[pianotech] Off the wall question...

[Tom Rhea, Jr.]

Jerry,

As one who has had surgery and tried to exert myself inappropriately, I
would advise - DON'T!!

Let your incisions heal before taking on strenuous tasks such as tuning.
The surface incision will heal first but the internal cuttings will take
somewhat longer.  Please consult your physician, or better yet, your
surgeon.  They will have a much better handle on what you can tolerate than
do I.  My advice, though, FWIW, is not to aggravate your condition before
you heal.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Tom

Rhea Piano Service
Tom Rhea, Jr., Technician
(757) 373-0284
rheapiano at cox.net
www.rheapiano.com

 


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of tunerboy3 at comcast.net
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 11:06 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Off the wall question...

I am curious about something that I feel stupid asking but yet, I don't have
an answer either.  The doctor sure isn't going to know the answer.  Not to
this question. 

Here's the story and then the question.  

On January 10th, I had my Gallbladder removed.  I've been home since.  I was
planning on going back to work today to tune one piano and see how it went
until, last night when I realized I've got a fairly good infection going on
in a couple of the incisions.  They don't look good.  It is hurting more in
those areas today than on Friday.  The incisions are not healed yet due to
the infection which is oozing...  I am going to see the doctor tomorrow
morning about the infections.  

I have quite a lot of grands to tune at my college and other pianos too of
course but, I'm wondering about the pulling part of tuning on the incisions
while they are trying to heal which leads me to my question?  Especially on
pianos with tight tuning pins.  

When we tune, we pull with our arms, leaning backwards without thinking with
our bodies pulling away from what is pulling us forward.  That has to put
more stress on certain areas in our belly etc., that we normally don't even
think about.  Anyone have any idea how much force is required to pull while
tuning?  How much force is on our bodies?  How does this effect our bodies
in these areas while they are trying to heal closed?  

With my incisions not healed closed yet I'm really wondering what sort of
decision I should make about tuning?  I'm falling so darn far behind
everything it's going to take me forever to catch up again.  

Any ideas?  Gone through it?  Thoughts?  

Thanks,

Jerry Groot RPT
www.grootpiano.com