kelly campbell Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Hey Guys and Girls, I just found out I have to have a quadruple by-pass surgery here pretty soon. Yeah I was really thrilled to get that news. What I am wondering is if anyone here has been through open heart and if so how quickly were you able to play after words? I am making arrangements to move some acoustics moved from my guitar room to where I will be but then I thought I had better ask if it is even worth a consideration to move them. Anyway I greatly appreciate any insight anybody could put forth to help me. Thanks KC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 I haven't had any such experience (yet) and I wish you well. I imagine spending any time I couldn't hold a guitar against my chest taking my smallest acoustic, putting it on my lap in an open tuning, and working on my slide skills with a Coricidin bottle or stainless slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salfromchatham Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 I haven't had any such experience (yet) and I wish you well. I imagine spending any time I couldn't hold a guitar against my chest taking my smallest acoustic, putting it on my lap in an open tuning, and working on my slide skills with a Coricidin bottle or stainless slide. Kelly my brother. I wish you strength man. Speedy Recovery! Anyhow, one of my best friends - way healthier than me lifestyle-wise - had it done. In his family genes. He lost a brother. He went in preemptively. The first few weeks after were tough. He had to walk a lot with his wife afterwards and force his taking bigger breaths. Its a process. Clearly dont listen to me for medical advice, but take heart that you will recover grandly. My friend sure has. Oh and you need to get you a small body. Maybe two. My two favorites are the LG2 American Eagle and the Martin 00-15M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george wooden Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 Hey Guys and Girls, I just found out I have to have a quadruple by-pass surgery here pretty soon. Yeah I was really thrilled to get that news. What I am wondering is if anyone here has been through open heart and if so how quickly were you able to play after words? I am making arrangements to move some acoustics moved from my guitar room to where I will be but then I thought I had better ask if it is even worth a consideration to move them. Anyway I greatly appreciate any insight anybody could put forth to help me. Thanks KC Kelly, I am about to hit the 75-mile marker, and to date have no heart issues, so I can provide no expertise to this discussion, but I will be offering prayers for a successful surgery and a complete recovery sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 It'll be very little impact to playing guitar- just put something to cushion where the upper bout rests against the chest. A 10 pound weight limit might mean keeping the guitar case on the floor, bed, or sofa, and avoid hefting a Les Paul. You'll be fine. Best to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share Posted April 22, 2018 Kelly my brother. I wish you strength man. Speedy Recovery! Anyhow, one of my best friends - way healthier than me lifestyle-wise - had it done. In his family genes. He lost a brother. He went in preemptively. The first few weeks after were tough. He had to walk a lot with his wife afterwards and force his taking bigger breaths. Its a process. Clearly dont listen to me for medical advice, but take heart that you will recover grandly. My friend sure has. Oh and you need to get you a small body. Maybe two. My two favorites are the LG2 American Eagle and the Martin 00-15M I prefer a smaller body so I have a ooo 15M martin and a 00-L martin along with a LG2 American eagle and a Couple other small body's..Thanks for the encouragement Sal.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 22, 2018 Author Share Posted April 22, 2018 I appreciate the thoughts and prayers.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted April 22, 2018 Share Posted April 22, 2018 The late Stan Getz was (as you know) a wonderful saxophone player but apparently not always the nicest of guys. When he had his first heart surgery, someone mentioned it to trombonist Bob Brookmeyer who quipped "are they taking one out or putting one in?" I always liked that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 ....but then I thought I had better ask if it is even worth a consideration to move them..... Best wishes, KC! I'd move 'em even if you don't use 'em, but I bet you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Best wishes and prayers for you. And a speedy recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 I hope everything goes well for you and wish you a speedy recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 23, 2018 Author Share Posted April 23, 2018 thanks again guys. I love the line about Getz..thanks for the chuckle.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Hey KC, I wish I could be more helpful. To make a long story short, I have an Aortic valve problem that will ultimately require the valve to be replaced. Fortunately the issue will not require bypass surgery anytime soon and my cardiologist seems very optimistic. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have a speedy recovery. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tman Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Best wishes Kelly for a speedy recovery. You won't have a problem playing guitar, you'll just be sore as hell on your sternum and your leg where the vein graft harvest will be taken. If it is medical students doing the harvest, tell the main surgeon not to let them suture the muscle belly. Scars in and hurts like hell I've been told. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldCowboy Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Stay strong, my Gibson friend! That's one I've missed (so far). Been through my share of surgeries, though, and my experience is that when you care whether or not you're playing it's time. As with other forum members, thoughts and prayers to you. Keep us informed👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 I had a triple bypass about 15 years ago. The hardest part of the recovery is taking care of your sternum while it heals. Your back and shoulders may be uncomfortable and your ribs and collarbones might be tight. Playing the guitar's fine but you're going to get tired hunching over the guitar while you're sitting. You don't want to be "hunching" your chest, because it will tend to pull your incision apart. So you'll be wanting to sit up real straight - it won't be all that easy. It's going to be uncomfortable to lean forward. You'll need a good recliner because you may not be able to sleep in a regular bed all that comfortably for a little while. I rented a hospital bed for a couple of weeks. When you stand and play, your strap is going to start pulling on your neck and back right where it's been stretched out a little, so that may be a little tough. Just play a little at a time. My neck still hurts right where the strap goes across it. The recovery takes time and can get frustrating. Go to cardiac rehab as soon as you can - it'll be a month or two after your surgery, and stay in for as long as you can. You'll need the support of friends and family. The plus side is that your ticker will be feeling great right off the bat! If you've been having angina that should go away. There's no better feeling than knowing that you have a bunch of really smart and talented people doing everything they can to make you better! Things are going to be much better for you. PM me if you want any advice or if you start feeling bad or frustrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Best wishes Kelly! The guitars will wait patiently while you recoup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 BBPlayer seemed to nail it. I've not experienced a "CABG" as they're called. Father in law did. Wife's an RN and also had thoracic surgery. I've casually observed the procedure on tours through the OR. You will do fine - but don't underestimate the time it will take before you actually will be able to ENJOY playing. You're only focus should be recovery and therapy for the first month. Of course, when you start to feel like you want to play, that'll be a great sign. But you're going to be sore, drugged and tired. Your guitar could slide right out of your hands off the bed and onto the floor. Give it time. Get a bunch of DVDs and queue your music library. You'll be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Can't answer your question Kelly, but good luck mate, get well soon. Regards, Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 23, 2018 Author Share Posted April 23, 2018 Can't answer your question Kelly, but good luck mate, get well soon. Regards, Ian Thanks Ian, I greatly appreciate the thought. keep pickin' mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted April 23, 2018 Author Share Posted April 23, 2018 Thanks again to everyone and your advise and best wishes..very comforting to hears the encouragement.. TGhanks Tman for your advise as well I will look into who will be doing the harvesting of viens. Thannks a million to bad blues palyer for first hand expierience, by the way I sent you a personal message..some good people here I have always said that is why I am here. thanks again to all of all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Kelly I can't offer specific advice because I've fortunately not been through what you're going to be going through but I wanted to offer up my prayers for a good surgery and a faster than normal recovery. I think the advice from my friend Jon Waldo (Bad Blues Player) is probably the best advice since he has gone through this & he is a fellow guitarist. God bless the guitar player in you because you just want to play as soon as possible afterwards - but brother - focus on th healing first & foremost. Don't try to play too soon because I don't want you doing anything that will delay your full recovery as soon as possible, Take care of you, follow doctors orders, attend your rehab afterwards & just take care of you. Please keep us posted as you can and take good care! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brc Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 Best advise I can give is to go in before and after the surgery with a positive attitude. Even with the best surgeons in the world, if you don’t have a good attitude, it will be an up hill battle. Good luck, stay strong, and with your family and friends as support you should do great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted April 23, 2018 Share Posted April 23, 2018 No advice, but a sincere god luck wish to you, Kelly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted April 24, 2018 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Your priorities do you proud! Good luck with the whole thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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