No so much a gig...

[highpitch]

Last Thursday, the 8th May It was evening outdoors and I tripped over a forgotten garden hose. The next thing on the agenda was a face plant, downhill, into some good-sized stones.

The result was my C1 & C2 cervical vertebrae were shattered. Luckily, I didn't snap the cord. Oh yes,and a nice hole in my forehead making for a truly memorable birthday, too.

Days in a great trauma center with a truly magical neurosurgeon and a titanium lag screw has let me come home to mend with no joint fusion to restrict my movements forever.

This will be some long road to recovery, and learning how to function in a halo brace is just tough. But I'm still here, and will get back to playing ASAP!

Dennis

[John Morgan]

Dennis,

My goodness!!!! What a terrible thing to have happen. So sorry to learn of this, Dennis. Here's hoping you get all the way back to normal soon. Please be careful and mend well, your euphonium will be waiting for you. I would like to hear when you are back!!

John

[RickF]

Oh man Dennis that sounds terrible! My prayers for full recovery. Take care.

[davewerden]

Wow - I'm sorry to hear about your injury! I don't know a lot about this things, but I gather that not fusing things is a good deal. One has to marvel at the medical technology available these days. Apparently your face came out of it OK except for the forehead thing. Eyes/nose/mouth were my first thought when I saw "face plant."

On the bright side, it's good this wasn't a gig story. Otherwise you'd probably have a horn to fix, too.

[Rodgeman]

Sorry to hear. I hope you get better soon.

[adrian_quince]

Hi Dennis,

Very sorry to hear about your injury. Sounds rough. Best wishes for a quick recovery!

Adrian

[Snorlax]

Wishing you a quick recovery! Fusions are nothing to mess with--my L4 and L5 were fused in 1965, when the surgery was primitive compared to today's techniques. Happy birthday, too...despite all the crap!
Jim

[daruby]

Dennis, I am so sorry to hear of your fall. I did a face plant outside the WGBH studio exactly 3 years ago. I thought I had it bad with a black eye, busted glasses, two broken fingers, and 2 more sprained and badly bruised (embouchure wasn't great either). But you win the prize. I will say that I did a 2 day recording session starting the next day with my hand in a brace.

I do thank the powers that be that you had fantastic care and are on the mend. Take care of yourself and let your family spoil you!

My best wishes and prayers.

Doug

[highpitch]

Thank you all, my good friends.

D

[tonewheeler]

Sorry to hear what happened Dennis! Ugh!

[Sara Hood]

Hello Dennis (smile). Would you give us an update on how you are doing my friend? You have been in our prayers.

I have a family member who broke her neck under similar circumstances. No shattered vertebrae though. Hope you are getting the rest and recuperation you need.

- Sara

[highpitch]

I'm back home now, dealing with a blood clot issue. Otherwise feeling OK and doing light PT.

A full halo brace is no fun, at least it will come off in June.

Again, thanks to all of you for the kind words. It really makes me feel special.

D

[Sara Hood]

Are you able to do any horn playing?
- Sara

[highpitch]

Not yet.

D

[highpitch]

Hi Folks,

The first spinal repair done was an odontoid screw in my C2 to have the broken tip play nice but my musculature pulled it apart again.

I just completed more surgery (7 hours) that involved 4 screws and some fusion to set thing ruggedly right. 2 months dealing with this now and I elected for the more robust treatment.

6 to 8 more weeks in the halo and I should be well on the way to normal with no paralysis.

Dennis