A musician by the name of Colin Miller, who underwent an eight hour brain operation, managed to play his acoustic guitar during the procedure.
UK guitar player Colin Miller who hails from Kent, England, underwent this procedure, after being diagnosed with a life-limited glioblastoma late last year.
This happened after Mr Miller’s face went into spasm on his way home from a holiday in Cyprus.
He soon underwent surgery at London’s King College Hospital, to remove a golf-ball sized tumour on his brain.
Incredibly, Mr Miller chose not to put under for this operation, opting to use his own unique anaesthetic. He was given the choice of being put to sleep or remain awake for the operation.
During the operation, the musician played his own acoustic guitar, having informed doctors that it was the main outlet for his left side motor movements.
It was at this point that he was asked to bring out his acoustic guitar for the operation, as to not “lose mobility in my hand and fingers”.
“fascinating” Guitar Experience
In a subsequent interview, Colin Miller called the whole experience “fascinating”.
“The doctor questioned how I use motor movements on my left side, and I told him I play the guitar”, he said. “So not to lose mobility in my hand and fingers, they asked me to bring in my guitar and I was woken up part way through my surgery and played different tunes”.
“struck with emotion”
A video of this unique performance was shared online and you can check out below.
In the video, which was posted by Brain Tumour Research, Mr Miller can be spotted casually playing his guitar, unaware of the doctors using the surgical apparatus around him.
He later received chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Amazingly, he has returning to music, performing with his local Bay Baptist Church band, where he plays guitar and occasionally sings.
Last month, Mr Miller also took part in the Brain Tumour Research’s 99 Miles in November challenge to raise funds, which at the time of writing has raised £1,396 – 684% of his original target.
The organisation’s mission is to “find a cure of all types of brain tumours”.
On this, Miller explained: “I had to give up my driving license, but I can still move my body, and I feel blessed to be able to do so in support of the brain tumour community”.
“I’ve been struck with emotion upon reading the stories shared amongst the group on Facebook. I truly believe that investing into research will lead us to finding kinder treatments and eventually a cure for this devastating disease”.
Check out Colin Miller’s JustGiving page here.
