@fels
three months from my initial post - four months from the MOHS.
Numbness continues at the back of the ear and along the left cheek; sometimes swelling of left lower lip. Fortunately, heat packs and slow warm ups allow me to play as before. Sooooo , I guess as long as I'm careful I can proceed to play as adjusted.
Also did the distance measurements. My music bifocals help immensely
Mostly operator error -- tapping my foot to much on the floor pad
I agree - just be sure to have paper back up during a performance in case your pad freezes up or the software glitches.
I am preparing for a brass quartet version (Music for Brass arranged by Daniel Kelley)
of Bach's Little Fugue. Lots of face time - very little opportunity for breathing. I am working on it at a slow tempo to get the notes and intervals under my fingers and ears. But the breathing is equally important. Practicing , I may try to muscle through it. But it is more important to let the music part be the guide -- where are the beginnings and ends of the phrases -- where are you the lead versus the support. Breath in the support - prepare for the lead.
@Dr-GO Yes, as with yours, my Mohs hole was large -- the surgeon had to excise up and down in order to suture the main hole. -- Looked like a Frankenstein stitch. I also am hopeful that the two month window will hold true. Your nerve issue sounds
more localized whereas mine is directly involving the Lower Occipital Nerve path. In the meantime I will continue with acupuncture and homeopathy.
As background - after COVID, virtually all of my playing opportunities ceased. I continued practicing a general program every day, even working on specific literature pieces. Nothing that was over taxing. Continued to play in our Brass Quintet and a Community Chamber Music program.
About a month ago I underwent a MOHS surgery for Base Cell Carcinoma on the back of my neck (left side - midway between the ear alignment and the cervical spine). The surgery went down four levels and left a golf ball size divit that was stitched up. At the first post surgery check, I noted numbness radiating up from the surgery site to the back of my ear (mastoid). Repeated observation and post ops 2 and 3. Stitches removed etc.
I followed my basic maintenance practice,
After a rehearsal for an All Saints Day Mass, I noticed my lower left lip swelling and increased numbness in the left cheek - radiating up into the left eye orbit.
For a brass player this is: WTF!
I changed my practice routine and monitored the numbness.
Basically - numbness has continued up the neck - and the left cheek feels like i just left the dentist office after a crown. I feel the lack of responsiveness when practicing. I was concerned for the Mass gigi - but all went well.
I played yesterday at ensemble group and felt not quite in control but managed. Practiced today and feel the left side not responding like i want.
My research suggests that the MOHS surgery could have impacted the lower occipital nerve resulting in neuralgia. The facility numbness is more problematic (trigeminal nerve) since that nerve does not normally interact with the lower occipital nerve.
The Mohs surgeon's office responds that numbness may last up to 12 months, otherwise no instruction.
On my own, I am pursuing treatment with acupuncture and homeopathy.
Overall, not a happy experience. All advice welcome - mostly daily practice management is on my mind.
I use ultra pure - probably once a week - every other week i do the clean and dry routine on the valves. I am playing a Schilke X3 -- back in the day i played a Strad 37 - i used much more valve oil then than now. Sooo obviously it depends on the horn. I have a Courtois flugel that needs oil ever day.
I am playing in small groups coached by local Phil players. They (and I) have done their research (studies by UC (Colorado ) and CSU). Last week the pros asked if I had a bell cover. I responded that I had left my Crown Royal bag in my kit bag. Then I remembered that I was wearing a Buff neck sleeve. I took it off and wrapped it around the bell. I could not tell any difference in tone or playability. Problem solved.
Another note -- the phrase "Science is Science" has become trite. Science is a process. The "Conclusions"
can and will vary considerably.
Best Wishes for a successful recovery!
Watched the Wynton clip -- i liked it but view it as an intermediate lesson. I have found teaching music or an instrument to be exceeding difficult. I remember when my son was in Jr. High playing clarinet in the school band. He brought home an assignment to play something by ear - or at least transcribe it. I sat at the piano and played a simple piece and asked him repeat it. He experienced much more trouble and frustration than i anticipated.
Some professionals in our Symphony offered a program of tutored chamber music groups - I am playing in one (trumpet) - instrumentation is:
Trumpet
French Horn
Cello
Vibes
Bassoon -- (Principal from the local symphony)
The bassoonist is writing arrangements and offering instruction on note shapes etc. Very cool.
I buy the large bottle of Ultrapure on line and refill the smaller bottle for my carry all. Once a week is generally fine. The weekly application includes wipe down of the valves and fresh Ultrapure application.
From a judgmental perspective - I feel the same as Rowuk.
Preferences depend on my specific mood and circumstances.
In the evening preparing dinner, i am fine listening to jazz, trumpet, big band, guitar, Segovia or classical flute. Depends on what i am preparing. If i want to sit down and listen -- it is objective oriented. Years ago while i was living in Denver, the classical station played all 9 Beethoven Symhonies on New Years Eve, ending with Missa Solemnis. On several occasions i would listen to the entire broadcast. On the other hand, i may
do the same thing with Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck.
My father was a wood worker - made the family furniture with a 10" Sears Table saw. I followed (almost) in his footsteps. I have have some tools - but can only be described as "handy".
We have been gradually remodeling our house interior. American Clay wall surfaces. The contractor let us know his true passion was furniture. We are expecting delivery of the finishing touch to my Trumpet room. Will post by the end of the week. (i hope).
These may not qualify for the top 5 or even 10. My experience playing with brass quintet or community band is that it is the rhythms that are the first obstacle to playing jazz. From my early years library, I found the following useful for introductory jazz rhythms:
Rhythms Vol 1 and 2 -- Charles Colin and "Bugs" Bower
Modern Dixieland Style Nos 1 and 2 - Henry Levine