EdgarHF Posted April 21, 2009 Posted April 21, 2009 I am feeling really bummed out tonight. I go in the Hospital for surgery in the morning. I do know what I am going to do with myself not being able to play for awhile. I think I will download lots of music I have never heard off iTunes.
Gilliangirl Posted April 21, 2009 Posted April 21, 2009 Oh I hope it's nothing serious? Why don't you make a list of all the new songs you're going to learn when you get out? Hope you're not out of commission for too long? Does the hospital have wireless or computers? We'll all be here and you can at least chat about guitars!
EdgarHF Posted April 21, 2009 Author Posted April 21, 2009 Oh I hope it's nothing serious? No, not that serious. I have a herniated disk in my neck. I will have surgery tomorrow morning and just spend the next night in the hospital. My problem is I will be laid up for a week. I play everyday and could not tell you the last day I did not play. A week without guitar is going to drive me nuts. It makes me wonder what would happen if I could never play again. This is not going to happen. But, this is making me realize how dependant I am for the comfort of that sound box and how big a role it plays in my life. I am sure in this forum there are many who feel the same way.
powerpopper Posted April 21, 2009 Posted April 21, 2009 Seems to me that it is the nature of people to take things for granted. There are two big hobbies I have--guitars and photography. If I couldn't do either, I would be depressed in a major way. But if I had to choose, I'd rather play guitar and leave the photography to someone else. I used to be runner until two herniated disks prevented me from doing that the way I used to, so I know what it feels like to have been able to do something before that you can't do any longer. Just goes to show you that all time is precious, make sure you are doing with it what you want. With that said, I hope you have a speedy recovery and are back to playing in no time!
Jerry K Posted April 21, 2009 Posted April 21, 2009 Hang in there, old chap. You may have to cut back on playing for a bit but in no time at all you'll be playing again. Getting the physical chops back is a fast process; it's the head part that takes a while. Possibly this might be a good time to reward yourself with a shiny new Gibson?
JOESTONE Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Get Well Soon. I would admire and collect pictures of vintage guitars.
TommyK Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Absense makes the heart grow fonder. You could pin-up pictures of your guit tars to admire, much as some fellas have pin-ups of other creatures which they cannot have. One could while away the time on a 'puter, posting non-important blurbs on some guit tar forum. The Lounge area here comes to mind here. Lots of spirited commentary about various and sundry inanity. Might get your dander up though. And I susupect the back of your neck, the dander producing area, might not be up to the task. Good luck with the operation. Hope things come out fine.
Gitfidl Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Good luck. You'll just have to let your mind savor those nurses and imagine you were 22 y.o. again. Let them nurture you back to good health. (I brought my nurses a big Costco sheet cake after I got out -- carrot cake -- they were all giggling and feeling so happy. They were really special to me -- and let's face I'd be dead now BUT FOR them. )
Hall Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Edgar, I broke my shoulder, elbow and wrist on my picking arm in Oct. last year. I'm just now getting back to playing. Good luck and do try looking at the nurse's behinds (do a mental apology to them so you can pretend you're not like the rest of us dirty old men!). But, it isn't easy and takes a little support to keep your spirits on the level. Good time for some positive reflections and future plans thinking.
James Allen Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 Hey Edgar, I hope all goes well, and God bless you, man. I'd lose my mind if I couldn't play. Oh, wait, according to my family, I lost my mind a while back during the Cheez Whiz incident.
Todd Wilson Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 I can't play, but it doesn't stop me. Rick Nielsen to Nikki Sixx, "Nikki keep at it, not being able to play bass, write songs, or sing never stopped Gene Simmons, and look at him!" Seriously, get you a crap load of guitar mags, perhaps a few books, etc. Learn some theory. Guitar Man by William Hodgekinson is a very interesting and easy read about one man's journey to playing guitar.
ballcorner Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 But' date=' this is making me realize how dependant I am for the comfort of that sound box and how big a role it plays in my life. I am sure in this forum there are many who feel the same way. [/quote'] I had my finger crushed delivering beer kegs a few years back and it was a long road to be able to play again (middle finger on chording hand) with no guarantee of success. I actually learned a lot of guitar while I wasn't playing by studying GIT books on arpeggios and chord building - but I also got caught up on a lot of history and novel reading while I was home. There is more than one way to soothe an aching guitar heart. Whiskey is also nice.
6stringTom Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 I hope you'll be playing again soon. Depending on your specific health issues, you might find this a good time to work on your singing. I practice a cappella in the car or other times when i can't play guitar. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Gilliangirl Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 I wonder how he's doing? Say, has anyone else noticed that if you take a bit of a break from playing every now and then you can actually play better? I mean, you need to warm up again, but I think there's something to be said for practicing new skills, then putting the guitar away for a bit. When you come back, you try it again and sometimes the break actually helps. Edgar, are you reading this from your hospital room? You'll be okay! Hang in there! It's only temporary.
TommyK Posted April 22, 2009 Posted April 22, 2009 My wife says that when something frustrates you to put it down, and sleep on it. She says that when we sleep our brain hardwires itself for the repetitive tasks, thereby making it more efficient. I suspect this efficiency allows us to play better. I've found this to be fairly accurate.
EdgarHF Posted April 23, 2009 Author Posted April 23, 2009 Just got back home about an hour ago. Everything went well and nurses were pretty. I think I may be able to play again on a limited basis at least by next week. I am more tired than in pain. I will have to wear this hard neck brace for three weeks then go to a soft one. That's for the kind words and support folks. I am going to treat myself to about 4 iTunes albums tonight.
TWilson Posted April 23, 2009 Posted April 23, 2009 Glad you made it through ok. You'll be back before you know it. I have some spinal issues also but no surgery so far. I'm checking into having a truss rod installed in my neck so I can just give it a tweak when it needs it! Good luck.
fortyearspickn Posted April 26, 2009 Posted April 26, 2009 EdGr, Like BallCorner said - it can be a long road. Depends on what you have to deal with. I had a broken left ring finger and it took over a year to get back to 100%. The Sports Medicine Specialist MD said it wouldn't get past 70% - but I'm too addicted to my guitar to listen to stuff like that. Mind, you I'm not that good, so I didn't have a big hill to climb back up. It's like the old joke when Johnny breaks his hand and the mother asks the ER doc "Will he be able to play the violin?" The doc says "Sure." So the mother says, "Great, he couldn't play before." G'Luck!
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