02/20/2023
Today I head to the hospital for my 10th surgery in 3 years. I have a condition known as spinal stenosis, which basically means my bones are calcifying and growing in all directions. This in turn leads to a variety of problems when openings and passages in the bones shrink and pinch and impinge my nerves, tendons, etc.
I recorded a bunch of stuff in April when I became worried that I would never be able to play again, at least as I would like to and had been capable of before this mess. It proved to be a good idea as it is now almost a year later, and no sign of relief or a return to form. I am able to play rock, hardcore and punk music just fine, but fast stuff like death metal, blast beats and fast double bass are out the window still. This video, as well as the Hot Snakes video, one other Dissuader song and a couple I was not able to pull off were the last recordings I did. These songs were all done with a torn rotator cuff (right side, three full tendon tears), busted right big toe, stenosis symptoms in my neck back and right foot and a messed up left hand and wrist. I have since had the shoulder, toe and hand repaired but the spine is going to be an ongoing problem.
Today they are going to do a second attempt at implanting leads to trial a spinal stimulator deivice. The last time they did this a few weeks back, it ended badly with a brand new pain in my left foot instead of relief in the right foot. I am crossing my fingers that this time it goes well and I can find relief and again, blast off.
This is a slower song I released two videos for a couple of weeks ago. I really couldn't manage high tempos but I like the composition of the parts and it was a great chance to play music again with one of my oldest friends and musical partners. Many thanks to Eugene Ryabchenko for his help and teaching and Anderson Rice for the wonderfulopportunityto work with him and Racine Cage on this. This video is the recording of the drum parts and has no vocals and in the comments for the video is a link for the full band video.
I am sharing this again because I aspire to play like I want to play, live life without pain and discomfort, and get back to the me I was.
Thanks for all the support and encouragement. See you all on the other side of this procedure.
Peace - Lee
Stop Gap By DissuaderGuitars – A. RiceBass – Racine CageDrums and Vocals – Lee DiamondThis is the first complete song from an online collaboration between th...
