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senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1056
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 5:41 am:   Edit Post

Guys,
nearly one year ago I posted that I am back.
Well, and then a serious health problem happened in June
and my life changed completely:
I had a retinal thrombosis in my right eye in June last year and the doctors told me to see that as a warning. Could have also
been a stroke or a heart attack.
Had only 30% visibility left on my right eye. Had to change my whole life. Lost nearly 45lbs yet, stopped smoking, doing Sports now, need to take blood thinners, no stress anymore allowed, no heavy lifting etc.
And also very nice injections directly into the eye.
So therefore no music and no Band for me since then.
Am currently thinking in buying another Alembic.
Maybe now my Dream Spyder?
We'll see....
Keep in touch guys plse.....
Oliver (Spyderman)
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 2063
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 7:18 am:   Edit Post

That was a warning indeed, glad you are on the mend and have taken some lifestyle changes.
As a health professional, and this is is to everyone, smoking is the worse pastime you can do to yourself!(excluding handling venemous creatures LOL). I have gone back to martial arts after a 21 year absence,starting at white belt again( I was 2nd dan in taekwon do) but the instructors whittled me out and I have train with the higher and dan grades and the style is Wado Ryu(Japanese and not Korean)
The point is..you are never too old to change your ways..especially before it is too late
Best wishes Oliver
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1057
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 7:28 am:   Edit Post

Terry,
thank you for your kind words.
Yes indeed, you are absolutely right. Second chance.
I did change everything I thought would be helpful.
But not beeing able to do like before is a hard learning process.
Oliver (Spyderman)
5a_quilt_top
Member
Username: 5a_quilt_top

Post Number: 69
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 7:34 am:   Edit Post

Congrats Spyderman!

My advice: celebrate by indulging your greatest passion and use the $$ you were spending on excess food, smokes, etc. and apply it to what you've always REALLY wanted!

What could give you more pleasure than the ULTIMATE SPYDER?
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1058
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 7:40 am:   Edit Post

David,
thank you!
Well that is a good point.....
Need to think about....
Oliver (Spyderman)
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1831
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 7:49 am:   Edit Post

Oliver,
Glad to hear that you are on a better path after such adversity and here with us! With all the positive changes you've made the learning curve is bound to get less steep.
Sending vibes your way ((((((( Spyderman )))))))
Best regards,
Art
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1059
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 7:57 am:   Edit Post

Art,
thank you!
Yes it also works this way!
Oliver
tubeperson
Senior Member
Username: tubeperson

Post Number: 414
Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 8:04 am:   Edit Post

Oliver, during October and November I was in the hospital. What should have been a simple 40 minute procedure turned into a 4 hour very dicey surgery, with collateral issues brought on as a result. I understand personally what you have and will be going through. Keeping things simple and not feeling deprived, but rather glad to still be here has helped me a lot. This type of event really puts things into perspective. Good luck and remain happy and healthy!
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1543
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 8:05 am:   Edit Post

Oliver,

Glad to hear that you were fortunate enough to GET the warning. Far too many never get the chance and simply exit life after a major stroke, heart attack, etc.

Sounds as though you've taken that 2nd chance and made some appropriate lifestyle changes in regards to your health and well being. Kudos for that.

Giving up smoking, drinking, etc will likely net you enough $ to pay for that custom Alembic after a few years! Go for it!!

All the best,
Toby
smokin_dave
Advanced Member
Username: smokin_dave

Post Number: 358
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 8:06 am:   Edit Post

Good to see you post again Ollie and your mending up.Quitting smoking is a major plus for you as well as for myself.It's been about a year since I gave up cigs and although I have had a bump or two on the road to being tobacco free I feel a lot better with breathing and such.And if it becomes too tough to tame try electronic cigs.It works for me.
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1060
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 9:46 am:   Edit Post

Steve, Toby, Dave,
many thanks for your kind words. I can only second all your opinions!
Keep in touch
Oliver (Spyderman)
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 2273
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 10:44 am:   Edit Post

Glad you're still with us, Oliver. Peace and good (improving) health!

John
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1061
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 10:46 am:   Edit Post

John,
thank you so much!
Oliver (Spyderman)
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 3021
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 11:35 am:   Edit Post

Good to have you back!
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1064
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 11:40 am:   Edit Post

Adriaan,
dank je wel!

Oliver (Spyderman)
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5349
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver:

Good to hear from you again. Life changes can be an amazing experience. Great to hear you caught things in time. Rewarding yourself with your dream alembic sounds like the right plan. We only live once.

Bill, tgo
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 7929
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post

Nice to see you, Oliver! May your "second chance" be a long one.
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1065
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post

Bill, thank you very much!
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1066
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,
thank you!
I have sent you a mail aswell....
Talk later
Oliver (Spyderman)
oddmetersam
Advanced Member
Username: oddmetersam

Post Number: 241
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:06 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver,
There's no better feeling than pulling out of a nosedive and the windscreen is suddenly only full of blue skies...and an Alembic bass on the horizon. Looks like you're back in climbing mode. May the sky be the limit. Congrats!
-Sam
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11017
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:08 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver; thank you for sharing your story with us. And it is good to hear from you, and to know that you are recovering. Holding you in my heart.

David
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1067
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:28 pm:   Edit Post

Sam,
thank you so much!
Positive thinking is the key....
Thank you!
Oliver
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1068
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 1:31 pm:   Edit Post

David,
thank you so much.
I really appreciate....
Oliver (Spyderman)
ajdover
Senior Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 1010
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 3:06 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver - so glad to see you back where you belong!

Alan
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 473
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 3:53 pm:   Edit Post

Ollie,

I had a heart attack several years ago. Giving up the smokes was really hard for me and changing my diet was also somewhat difficult.
I found that once the smokes were gone my sense of taste increased. Win/win.

I also took work that was less stressful and have been really happy working for the bucks not too many but sufficient and the upside is playing more than I have in my entire life. Except for the 3 years in the late 80's when I tried my hand at going pro.

Mate! I am glad that you are on the mend. Having these type of health scares really puts our lives and the priorities we set ourselves into perspective.

Each of us here at the Alembic Club has a world wide support group that is frequented by extremely talented and wonderfully kind folks.

I am sure that if there would be anything that you would require from a buddy, somebody here would hold you (or any of us) up! Lean on me.

Live long my friend.

slawie
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2795
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 5:07 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver ,
I wish for you the best of the best of everything , that includes that Alembic of your dreams !
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1428
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, February 22, 2013 - 8:57 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver, I'm so glad you are OK. The same thing happened to my mom. What makes it hard for her is that she's an artist and when it happened she was in the middle of commuting from Boston to Pietrasanta, Italy to work a sculpture. Needless to say, it interrupted her schedule, as she had to have multiple eye surgeries, each of which required weeks of lying face down with a bubble in the eye. When she finally made it back over, the other eye went out and she ended up being blind in Italy for some weeks before she could get back to work. However, it all ended up OK. The sculpture turned out nicely (http://hechingerreport.org/wp-content/uploads/Statue-of-Robert-Frost-on-the-Amherst-College-Campus-Photo-by-Justin-Snider.jpg) and her health is stable and turning 77 in a couple of weeks. So, you've got many years of much enjoyment ahead of you! I really hope that it includes another Alembic. We need our Spyderman!
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1069
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2013 - 2:28 am:   Edit Post

Alan,
thank you!
Will reply to your mail later today..
Oliver
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1070
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2013 - 2:33 am:   Edit Post

Slawie, Sonicus, Edwin,
thank you so much for your opinions and kind words.
Keep in touch
Oliver ( Spyderman )
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 936
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 23, 2013 - 4:54 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver,
Best wishes brother, I think Slawie hit the nail on the proverbial head!

This is a really good group of folks here and prayers/ positive vibes and good juju is abound!
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1960
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2013 - 4:00 am:   Edit Post

Oliver:

So very glad for your 'near miss'. After guitars and bands and all the things that occupy our lives, it really comes down to a few things, not the least of which is having a quality of life. I spent a very long time under a great deal of stress . . . . ultimately for no good reason. I've been out from under that now for several years, and can tell you that it's just not worth it. I always have heard about how you spend your life, and I now look at it that way. However long each of us have, only God knows, but it's an amount of time we have to spend, just like spending money. Spend the rest of yours on things that are good for you, and good for you not just in terms of diet or quitting smoking, etc: Spend it on things that make you and those in your life feel happy down to your bones. There's nothing better than that. I had to re-learn how to have fun like a little kid, to re-capture those days of riding a bicycle and playing cowboys. Not entirely possible as a middle-aged man, but was important for me to grasp that innocent concept of fun, which I'd lost.

You take care of yourself. I've decided stress is a great thing for concrete, not people !

J o e y
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1071
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Sunday, February 24, 2013 - 6:15 am:   Edit Post

Paul, Joey,
many thanks for your kind words guys.
It really feels like coming home in here....
Oliver (Spyderman)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3329
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 4:38 am:   Edit Post

Great to see you back Oliver and I really hope you get that spyder you're wanting.


Graeme
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 1035
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 6:11 am:   Edit Post

A very rare spyder indeed!
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1074
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 12:16 pm:   Edit Post

Graeme,
thank you!
Keavin,
:-)
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1080
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 8:13 am:   Edit Post

Is there only bad luck with me?
I have lost my job today, a real surprise
without any forecast, nothing.....
My boss gave me a call to come into his office for a few
minutes. Dang!
I hate it.....
Dream of my dream Alembic destroyed....
Oliver (Spyderman)
5a_quilt_top
Member
Username: 5a_quilt_top

Post Number: 78
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 9:30 am:   Edit Post

Sorry to hear that, Oliver, the timing sux.

BTW: your dream is still alive within you - it's just been postponed slightly due to unfortunate circumstances beyond your control.

Should you get a new job with higher pay, realizing your dream will actually be closer than it was before.

Keep the faith, Spyderman!

After all, you ARE a superhero, so anything is possible.
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1081
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 9:48 am:   Edit Post

David, thank you!!!
Positive thinking!
Oliver (Spyderman)
5a_quilt_top
Member
Username: 5a_quilt_top

Post Number: 79
Registered: 6-2012
Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post

It's very powerful.

But, you already know that because of what you just went through with your health.

Compared to that, this is a piece of cake.

Keep yer eyes on th' prize, my friend!
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 2288
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 6:18 pm:   Edit Post

Oliver, that absolutely sucks. So sorry to hear it. Lots of people in that situation, and having it happen to a friend is quite a reality check. As I told another friend in similar circumstances a little while ago, today is over and tomorrow is full of opportunities. I have no doubt something good will find you at the right time. Until then, of course, be well and I am keeping you in my thoughts.

John
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1082
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, March 08, 2013 - 4:09 am:   Edit Post

John, thank you very much. I am sure I will find something new...
Thank you for your nice words.....
Keep in touch
Oliver (Spyderman)
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1420
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Friday, March 08, 2013 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

More time to play bass!

Peter (Who hopes you can replace this musical windfall with a financial one quickly enough the former doesn't sour!)
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 1083
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, March 08, 2013 - 6:42 am:   Edit Post

Great statement Peter!
More time to play bass, so true!
Thank you for the insight......
Oliver (Spyderman)

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