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I've been playing sax for 45 years. I've never really considered the possiblity that I would not be able to play. Until now. I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma on the left side of my face. It's possible I have it elsewhere as well but that one area is what we're concentrating on right now. It's been there a long time and we're relatively certain it has not mestastized but won't know for sure until after the surgery and all the subsequent tests. I met with the plastic surgeon on Monday and he will be doing the surgery tomorrow afternoon. It's a rather large area and he'll be carving out a pretty good sized chunk of my face. He said I will not be able to do much for a while and SAXOPHONE PLAYING IS OUT OF THE QUESTION until further notice. Hopefully I'll be able to play again in a few weeks but there is a slight possibility of nerve damage in which case it could be much longer and maybe never.
Please understand, I AM NOT TROLLING FOR SYMPATHY. I have every reason to believe I will make a full recovery and live a long healthy life after this ordeal is behind me.
My reason for this post is to encourage all you guys and gals to reconsider what a privilege it is to be able to do what we do. This has put things in a whole new perspective for me. I think back to all the times I neglected my playing because I just didn't feel like practicing or maybe there was something else I wanted to spend my time on. I took my horn for granted as if it would always be there for me. I could always pick up the horn when I felt like making music. Otherwise I could leave it in the case, out of sight out of mind. I regret that now. For the first time in my life I have been told I am strictly forbidden to play the sax. Now I find myself praying the layoff will not be long and that after I heal up it won't effect my embouchure and my ability to play once the doctor releases me. It seems so much more precious when faced with the prospect of not being able to do it anymore.
Thankfully, I also play piano and guitar so at least I still have a musical outlet. But the truth is, neither of those instruments can ever replace my first love.
Bottom line: If you love playing the sax as much as I do, don't take it for granted. Don't assume you can always play tomorrow. Enjoy it while you can today for there might not be a tomorrow.
Please understand, I AM NOT TROLLING FOR SYMPATHY. I have every reason to believe I will make a full recovery and live a long healthy life after this ordeal is behind me.
My reason for this post is to encourage all you guys and gals to reconsider what a privilege it is to be able to do what we do. This has put things in a whole new perspective for me. I think back to all the times I neglected my playing because I just didn't feel like practicing or maybe there was something else I wanted to spend my time on. I took my horn for granted as if it would always be there for me. I could always pick up the horn when I felt like making music. Otherwise I could leave it in the case, out of sight out of mind. I regret that now. For the first time in my life I have been told I am strictly forbidden to play the sax. Now I find myself praying the layoff will not be long and that after I heal up it won't effect my embouchure and my ability to play once the doctor releases me. It seems so much more precious when faced with the prospect of not being able to do it anymore.
Thankfully, I also play piano and guitar so at least I still have a musical outlet. But the truth is, neither of those instruments can ever replace my first love.
Bottom line: If you love playing the sax as much as I do, don't take it for granted. Don't assume you can always play tomorrow. Enjoy it while you can today for there might not be a tomorrow.
