[Dixielandjazz] A New Year with Rocky Ball(s)

[Bigbuttbnd at aol.com]

Well THAT subject line probably got your attention!

Its good to be back on the DJML (heck, it's good to be back anywhere!).

Thanks to all you listmates who sent me greetings, get well messages and 
prayers. On November 22 I suffered a brain stem stroke and for several days 
it looked very bad. Those prayers were answered, however, and I'm making a 
speedy recovery. In fact, my neurologist told my wife that in his career he 
has never had a patient suffer a brain stem stroke like mine that didn't end 
up on a ventilator.

I feel a little guilty, though. Other than those first few bad days (which I 
don't remember) I felt perfectly fine throughout a 3-week hospital stay and 
another 4 weeks of recovery at home. I guess I had the most pleasant stroke a 
fellow could have!

My left side is a little weaker (and sloppier) than my right which has pushed 
me back to being a rhythm banjo only player for a while. The stroke mostly 
affected the areas in my brain that control balance, vertigo and eye focus. 
The rest of my brain seems to be operating at the same level as it did before 
(which some folks consuder inadequate, at best).

My vision is pretty rough... seeing double. This makes graphic design a 
little tedious on the computer but I hope it will improve in time. I had to 
relearn how to walk but since being released I've moved beyond the 
wheelchair, the walker and the cane to walking around the house unassisted. 
Of course, I have that adorable Frankenstein waddle that sends the 
neighborhood children scurrying and starts all of the dogs howling... but 
that improves a little every day.

It's great to be back. I missed you guys.

Thanks,

Rocky Ball, banjo (sort of)
Atlanta, Georgia