David take it slow it will come back. 10 years ago at 48 I had a heart attack and a quad bypass. The care i received was excellent but no one prepared me for the weakness that would follow. My first day home after a shower I had to rest before I could put on shirt. It took about a month before I started to feel even close to normal. I guess we will have to skip meeting at the cigar shop. Hang in there and take things slow for a while, surgery is a major shock to our bodies.

Bernie P

Exactly! That is a good first step. I stopped smoking cigars and stopped drinking as well. Maybe once in a great while I'll have a smoke or a drink, but that's it.

Here's to getting another year older!

Think you feel bad now? Imagine how you'd feel if you had a cigarette. I mean, really. It'd make you feel like $h!t.

I read the first few pages and then skipped to the last.

This is the UK attitude to stroke response http://www.stroke.org.uk/campaigns/raising_awareness/act_fast.html

and more details here http://www.stroke.org.uk/information/about_stroke/recognising_symptoms/index.html

FAST is an acronym used as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to stroke victim needs. The acronym stands for Facial weakness, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to act.[1]
Facial weakness judges whether the person can smile without their mouth or eyes dropping. Arm weakness is whether the person can hold up both arms successfully. Speech difficulty is about whether the person can speak clearly and understand speech. Time represents the need to get to a hospital (e.g., calling for help) immediately.[2]
[edit]History

The FAST (aka the Face Arm Speech Test, amongst medical professionals) was developed in the UK in 1998 by a group of stroke physicians, ambulance personnel, and an emergency room physician and was designed to be an integral part of a training package for ambulance staff. The FAST was created to expedite administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator to patients within 3 hours of acute stroke symptom onset. The instruments at this time with most evidence of validity were the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) and the Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS).[3]

Thanks Wayne, this board literally saved my life. I thank you for that and this community of brothers and sisters.

Great outcome! Yes, this is an excellent place to be. Who needs Face book, or what ever its called.

I went today for my follow up with the surgeon. He was amazed at how fast I heal, but said 2 months until I can say I'm healed completely. passed all the tests, no damage done other than I am a little slow putting words together sometimes. He seems to think that may be anesthesia related and will go away. I'm on Zocor, 325 mgs of aspirin every day, folic acid and b12. I can't sing for 3 months or lift anything heavy. So it's a good thing I quit one band and decided to just stay with Rich Harper and do a studio offering in January. All in all I got a great review. He says if I don't smoke we won't have to ever do the other side. Wants to see me again in 6 mos. I think that's a good sign. It's been 15 days now without a smoke. I figure I have saved myself about $135.00. I felt so good about the review and prognosis I bought myself a " Glad to be alive and I can still play bass" present. I should have it by monday.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1323392896.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1323392972.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1323393039.jpg

The one in these pics is not mine, but identical. I found mine at a guitar center in Amarillo TX. Can't wait!

That is a beautiful geetar there.

It's great to hear you are on the right road regarding your recovery, David.

Well, that's one way to quit smoking. Actually, it's the way my Dad quit. Stroke @ about age 60. Best of luck to you for a full recovery and lots of good years left. You're a young guy.

That things way too pretty to play! Glad you're healing well Dave!

Could you sing before?
Da bump dump.... Chish!
I'm here all week......SmileWavy

Bad ass bass. Nice.

Gorgeous. Not you, the bass. I've hankered for an acoustic bass off and on for years. Then I discovered that they are simply not loud enough for anything, not even for keeping up with other acoustic guitars. Still, I want one. If I had one, it'd be uglier than the one in the pic.

And yours will sound better too. But not because of the difference in guitars. I am not worthy to carry your sandals, Dave. But.....I'm coming up. I literally see progress daily.

I did buy an axe yesterday. Spent almost nothing, but I'm pretty happy. Maple body, maple neck with black rectangular fret markers and black neck binding. Black pickguard. Squier Vintage Modified Jazz. This thing is actually really nice. Round wound strings. Sound great. Plays great. I love the styling. I've never had a maple fretboard before.

Just ramblin'. For your reading pleasure, Bird.

supe the vm's are nice. i was looking at a vm fretless when i found this acoustic. Lost the bid on the VM fretless, went back to the A/E and got it. This AE is not new, it was a floor model I got it for about 1/2 price. No case. Not even a gigbag. maple boards are nice and bright. You will like it I think. This was not an expensive bass really. It's a TAKAMINE EG512CGAMQ.

Sweet bass. I know guys who would instantly put flats on it but I'm more of a roundwound guy if there are frets. Looks like it has a 3-band with a parametric mid. That should help dealing with feedback if you play it in a loud setting. That is the only downside to ABGs imho, but if you're doing lower volume stuff it is a non-issue.

David,
Congrats on the great report and beautiful guitar! Thank you again for everything, you are truly a very special person.

I have no idea what Nostatic is talking about but some idea what Targa said.

All the Takamines I've held were wonderful-sounding instruments.

And yes, I am finding the maple fretboard just freaky. It glows.

Music is SOOOO fun!

So at the end of the day:
On Thursday you passed all tests with no damage done ….. You got a great review …… Doc says don’t smoke and we will not have to take this wild ride again …. He’s signed you off for the next 6 months….. And you’ve capped it all with an early Christmas present. Sounds like all is well in New Castle. Congrats!!

PM sent on the move.

Yeah... I feel good about where I'm at right now. Still pretty swollen and sensitive. But yeah I good. I feel I'm right where I should be. Kinda peaceful too.

Hey, David, great! You might be a little sensitive there for a few months. Better than the alternative. Keep up the good work.