Recent Stroke

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 6:43 pm

Three and a half weeks ago, I was having some trouble with my right hand; the last three fingers were working together as one unit. I thought it was a pinched nerve so I went to the doctor's. I was sent to the emergency room and admitted to the hospital. I had had a series of mild strokes: TIA (transient ischemic attacks). They had me in the hospital for about a week performing all kinds of test (MRI, MRA, EKG - if it had three letters - they did it to me). They also found out I was diabetic, had high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

So much for all the clean living I had been doing. I walked to town at least once everyday (about a 1/4 mile each way). I work as a bartender (when I'm not playing keys), so as long as it's busy, I tend to get a workout. I drank lots of water, very little soda, one or two cups of coffee a day. I only ate two meals a day, breakfast being the largest. Typically, breakfast consisted of a three egg omelet with hollandaise on top and a side of sausage and an english muffin with cheese (that's probably what hurt me). Dinner could be anything from meatloaf to a pizza.

The doctor told me I should get back full use of my hand, but had no clue on how long of a wait that would be. They gave me several therapies to do with my hand, including this homemade playdough stuff to gain back my strength, but I actually developed a few of my own exercises so I could get my fingers to work independently. It wasn't easy. You need to have the brain make brand new connections with the muscles and that takes quite a bit of concentration. However, daily I would gain new abilities. I'm happy to say that I'm back playing again after this brief intermission. I'm about 98% back to normal now. I've got my first paying gig tomorrow since going to the hospital. Wish me luck and I hope none of you will have to go through this.

Comrad_Durandal · Post by **Comrad_Durandal** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 6:55 pm

Being a diabetic - it's something that can bite even healthy people in the hind end. I would never admit that I was a fitness freak (I'd get hit by lightning for telling whoppers like that) but good control over the condition keeps things from getting out of hand.

Sorry to hear about the stroke, hope you make a full recovery and keep up with the music.

apex · Post by **apex** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 6:57 pm

sorry to hear about that. But glad you are back. I'll keep you in my prayers!

cello · Post by **cello** » Wed Aug 01, 2012 7:30 pm

Sorry to hear that too, phatbuzz. Pleased to read though that you're out doing what you love doing again - well, going to be soon!

Will be sending positive waves from Glasgow for a successful gig and a full recovery

Ojustaboo · Post by **Ojustaboo** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 12:15 am

Glad your on the mend.

At least they caught it before you had a more serious stroke.

Hope all continues to go well.

Best

Joe

Giner · Post by **Giner** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 6:00 am

Wish you well in your recovery, phattbuzz. That's a lousy and frightening thing to happen. Let us know how the gig went.

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:01 am

I hope you will recover fast.

But seeing at the effort and drive you have to recover I think it will speed it up a lot.

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:56 am

...And I'm back.

Thanks for all the encouragement folks!

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Sat Aug 04, 2012 5:33 pm

Different Angel and tightened up:

xmlguy · Post by **xmlguy** » Sun Aug 05, 2012 11:10 pm

Best wishes for a smooth recovery.

I think it was the hollandaise sauce that did you in. It's the food version of heroin. Egg white/substitute omelettes with vegetables sauteed without oil in a non-stick pan could be a good substitute.

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Wed Aug 08, 2012 2:43 pm

Tomorrow I head back to the hospital to clean the left carotid artery, return in September to do the right side. I've set up my Kronos in the living room so when I come back I'll be able to still practice. they don't want me lifting anything or working for a week, but they said nothing about playing keyboards.

Shepherd Jim · Post by **Shepherd Jim** » Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:06 pm

phattbuzz wrote:...<snip>, but they said nothing about playing keyboards.

A bit late for this stay in the hospital, but you should check out some of the "music making" apps currently available for the iPad: keyboards, synths, beat pads, etc etc. You can have HOURS of creative fun laying flat on your back with the iPad on your chest. ...and be continuing to exercise those fingers.

The Korg apps (IMS-20 etc) app are on sale (1/2 price) right now.

Good luck with your health! ...getting old is getting old!

Jim

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 2:44 pm

Hi Jim,

Never got around to purchasing an iPad (nor an iPhone, etc.). I'm a bit of an old fashioned computer geek; still have a desktop. Matter of fact, just bought a new one a couple of months ago. Bought a second hand laptop about a year ago, but that died and I haven't replaced it.