SeanP

Hi there,

Sorry for the intrusion but I didn't know anywhere else to post this...?

I have started playing again after having cancer (about a 2 year break from playing) - well still going through the mill after a number of operations and chemo but that's something else...

Anyway, the last operation removed more of my stomach muscles (in total about 60% and in the middle) and the central third of my diaphragm (they too where cancerous). They replaced the muscle with a synthetic mesh to which the remaining real muscle is sewn. As you can imagine, this is proving a little inconvenient when playing - I cannot feel anything when trying to support - well it doesn't really do anything actually... although I can feel the real muscle at the sides. I have already ripped some internal stitches holding it all together (I did feel that!). Everything's going OK and things are progressing nicely since I started playing again 6-8 weeks ago. However, stamina is proving to be a problem - I know, it's early days but other than the usual stuff, does anyone here have any advice on what to do or has anyone gone through this before and offer some tips. At the moment I am doing ppp warm-ups, long notes, lip flexibilities and using the Stamp and Arban books. Strangely (to me at least) range is not too badly affected - I still have a G above high C (like it matters). I'm happy to continue this as I have all the time I could wish for practice considering I'm not at work. I did train as a trumpet player at the RNCM - don't know whether I'll get back to the standard I was, but I sure am going to try! A conductor heard I was playing again and asked me to do a Brahms Req, to which of course I said "Yeah, sure..." So I need to do something about it!!


I hope you can help - certainly not going to let the cancer stop me playing!

Cheers,

SeanP

__________________
SP

Schwab

Wow. You're my hero! I'm not joking!

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Dylan Schwab
Stage 1 New York

RG111

Sean,
You are an inspiration!
After a medical lay off I used the following to get back
1- Hood mouthpiece routines
2- Stamp
3. Bai Lin and Irons
4. Clarke technical studies
5. Melodic work
All the best,
Roy Griffin

misty.sj

Wow, Sean! You are an inspiration.

That aside, I would talk to a physical therapist or sports physiologist. Also, I know that after having abdominal surgery, a lot of people have to wear compression garments. Do you think that a compression girdle could give you a little extra support?

Are you able to buzz on the mouthpiece without discomfort? I wonder if it's possible for you to train your back muscles to help out.

At any rate, you are an inspiration. None of us have any excuse not to practice if YOU don't. :)

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--Misty
Hit it hard, and wish it well. -- Claude Gordon

1925(?) Conn Cavalier Bb (s/n 14142)
2007 Barrington Bb student trumpet

Vulgano Brother

Sean, you are on my list of inspiring people too! Our bodies are marvelously made and quite adaptable. Regarding support, I view it not as something we "do," or even feel, but a side-effect of good trumpet playing. Let your body find its way of producing the sound in your head, provided (and this is a biggie) that it is safe to do so. Consult with your doctor--a lay off might be in order if a more secure bond between the real muscle and the mesh is possible.

Keep us posted!

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www.letsbuildhope.org

rowuk

Sean,
relaxed air is the key, not forced air. That is why your range is not affected! Most of what I can suggest does not have anything direct to do with trumpet playing.

The operations and therapy have changed your "balance". If you can go swimming (or similar sport that can be enjoyed in a relaxed non-competitive fashion), that is one very good way to get rhythm and power back in your breathing cycle. That is vital for a continued, relaxed approach to the trumpet!

As far as playing goes, I think it is VERY important to invest time in tunes. While etudes and intense exercizes are good for uniting the various body functions to promote great playing, they are also a greater strain and could slow down healing. Playing "tunes" whether that be a fake book, Concones vocalises or Amsdens duets, give you food for the soul, a very powerful medication!

I would just suggest changing the ratio of chop and body builders to tunes. Great joy can be found in the simple things too!

If you can financially swing it and don't have one, a flugelhorn is a great horn to play soothingly, sensuously, sensitively. It sounds best in the middle and low register, so one plays there more. It is a new palette of colors available to your playing.

Last of all, I recommend teaching, even if it is only one or two students. That keeps you also focussed on the basics and appreciative of small steps.

You have a lot to be very proud of: musically and mentally. My prayers are with you!

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

bilboinsa

A real hero on TM. I am not near the player you are, so there is no advice I can give--only prayers and support from far away. All the best to you!

WOW!

__________________
Doug Walsdorf

Schilke B2
Kanstul 1525
1927 Conn 22B New York Symphony

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

pipedope

Lots of time and gentle playing. Give yourself time to heal.

I am in cycle 4 of 8 (or so) cycles of chemo (RCHOP) for a difuse large B-cell lymphoma. I am playing what I cand but the last two weeks I haven't been able to play at all. I just try to do what I can each day.

Remember, time and gentle with yourself.
Take the time to build up, not tear down.

As long as you survive, you win!

Thanks for your post.

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No substitute for music through the horn.

tatakata

very inspirational sean. keep it up!

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Pedal C

Since your range is working, it sounds like you must doing something right already! I just started playing again after abdominal surgery (much less severe then yours) and I could play golf before I could play the trumpet. I think it takes a long time for those muscles to recover, and I'm sure even more so since you've lost muscle and are dealing with the muscle/mesh situation. I had to take about five months off after sugery and chemo and it was at least two or three months until my breathing started to feel full and free again, and I've always tried to by ralaxed with my air. You've gone though MUCH more than me, so it'll probably be quite a bit of time until you get the stamina back. It doesn't take a tremendous amount of ab strength to play the trumpet, so I would imagine that even if you can't ever do as many sit ups as before, you'll probaly be able to get your trumpet playing mechanics as strong as ever...in time.

A visit to a good teacher who believes in a free relaxed air flow might be in order, but like I said, it sounds like you're doing pretty well on your own.

Thanks for sharing your story...Continued good health!

Jason.

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"The oboe's A is to make sure we still play it 1 and 2" - Bud Herseth

"One way or another, every patient stops bleeding." - Scrubs