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February
4th ~ 2012 |
Adrian
Brett |
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My
most recent visit with Dr. Gordon Plant, consultant neurologist, involved
considerable examination of a neurological nature; lots of walking, pulling,
pushing and co-ordination exercises and pin pricks, reflexes etc..He was
very thorough ( well it did cost me £300!! ) and the conclusion
was virtually what I had decided anyway: LEAVE WELL ALONE. I told him
that as long as it did not get any worse then I could live with the discomfort,
annoying as it is, as it is not excruciating pain but electric pins and
needles and cramps of varying intensity throughout the day.
He said that he thought scans were not needed as at my age there would bound to be something revealed and just from my description of the symptoms it is clearly compression and narrowing of the spinal cord. He also said that there were lots of orthopaedic surgeons only too eager to dig around the spinal cord with possibly disastrous results. Like me he believes the risks outweigh any possible improvement through surgery and recommended all alternative treatments such as Alexander Technique, Pilates etc.. and to avoid medication. Also he agreed that it is necessary to take notice of what your body is telling you. One of my friends pointed out to me that I have been playing at the top of the profession in London for 45 years so I suppose the stress and strain is bound to show eventually. Gordon Plant, the neurologist, told me that the best plan is to continue what I have not been doing (!!) and to avoid the situation which has caused the problem. So it looks like no more 3-hour playing situations in the pit so I do not need to live in London and I hope to retire to Deal, my home town, and do my best to increase the bar profits of the RMA!!! Life is just a series of changes, as we all know, and one's ability to accept and adapt to change of lifestyle with a positive attitude ensures further periods of happiness. I have survived all sorts of changes in my life, like so many of us here, but always try to keep positive so I am confident this is a transient phase which will lead to a new and quieter lifestyle where I can write more and maybe start teaching a few children and share with them the benefits of my extensive experience. Best wishes to all….sick and healthy, Adrian |
| Dec 7th /2011 I
have been diagnosed with 'cervical stenosis'--a compression and narrowing
of the spinal cord. It started with strong 'electric pins and needles'
down both arms but has now gone to the legs as well. Not very pleasant
and my left arm is very weak indeed resulting in my not being able to
hold the flute for more than about 10-15 minutes, so I have not played
in the 'The Lion King' orchestra for more than 5 weeks. Actually I think
that reaching forward about 50 times per show to grab different flutes
(I play 18 in the show) has been the cause of the degeneration of the
vertebrae in the neck. Bony spurs have grown on them and are growing
into the actual spinal cord which affects every nerve in the body so
one day it is bad in the arms and the next day the arms and legs!! [Editor] One cannot imagine the devastating loss it must be to the individual and to all those who are gifted with the ability to hear and be entertained by artists who not only love their beloved instrument/s, but earn their keep. I'm sure that many of us who read this wish you well Adrian and that you get back to making music soon.
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