2-Month Stroke Recovery Update – Brent (aka Advocatus Diaboli)
It’s been two months since Brent, known to many as Advocatus Diaboli, experienced a life-altering series of strokes—three 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. He’s feeling more sensation and, along with it, more pain—especially in the shoulder. According to his doctor, that’s a normal part of healing. As the brain rewires and reconnects, it’s 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 tough—physically 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 hasn’t changed? Brent’s passion for music.
Live performances have continued throughout his recovery—not just as art, but as therapy. They’re a source of connection, healing, and hope. Our shows are never about money—they’re about sharing joy, weirdness, and a love of community through music and storytelling.
Brent sang Amigo The Devil “Another Man’s Grave” two days after surgery—and again two months later. This emotional performance reflects not just his talent, but his resilience. You can watch that powerful moment below.
Follow Brent’s recovery journey and live performances through:
🎵 advocatusdiaboliandgrimleaferband.com
📺 YouTube
📘 Facebook
🎶 TikTok
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#BrentRecovery, #StrokeSurvivor, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #LiveMusicHealing, #MusicTherapy, #StrokeRecovery, #GrimLeaferBand, #AmigoTheDevilCover, #MusicianLife, #OffGridLiving, #DesertMusic, #RehabilitationJourney, #IndieArtist, #StrengthThroughMusic, #SupportLocalMusic
Tag: musician recovery
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 nerve—but it turned out to be a stroke. At the time, I was struggling to speak, and doctors weren’t sure if I’d ever talk normally again—let alone sing.
But here we are. The journey hasn’t been easy, but the progress has been incredible. Speech is returning, music is slowly coming back to life, and I’m continuing to defy the odds with every step.
Want to follow the journey? I’m 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 who’s supported us along the way!
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#strokeawareness, #recoveryjourney, #musictherapy, #advocatusdiaboli, #grimleaferband, #strokeupdate, #healingthroughmusic, #strokesurvivor, #musicianlife, #overcomingodds, #vocalrecovery, #supportlocalmusic, #independentartist, #musicandhealing, #recoverymilestones
From Stroke to Song: Advocatus Diaboli Sings Again Just Weeks After Life-Changing Diagnosis
**From Off-Grid Peace to Hospital Alarms: Our Stroke Survival Journey**
Two weeks ago tonight, our peaceful, off-grid life in the New Mexico desert took a sudden and frightening turn. Brent—also known as Advocatus from our band *Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band*—began experiencing facial twitching. What we initially thought was a pinched nerve quickly spiraled into something far more serious.
Just a month earlier, Brent had lost movement in his arm and hand. Urgent Care diagnosed it as a pinched nerve and recommended an orthopedic visit. We booked the appointment, unaware that something much more dangerous was brewing beneath the surface.
The night we walked into the ER, everything changed. After hearing his symptoms, the medical team rushed Brent back immediately. That’s when real fear set in. X-rays and a CT scan revealed that Brent was having a stroke—and that the symptoms in his arm had actually been from a previous stroke, likely occurring around the time we visited Urgent Care weeks earlier.
A follow-up MRI confirmed it.
During his week-long hospital stay, Brent struggled with speech, and doctors were uncertain if he’d ever be able to sing again. For a man whose life revolves around music, it was a devastating possibility. But Brent is a fighter.
He underwent surgery to repair a clogged artery in his neck. Now he’s home, slowly regaining his strength. He’s singing again—his voice may not be at full strength yet, but it’s there. His arm is still affected, but we’re seeing small signs of progress. Only time will tell how much mobility he’ll recover.
These last two weeks have been filled with fear, uncertainty, and hard adjustments—but also love, resilience, and hope. I couldn’t be more proud of Brent. We are thankful for every day, every note sung, and every small step forward.
If you’ve followed our journey or are new to it, thank you for being here. Life off-grid isn’t always easy—but it’s real, it’s raw, and it’s ours.
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#StrokeSurvivor, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #OffGridLife, #HealingThroughMusic, #DesertLiving, #MusicTherapy, #RecoveryJourney, #IndieBand, #InspirationalStory, #LifeAfterStroke, #GrimLeaferBand, #NewMexicoLife, #SupportLocalMusic, #StrokeAwareness, #NeverGiveUp
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 