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Roger Frisch of Plymouth, Minn., lay on the operating table with his hands clutching his violin to his chin. While surgeons operated on Frisch's brain, Frisch began to play the chords he's known for more than 30 years.
It seemed like a scene from a science fiction movie. But every note he played told the surgeons whether the electronic pulses they were sending to his brain worked to ease his body's tremors.
In June 2009, doctors diagnosed Frisch with essential tremors, a condition that occurs when sections of the brain that control movement start sending abnormal signals.
Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from essential tremors, according to the International Essential Tremor Foundation.
The condition most often affects hand movements, and simple tasks such as drinking a glass of water or eating become difficult. But for Frisch, a concert master with the Minnesota Orchestra, his right hand shook uncontrollably only when he held his bow up to his violin.
READ MORE via Cutting Edge: Treating Tremors Through Deep Brain Stimulation – ABC News.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Honorary tenured advisor
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What an amazing article. I hope the surgery gave Mr. Frisch some relief.
Quite risky person! Prefered take a chance to live for music instead living without! Impressed by his courage! Of course it is always better to LIVE then just BE ALIVE! Wish total recovery, without any consequences.
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Well put, Mad_Wed.
I hope the experiment/treatment results in permanent relief from his condition.
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I found a follow up article and posted it as well. You can link to the original from my post HERE.
Incredible choice that he made.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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That's amazing! But the thought of it is also really scary 
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wow...who would've ever thought people would be playing music while in surgery 
-g
WOW!!
14 years ago, my mom had a brain surgery to remove a punctured tumor, she had a general anesthetic. She was in coma for the next several days, her memories were all messed up, and she lost some of them (she forgot me!!). Any way, she is fine now and her memories seems to be okay, too; however, her childhood memories seem to dominant her long-term memory.
Techniques nowadays are so advance, they may only need to drill a pin hole to conduct the surgery for this guy. Good for him to be so brave to contribute to medical science!
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Fiddlerman said:
I found a follow up article and posted it as well. You can link to the original from my post HERE.
Incredible choice that he made.
I'm so happy to hear he his now tremor free. What an amazing story!
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I just showed my wife that article because that violinist lived right by her in MN and she already heard about that story awhile back. She told me that it is not too uncommon anymore to keep people awake during brain surgery foor certain procedures and it doesn't hurt. I've never heard of this and it really freaks me out.
Maybe it doesn't hurt but if I knew they were going to open up my head for surgery and keep me awake, the heart attack from nerves would probably kill me.
It's a wonderful story and I didn't realize how common it is (not the violin playing part). Wow!!!
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myguitarnow said:
......Maybe it doesn't hurt but if I knew they were going to open up my head for surgery and keep me awake, the heart attack from nerves would probably kill me.......
You and I both. You summed up my feelings exactly.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Wow! That's amazing! That's great that the tremors are gone.
Now I want to meet this guy... at least he's not that far from me. xD
I wonder why I didn't hear about this on the news? o_O
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Mustang said:
Wow! That's amazing! That's great that the tremors are gone.
Now I want to meet this guy... at least he's not that far from me. xD
I wonder why I didn't hear about this on the news? o_O
If you have a chance to go visit him and you want an excuse
Fiddlerman.com would LOVE to post a news article about him. Maybe it could be part of a project for your homeschooling program.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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FM brought up a great idea Mustang. Make it an extra credit report for your homeschooling. The MN Orchestra is world renown and I'm sure there is a few people on their crew that know who Pierre is. I recently talked to the guy that makes a lot of the bows for the MN Orchestra and he's really cool and I bet he could set up an interview for you. He's neighbors with one of my best friends since childhood.
Here'a link to their website:
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myguitarnow said:
FM brought up a great idea Mustang. Make it an extra credit report for your homeschooling. The MN Orchestra is world renown and I'm sure there is a few people on their crew that know who Pierre is. I recently talked to the guy that makes a lot of the bows for the MN Orchestra and he's really cool and I bet he could set up an interview for you. He's neighbors with one of my best friends since childhood.
Here'a link to their website:
Well by golly, I think I will do that!
What's the guy's name who makes the bows for the MN orchestra? I wonder if I've heard of him before.
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Matt Wehling.
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Mustang said:
Well by golly, I think I will do that!
What's the guy's name who makes the bows for the MN orchestra? I wonder if I've heard of him before.
Just want to warn you that the pay is terrible. 
But we will appreciate it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
MGN said:
"Maybe it doesn't hurt but if I knew they were going to open up my head for surgery and keep me awake, the heart attack from nerves would probably kill me."
No, it wouldn't! They give some drugs to make patients not to worry. Actually you have a funny feeling and there is NOTHING that can scare you =)
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Fiddlerman said:
Just want to warn you that the pay is terrible.
Well, I won't do it unless I get a nice paycheck. Just kidding! 
myguitarnow said:
Matt Wehling.
Oh, no. Never heard of him. xD
I'm sure my cousin has, though. My cousin works for Claire Givens Violins in Minneapolis.
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http://www.mattwehling.com/ and I'm sure Claire has heard of him. Ask her who is working on those bows.
Mad Wed that technology is so wonderful, sorry I missed your post. It's just scary stuff... The process and thinking about it.
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