The trip to the ER felt endless. I was terrified of what weād find outāand part of me wanted to turn around and pretend none of it was happening. When Brent stopped twitching for a moment, I almost did. But something deeper told me: keep going.
At Lovelace and the Heart Hospital in Albuquerque, the doctors and nurses were incredible. They treated us with care and respect when we needed it most.
This healing journey hasnāt just been Brentāsāitās touched all of us.
The day we returned home and he stepped into the studio to sing, I completely fell apart. I hadnāt known if Iād ever hear that voice again. Music is Brentās passionāitās part of who he is.
Some of my favorite moments in life are spent with him in the studioārehearsing, singing, doing livestreamsānot for an audience, but because we love it. Seeing him light up on stage or during a stream makes everything feel right. And Iāll admitā¦ I was scared of losing that, of losing *us* in that way.
Recovery hasnāt been easy, especially with his hand and arm. He goes to physical and occupational therapy twice a week, and we do exercises and massage together every day at home.
He doesnāt always notice the small improvements. But I do.
Every time he moves a finger, grips something, or bends his wrist a little further, I see progress. I see strength. I see him.
We couldnāt have completed the shower project without him. His helpāhis presenceāmeant everything.
I know Brent doesnāt always feel like himself these days. But I see his light in every little victory. I see the man I love, growing stronger, even when he doesnāt see it himself.
And through all of this, Iāve realized something:
**I love him even more than I ever knew.**
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#BrentStrong, #MusicHeals, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #GrimLeaferBand, #StrokeRecovery, #LiveMusic, #StudioVibes, #OffGridLiving, #PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampgroundAndEventCenter, #TinyStageBigHeart, #HealingThroughMusic, #ComebackStory, #DesertPerformance, #MusicianLife
Tag: music therapy
2 Months After His StrokeāBrent Sings “Another Man’s Grave” & Proves Music Heals!
2-Month Stroke Recovery Update ā Brent (aka Advocatus Diaboli)
Itās been two months since Brent, known to many as Advocatus Diaboli, experienced a life-altering series of strokesāthree in total. After emergency surgery to repair the carotid artery in his neck and a long hospital stay, recovery has been slow but steady. We are filled with hope as each small milestone adds up to something powerful.
Brent can now grip objects with his hand again. Heās feeling more sensation and, along with it, more paināespecially in the shoulder. According to his doctor, thatās a normal part of healing. As the brain rewires and reconnects, itās re-teaching the nerves what those signals mean. Unfortunately, because the strokes went undiagnosed for a period, his shoulder muscles atrophied. This caused it to start dislocating with certain movements. But with physical therapy (and soon occupational therapy), we expect pain to decrease and strength to return.
The road has been toughāphysically and emotionally. Sleepless nights, trial-and-error exercises, and research-based movement routines have all become part of our daily rhythm. We discovered that lymphatic massages and simple exercises like thumb-to-finger touches helped Brent retrain his hand. Every small improvement is celebrated.
One thing that hasnāt changed? Brentās passion for music.
Live performances have continued throughout his recoveryānot just as art, but as therapy. Theyāre a source of connection, healing, and hope. Our shows are never about moneyātheyāre about sharing joy, weirdness, and a love of community through music and storytelling.
Brent sang Amigo The Devil āAnother Manās Graveā two days after surgeryāand again two months later. This emotional performance reflects not just his talent, but his resilience. You can watch that powerful moment below.
Follow Brentās recovery journey and live performances through:
šµ advocatusdiaboliandgrimleaferband.com
šŗ YouTube
š Facebook
š¶ TikTok
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#BrentRecovery, #StrokeSurvivor, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #LiveMusicHealing, #MusicTherapy, #StrokeRecovery, #GrimLeaferBand, #AmigoTheDevilCover, #MusicianLife, #OffGridLiving, #DesertMusic, #RehabilitationJourney, #IndieArtist, #StrengthThroughMusic, #SupportLocalMusic
Stroke Recovery Update: One Month LaterāBrent Sings Again and Fights to Reclaim His Strength
**One Month Stroke Recovery Update: Brentās Battle and Breakthroughs**
Today marks one month since Brentābetter known as *Advocatus Diaboli*ācame home from the hospital after suffering a cortical stroke and undergoing a Carotid Endarterectomy. The stroke took a toll on his mobility, especially in his left arm, and he experienced weakness in his leg. Most concerning of all, he was having serious trouble speaking, and doctors werenāt sure if heād ever talk normally againālet alone sing.
But just two days after coming home, Brent *sang*.
While his left arm hasnāt regained full function, weāre seeing hopeful signs. In the mornings, he can move his fingers and even form a grip. As the day progresses, fatigue takes a toll and that mobility lessensābut each day, heās staying stronger a little longer.
This recovery journey hasnāt been easyāespecially for such a strong and independent man. One clear example is our ongoing shower build. Brent knows if he were physically capable, it would already be done. But since Anne and I are learning as we go, itās been slow and only partially completed. Still, we push forward, proud of every step.
Today is Motherās Day, but I want to take a moment to honor Brent. Stroke recovery isnāt guaranteed. Itās scary, frustrating, and emotionally draining. The medications can worsen those feelings with side effects like irritability. And through it all Brent Colquhoun has been going strong!
We are beyond proud of his strength, his progress, and the music that continues to come back to life.
**Follow Brentās recovery, music, and live updates at:**
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#strokeawareness, #strokerecovery, #healingjourney, #musictherapy, #advocatusdiaboli, #grimleaferband, #independentartist, #strokeupdate, #supportlocalmusic, #vocalrecovery, #overcomingodds, #coldturkey, #quittingsmoking, #recoverymilestones, #corticalstroke
From Stroke to Song: One Month Later, I’m Singing Again!
Stroke Recovery Update: One Month Later
Just one month ago, we rushed to the ER thinking I had a severe pinched nerveābut it turned out to be a stroke. At the time, I was struggling to speak, and doctors werenāt sure if Iād ever talk normally againālet alone sing.
But here we are. The journey hasnāt been easy, but the progress has been incredible. Speech is returning, music is slowly coming back to life, and Iām continuing to defy the odds with every step.
Want to follow the journey? Iām sharing weekly updates, performances, and progress on social media, YouTube, and our official website:
[www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com](http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com)
Thank you to everyone whoās supported us along the way!
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#strokeawareness, #recoveryjourney, #musictherapy, #advocatusdiaboli, #grimleaferband, #strokeupdate, #healingthroughmusic, #strokesurvivor, #musicianlife, #overcomingodds, #vocalrecovery, #supportlocalmusic, #independentartist, #musicandhealing, #recoverymilestones
Advocatus Diaboliās 3-Week Stroke Recovery Update: From Surgery to Singing Again
Advocatus Diaboliās 3-Week Stroke Recovery Update: From Surgery to Singing Again
Itās been three weeks since Brent, the man behind **Advocatus Diaboli**, experienced a stroke that changed everythingābut not his spirit. Weāre proud to share that his recovery is coming along steadily, and one of the most powerful tools aiding his progress has been something close to his heart: *music*.
This week, Brentāstill recoveringāperformed **”Another Man’s Grave” by Amigo the Devil**, and the results are nothing short of inspiring. From just two days after surgery to now, Brent has been singing his way through recovery. His vocal strength and emotional presence are growing stronger with each performance, and you can follow that journey on the **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band** YouTube channel.
Music has been more than therapyāitās been a lifeline. Every week, weāre sharing updates on Brentās progress, and his resilience continues to shine through each note, lyric, and beat.
**Catch the latest video update and see how far Brent has comeāfrom the hospital bed to the stage.**
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#strokeawareness, #musictherapy, #recoveryjourney, #amigothedevil, #anothermansgrave, #advocatusdiaboli, #grimleaferband, #strokeupdate, #healingwithmusic, #inspirationalrecovery, #youtubeupdates, #poststrokerecovery, #musicsaves, #offgridlife, #supportlocalmusic
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