So I Might Be Done…

[BigDanT]

Please excuse my longish rant/post but I am looking for any thoughts or feedback or even words of encouragement or admonishment.

So I’ve been playing bass since I was 13. I’m 54 now. Haven’t gigged regularly in years but love getting together for jams etc. My dream was… when I semi-retire in 2 years to get back into a band.

Here’s my frustration/vent/question…
Last year I was under a ton of stress. You’d think I’d know better but it led me to lose my cool one night and I punched a wall. Well… rather than just being embarrassed by my immaturity, my punch found a stud and I shattered my right wrist and forearm. I now have a plate and 13 screws. I don’t have the same use in my right arm but could still play bass even with the new issues.

Next… about six weeks ago I was heading to bed and tripped over our 90 lb dog and went face first into a wooden table. Another trip to the emergency room for stitches and a concussion. A few days later I lost feeling in my left arm. After meeting with specialists, the fall, coupled with some degenerative issues have caused my 5/6 and 6/7 vertebrae to compress the nerve leading down my left arm.

I’m going to do PT and I am taking some drugs (prescribed) but I just cannot play. My arm won’t flex back to a natural position.

I don’t know if it’s just the universe telling me I’m done or what??

Have any of you had similar injuries (spinal) and come back from it??

The cautionary side of this long tale is — don’t put your dreams off until later because you never know what’s around the bend.

If you made it this long… Thanks! Vent/rant over (no walls were harmed during the creation of this post).

 

[FRoss6788]

Hopefully the PT will relieve the issue and you'll get feeling back in your left arm.

I haven't had issues as bad as yours but compressed vertebrae in my neck which referred pain elsewhere in my body that with PT eventually passed.

Totally sucks, Dan....

We'll be pulling for you....

 

[BigDanT]

Thanks, man. I’m hoping time and PT will help. Just feeling a bit defeated about the whole thing.

 

[BGroovy]

Huge bummer. Bodies can be pretty incredible though. Don’t count yourself out.

Do the PT and keep on yourself to do the exercises at home. PT works wonders but only if you put in the work. I have a shoulder issue and any time I slack on daily stretches it makes sure I regret it.

 

[BigDanT]

Will do on the PT. I have to ask the therapist if I should keep trying to play even if it hurts or just hold off at all until I get further down the road.

 

[Markmann]

I've had so many serious issues with my left hand, wrist, and arm that I wouldn't even be able to remember them all. The worst is when I had surgery on my left hand that actually removed some muscle and after that I thought I was done. Nope, after a year or so I slowly started again. I'm 67 now and still gig and record.

 

[BigDanT]

Hey Mark… that’s super encouraging to hear!

 

[StyleOverShow]

Good luck with it all, PT can be a regenerative experience. Had shoulder and knee surgeries in the last two years and I’m much better and credit PT equally to the surgeon’s skills.

 

[micguy]

I had a wrist injury at age 42. Long story short, I didn't play at all for 10 years. Then...at age 52, I felt prompted to practice. A couple years later, I started to play gigs again. Now, 14 years after I restarted, I am literally playing teh best and biggest gigs of my life.

You're only done when the last nail goes in the lid.

 

[BigDanT]

Thanks everyone! It’s really helpful to hear that some of you have “come back” from similar issues!

 

[PBO Blues]

...I thought I was done. Nope, after a year or so I slowly started again. I'm 67 now and still gig and record.

You're only done when the last nail goes in the lid.

These. Fifty-four is way too early to toss in the towel. Do that PT religiously, listen to your doctor, keep the faith. It may take a while and you may have to put it down for a bit, but the time away just may motivate you all the more. We're pullin' for you.

 

[kobass]

I have Dupuytren's Contracture. Dupuytren contracture - Symptoms and causes

I've had three surgeries (two on my left hand and one on my right hand) over the last ten years. Unfortunately, it keeps coming back. Post surgery, I had a lot of physical therapy. Each time I continued doing hand exercises on my own at home. I'd guess my hands are presently functioning at 95% of capacity (I'm 64 years old). You can probably get back to where you were, but it will take some work.

All the best on your journey!

 

[77FenderJazz]

No spinal issues but torn ligaments in both wrists and ulnar reduction surgery really set me back. Years later I play at a level that I am happy with and could play in most bands I would be interested in. My speed is down and and get tired more easily but the more I play, the better I get. I’m 55 at the moment.

 

[dalkowski]

PT works wonders but only if you put in the work.

This, and I speak from past and current experience. Healing vibes to you, brotherman.

 

[KellyC]

Please excuse my longish rant/post but I am looking for any thoughts or feedback or even words of encouragement or admonishment.

So I’ve been playing bass since I was 13. I’m 54 now. Haven’t gigged regularly in years but love getting together for jams etc. My dream was… when I semi-retire in 2 years to get back into a band.

Here’s my frustration/vent/question…
Last year I was under a ton of stress. You’d think I’d know better but it led me to lose my cool one night and I punched a wall. Well… rather than just being embarrassed by my immaturity, my punch found a stud and I shattered my right wrist and forearm. I now have a plate and 13 screws. I don’t have the same use in my right arm but could still play bass even with the new issues.

Next… about six weeks ago I was heading to bed and tripped over our 90 lb dog and went face first into a wooden table. Another trip to the emergency room for stitches and a concussion. A few days later I lost feeling in my left arm. After meeting with specialists, the fall, coupled with some degenerative issues have caused my 5/6 and 6/7 vertebrae to compress the nerve leading down my left arm.

I’m going to do PT and I am taking some drugs (prescribed) but I just cannot play. My arm won’t flex back to a natural position.

I don’t know if it’s just the universe telling me I’m done or what??

Have any of you had similar injuries (spinal) and come back from it??

The cautionary side of this long tale is — don’t put your dreams off until later because you never know what’s around the bend.

If you made it this long… Thanks! Vent/rant over (no walls were harmed during the creation of this post).

I had horrible back issues for 10 years that made me quit gigging. I tried everything but PT to fix it. Then after 10 years, I finally did PT and 6 months later my back was 100% fine and has been ever since. Don't give up hope.

 

[BigDanT]

Man… I gotta say… the last two years or so have been some of the hardest in my life and these injuries seemed like they were just the cherry on top of the sh!t sundae. It’s also meant that I haven’t had much band width for things like Talk Bass.
But for all the GD toxic BS you find in other online communities the folks on here seem to be so supportive!!
Maybe it’s the nature of bass players but I’m just glad we have a place like TB.
Thanks again for all the kind words and supportive comments. It’s honestly making me feel better!!

 

[Rojd]

Several years ago I tore the tendon in the ring finger on my left hand. I went to physical therapy for awhile. I don't have full flexibility in it, probably 95%, but I can play perfectly fine.

Do the therapy and keep at it, you'll get there.

 

[joeLowB]

What a story, Dan.

Ditto the others...patience and consistency with the PT is central. It's a marathon, not a sprint, bit you can get back.

The dog trip is a bummer of an accident. Perhaps the wall punch is worthy of some reflection as to what triggered it... to ponder along the long run back to playing.

Pulling for you!

.

 

[Killing Floor]

Hang on. Heal. And breathe through it.

as long as you want to play music you will find a way

 

[GroovyBaby]

For what it's worth, there is research showing that your attitude about rehab makes a big difference. If you are optimistic, your outcomes are better. This is probably because you are then more likely to do the work (PT) even through the frustration and that is what is needed to help with retraining your body. Bottom line, if you enjoy playing then don't give up the goal. Do what you can when you can and have some self compassion. Sh!t happens. Hang in there! Watch live music and live vicariously while you recover as much as you can!