Serious question for the luthiers here ....

[Dark Horse]

So sorry you are having to face such an issue. A lot of good advice here, always a good community.

I went 10 weeks combined. Up until diagnosis I was a runner (4-6 marathons a year) and a frequent white water rafter, also gigging most weekends. Everyone, including myself, were so sure I'd just push through it. And I tried. By week 4 all I wanted to do was sprawl on the couch and sleep. I kept trying to push, afraid I'd be letting my wife, friends, and bands down. Soon after everything stopped. I stopped gigging, stopped even playing at home, stopped woodworking. Eventualy stopped caring that I had stopped.

The one advice I give to people is simply to admit you are ill right up front, and life is now not normal. Do what you can, but be honest with people when you can't, or simply don't want too. Take care of you, and let others help as they will. It's not weakness - it's survival.

Thanks for sharing .... this whole experience is pretty eye opening. I wish you well in your continued recovery ... I hope every day is better than the last

 

[oren]

I appreciate you sharing your story more than you know. Obviously as you are aware, there are a lot of similarities in the type of cancer you had and the type of cancer that I have. You also know the pitfalls, side effects, and all that stuff that goes along with it. I really appreciate you relayed in your experience to me. What sucks is that I literally just got a ridiculously great gig, one that a lot of people would truly dream of having. My hope is that over the next eight weeks, with all the cancellations and stuff, I might be able to get treatment and then resume playing, though the more I hear, the tougher that looks like it’s going to be. I guess I will have to go through three or four weeks of treatment and then reevaluate before I let them know. I definitely don’t wanna lose this gig. Obviously getting treated in healthier is more important , no doubt. Im glad you are well on your road to recovery, And I hope you continue to get better and better. Right now it feels like a bad dream, but unfortunately I know it’s not.

Happy to help in any way I can. If it’s any small consolation, I don’t think anyone is going to be playing any live gigs or working together f2f for quite some time, so that may work in your favor in terms of keeping your gig.

 

[micguy]

I had back surgery about 4 years ago. The lead up to that was 12 days flat on my back, barely able to get to the bathroom. Net was about 5 weeks total off work. A couple years ago, I managed to rupture the tendon attaching my quadriceps to my knee in my left leg. When you do that, you can't walk. The good news is nowadays they can (pretty much) fix that - I can walk fine, though I'll never be an Olympian. That was 8 weeks in total off work. Oddly, those experiences prepped me for this current stuck in the house season to some extent.

You're obviously undergoing something different, but I have some small idea about what you're going through. Keeping busy is helpful so long as it doesn't negatively affect your progress - if you can accomplish something, it helps you feel better. When I had the back surgery, the doctor told me I couldn't lift anything over 8 pounds for 3 weeks after surgery. I smiled - none of my basses are over 8 pounds. I got a LOT of practice in during those down times.

Find those small wins if you can. Best wishes for a full recovery.

 

[CatchaCuda]

Everyone seems to handle treatment differently. I think which chemo drugs are given plays a big role too! Me personally? Towards the end of my treatment, Bleomycin, Etoposide and Platinum chemo had me feeling pretty worn down.
I'd still find little things to do around the house, when I felt up to it.

Just remember, it doesn't define you. Take it day, by day. Soon enough, you'll be over this and in remission.
Kick its *** Dark Horse!

Edit: I'm no luthier, but I joined TB while doing chemo, so there's that!

 

[FishDub]

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.

Man sorry to hear this...If it gives you any hope, my dad had a year of chemo/radiation and never felt sick, and is in remission--and I pray and hope that same thing goes for you.

 

[TheLowDown33]

This is a tough read. I feel so horrible knowing so many people that post here have or are currently battling some serious illness. Its difficult to reckon with the notion of being unable to do the things we love and enjoy. Not that this needs to be said, but just know that no matter what you're able to do (or to what capacity) you're always a member of the bass playing/building/appreciating community and nothing can take that from any one of us.

Best of luck with treatment and I wish everyone nothing but good health in the future.

 

[TexasHeat]

Best of luck, Dark Horse. My wife had breast cancer a few years back and the folks at Texas Oncology were the best. She had multiple surgeries and 2 months of radiation, but no chemo. She's good now, though still a little tender from the radiation.

When the shutdown lifts, I would be more than happy to help with builds if you want. I don't consider myself a luthier, but I have done two builds and am ~slowly~ working on a third. I know we don't know each other, but the offer is there.

 

[Dark Horse]

Best of luck, Dark Horse. My wife had breast cancer a few years back and the folks at Texas Oncology were the best. She had multiple surgeries and 2 months of radiation, but no chemo. She's good now, though still a little tender from the radiation.

When the shutdown lifts, I would be more than happy to help with builds if you want. I don't consider myself a luthier, but I have done two builds and am ~slowly~ working on a third. I know we don't know each other, but the offer is there.

thanks man, I appreciate it! Luckily I don’t do this for a living, otherwise I’d be in real trouble. Unfortunately I do play music for a living, so I may still be in real trouble

I’m so happy that your wife’s treatment was successful! That is great news!

 

[Dark Horse]

This is a tough read. I feel so horrible knowing so many people that post here have or are currently battling some serious illness. Its difficult to reckon with the notion of being unable to do the things we love and enjoy. Not that this needs to be said, but just know that no matter what you're able to do (or to what capacity) you're always a member of the bass playing/building/appreciating community and nothing can take that from any one of us.

Best of luck with treatment and I wish everyone nothing but good health in the future.

Thank you so much for the kind words.

 

[RickyRocknRoll]

I'm not a luthier, I have nothing to add to this thread. All I can say is I'm really sorry for you guys dealing with cancer and I feel my worries/problems are nothing compared to what you are going through. I can only wish you the best with treatment and a speedy recovery.

 

[Dark Horse]

I'm not a luthier, I have nothing to add to this thread. All I can say is I'm really sorry for you guys dealing with cancer and I feel my worries/problems are nothing compared to what you are going through. I can only wish you the best with treatment and a speedy recovery.

Thank you! I hope life treats you beautifully…

 

[Pocket4]

Dark Horse, I know some of what you are going through and I am also rushed to get things in order and disengage. Strange times indeed that we are all going through, and some time spent deep on our own won't be so much out of place. I don't have experience with radiotherapy but my recurrent lymphoma will take me to stem cell transplant therapy next month. We will get through this and jam when the world is ready for our revival. Best wishes

 

[Dark Horse]

Dark Horse, I know some of what you are going through and I am also rushed to get things in order and disengage. Strange times indeed that we are all going through, and some time spent deep on our own won't be so much out of place. I don't have experience with radiotherapy but my recurrent lymphoma will take me to stem cell transplant therapy next month. We will get through this and jam when the world is ready for our revival. Best wishes

Yes, we will get through this!

I am extremely hopeful the stem cell therapy solves your lymphoma issue.

Sometimes it’s good to get away from the normal world I guess

 

[stuntbass77]

So sorry to hear about you and other’s going through this !!!! Sending up prayers for you and other here going through similar health issues !!! Like Bruce said believe you will get better. Studies show that positivity really helps on a physical level helping recovery. Please keep us post as well as others and their situation!

 

[two fingers]

DH, I've told you time and time again that you have an eye for "cool". You create things I didn't know I wanted until I saw them. Plus, you are very helpful around here to other members.

Hopefully that means you have some karma in the bank. Wishing you well.

 

[Dark Horse]

Thanks guys, just gonna keep plugging along. Do what I can when I can. I have surgery Friday to put in a feeding tube and a catheter in my shoulder. Then I start my radiation and chemo treatments Monday.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Use your love of building and playing as part of your treatment. When you are lying there in the hospital bed, think about how much fun it is in your shop and on the stage. And nobody is going to tell you that you can't go back to doing that stuff. You'll figure out how to deal with the side effects. Nothing is going to stop you from having fun with the rest of your life.

 

[charlie monroe]

Best wishes, Andy. Kick this thing in the ass.

 

[wraub]

.

 

[Dark Horse]

update: So surgery for porta-cath and feeding tube got moved till Tuesday ... surgery tues morning, radiation tues afternoon