 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Snowy
Date: 2006-03-14 00:47
Hi all,
This is the first time I have actually initiated a thread ( I think)
I know from searching the board that Don Berger has come back after heart surgery and that a Belgian clarinettist ,Walter boieykens, is said to have resumed two weeks out of hospital.
It is s not like I am at the beginning of a stellar career or anything like that , but at 70 plus and feeling generally fit and playing better than I ever have previously I have, subject to one final pre operative test ,to make up my mind between having one half of one lung removed and painfully resuming or just playing on whilst I can. My inclination is to the latter
A rather macabre subject I know but I would really appreciate some input because when a decision is made it will have to be made quickly. What I'd really like to hear is of the success stories out there.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-03-14 01:04
Your preoperative pulmonary function tests should help predict the status.
Quantitative (split) function tests are often employed to see if the area to be removed is actually hindering your current breathing.
You do not say WHY the lung is being operated upon, nor need you feel compelled to mention it here.
If it is for volume reduction by the removal of blebs, then your playing will improve. If it is for another reason, then you should have a long and probing discussion with your surgeon.
Disclaimer: I am a surgeon. I operate on lungs. Closed course, professional driver. Do not attempt this at home.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Snowy
Date: 2006-03-14 02:53
Alseg said:-
"You do not say WHY the lung is being operated upon, nor need you feel compelled to mention it here.
If it is for volume reduction by the removal of blebs, then your playing will improve. If it is for another reason, then you should have a long and probing discussion with your surgeon."
No secret. Cancer was detected, the breathing and lood tests are done and the one remaing is a PET scan to check for spread elsewhere. I have every confidence in my surgeon (who plays viola) . I am postulating a clear scan and recommendation to proceed.
But , assuming there are some, I would still like to hear some success stories from musicians because, at the end of the day (how i HATE that phrase and its overuse ) it is I who must press the GO button.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2006-03-14 03:02
When I was a teenager I played in a wind ensemble that had a Trumpet player who had one of his lung removed. He still plays.
However, I am very reluctant to give you any advice regarding this matter. The medical team looking after you knows more about your condition than any of us here.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Cowchick
Date: 2006-03-14 03:36
Each and every individual responds to physiologic challenges in a unique way. No two cases are alike. That having been said, I know of an individual who is playing professionally with a paralysed hemi-diaphragm.
My advice would be to take care of yourself. The body is incredibly resilient. Have a heart to heart talk with your doctor and let him know how important your playing is to you. If he/she seems uninterested, go find another physician. Remember that the problem for which surgery is being considered will probably also impact your pulmonary reserve, if it has not already done so. Be sure to factor that into your decision making equation as well. Ask whether there may be treatment options less invasive than pneumonectomy.
I hope this helps a little. Most importantly, stay strong and try to look at things in a positive light.
All Best.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-03-14 14:06
Snowy, PLEASE, Please listen to Alseg. He's a great person as well as a gifted surgeon and clarinetist. If you have lung cancer and you are feeling fit in your 70s you could easily have many more years if you get right with your doctor's plans to do the surgery. Because you are fit, you should do fine. But, if you do not have the surgery---well...
You'll be in my prayers and I hope we hear back from you.
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Author: Llewsrac
Date: 2006-03-14 14:40
I recovered from a 2001 Heart transplant. My playing was not affected, it did not improve!! But the physical demands of playing the clarinet & tuba played a major roll in my recovery, physically and mentally. Listening to classical music played a major roll during surgery and recovery. Once healed I began playing again, and currently involed in private teaching.
I had my transplant not just to live, but to live teaching music. Music proved to be stronger and greater than my illness.
All the best to you.
Dennis Carswell
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-03-14 15:02
Hi Snowy - I just got around to reading threads/posts, been busy with "honey-do's"]. I ECHO all of the above comments, we all think rearly alike, so "In Union There is Strength" ! As recommended, I had talks with several heart doctors re: When [not If] I could get back to playing Bass cl [comm. band, and elsewhere], believing that I was needed, as well as it's being good for me. Thats the way it turned out, my heart is behaving nicely and my lungs recovered rapidly from the effects of my O H S. I now "pace" myself better than before, and have provided my second bass cl to our ass't conductor, so as to take up the challenge of playing Alto cl [they are different], and playing B C when he is conducting. Keeping/carrying 2 big horns playing well, I firmly believe is desireable, and {almost} hope my final Long/Last/Lost chord will be an fff, reaching for a high note in the clarion/altissimo. Meanwhile, back to playing, repairing [minor only]. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2006-03-14 20:03
Talk to your doctor. After I had my abdominal bowel surgery, I had to recover for 6 weeks. I was still very sore, but I asked my surgeon when I could start playing again. He said, "If it hurts, don't do it, otherwise it is okay." So if you get the okay from your doc, take it easy and see what your limits are. Don't push it if you feel any pain.
Tony
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2006-03-14 21:10
My story is a little different, but I also had to undergo lung surgery.
I have played clarinet since 1968 and love to play. Back in May of 2000, I had to have multiple surgeries for removal of a growth in the thoracic vertebrae, a condidtion which was paralyzing me from the middle of my chest down. I was in a wheelchair and unable to sit properly to play my clarinet, though I could still bang out tunes on the piano.
In order to remove the last of the (benign) tumor, it was necessary to go in from the front on my third surgery to remove all of the hemangioma. Rather than open up th entire rib cage, the surgeon went in by collapsing my right lung and then going in betweeen the ribs on that side. While it was difficult to reciover from this surgery, I made it (with a great deal of work).
For the next year I was short of breath, but I seem now to have recovered almost all the lung capacity I had at the time before I became ill. I also regained feeling below the sternum, and the ability to walk again. I have rejoined a band, and am enjoying the clarinet once again.
I wish you all the best and a successful recovery, should you opt for the surgery.
Jeff
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-03-15 01:56
Correct me if I am wrong, but Arnold Jacobs, the famous tubist with Chicago symph played TUBA for years following lung operation.
You may have a rough 3 months coming back, and (depending on the technique required) you may have discomfort....BUT take it from me, recovery to the point of playing again...or even better...is indeed possible and likely.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Snowy
Date: 2006-03-16 00:17
Thanks to ALL who have responded to this thread.
The positives I have heard seem to far ouweigh the negatives. Particularly Alseg's last post about three months rather than the six plus I had been anticipating. (not holding you to that, though.)
News will follow when I have some.
In the meantime my thanks need to be recorded.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2006-03-24 03:00
Best wishes and a speedy recovery.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Cowchick
Date: 2006-03-25 01:46
Snowy,
Thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Expect to be hearing back from you in the relatively near future.
All Best,
Sheri
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Author: Andy
Date: 2006-03-27 19:27
I had a pretty nasty push bike accident a few years back where I ripped most of my mouth and lips off, compressed my spine, broke some ribs and in the words of the doctor 'all but punctured my lung by scraping my broken ribs agains it'. I couldn't play to start off with for about six weeks while my mouth and lips grew back, then I started playing, but it really was too soon, as my lung and ribs hadn't healed properly and I was in agony playing. It took me about 3 months to back playing without any pain.
Whatever you do, don't rush back in like I did. It put my recovery back and really hurt! Music is meant to fun, not painful with blood involved!
Best of luck with the recovery, and if a doctor says it will take 3 months, leave four and enjoy the summer.
A
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Author: Snowy
Date: 2006-06-04 02:06
Greetings all!.
Prompted by an off board enquiry I reckon it is time for an update.
Surgery happened on 31st March, 2006. The surgeon - he plays viola by the way so no bad jokes please - opened up the patient, (spread ribs style) then , having confirmed by physical inspection that the tumour was a bit close to a pulmonary artery, had a chat with the bronchial guy about removing the whole lung rather than part . The consensus was to leave it there tumour and all for which I was and am quite grateful.
Then followed four weeks of recuperation ( after three of which I was back to playing - afrter a fashion. ) Then, six weeks , just completed two days ago, of daily radiotherapy and weekly chemotherapy which leaves one feeling rather like faeces personified. And they tell me the side effects will go on for another ten days or so. BUT the x-ray results are encouraging. and the goodies will go on just as do the side effects .
Been playing at my favourite jazz haunt but not yet back to community orch.
So, all in all, a result far better than one could have hoped for .
Once again thanks to everybody involved
Snowy
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Author: hartt
Date: 2006-06-04 14:17
hi snowy
I received your response to my email inquiry...thank you.
I'm glad to read of your success and see that you posted it here for all concerned parties to read your 'update'.
Again, best of luck to you !!
dennis
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Author: Cowchick
Date: 2006-06-05 03:01
Snowy,
It is SOOOooooo wonderful to hear from you. Like all the others, I'm glad you are back.
With your positive outlook, terriffic sense of humor, and your clarinet, You are bound to do well.
Please continue to stay in touch!
All Best,
Sheri
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