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And it all came to a big halt!
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UPDATE 10.19.24. A day after the surgery, the surgeon wanted me to see a hand therapist. He wanted the cast removed ASAP due to swelling. I had to wait a day to go in because of a commitment so I went in yesterday and they took the cast off and said I was better off not having a cast on because of how swollen my fingers and hands were. They fitted me with a hard wrist brace with straps that I can undo and clean the incision sites and then redress it and put the wrist guard back on. There’s not much chance of the wrist moving because I have a plate on the top of it that holds the entire wrist straight while the break and dislocations fuse to the plate and screws under the wrist. It seems a little surreal to have a cast off a day or two after emergency major surgery or major surgeries because it was three surgeries done at the same time. I was told I had PTSD carpal tunnel syndrome from the fall and because of how tight the ER put the cast on my arm causing severe pain swelling purple blue fingers that turned like and numb. because of how tight the ER put the cast on my hand and my arm and fingers basically turned like numb and cold to the touch from lack a circulation. That was for five days after the accident that it was in that cast. II got nauseous when they took the cast off and I saw the extent of the incisions and stitches and staples and and a couple of huge ones that were much bigger than the regular staples and my daughter called him something I don’t know what they call them. Behometh comes to mind.. The pain is pretty extensive, and I’m on a synthetic medication, because I have allergy to the other option. Pain is worse at night and I have to keep it elevated while I sleep and that’s difficult because of course you switch positions
I am trying to do every single thing suggested, because I want to get back to playing guitar. I find myself reaching for it several times a day and realize it’s not possible yet and I say yet because I know I’m gonna get back to it.
My guitar teacher told me just sit at home relax have the guitar on my lap and do different patterns with my right hand I have essential tremors in my hand so finger style has always been difficult for me, but he said now is a great time just to do the patterns over and over and over and eventually he thinks my fingers will be trained to do the patterns and my fingers and hands won’t jerk or shake. I’m again hopeful for that. I always thought I was relegated to be just a rhythm guitarist but I’ve always wanted to learn finger style too so we’ll see!
Nothing much more to report fingers are still numb and won’t straighten all the way or bend/curve all the way to a fretting position but he says that it it’s too early to know exactly what’s gonna happen with the fingers in the hand especially because they had to move a couple of nerves that causes a lot of numbness many times and it can take weeks for a traumatize nerve to rebound back so I’m hopeful for that too. I will say that before surgery, my hand was stuck in a claw position. Good boy Long time since you’ve done that impress yeah no can I put thisI can now straighten the fingers probably 70-80% of the way. That simply amazes me.
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Thanks for the update Loraine and it seems you passed the first hurdle – completing the surgery and removing the cast. Also, ouch on the cast being so tight – yikes!
Now, your body needs to do the rest. I was going to suggest homeopathic arnica (pellets) to help with the swelling/bruising, but you might be beyond the time period where they are effective. Healing herbs, green juices, Vit D and rest might be the ticket for a quick recovery. Also, let your subconscious direct you to the next plateau in the healing process – the mind/brain/body is very knowledgeable if we don’t get in our own way.
So best wishes forward and keep that guitar on your lap to soak up its healing vibes!
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Thank you TerriG! I can see we’re very like minded in our beliefs of healing properties. I use essential oils with specific carrier oils all the time topically and ingested. These became essential to me because of my pain disorder. I rely on several combinations of oils and different Carrier oils to help with pain. I my sister-in-law went 5he other route and is a certified ,herbologist. She is up from NC, and she came laden with several tinctures and oils to help with circulation and reducing inflammation. I still prefer the essential oils because I feel they are stronger and work faster and they don’t taste nearly as nasty as a tincture, but I’ll take whatever I can get at this point. I will eventually go to my acupuncturist too.
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Incredible! Seems to be some good news in your report as well, that some movement has started coming back. Reading this thread reminds me of an anecdote that Joe Walsh once told: he called Les Paul
“One of the coolest people on the planet. He was a like mad scientist that played guitar.” Joe Walsh reveals the story that made Les Paul his hero“He was in a car accident,” Walsh explained, “and they said, ‘You’ll never play guitar again’ because he broke his arm in about four different places. He sat down, started playing, and said, ‘All right, set my arm like this. Put the cast on now.’ And he played great.”
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Thanks for the update @Loraine , I can see from reading your latest post that a “speedy recovery” is maybe out of the mix so to speak. What is most important is a good “successful recovery”, and that’s what I’m hoping and praying for, for you Loraine. Your strength, determination and positivity are inspirational to us all, perhaps more so than you know. Keep fightin’ girl!
Best wishes,
Bill Brown
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Thanks so much Bill I always appreciate your support and words of wisdom over the years we’ve known each other. I accept your well wishes and prayers.
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hang in there Loraine. Thoughts are with you!!! You will get through this. It is a mindset at this point. You will never be what you were but you do have a shot at being better! I like what your Teacher advised. Put the guitar in your lap. It is gonna be challenging at times but you can do it. I know you can. He is right about your tremor and the repetitions.
I have nearly lost the top joints on my thumb and middle finger of my fretting hand. Both finger tips were numb for years. And then Bam! they woke up. Nerve tissue is odd stuff. Have faith. If you find that lacking, we can bolster it with the stories of success of others who have had similar experience.
My thumb was almost shot off by a nail gun and my middle finger was almost popped off when a candy vending machine landed on it. Don’t ask. I was in college.
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Jeff that’s Flippin good news to hear about your nerves coming back I know how difficult it is when the nerves been disturbed. It’s scary to think that A nearly 100 pound Roddy no you won’t regain sensation or it will always be numb or you’ll always have issues whether it be in my wrist and hands playing guitar or nerve damaging my foot and leg from a tibial plateau break and the second botched surgery, and I have pain and numbness and deadness and sensitivity just to the bare minimalist Touch on my shins and calves to also affecting my balance and gait on my left leg, and a hot shooting pain up my leg all the way through my thigh. But you always have to look at the bright side because that surgeon was initially going to amputate my leg but he saved it so yes I have those other issues but would I have been happier with an amputated leg? It’s just such a difficult thing to know the answer to. I think the same will be true about the left wrist hand and fingers. Another rambling line message sorry about that
I did get nervous tonight, because I sent my daughter photos of my hand and fingers to show her the odd colors in my hand/fingers. I’ve never seen such an odd Green Gray Black purple and brown. She’s a registered nurse in San Francisco. I was simply commenting on the colors not that there was concern on my end, but her response was one of alarm and she suggested I go directly to the emergency room she felt it might be a serious issue with my arteries because of the Black almost dead looking skin against a fairy pale finger compared to the other two fingers and thumb. I spent nearly 3 hours in a panic trying to find out if it was actually necessary to go to the emergency room which is fairly difficult to do on a Saturday night I found out emergency room allow you to talk to doctors to discuss medical issues over the phone I don’t know why that baffled me but it did I went upstairs to the wound I thought maybe the discoloration is just from the surgery from you know he used markers on the Palma my hand so maybe the markers just got smudged on the fingers and yeah I’m thinking goofy stuff like this and but they’re markers they didn’t come out I tried cleaning them I did leave messages at the doctor the surgeons office as well as the physical therapy Center and I’m choosing the route of going to a urgent care in the morning instead of the emergency room tonight because my insurance charges me $250 or $300 if I’m not admitted and her response was go directly to the ER I think that’s something really dangerous having to do with the veins with arteries I spent probably three hours in a panic or near panic because of her saying that trying to get a hold of a doctor or the hospital without having to actually go into it I wanted to necessary saved a hell of a lot of time if I just gone in to the ER but I get nervous cause I have a dog and I live alone so I don’t have family in the area and it’s you know I worry about the dog if something happens to me who’s gonna take care of 100 pound Rottie? At least an urgent care will only charge me $50 and if I do have to go to The Er from there oh, I don’t think I’m charged the $250 or $300 ER visit. I’m charged the I’m not independently wealthy.
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As you can see, miss……. you have an entire team and rooting section behind you!
If I lived a little closer, I’d be bringing over dinners or something, or over to your place mowing your lawn or doing some other odd chores while you get better.
yop
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I do have a fantastic support group through the TAC members! I relied on this group back when Covid started and I was the sole caregiver for my mother who had Lewy body dementia and the community was so supportive and saved my life literally because I was so depressed being locked in the house with no family or support working full-time and being a full-time caregiver it was a very lonely experience and I’ve made some great friends through the forums and the open mics that I’ve gone to him jam clubs meeting up with people outside of TAC to Play guitar with and it has been so much fun so and reaching and rewarding and I will always be grateful to Tony and the original members of tack many that are still here but many that are moved on because they lifted me up and carried me the first several years, and I am still very good friends with many from the original group that I met. They taught me how to play guitar which was always a dream of mine and it’s my happy place and I do plan on getting back there again so I’m always grateful to so many but you hold a special place in my heart because you have always been a good friend and very supportive. I am very appreciative of that.
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Loraine–
You were the very first to welcome me into TAC– just under 4 years ago now. I’ve never forgotten that– and never will. All the best to you; you will crush this recovery.
yop
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This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by the-old-coach.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by
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get your hand/fingers/wrist sorted first and foremost. Now is not the time to worry about the money part. Let’s get your hand healthy. The cost will sort out later. There is even ways to have med costs covered through sponsored care. GET YOUR HAND EVALUATED for post op condition. I am no big proponent of the Med system but this is the stuff good docs can nail down. ER or Urgent Care, either one, as long as you go NOW! I say this with friendship and love and concern.
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Please review this link
Hey Jeff I went to urgent care today and the doctor said that the blood flow and oxygen to some degree (my oxygen was 91 which is low but I have asthma I did : warm to the touch and the doctor thinks it’s just extremely deep bruising on my fingers and the palm of my hand and then also on the wrist from the surgeries. I did leave a message for the surgeon and the hand therapist to call me tomorrow they may want to get me in sooner than my appointments just to take a look at it but I felt so much better after talking to the doctor today and I kind of knew that was going to be the outcome just because the fingers were not purple and they weren’t Cold and painful like they were when I had that too tight cast on the doctor did say that it could take weeks to a year for the nerves to come back and sometimes they just don’t come back and I know that and yesy not going to Focus on that too much I’m just doing the exercises they told me to do the stretches and the hot and cold alternating therapies
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Thanks a million for the update! (and thanks Jeff for the “nudge”).
Just so’s ya know, Loraine, there are likely quite few folks “watchin’ and worryin'” on your behalf in all of this. And we ALL wish you the best!
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You and I must meet someday!!<div>I think you’re a great friend and support. I appreciate you pointing out that others might be watching this. Maybe I will be able to influence some that are going through something similar too. Who knows?? </div>
Anyway, you enjoy your afternoon. We’re having a beautiful one I love the days right now. Nights are kinda cool but I love the days Indian summer aspect of it is one of my favorite parts. Seeing all the leaves on the lawn and my grass get lonfno don’t and put me at ease, because I can’t mow the grass. So I need to try to find a neighbor that can help me out with that and I have bags and bags of leaves and my trees haven’t even dropped yet. They drop in November. So and I have a guy come out and clean them up.
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Lorraine, Hang in there and keep up the positive Attitude. Life throws us a bunch of curve balls along the way for sure that you just have no control over – BUT you can control how you react = “ATTITUDE” and you seem to have the totally right Attitude. Good news is that you will recover, it will just take time. Focus on what you can do like you have been. I am sure you will get frustrated along the way, but just keep on keeping on and you will come out the other end just fine.
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Hi, chuck. I appreciate your positive uplifting message. Today is one of those days I actually need that. So thank you, there’s nothing in particular that’s going wrong today. It’s more, I miss the guitar and um, um, and II know I have a lot ahead of me so I’m just going to have to buckle down and do what I can like you said. I need to get back to my artwork. I haven’t been doing much of it so that’s another thing I can focus on but I want to continue with the guitar even if I can’t play It with 2 hands. Thanks again. I’ll give everyone an update of something else. Happens or hit a milestone or about to go into that second surgery
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@Loraine I am so sorry to hear about your injury and surgeries!! I am sending tons of good thoughts and healing prayer your way, and hope you heal through this quickly. I admire your “can do” attitude, you are an inspiration to us all.
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Carol. Thank you so much for the prayers and well wishes. Did I miss you this past weekend? Bunny is in my other jam club (they all are so talemtef)
She’s trained under Tommy Emmanuel. Richard Smith and so many others. Muriel has been very good to her.
Bunny is going to airdrop the video to me next time I see he.
Hope youre doing well.
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“realize you don’t stand alone” TAC4LYF.. and here have a song. It’s one me and my son wrote a few years back called “FREE”.
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This was a perfect song to keep me moving forward and to have faith in hope. It was extremely well done too I was very impressed.How long have you been playing guitar
Very much appreciate you posting this? And i’m going to save a copy of my youtube account so I can listen to it again as I need it.Have a great day!!
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YES!! So glad you dig. I played off and on up to around 2016ish then started coming around TAC and got motivated to play more. We played out a few times but things happened and now I mostly play to the trees. If there is a breeze the applause is amazing! haha.. thanks for the compliments and listening. Be well.
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Nice job with this song, thanks for posting!
P.S.: I miss Tom Petty too!
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Thank you.
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So sorry to hear this happened to you, Great outlook though and keeping things positive! Hope you heal up quickly so you can play normally again.
Best wishes,
Tommy~
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Tommy thank you so much!! It helps having all the support from the tech community TAC community, and trust me, I’ve utilize the forums quite a bit over the years.
Got the stitches and staples out today. Surgeon thinks I’ll get most of the range of motion back because of how far I can turn my wrist back-and-forth. And uh, move my fingers different ways. I still have a ways to go, but yeah, looks pretty good and the physical.Therapists thought the same thing that she thought I was doing great.
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Morning! That’s good news about your hand. Hope and trust you keep feeling a little better each and every day. Keep up that good positive attitude. 🙂
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Thanks Booker I really appreciate that and it is looking better than what I thought but I’ve also been really really doing all the therapy at home my friend said that wanting to get back to playing guitar is going to be my saving grace and biggest healer. Hoping to get back to playing by the end of the year maybe I have another surgery in four or five weeks, depends on the recovery from that but it won’t be as extensive as it surgeries I had already.
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That’s great, I’m very happy to hear things will be ok with that! 🙂
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Thanks Tommy I did breathe as I relief when I heard him say that and I’m just hoping it continues and I’ll be back to playing by the end of the year hopefully depending on the outcome on my neck surgery which is 4 to 5 weeks out
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Good news……. good thoughts.
You are stronger than these injuries.
Thanks for the update!
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Thanks let’s hope so ❤
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Wishing you the best of luck with your neck surgery!
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Reading through your responses, Loraine, you are clearly making positive gains with your hand and fingers. It is so good of you to keep your TAC friends updated as we root for you each day for your full recovery.
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Thanks for the encouragement! It’s good to hear from you too. It’s been a while. Hope you are well.
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“…….. positive gains with your hand and fingers…….”
AND her spirit!- (always helpful and encouraging– always “pulling us UP”)
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by the-old-coach.
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You’re sweet and kind — I needed a little lift today. The plate holding the wrist straight causes my had to be perpetually swollen, bruised and painful. I can’t pull my fingers down or in a fist, because it pulls on tender area. Lots is heat and cold wraps today. I think the fold might make it worse.
Bright side, had a fabulous dinner with my 86 year old neighbor, who I love dearly.
Thanks for the pick me up.
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I really don’t know anything about how serious- (medically speaking)- that your injuries are. I (we) can only focus on how strong you are, and the kind of person you are. Sounds like you really messed things up there, but, you are the same kind of really strong. So that would make it an even match…… but………. you are a really good person, which tilts the scale in your favor. But my guess is that it will take some time, but you already know this.
Lean on me … lean on us… whatever it takes. We are ALL here for you— for the long haul.
Like a loyal, old, dog—
theoldcoach- mark
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by the-old-coach.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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Pretty dang serious per the surgeon and therapist but I’m doing great. I’ll let everyone know next week what the surgeon says about when the second surgery
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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I am so sorry to hear this. I’m glad you are finding other outlets. Keep safe and well; may you heal up quickly. Take very good care of yourself.
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Phil, I really appreciate that! I’m just itching to get back to playing. Have some numbness in fingers that I hope is temporary.
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UPDATE: 2ND SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY 26 NOV.
TO TAKE TOP PLATE OUT THAT IS HOLDING WRIST COMPLETELY STRAIGHT. I CANNOT WAIT. My only concern is that the nurse questioned why he was taking it out sooner than he normally does. I’m going to call to discuss with him again, but he said I passed all his tests. I could turn my wrists forward and backward , touch all my fingers to my thumb and I could make a fist. Also, I wasn’t as numb in my fingers and thumb as I was 2 weeks ago.
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That is good news @Loraine. Big healing G chord vibes to you! Are you able to do some Finger picking drills with open strings? No nagging intended only encouragement. : )
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I’m working on 2 finger picking patterns. I’m using a metronome for time and different speeds. So far my tremors haven’t been too bad, so I’ve actually been able to do them.
I bought a glass slide to try on different not open tunings. Not doing that well with it though. I thought a slide would be fairly easy, but nope … haha. But, I’m using my damaged left hand an holding slide on top of strings and just goofing with it. I can’t put a lot of effort into it, because the fingers and hand still hurt. I’m using my rubber bridged guitar with flat wound strings for more of a bluesy sound.. I do like all the different voicing from the open tunings. Have tried open D, C, B, E. Still have F, A, G to play with
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Hey, kid–
I am amazed at how you are coping and adapting. I know, that’s easy for me to say, being a couple thousand miles away- (and only vaguely familiar with how bad your injuries were)- that it sounds like you are on the mend– and that is fantastic!!! I love it!
Thank you for being an inspiration for all of us, showing us courage and determination in the face of huge adversity!
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by the-old-coach.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 4 months ago by
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Actually, it’s the other way — Everyone here lifts me up and is inspirational to me. I’ve learned from the best.
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Awesome!
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11.21.24 CURRENT UPDATE: The surgeon moved my surgery up. He says I passed all 3 tests of being able to rotate my arm back and forth, make a fist, and I could feel pointed ends of paperclips and tell whether 1 or 2 when my eyes are closed. I couldn’t do any of these 2-3 weeks ago. The occupational therapist thinks my guitar playing experience helped me recover faster, because I had more forearm , wrist, hand/finger strength going into the injury and recovery, and I did a lot of weight training at the gym. So, surgery is the 26th next week. It’s to take out the internal fixator that’ goes from the top of my hand to mid-arm to keep the wrist it completely straight while the wrist and hand healed. I can’t wait, because it has caused perpetual bruising and swelling in my hand, and pain in my fingers. I am hoping to be able to begin slowly playing again by years end.
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Loraine– Thank you for the update. We’re all still thinking of you and sending you strength!
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Hi Loraine,
Just mulled through your more recent updates regarding your procedure and everything sounds really good and I’m glad to hear. Keep us updated and I hope you’ll be back to playing normally sooner than later 🙂
Have a great Thanksgiving,
Tommy~
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Great news! Can’t wait to see you posting songs again.
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Just wanted you to know I’ve been thinking about you and tomorrow’s surgery. I will continue pray for both you and the surgical team asking for a successful outcome.
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Good luck with the surgery this week Loraine! I’ll be thinking of you.
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OMG @Loraine I am so sorry to hear of your injury. Your attitude sounds amazing and that is the strongest medicine !
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