Some private questions from people here and on FB prompt me to post an update about how I'm doing. Coming up on four weeks since the operation. Physical Therapy has good and bad days, but always feels like they're trying to rip out my arm. No danger and necessary if I'm to get as much functionality back as possible. I stretch everything off and on all day long, every day. Still am not allowed to hold anything with my left hand, or lift my left arm; I have to lift it up with my right hand, but I'll be starting to strengthen the bicep in two or three weeks. I can't yet reach out to where a guitar neck would be, but I'm getting closer. I have no idea how long it will be before I can hold a guitar again, even just sitting down, let alone pick up one in my left hand and hold it up while putting the strap over my head.
All the keyboard gear got here yesterday, and my teacher is coming over this evening to help me unpack it and set it up so I can FINALLY get started. I thought I'd be doing this two weeks ago, but some stuff was back-ordered and I really wasn't ready anyway. Now I'm ready and rarin' to go.
I want to thank EVERYONE here for all your encouragement; you mean more to me than I can express. Ivan was right; it has been especially frustrating to have to stop playing guitar at precisely the moment when it was all starting to click and I was finally preparing to play out (in front of admittedly friendly and willing audiences) and was sounding pretty good. I feel especially bad about putting down the Jazzmaster, but I WILL play that again, and in front of audiences. I AM NOT disheartened; more like more determined than ever to get back to it and make a competent surf guitarist of myself.
I can't wait to see everyone down in Chapel Hill in May. And, I've decided that we're going to have to plan a Cali vacation around an SG101 Convention in a couple of years. Can't be this or next year; wish it could.
That's all for now, but keep those cards and letter comin' and I'll keep you posted if anything changes.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart. And, will someone PLEASE help Paul Johnson setup a live video-streaming rig so I can take guitar lessons from him out here in the East?
—This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Apr 04, 2012 11:32:24