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Serious question for the luthiers here ....

Dark Horse

Dark Horse

Jul 31, 2008
11,869
21,977
Austin, TX
#1
OK, this is not something I’ve been sharing with people really, but I’m gonna ask it here. There’s a reason I’ve been working frantically on a few different builds. Not that I need to get them done, but I don’t know what I’m gonna be able to do over the next couple of months/years. So here’s my question…

i’m about to start radiation therapy and chemotherapy next week. Five days a week, for seven weeks on the radiation, and once a week for chemo. I have cancer at the base of my tongue and in a couple of lymph nodes that are adjacent to it. So anyway, I am frantically working trying to get some of the big things done now. I don’t know what I’m gonna feel like, as I’ve never had to deal with this before. So I’m trying to get all the big sawing, all that stuff done. I figure if anything, The most I’ll probably want to do is sanding, detail stuff, little things. But I don’t know.

For those of you who have been through this before, or something similar, would you care to share your experiences? How you felt, but your general physical abilities were? How long you were out of the game if you were out of it? It’s honestly fairly terrifying, and I’m trying to get a big grip on it all. This type of cancer is not good, and at best causes problems for a long long time. But I guess that’s better than being 6 feet under.

Mods, sorry that this isn’t directly a build thread, but it is something that pertains to Luthiers, as I’m inquiring about ability to use the tools and everything else during this time period. If you feel that is inappropriate for this particular form, please delete, do not move. I’m trying to keep this semi private, I’m just hoping some of the folks here can help with questions.
 
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#2
Dark Horse said:
OK, this is not something I’ve been sharing with people really, but I’m gonna ask it here. There’s a reason I’ve been working frantically on a few different builds. Not that I need to get them done, but I don’t know what I’m gonna be able to do over the next couple of months/years. So here’s my question…

i’m about to start radiation therapy and chemotherapy next week. Five days a week, for seven weeks on the radiation, and once a week for chemo. I have cancer at the base of my tongue and in a couple of lymph nodes that are adjacent to it. So anyway, I am frantically working trying to get some of the big things done now. I don’t know what I’m gonna feel like, as I’ve never had to deal with this before. So I’m trying to get all the big sawing, all that stuff done. I figure if anything, The most I’ll probably want to do is sanding, detail stuff, little things. But I don’t know.

For those of you who have been through this before, or something similar, would you care to share your experiences? How you felt, but your general physical abilities were? How long you were out of the game if you were out of it? It’s honestly fairly terrifying, and I’m trying to get a big grip on it all. This type of cancer is not good, and at best causes problems for a long long time. But I guess that’s better than being 6 feet under.

Mods, sorry that this isn’t directly a build thread, but it is something that pertains to Luthiers, as I’m inquiring about ability to use the tools and everything else during this time period. If you feel that is inappropriate for this particular form, please delete, do not move. I’m trying to keep this semi private, I’m just hoping some of the folks here can help with questions.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear you are dealing with this.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in the beginning of 2019. I went through chemo and 2 months of the radiation. During that time, other than going to the doctor, I could not get out of bed or my TV-watching chair. I have never felt that helpless. That went on for several months afterward. I think around May or June, I felt well enough to pick up a guitar and play, and was back playing with my band by that fall.

I had stopped building, and have not felt up to continuing building to this day. My year-end 2018 build off entry remains unfinished. I am mostly concerned about breathing in dust and paint fumes. You may not have to deal with that because of the type of cancer you have. Though I am not sure I would have the strength to even do any amount of sanding. I am way out of shape, and still do not feel up to getting back into shape. Fortunately, my husband helps me move equipment, set up and tear down, when ever my band gigs. I couldn't do it without him.

Best of luck to you.
 
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#3
mapleglo said:
Sorry to hear you are dealing with this.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in the beginning of 2019. I went through chemo and 2 months of the radiation. During that time, other than going to the doctor, I could not get out of bed or my TV-watching chair. I have never felt that helpless. That went on for several months afterward. I think around May or June, I felt well enough to pick up a guitar and play, and was back playing with my band by that fall.

I had stopped building, and have not felt up to continuing building to this day. My year-end 2018 build off entry remains unfinished. I am mostly concerned about breathing in dust and paint fumes. You may not have to deal with that because of the type of cancer you have. Though I am not sure I would have the strength to even do any amount of sanding. I am way out of shape, and still do not feel up to getting back into shape. Fortunately, my husband helps me move equipment, set up and tear down, when ever my band gigs. I couldn't do it without him.

Best of luck to you.
Click to expand...

Im so sorry.... your builds have historically been some of my favorites. And thank you for sharing your story.... it means a lot to me. It, and hopefully others, can help me manage my expectations in this....though I realize that everyone’s experience differs somewhat.

I hope your recovery continues and you can get back to the things you love.
 
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#4
Dark Horse said:
Im so sorry.... your builds have historically been some of my favorites. And thank you for sharing your story.... it means a lot to me. It, and hopefully others, can help me manage my expectations in this....though I realize that everyone’s experience differs somewhat.

I hope your recovery continues and you can get back to the things you love.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Yes, I am told that experiences vary quite a bit. My Oncologist was impressed with my recuperative abilities, and she told me I handled everything quite well.
 
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#6
mapleglo said:
Sorry to hear you are dealing with this.

I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in the beginning of 2019. I went through chemo and 2 months of the radiation. During that time, other than going to the doctor, I could not get out of bed or my TV-watching chair. I have never felt that helpless. That went on for several months afterward. I think around May or June, I felt well enough to pick up a guitar and play, and was back playing with my band by that fall.

I had stopped building, and have not felt up to continuing building to this day. My year-end 2018 build off entry remains unfinished. I am mostly concerned about breathing in dust and paint fumes. You may not have to deal with that because of the type of cancer you have. Though I am not sure I would have the strength to even do any amount of sanding. I am way out of shape, and still do not feel up to getting back into shape. Fortunately, my husband helps me move equipment, set up and tear down, when ever my band gigs. I couldn't do it without him.

Best of luck to you.
Click to expand...
+1
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#7
Well, last spring I went through 8 weeks of radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Fortunately, we spotted the cancer early enough, and the radiation treatment got rid of it completely with no chemo or surgery. The radiation treatment was basically painless and didn't really affect my ability to work. It took up a lot of time, with the daily treatments, and left me tired overall. But I was able to get in partial work days.

I don't have any personal experience with chemotherapy, fortunately, but several of my close friends have gone through it. That's nasty, and you will feel sick, in bed, unable to do much for some days or weeks. Again, the key is that they found the cancer early enough that you only need lighter doses, not too often.

Now, I'm facing heart surgery in May. They're telling me that I'll be in the hospital for a week, and then recovering at home for about two weeks. They say that during the home recovery, I'll be able to get around and do some things, but I'm just going to be tired and need a lot of rest. After that, they say that my energy will come back, and I'll feel like a much younger man for many more years. It'll be worth it.

Right now, they've got me on some heavy medication which reduces my energy and leaves me tired. I can't lift heavy things or do anything that elevates my blood pressure much. I'm having to learn to be an old man. I don't have any choice. I'm working in my shop, building Scroll Basses, but I'm learning to slow down. Work slowly and thoughtfully, don't push myself, and when I feel like it, take rest breaks. Sit down or lie down for a while. Then get back at it. It's tough to get used to, but I have to admit that I actually am getting work done steadily. Pace myself and keep going. And enjoy the satisfaction of getting the work done.

And that's the most important thing: keeping a positive attitude toward working in the shop. When you are feeling sick or tired from the treatments, keep thinking about how much you enjoy being in your shop and building basses. Don't let the medical stuff make you think that you can't or won't want to go back in your shop. Your goal of beating the disease is to get back there and continue your projects. When you are lying there resting, think about your projects, what to do next, new ideas. Fix in your mind that you are going to get well and get back to your shop soon. That attitude will help you recover.

Don't convince yourself that you won't be able to work again. You will. Don't become afraid to touch your tools, or afraid that you won't enjoy it again. You will.
 
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#8
Thank you Bruce. I definitely get what you’re saying, and I’m glad you were able to make a recovery. Best of luck with the heart surgery, seems like life likes to throw us a bunch of challenges, doesn’t it? Like you say, I’m thinking the key is just trying to keep positive and moving forward. Making the obstacles as small as you possibly can, instead of building them up in your mind too much. Finding more efficient ways of getting the desired result.

Honestly, half of the reason I’m busting my ass to get a bunch of stuff done is cause I don’t know when I’ll be able to do it again, the other half is it when I’m doing it I’m not thinking.....At least about the upcoming stuff. I’m just thinking about what’s the saw doing, what’s the router doing, what do I need to do to make this design better ?
 
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#9
We had a pretty good thread going (might have been in off-topic) a while back you might want to read through.

In short, yes, it's scary as <words we don't use in talkbass> and it may help you to sort some priorities.

I'll see if I can dig it up; it was long enough after I had my prostate and etc. ripped out that I was actually able to talk about it in some detail (the cancer experience, more relevant to you than the specific sort of cancer I had.)
 
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#15
Hey DH! Mrs. Inky has been battling the big C for the last year.
She’s a million times tougher than me, and has responded well to treatment. Don’t worry about bass builds. I get that they are something that gives you comfort and a sense of control while dealing with an experience outside of your ability to dictate it.
Your health and well being is paramount. Focus on that.
I’ll be keeping good thoughts moving forward.
 
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#16
Inky13 said:
Hey DH! Mrs. Inky has been battling the big C for the last year.
She’s a million times tougher than me, and has responded well to treatment. Don’t worry about bass builds. I get that they are something that gives you comfort and a sense of control while dealing with an experience outside of your ability to dictate it.
Your health and well being is paramount. Focus on that.
I’ll be keeping good thoughts moving forward.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the advice, it’s probably very good and is a point definitely well taken.

I hope the Mrs. goes into remission and has a full recovery!
 
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#20
Gentlemen I am sorry to hear of your health issues, and wish you all the best for the treatments that you will be going through in the future, I have been battling Lyme disease for the past 3 years , I had to stop working and have both physical and cognitive problems, I have found that keeping a positive attitude and being creative have helped me enormously, for example I bake bread a couple of times a week and it’s gives me great satisfaction, I have found as Bruce said it’s really hard but slowing down is the key and pacing yourself if you try to do to much you end up super tiered and mentally disappointed with what you are able to achieve, I went from running marathons to needing a cane to walk it’s a really hard road to walk on but you need to be realistic of what you set yourself as challenges, I hope luck plays no part in your future and that you both have every success possible with your treatments h
 
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