fix.

I am figuring to be pretty sore for the first few weeks but if I can get back to practicing soon it may be a good exercise in playing relaxed and smooth. At least that is what I am hoping for.

And I guess my fitness is about normal for a musician; up too late, too often, drinking beer (some) on the gigs, and eating frozen pizza at 3am.

I am actually hoping to improve my fitness level after this is all over. I will have to give up the drinking because I hear it screws with the blood thinners and such, and hopefully this will give me a wake-up call on appreciating just being.

 

[Doug]

BTW, welcome to the group. And, good luck on the surgery. As far as giving up on the beer; I don't want to be a bad influence, but ..... I do have to say I am taking better care of myself for the most part that is.

 

[palmaceae]

I play the guitar and I had my AVR a year ago. I play in our worship band at Church and have for years. I did take a 3 month break after my AVR, the main reason was because I could not carry my heavy amp.

 

[Nancy]

Here is a musician who wrote an online book about his heart surgery

http://www.stevegoldberger.com/

Here is his book

http://www.stevegoldberger.com/bt/BumtickerHomePage1a.html

 

[Nicholas288]

I had the same operation 7 weeks ago and play guitar. I was playing as soon as I got home. It was a good way to pass the time. The only thing I couldn't do was carry and amp. Depending on your fitness, you will be playing if you have someone take care of the gear.

Nick

 

[Lily]

I have my surgery coming up this next Monday, March 29, 2010. I am having some nervousness about it but it doesn't seem to be as bad as it could be. But I still have a few days to go!

I am posting in this area because I have been a drummer nearly all my life. I am 47 now and have been playing since I was in 4th grade, and playing in bar bands since I was about 23. I have been kind of laying off the gigging since I found out I was having surgery back around the first of the year but I am wondering if there is anyone else out there who is a musician post-op.

I am hoping to at least get back to practicing at home within a couple of weeks, even if it is just working my hands on a practice pad. I know I won't be able to lug my drumset around for a while, but I am hoping to get the sticks back in my hand as quickly as possible.

Anyone have any input?

Although many years ago I taught piano, I'm not a professional musician; so this may be helpful in only a limited way. One of the first things I did when I came home from the hospital was to sit down to play the piano; I was a bit worried about memory and coordination and such. I happily had no problems.

While I'm not a drummer, I do like to play ragtime and some heavy classical pieces on the piano and I have no problems with that, related to my sternum anyway.

Hoping all goes well with your surgery and recovery

 

[MarkU]

Not a drummer, but I played the French horn in the local community orchestra for seven years prior to my surgery.
It literally hurt my chest too much for the first year or so when I tried to play again. Nothing related to my heart but pain was from the trauma to my rib cage and sterum from surgery. I've played at my church a few times since, but have developed other interests that take up my time and haven't made a serious effort to try to get back into it.

Good luck,
Mark

 

[Guest]

*raises hand*

I play(ed) the cello! I started "way back when" in 4th grade ... and played right through all of my college years. After college, I played during holidays of all sorts for church, but haven't in a few years.

Other than that, I play a "DJ" on the radio sometimes...lol.

Hope all went well for you!



Cort | 36swm.IL | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker
MCs.Caprice|models.HO.legos.CHD.RadioShows|RTs.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Walking back into my life" ... Kathy Mattea ... 'Walking Away A Winner'

 

[Gail in Ca]

I play in my local orchestra. And I was back to my woodwind instrument asap. I felt a bit sore in the sternum when I had to do all that breathing when I first went back to playing. But, you play the drums, so no worries on expanding the rib cage, huh? I remember asking my 1st surgeon if I could play the clarinet 6 weeks after surgery, and he paused, and asked me , 'Do you play the clarinet?', he thought I was going to do that old joke and say wow I couldn't before, or something!