Mother Nature's a Beeatch!

"Why's that?" I hear you ask.
Well, just when you think you've got your health act together in yer old age and doing all the right things, BAM!
Some here already know, but I thought I'd make it public...I had a TIA (mini stroke) on New Years' Day. I literally woke up on my right side, rolled over on my left...and the world commenced to spinning!

I'm still walking and talking and working, but a lot slower than I'd like. Aside from the fatigue, the thing that's pissing me off is the diminished ability in my left hand. My fine motor control is out of whack, and to date I cannot play the guitar properly (some wags say I never could anyway). Typing is back to 'hunt and peck', at least on the left hand. Frustrating as hell when you do IT work!

Oddly, I can still do my tech work at the Guitars n Amps shop...but i can't play the bloody thing afterwards to check it. Fingers feel like flippers on the strings! But it's slowly getting better and I'm gaining some tactile response now. I hope the 'ole brain can remap itself. I can't imagine no music in my life.

So what's today's lesson for the class? Dunno. I guess, take all precautions, and supplements, however much a nuisance they may seem. Believe me the alternative is no fun. A very Healthy New Year to all!

Wow Barry, I'm a little speechless and so deeply sorry to hear the news. I will seriously pray for your recovery. You will have music in your life again, the brain will remap itself, hold on our brother (the thought of no music is more than a little scary)!

With all sincerity, thank God you're able to live normal life with room for recovery. You'll regain your former self, please keep us updated on your progress.

Sorry to hear about your episode, Barry, but it could have been a whole lot worse.

It is encouraging that your fine motor skills are improving, and hey - its only a matter of days since it happened, so there is a load of time for you to return to normal Barry.

I will take your advice about looking after our health and intend to go and see the quack tomorrow regarding, heavy tired legs (think that I now really need to quit smoking!!)

Take care and use only your right hand for nose picking for a little while.

Speedy recovery to you sir - I'm sure with time and practice you will be able to play again. Hoax is right, it's only been a little while, so stick with it!

Sorry to hear that Barry, like they said we all hope for a quick recovery. I threw out my back last week and have been practically immobilized for a week (not good if you are self employed in construction) and i feel bad for myself. What a joke compared to you, makes you realize how fragile our health can be. The brain is pretty amazing how it heals itself, i hope you can play and feel better in the very near future!

Thanks for the warm wishes boyz. Much appreciated.
On the positive side, I am able to type a wee bit better today. Haven't tried th3 guitar though...too frustrating yet.

Best wishes from me Barry, hope you have a full and speedy recovery and playing guitar again very soon.

Hope you make a full recovery quickly, Barry. Try a glass of red wine and a 90 minute massage each evening for the next 21 days, unless you are on meds that prohibit it.

Can't hurt, right?

Best wishes, hope you are back up and running soon.

Iceman wrote:...Try a glass of red wine...unless you are on meds that prohibit it.
Can't hurt, right?

That's something I'm really missing right now. Haven't had a drink since New Year's Eve, and I would normally have a glass or 2 of wine of an evening (medicinal you understand)...didn't help too much though did it? Although, along with the Omega oils, Vit E and such that I was taking, likely minimized the damage.

Gotta lay off for a bit...the effect apparently is to lower the blood pressure too much with the meds.

The massage is appealing however.

Barry wrote:The massage is appealing however.

I don't think Ice meant that he'd be the one giving it, Barry.

The Chad wrote:

Barry wrote:The massage is appealing however.

I don't think Ice meant that he'd be the one giving it, Barry.

Lord, I hope not! I'm not that lonely...

Barry wrote:

The Chad wrote:

Barry wrote:The massage is appealing however.

I don't think Ice meant that he'd be the one giving it, Barry.

Lord, I hope not! I'm not that lonely...

...and I luv 'ya, man... but I ain't driving that far...

Geez Barry, take it easy mate. You haven't lost your sense of humour though.
That is a little scarey.
Get well mate.

Wow really sorry to hear that Barry, great that things seem to be coming back so quickly. Fantastic youre keeping your spirits and humour up, its the best cure. Will also pray for you although I have to say "thats me in the corner".

Deeply sorry to hear of your illness and I will be praying for a quick recovery for you. It is an eye opener for certain when a life changing event hits you head on. Just stick with it follow orders and march on and you will recover quickly. When I resembled Humpty Dumpty and they said I would never do certain things again I was steadfast in my faith and determination to get better. It took time and lots of hard work and family support but I am back to a happy lifestyle again. I just have to remember that I do have limitations and go from there. It is a bummer when you can't play but I can say that when I was able to play again it helped me focus and got me motivated to get better. May God Bless you and speed you in your continued recovery. It's only a slight pause between sets then you will be rockin again. Good Luck My friend. Arthur

Thank you for that Arthur.
Thank you all.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Barry, best wishes.

Hey Barry, now that a little time has passed. Have you tired to play more? Do you see any improvement. I really hope so. Still wishing you the best in recovery

sarcaster wrote:Hey Barry, now that a little time has passed. Have you tired to play more? Do you see any improvement. I really hope so. Still wishing you the best in recovery

Hey thanks Pat. Coming up on 4 weeks tomorrow actually. Yeah, seeing small improvements daily.
Typing is a bit easier and playing is starting to come around some. Still can't hit barre chords worth a damn...fingers won't land quickly or too accurately yet...but first position chords are almost passable now. Fingers still feel "foreign" on the fretboard and I have to think too much about what I'm doing. But, whatchagonnado?

Fatigue, and occasionally getting very cold hands and shivering is another daily activity. Some kind of circulation problem or a side effect of the meds perhaps. Annoying when it happens. Makes you feel very old in a hurry.

Keep working at it - even if you can't get back to 100%, it should be a great therapy to try. I have a relative going through some tough medical issues currently and having goals is a big key to success in my opinion. Keep up the work, and hope it pays off.

Sorry Barry, just popping into the forum now & again lately I'd mist you'd been so poorly, sound like
you have this thing on the run though.

I'm sure your positive attitude & the thoughts of so many friends will see you back to fighting form.

Keep on trucking, best wishes, Mike.

Cheers Mike. I appreciate it.

sarcaster wrote:Keep working at it - even if you can't get back to 100%, it should be a great therapy to try. I have a relative going through some tough medical issues currently and having goals is a big key to success in my opinion. Keep up the work, and hope it pays off.

I agree, the goals do keep you movin' onward and upward. Them some wise words, Sarc.

And who said you can't get back to 100%?! It can happen. Now there's a goal for you. You know what they say about shooting for the moon, even if you miss the moon...

Ooops clumsy me, I missed this thread.

I am very sorry to hear of your TIA Barry. I hope that with a bit of time, things will fall back into place. Meanwhile, take it easy and enjoy all the little things.

Best wishes

Thanks for the ongoing best wishes boyz. It helps to know that my cyber friends are thinking of me.
Physically, things are improving slowly, and I'm not feeling quite so clumsy. Still battling a lot of fatigue though...seems to go with the "event". Blood pressure is maintaining a good range...

But now I've also developed a sort of sleep apnea a few nights this past weeks which has resulted in my breathing stopping and then waking up constantly to breathe. A couple of nights ago I was awake more than I was asleep. Knocks the stuffing out of ya. I was worried that I might be going down the CPAC road but I think it's more of a snoring related soft pallet thing which is closing off my wind pipe in certain head positions. I think I've got it figured out, but it's just one more damn thing, ya know?
(sigh)

* bump *
It's been awhile since I've updated this thread.
But rather than repeat what I've posted elsewhere I'll insert a link to the Guitar Gallery post and you either follow it or not. K?
LINK

Cheers, and thanks!