When drumming takes a back seat….
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:47 am
I’m sure there have been times in all our lives when this craft of ours – as all-consuming, fascinating and addictive as it is – has been eclipsed by personal events which, by their very nature, take priority.
In the last 10 days, my wife has had a biopsy, been called in to the clinic, diagnosed with breast cancer, and is scheduled for radical surgery next week. I’m looking hard for positives: they caught it really early; the procedure will increase her life expectancy once treatment is complete; her Mother is still fit and well after the same experience three years ago – but it’s hard at times. I had to call my band mates (well into rehearsals in preparation for gigging in early Autumn) to let them know there’ll be a pause in our progress , and to be honest, as rewarding and exciting as the music is, right now it all seems a bit inconsequential..
I’m still reading all of the usual drum forums and posts on the internet: last week I was actively looking for a new ride cymbal and possibly a snare drum, but my heart’s not in it now. I find myself ‘forgetting’ about the horrendous situation she’s in, for maybe a few minutes, or even an hour when I get involved at work, but then it comes back like a slap in the face. Of course, I can’t let her know just how worried I am –she needs as much positive support as I can give, and the more normal we can make her life until the operation, the better. I’m sure she’ll insist on my going to rehearsals this week, but I just can’t.
I also know that things will level out once she’s recovered from the immediate trauma of the surgery, but so much of what’s going on seems so ….trivial somehow.
Apologies for such a serious post, but I need to let off some steam somewhere, and I know you guys will understand.
In the last 10 days, my wife has had a biopsy, been called in to the clinic, diagnosed with breast cancer, and is scheduled for radical surgery next week. I’m looking hard for positives: they caught it really early; the procedure will increase her life expectancy once treatment is complete; her Mother is still fit and well after the same experience three years ago – but it’s hard at times. I had to call my band mates (well into rehearsals in preparation for gigging in early Autumn) to let them know there’ll be a pause in our progress , and to be honest, as rewarding and exciting as the music is, right now it all seems a bit inconsequential..
I’m still reading all of the usual drum forums and posts on the internet: last week I was actively looking for a new ride cymbal and possibly a snare drum, but my heart’s not in it now. I find myself ‘forgetting’ about the horrendous situation she’s in, for maybe a few minutes, or even an hour when I get involved at work, but then it comes back like a slap in the face. Of course, I can’t let her know just how worried I am –she needs as much positive support as I can give, and the more normal we can make her life until the operation, the better. I’m sure she’ll insist on my going to rehearsals this week, but I just can’t.
I also know that things will level out once she’s recovered from the immediate trauma of the surgery, but so much of what’s going on seems so ….trivial somehow.
Apologies for such a serious post, but I need to let off some steam somewhere, and I know you guys will understand.