Stroke update

[Caretaker]

I have improved a lot and my Drs are impressed, but I have lost some motor function in my left hand and my skill as a guitarist has diminished by my estimation about 60%(although it has improved).

I keep playing but metallica or Allmans sound like The Ramones.
Jazz is an abomination so my jazz guitar(s) are for sale.
I will be listing another in the next day or 2.
I am keeping one of my Eastmans around to play.
Maybe a Carvin.
I ordered a Kiesel a while before the stroke with non returnable options and it will be here in about a month or so.
I don`t know what will happen with that.
I`ll keep plugging along but I`m not expecting much.

I`m posting this because some of you have been checking in with me and I appreciate it.
Thank you all.

 

[dave b]

Happy to hear of ANY improvements. Keep on plugging, man. Every time you play, your brain is trying to rewire itself. 60% ? Jeez, that'd put me back to beginner.

 

[dc007]

Pullin for you Caretaker!!!!

 

[Uncle Vinnie]

Brother, I wouldn't sell any guitars. You won't reach maximum medical improvement for 1.5-2 years, and when -- not if -- when you recover 100% you'll regret selling your babies.

And by selling them, you're conceding that the stroke won: Don't you do that.

Get on that guitar and make those damned fingers go where you tell them no matter how many times they disobey you. It'll happen.

 

[judson]

hey keep pushing...and keep the jazz rolling as there is no wrong notes in jazz....just keep hitting strings and people dont know when you hit a banana....they think "oh thats just jazz".....

 

[SteveC]

Hang in there man! You are on the way back; don't let your foot off the gas. Give it some time, more time. And keep on fighting. It can take a while, so now is not the time to get complacent.

 

[Stinky Kitty]

What they all said +

It's the gift you give yourself..

 

[Pop1655]

I think you’ve gotta give it a year bud before you even think about evaluating. I’m a year out yesterday from my fiasco. I’d put me about 75% and that’s a good 15% up from just a couple of weeks ago. I’m giving it six more months before I think about calling the game, good or bad. Takes time, but time does pass! Hang tough.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

And by selling them, you're conceding that the stroke won: Don't you do that.

Agreed

 

[JTM45]

Sorry to hear it man, you’re takin it well buddy and that is strength

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

I have been trying to think of how to make this sound right.... my dad refused to let go of his guitar. I think in his mind that was the final admission of the cancer winning. I wish that you would reconsider selling the guitars. It seems so final.

 

[Caretaker]

I have been trying to think of how to make this sound right.... my dad refused to let go of his guitar. I think in his mind that was the final admission of the cancer winning. I wish that you would reconsider selling the guitars. It seems so final.

I`m not selling all.
Just the ones "I" have to fight to play.
The larger jazz type(Carvin SH550/Eastman AR371(ES175)) taht I have trouble handling.
The LP type are staying and I am NOT giving up.
Just downsizing.
I may also be moving in the Spring, so less to pack.

 

[Sct13]

Hey Caretaker ... "Keep up the fire" I have seen miraculous recoveries, You will have to retrain some things, and your probably doing that already, but if your hand can form chords....your more than successful already!

Pulling for man!

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

I`m not selling all.
Just the ones "I" have to fight to play.
The larger jazz type(Carvin SH550/Eastman AR371(ES175)) taht I have trouble handling.
The LP type are staying and I am NOT giving up.
Just downsizing.
I may also be moving in the Spring, so less to pack.

I bought my first guitar at 17 after I broke my left wrist.
Was in a cast for a month and a half and when they took it off they took an X-ray and put another cast on my arm!
My arm was at a 90 degrees angle with the plaster cast up to my armpit.
I told my girlfriend that I would buy an electric guitar and when the cast would come off I would start to play / learn.
Which I did.
I didn't know that the doctor had told my Mom that there was a strong possibility that the lateral movement
wouldn't come back and the up / down movement could be limited.
Well, he was wrong. But it took my quite a while and a lot of exercise, namely in the bath
in hot water (insert your jokes here...) squeezing a ball.
Then it was building the strength back in my forearm.
It took years for my wrist to come back as strong as it was before.
I'm pretty sure that playing guitar helped me get better.
As I am pretty sure playing guitar will help you get better.
It's not the same situation but I think that what it takes to play will improve your brain somehow.

Hang in there and don't despair!
Perseverance is key!

My hat's off to you for your efforts!
Remember you got some friends around here!

 

[rogue3]

So,right brain motor strip was damaged?(hence the left hand deficit)Try an experiment,do a jimi,try fretting with your rt hand.Thats right,flip sides. Keep at it,as others have said.Not saying it will work for you, Its a long haul,but,who knows? Grow your functionning brain.You won't know till you try.
Eat right,sleep right,exercise.It will get better,as you are already experiencing this.Stay healthy bro!

 

[Dilver]

Hoping for continued recovery for you… keep at it!

 

[Roxy13]

You're in my thoughts.

 

[Olds442]

glad to hear there is improvement. keep up the hard work, it's not easy i'm sure. we're all pulling for you.