[pianotech] Off the wall question...

[Gerald Groot]

You were all correct in advising me to wait.  

 

I went to the doctor this morning.  While the infection wasn’t nearly as bad as it looks, he said it takes 2 weeks for the incisions to heal enough so that they won’t pull open while doing normal activities.  The one incision is not closed all the way due to the infection.  So, we’re correcting that.  He added that we should never do STUPID activities after surgery and we should never over do.  We must use common sense, he said.  

 

After I explained to him how we manipulate a tuning hammer and how it pulls on our bodies, he advised me that I should stay home from work until next week Monday which will then be 2 weeks and 4 days from my surgery date at which time I can start out tuning one piano a day.  Oh joy…  And, if it hurts?  STOP!  He said…  You should be fine but, repeating himself, he said; use common sense and listen to what your body is telling not to do.

 

I just wanted to say thanks again for the advice and I’m glad that I listened.  It makes waiting for next Monday that much easier.

 

Jer

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Groot
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 1:08 PM
To: 'Mike Kurta'; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Off the wall question...

 

Thanks for the answers and for the support so far, everyone.  

 

I feel soooooo GUILTY for NOT working!!!  I know I shouldn’t but, I do!  L  I’m booked a month ahead and I’m a whole month behind in work besides thanks to this.  I haven’t worked most of January.  I took the last 2 weeks of December off for vacation.  I generally do.  But, now things are going crazy around here again, including ME!    

 

I have thought of that Mike and I may have to resort to it in the end.  However, I am VERY WARY of allowing most techs to do certain things for me. One is quality.  Two is dependability.  Three is that I’ve been burned big time while trying this in the past.  Short explanation:  While we had both agreed at the time “verbally” stupid on my behalf I guess, that customers would not be stolen…, behind my back, they were slowly being taken away by underbidding.  By an RPT no less!!!!!  Consequently, it is a very tough call for me to trust someone again that much for tuning while I’m incapacitated.  

 

Too much greed from techs is another concern.  Instead of just “helping for income” for me while I am incapacitated, they want most if not all of it for themselves.  While I can get by for some time, by sending away for investments and savings, still, you know?  The principal of the thing just bugs me.  Jealousy maybe on their behalf that I am so busy all of the time?  I don’t know.  

 

Years ago, I’ve not told this story before but, we had a tech that was a member of our local PTG chapter.  He had a stroke.  He couldn’t tune for the rest of his life.  For a long time, I would drive 60 miles out of my way to do tunings for him on the side.  I gave him the whole amount of the tuning. I took nothing.  He needed the money.  I was there to help and so I did just that.  When I stopped, he had sold his business to someone up there, I never kept one client for myself, not one.  But it seems so much different with today’s generation….  For whatever that’s worth…  

 

Jerry Groot RPT

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Mike Kurta
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 11:49 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Off the wall question...

 

    Hey Jerry:

    Healing the body should be your top priority regardless.  The world won't end if you can keep your schedule.  But here's an alternative:  

    One of our chapter members was down with medical issues last December around Christmas, the busiest time of year for techs.  He asked me if I would pinch hit for him until he recovered.  Since I was not busy I gladly filled in for him.  He selected the customers and pre-arranged with them and me.  I could use the extra work, and he didn't disappoint those "special" jobs that couldn't be postponed.  It was a win-win for everyone.  

    We both agreed however that I would not solicit the customers to switch to me in the future, and that was only right.  Perhaps this is an answer?

    Mike Kurta

----- Original Message ----- 

From: tunerboy3 at comcast.net 

To: pianotech at ptg.org 

Sent: Monday, January 21, 2013 11:06 AM

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

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