SURGERY WAS HUGE SUCCESS – BAND BACK IN REHEARSALS AND PLANNING FOR 2024

As many will be aware, I had a case of chronic bursitis and calcific tendonitis in my right shoulder which had persisted for ten years. I had been given physiotherapy, painkillers, steroids, and everything over that period before being approved for surgery. After being approved between Covid and cancellations I had been waiting approximately 3 years for this operation, which finally went ahead a few weeks ago.

I was warned that the recovery period would be around 6 months, and there was a risk my shoulder afterward would be less functional than before and thus my guitar-playing days could be over.  We had planned the Kaine schedule this year (and next) around this fact, and we finished up our 2023 in Southend, at our poorest attended gig of the year (I think there were 8 people at most) knowing this could be my last, but had set a potential return date for gigging in April of 2024.

The hospital trip on the day was straightforward as there was a bus from where I live straight to Addenbrookes Hospital, which I got on at about 6am. My phone sim card died that morning, which was my only concern as the hospital wouldn’t let me take the bus home post operation so I had asked a friend to pick me up, but obviously couldn’t give him a time. I arrived slightly late due to the bus and the fact the building where the theatre was a bit of a walk from the bus stop but as soon as I arrived, I was prepped and after given my final warnings and my I had given my consent I was off in for surgery.

I was under for a couple of hours, and once I was brought back around, I was pretty much aware and feeling good to go. I was taken to the ward where I was told to remain while they checked my blood pressure intermittently to ensure I was okay post-op. I managed to dress myself almost right away and go to the toilet and was already feeling better. The operation had been a success, and I was told to get back to normal as soon as possible essentially. I was informed that I would be contacted by my local general hospital about the rehabilitation as and when, but it was expected I would make a full recovery.  I was discharged and thankfully the ward had Wi-Fi so I could let my mate know I could be collected.

The first thing I noticed was as the numbing wore off, I had full feeling in my right hand again. In the weeks leading up to the operation I had lost feeling in that hand and all I had was a weird pins and needs type feeling, which had gone. The day after as more of the number had worn off, I could already lift my arm about mid-way, and although I was a bit sore from the surgery, I was already in less pain than before. Over the week I regained full use of my arm and the only pain I was in was from the healing process, the agony I had experienced for years prior was finally gone.

Toward the end of the week, I messaged Toby asking if I could borrow his guitar for rehearsal on Sunday. I had planned to just do vocals only but given how everything was going I thought it would be good to try a little guitar. When I arrived Toby pretty much put the thing on me right away, I warmed up, and despite being a bit rusty from a few weeks off rehearsals, it felt fine, so we proceeded to rehearse the new set for 2024 and I managed to play the full 3 hours. This was just 9 days after surgery, and I was told it would be at least 6 months. The songs we did were arguably some of our hardest, so I was surprised I managed to play as I did, it was a little sore at the end but nothing like the pain I had the years previous.

I was then back to work this week, working a lighter schedule and I am, bar healing pain, pretty much back to normal. I have started some light weight training to help rebuild some strength in my arms and I am planning to rehearse again as normal tomorrow.

Since 2018 it feels like there has been some divine intervention with this band. After the release of A Crisis of Faith, as many know the entire band quit, and by some miracle I was joined by Liam, Toby, and Isaac immediately after. This band should have been dead and buried and yet we continue. The current line-up is now heading into its 6^th year together and is the longest continuous line-up this band has ever had, and the only line-up to appear on back-to-back releases (Reforge The Steel and After Extinction). Toby is already the band’s longest-serving lead guitarist, and this year Liam and Isaac will become the band’s longest-serving drummer/bassist respectively.

I am incredibly optimistic for 2024 and what the future can bring for this band, 2023 was a huge success with ourselves touring in support of the legendary Chris Holmes and Riot Act, and I am sure we can make 2024 even bigger, even if we didn’t get many votes to play Stonedead Festival next year! We never get booked for bigger festivals anyway. We’ll continue to work hard and push this band as far as we can on our own, and of course, your support!