A "stroke" of bad luck, maybe.

[Salicete]

I had a stroke at the beginning of the month, a clot in my cerebellum.

It was a "big-un," but fortunately didn't completely cripple me, though my left side is totally jacked-up. Most frightening thing that has ever happened to me by the way; I knew exactly what was happening to me, and couldn't do jack about it.

I got sprung from the hospital last week and grabbed a bass almost as soon as I got home to see where I was.

Well, I'm in my 60s and have been playing since I was 12 or 13, and it pretty much reminds me of the first time I picked up a bass.

OK, maybe not that bad, but I have zero dexterity, speed or strength.

Guess I get to learn again. Perhaps now is the time to weed out some of my old bad habits, and work on weaknesses in my playing I have always known I had.

Should be fun...ish.

 

[bholder]

Sorry to hear about your stroke, that sucks. Kudos to your response approach!

 

[FunkHead]

Very sorry to hear that this happened. Best of luck to you in your new journey.

Funkhead

 

[ajkula66]

Wishing you a speedy recovery. May your best days - including bass playing - be still ahead of you.

 

[kesslari]

Sorry to hear about your stroke, that sucks. Kudos to your response approach!

Exactly what he said.
Hopefully you can work with your docs to reduce the chance of another one happening.

 

[BadSanta1281]

You're still here brother. That's a victory in itself.

Your attitude is inspiring.

 

[MynameisMe]

Here's to a speedy recovery bass bro!

 

[Oddly]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and the restoration of your playing abilities !

 

[dave64o]

Best wishes for as quick and complete a recovery as possible. Sounds like you have a positive attitude, too, thinking you can weed out bad habits while relearning to play. That's a good thing, attitude plays a huge role in the recovery process!

 

[Rojd]

Just do what you can.

Take care and be well

 

[smeet]

So sorry to hear this!

I knew exactly what was happening to me, and couldn't do jack about it.

That sounds super scary. What did you feel? How did you know? Asking for an old and feeble friend, definitely not me.

 

[micguy]

I had a wrist issue that took me away from playing for a decade. For a couple decades before that, I hadn't played al that much either. When I started again, I was a complete beginner - at something that I once was pretty good at. It's probably not the same thing exactly, but I think I know a bit of how you feel.

With persistence, you can get there!

 

[marchone]

I had a stroke at the beginning of the month, a clot in my cerebellum.

It was a "big-un," but fortunately didn't completely cripple me, though my left side is totally jacked-up. Most frightening thing that has ever happened to me by the way; I knew exactly what was happening to me, and couldn't do jack about it.

I got sprung from the hospital last week and grabbed a bass almost as soon as I got home to see where I was.

Well, I'm in my 60s and have been playing since I was 12 or 13, and it pretty much reminds me of the first time I picked up a bass.

OK, maybe not that bad, but I have zero dexterity, speed or strength.

Guess I get to learn again. Perhaps now is the time to weed out some of my old bad habits, and work on weaknesses in my playing I have always known I had.

Should be fun...ish.

Same here. I was 65 when I had an ischemic stroke in August 2015. Luckily I received the tPA shot in an hour and a half. If I hadn’t I’d still be doing a bad impression of Steven Hawking without the wheelchair.

Part of my PT was relearning to play bass. I was hitting the wrong strings with my plucking fingers. I hadn’t looked at my right hand since I was 15 years old. It was frustrating.

I got it back in a few weeks time, though a residual deficit remains in my right hand fingertips that prevents me from ever using a pick again. I was adept at both finger-style and plectrum before.

At the beginning when I felt self-pity I reminded myself of Django Reinhardt, Tony Iommi and Rick Allen.

Adapt and conquer.

You’ll get it back.

 

[Grinderman]

I don't feel right about hitting the Like button that kind of news; the bad part. Sorry to hear that.

A sibling of my partner had a stroke about 6 weeks ago around when she finished morning swim workout. Very scary.

 

[pbass2]

Sorry to hear it. Hang in there, and remember the human body has an amazing ability to self-heal.

 

[5StringBlues]

Just keep on keeping on.

 

[Reggie Hamilton]

I’m sorry that you were dealt that hand. Wishing you a full recovery, young man!

 

[GlennRH]

I had a stroke at the beginning of the month, a clot in my cerebellum. ...Guess I get to learn again.

Salicete: Embrace the opportunities in this situation. Search google for playing a musical instrument TBI recovery. You'll find plenty of validation for the hope that lots of bass-playing and enjoying it can provide high-value benefits as your nervous system conducts important repair work.

Related tips:

• Play along with recorded music aiming to master the bass parts.
• Get more than 8 hours' sleep every night (e.g. aim for 9).
• Allow yourself to take naps and to drink water often.

• Abstain from or minimize use of alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco.
• Practise meditation and/or yoga at least once daily.
• Walk every day more than most people do.

 

[tgriley62]

First and foremost glad you are doing better. Take it day by day

 

[TreySonagras]

People in your situation often some kind of motivation to fight for recovery. Maybe regaining your bass playing will be exactly what you need. Good luck in your journey, I can’t imagine what you’re going through but I am sending good vibes your way. Peace.