AFter a heart attack..........

[bandman322]

I found it interesting reading this forum. I have been playing professionally since 1976, and I was a band director 1979-2002. I never knew what it meant to be without my horn, and then it happened. On February 17th of this year I had a massive heart attack, followed by a quadruple bypass. The bypass was blocked after 10-weeks, and I've had 3 surgeries since then.

Five weeks ago I made my return to the bandroom, and on that same day I started in on a daily practice regiment. I was astounded at what I had lost in half a year, and my body ached from playing. Five weeks later it still hurts to play, and I am aware of my heart problems on a daily basis.

I must say that I'd rather pass away with my horn in my hands than live with out it. I must also say that I took playing for granted. Something that was always there, and something I thought no one could ever take away from me.

To all you come back players, I understand what you are going through more than you think, and I thank you for sharing your stories. You have been a great inspiration for me. If you can get back on a horn after many years, I know I can do it post heart attack.

Thanks for your love and support of music and the other arts!!!



_________________
C - Harrelson 750 Modified Bach Strad
Picc - Schilke P5-4
Flugel - Kanstul ZKF1525
Bb - Bach Strad 180ML-37

"To be a teacher you need to be as good a performer as you can be: you'll have more to impart to your students musically." - John Haynie

[_PhilPicc]

bandman332.

Welcome back to playing and all the best on your recovery.

Take it slow and listen to your doctors, which I am sure you will.

What type of music do you like to play? I see you have a picc.

All the best and welcome to TH
Phil
_________________
Philip Satterthwaite

We cannot expect you to be with us all the time, but perhaps you could be good enough to keep in touch now and again."
- Sir Thomas Beecham to a musician during a rehearsal

[FlugelFlyer]

Mic Gillette suffered a heart attack from playing ML bore horns. Since then, he's played huge bore open-blowing horns. You might want to give some large bore horns a try as you don't want to put too much physical stress on yourself.
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Trumpet: Bach 180LR, 72 bell
Mouthpiece: Warburton 3XD/KT

[bandman322]

Hmmmmmmmm........

Interesting thought, but I would assume that a larger bore horn would cause more fatigue, thus causing me to put more stress on the heart, thus........well, you get the idea.
_________________
C - Harrelson 750 Modified Bach Strad
Picc - Schilke P5-4
Flugel - Kanstul ZKF1525
Bb - Bach Strad 180ML-37

"To be a teacher you need to be as good a performer as you can be: you'll have more to impart to your students musically." - John Haynie

[alanbach]

Hi Bandman...welcome back after your surgery. Like you, I had a quadruple bypass in November 2001. I started blowing my Bach flugel six weeks later and have never looked back. Walking is the key to success....try walking a couple of miles daily. At 66 years of age I'm still playing lead trumpet in an amateur big band, flugel in one brass band and cornet in another.....the latter is a temporary position to help the band out in an forthcoming contest. Like you I intend playing until my breath runs out or my teeth drop out (still got my originals in the front) Best of luck with your recovery.