After spending a week on the road and hopping around by plane and several days in meetings with medical professionals and government officials regarding our pain group,I'm finally able to pick up my guitar after what seems like an eternity.Much to my surprise I was able to play for over 1/2 hour and only stopped because I didn't want to tempt fate,even though I wasn't having much pain-just a bit of fatigue.Hopefully this is a sign that the Remicade injections are finally kicking in.Judging by how clumsy my hands felt it's going to be quite a chore to get my chops back to a point where I'm satisfied enough with them,as to say I'm a perfectionist when it comes to playing would be quite an understatement. Anyway either way you slice it,it's going to be a long hard climb to get back to anywhere near where I used to be before this affliction hit me.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

congrats on being on the road to recovery and the pain group. i havent followed this your story properly, i just get a few bits of it along the way

there is a positive on the not playing guitar thing but. after long periods of not playing and building up GAS, your creative side often becomes more creative and you might come up with a few new licks and cool things. when i get bored i just quit for three weeks or so and then get back into it.

good luck

hi Derek , it's great to hear that the treatment is finally working , it wont be long till your standing in front of a stack again , and hopefully your hands will get even better feeling , cheers
Alan

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Good to see the ol' meathooks are finally coming along. With any luck you'll be groping the groupies soon enough

Fingers crossed? Well that has to be good sign, right?

Keep it up. We're holding out for big progress. Good luck.

Cheers - C

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That's good news Derek,I hope the progress continues!

Are they good enough to put the kettle on and pour up a cup of tea?

fantastic news! I only know you from reading your posts, but i really felt for you, so this has made my day. Hope things keep getting better and you can enjoy your passion again.

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`I prefer not to listen to music that I can't rip off or improve on` - Ian Dury

Thanks for all the inspiration guys-there's nothing like positive reinforcement to motivate a person.

Super Kid-the Rick fund has had a few setbacks due to GAS attacks that have resulted in gear that I just had to have,such as: Tech 21 NYC RotoChoir,Way Huge Green Rhino Overdrive,Danelectro Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive and other odds and ends in the music category.

Blinkers-I'm still able to get the old kettle going so drop down for a Tetley or a Twinings English Breakfast or Earl Grey or Jasmine or Chinese Red or Green or Black tea or......

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Taylors of Harrogate loose leaf Earl Grey: accept no other.

Cheers - C

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Best wishes to you and i hope you keep progressing and your hands get good again

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Luck won't do it and ignorance can't

George Van Eps.

That's great Derek! You've been through the mill my friend. Glad to hear you're coming along.

I'll be up your neck of the woods for a family reunion in August in Saint John.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Thanks yet again guys,Ceri,it's almost impossible to get loose leaf tea around here and when you finally find it the cost breaks down to about a dollar a sip.Supro,it would be great if you could take a by-trip to NL-our scenery and coastal region of the Avalon Peninsula was named by National Geographic Traveller as the most desireable coastal region to visit.It's great to be able to pick up the guitar and strum away for over 1/2 hour,when just a mere month ago I'd be done in after 1/2 hour.Last night I brought out some stomp boxes to run my Jimmie Vaughn through and used my trusty Blues Jr. I had a wonderful time despite the fact that I was much much slower than before and that I had trouble fretting for some more intricate chords.The main thing is that the pain has greatly decreased and at least I'll be able to practice,practice,practice like I did in my teens and 20s for 10-12 hours plus-some days.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Derek, thanks for the tip on the Avalon Peninsula.
Bringing my Kilt to our reunion. We're planning on going up a little earlier.
Take your time with your hands. It sounds like your coming along pretty well. I really happy for you.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Dunno what happened but I wish you further speedy recovery.
There's not many things I would call worse than not being able to play guitar for some medical reasons.

All the best to you!!!

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!