Cello with a defibrillator

Hi,

Am I crazy or what? I'm getting my first defibrillator on January 12th and am not nervous about it. In fact, I can't wait to get that guardian angel.

My only concern is to know if the defibrillator will restrict my movements when I play cello.

Any cellist out here???

17 Comments

Thanx

by cendmat - 2012-01-07 01:01:16

Don : you are soooo hilarious! Thank you for making me laugh each time I read your answers.

MortsMom : I'll have to find a boyfriend soon so he can give me shoulder massages...

So I'm adding two more things on my list of 'stuff' I'll need (pads, lots of them and a boyfriend)!

Me playing cello

by cendmat - 2012-01-07 03:01:07

I'm so afraid of not being able to play cello like I do now after the implant that I've started studying 3 days ago a new piece I've just discovered and wish I will be able to continue studying it / playing it after the surgery.

I've taken this little video of myself starting to study that piece, just in case... a little souvenir!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nwUN7o0Z5M&feature=youtu.be

I wouldn't trade you either

by cendmat - 2012-01-07 08:01:18

Always something to say to make people laugh. I can totally understand your wife of 53 years!

I'll try to remember about my dining room chandelier. I'll leave that to my future Tarzan...

There's no reason...

by donr - 2012-01-07 08:01:36

...you should not be able to play your cello!

Goodgrief - all you are going to have is a big lump below your left colarbone. If you are that concerned talk about having the ICDpt on the RIGHT side - or brneath the pectoral muscles. You should have full range of motion in both arms after you recover from the cut.

About the only thing that will be awkward will be to grab a banana & swing from your dining rom chandelier by your left arm & feed yourself the banana w/ your right.

You should retain all your fine motor skills - it may take a while to get them back but they should return. I know I got all mine back and notice no difference - except that I cannot carry anything over my left sholder. I could certainly hold a cello against it - but not the way Morey Amsterdam did. I've watched a lot of cellists in my day & I've never seen them do anything I could not do - were I not tone deaf & completely uncoordinated. Just get that pad! ANd fer cryin' out loud, stop worrying - you are getting to me. Be glad to send you the pads, but cannot be the boyfriend - I'm 75 & already claimed by a wife of 53 yrs who refuses to trade me.

Don

I'm not a cellist, but...

by donr - 2012-01-07 12:01:02

... I remember Morey Amsterdam. He played cello.

If you played like he did it will restrict your movements & probably be pretty painful. You would not last long.

Of course, he tucked it under his chin to play.

Actually, about the only way it would probably affect your movement would be if the neck of the instrument bore down on your ICD. The solution there is to get a pad to protect the ICD. Realize that the scar is gonna be a bit sensitive for a while, so you want to start thinking "Pad" quite soon.

Good luck!

Don

Half A Brick In My Chest

by MORTSMOM - 2012-01-07 12:01:16

You are very correct to be looking forward to receiving your device.

My guardian angel was installed last September, I still feel like I have half a brick on my chest. My left arm is a little difficult when I reach accross my chest. I am sure if I work in a more consistent manner I will learn to work around the difficulty. The device does not hurt, I just do not like the way it feels. I have had several shoulder dislocations, and do not like the feel of things moving in the shoulder area.

I would suggest you take very good care of your shoulders. I think a great deal of the pain folks on this site endure if from their shoulder, more than the device.

Good Luck, MortsMom

If it hurts while playing

by ElectricFrank - 2012-01-08 01:01:55

You can howl like dog in tune with the instrument. That way you can vent your pain without anyone knowing.

Are you glad you asked?

LOL

frank

And...

by donr - 2012-01-08 09:01:48

...you thought I was bad!!!

You'd have to be a baritone to howl in tune w/ your cello - are you?

BTW: Frank is older than I, so he should also remember Morey Amsterdam & his cello.

Cheers!

Don

Sex change!

by cendmat - 2012-01-08 09:01:53

Ok so now I would also need a sex change (in order to sing like a baryton)? Thanks 'guys'!

I think I'll just learn how to play the musical blowout : if I'm bad at it, at least, it'll be fun!

http://www.party-expert.com/main+en+02_200+BLUE_YELLOW_RED__GREEN_ASSORTED_MUSICAL_BLOWOUTS_.html?CID=687&SCID=855&pref=9&ITEM_ID=15179

Well, now...

by donr - 2012-01-08 10:01:21

...That's a Ronald reagan ontro, if done w/ the right voice.

Cendmat - you have now proven that you belong here. Along w/ the rest of us warped miscreants. You have the same sick mind. We have now exposed you & it is time to tell you that this isn't really a site for PM hosts - it's a screening site to determine who should be incarcerated in the looney bin. You get the cell w/ the mattresses on the walls!

Welcome aboard. Oh, BTW - in here the inmates run the asylum.

Don

Comfy

by cendmat - 2012-01-08 10:01:48

Cool ! I love comfy environments so I'm quite glad I've accidentaly found this place.

p.s. Do they provide the lovely white padded vests?

Yeah!!!!!

by donr - 2012-01-08 12:01:58

With very long sleeves that tie behind your back. Is that your fashion statement this year? If so, you'll be in hawg heaven.

BTW, I just really read the title of your opening post. I didn't know your cello had a defib! And all this time I thought Cellos didn't have a heart - learn something every day.

Don

Don and PirateFly

by cendmat - 2012-01-09 01:01:57

Don
No need to buy vowels here, I'm giving you the whole verb missing in my title (I'm that generous!) : playing.

PirateFly
The thing is that playing violin and cello is two different things. To reach the higher notes on the cello, you have to make a movement with your left shoulder. That's the only thing I'm worrying about; not being able to do that movement as freely as I'm doing it now.

Playing violin must hurt at first when you get a PM because it sits so close to the implantation site.

hey

by PirateFly - 2012-01-09 08:01:57

I did do violin, but I am now playing double bass.... When i would plkay violin for long periods the part of my arm where my PM is would start to ache

Can we be serious...

by donr - 2012-01-10 01:01:01

...for just a moment? Then we can re-descend into the bowels of foolishness we have been wallowing around in.

Way back in my first post, I suggested that you consider the right side or under the pectoral muscle - several women have suggested the latter move just for vanity's sake. Back before the days of color TV, I played clarinet in a high school band. Also knew several violin & cello players in our orchestra. Did not know that cello players had to make a shoulder shift of some kind to reach higher notes! OTOH, I have seen no instruments that are more emotionaly connected to their players than the strings, so in reality, I can see why you would be concerned. How did MORTSMOM describe it - like half a brick!

Dunno if you've seen one of those things, but there is a drawing of Medtronics & St Jude ICD's on the web site belonging to one of our members - EPDoc. IIRC, they are about 79 mm tall & 30 mm wide. Cannot recall the thickness. But much larger than my puny little PM! To see it, you'll have to look at one of his posts - he always gives the URL.

On another other hand, I wonder what having half a brick stuck in your right upper chest would do to your facility in bowing. I know that I can sometimes feel my PM when I have to do something very far to my right side using my left hand. And it does feel funny, bounding on uncomfortable.

Anyway - I could not last, Vanna. I always thought you played a cello w/ a bow - now you tell me that you want to play it w/a Defibrillator. I'm afraid of what that might sound like. Probably worse than that dog howling that Frank mentioned.

Anyway, if by some nonsensical banter we have eased your transition into the World of Jamie Summers, great! Maybe we've even given you some decent ideas.

BTW: Does the name Ellen Taafe mean anything to you?

Don

Tomorrow's the BIG day

by donr - 2012-01-11 09:01:49

Well, you are finally there.

YOU have a good one!

By your last post, it is obvious that you have the right attitude about this thing. "Show off," indeed - you sound like an exibitionist! God job.

Hey, did I "Burn your girdle," to quote Pookie, w/ my comment not to forget taking your cello to the hosp? I notice it disappeared overnight. Blake musta gotten to it - didn't like my use of the shift key & the top row on the keyboard. Oh, well, banned again.

Elllen Taafe - thought as a musician you might recognize her name. Violinist & composer. Went t HS w/ me back in 50's. Now about 73 or so. Awarded first Pulitzer Prize for music to go to a female composer. Studied under Aron Copland.

Don

I've seen it

by cendmat - 2012-01-11 09:01:58

Hi Don,

The nurse showed me the defibrillator the other day. It's heavier and bigger than I thought but hey, if it's what I need, that it'll be!

I'm a real 'show off' so that thing won't go underneath my breast! Seriously, they didn't offer me that option and from what I've read, I don't want it either.

Ellen Taafe... Taafe... Were she the one who invented tofee? Nah, I don't know her but thanks to you and my curiosity, I'll have to Google her.

Have a great one!

You know you're wired when...

You fondly named your implanted buddy.

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