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So, I thought I'd share this with the tuba community.. see if anyone else has similar experience.

This week, I was playing softball at my place of employment, stepped in a hole in the outfield and let a fly ball hit me right in the chops. Several hours and much blood and stitching later, the docs repaired a very deep gash to my upper lip. My teeth nearly went through my lip. I'm all swollen now, as expected and the stitches are not much fun. Docs said it'll heal within several weeks, at best.

Ironically, this came at a time when I was considering jumping ship from music in pursuit of another career. Now, I sit here, unable to play and not exactly sure that I'll ever be at the level I was before smashing up my face. I've found that it has given me more desire to pick up that darn tuba and blow. It's been sort of humbling to come to terms with my passion for playing music by having it taken away from me. I'm looking forward to not having a double sized swollen lip, a deep gash a constant bleeding, just to see if I will ever play the tuba again. Interestingly enough, I was/am slated to play the broughton this fall/winter with my band. I intend to regain my chops and do so. Has anyone else had a traumatic occurance aid their playing? Somehow, I hope for the miracle that my chops will be stronger than before, or at least bigger from the scar tissue. That'd make one heck of a nice fountains and Ride!

It'll be interesting to see if anyone else has come back from an injury like this...

I also thought Bud Herseth lost his front teeth in an auto accident.

I've told the story a couple times here before of being hit in the face by a baseball a month before an all-state audition my junior year of high school. I had 17 stitches in my lower lip and a stub where one of my front teeth should have been. Miraculously, everything healed in time for me to prepare (nominally), and I got in. A bigger problem was later that season when I got cleated in the left corner of my mouth, which has left that side somewhat weaker than the other. Overall, it hasn't really affected my playing. I suspect you'll be fine.

Miah wrote:I can atest to the post by cktuba, Lips heal fast,
When I marched in Drum and Bugle Corps I took a bad dive and got smacked right in the face with the 3rd bass Drum.
I healed up pretty fast. granted i did not not need stiches but I can recall it healed way fast.

Just out of curiousity... what's with your avatar? I must be out of touch here.

TubaTinker wrote:

Miah wrote:I can atest to the post by cktuba, Lips heal fast,
When I marched in Drum and Bugle Corps I took a bad dive and got smacked right in the face with the 3rd bass Drum.
I healed up pretty fast. granted i did not not need stiches but I can recall it healed way fast.

Just out of curiousity... what's with your avatar? I must be out of touch here.

It's from the movie Office Space. I suggest renting it. A very funny movie .

Hi,
Raphael Mendez had to start all over again after 2 injuries to his face.

In 1932, Méndez suffered the first of two, horrific embouchure accidents. While warming up at the Capitol Theatre, a door was carelessly thrown open, his trumpet crushed against his face. After studying with several famous trumpet teachers without success, he returned to Mexico to study with his father. A year later, Méndez returned to the United States, moved to New York and joined the band of Rudy Vallee. After touring Southern California with the Vallee’s band, Méndez and his wife fell in love with California and moved there in 1937. Méndez’s twin son, Rafael Jr. and Robert were born shortly before the move to California.

from:
http://mendezlibrary.asu.edu/bio.htm

Bill Pritchard
Now on gate guard at CP Oscar/ Camp Walker
Taegu, South Korea. Wishing I was playing tuba!

Every time I see Miah's very cool "avatar" I think I am in another Harry Potter movie. When did that word stop meaning "incarnation of a deity" and begin to mean "thumbnail photo"? -Did I miss another memo?

back to the original topic of this post... december of my freshman year in college, i stepped out of my dorm room and there were some idiots playing golf in the hallway. unfortunately one of their golf balls fresh off of a 4 iron caught me in the front of the mouth. it cut through both of my lips and 4 of my teeth were loose. the cuts healed in about 2 and a half weeks and the teeth felt better in a few days. i was expected to play the hindemith for my jury the next week.