The trip to the ER felt endless. I was terrified of what weâd find outâand 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 hasnât just been Brentâsâitâs touched all of us.
The day we returned home and he stepped into the studio to sing, I completely fell apart. I hadnât known if Iâd ever hear that voice again. Music is Brentâs passionâitâs part of who he is.
Some of my favorite moments in life are spent with him in the studioârehearsing, singing, doing livestreamsânot for an audience, but because we love it. Seeing him light up on stage or during a stream makes everything feel right. And Iâll admit⊠I was scared of losing that, of losing *us* in that way.
Recovery hasnât 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 doesnât 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 couldnât have completed the shower project without him. His helpâhis presenceâmeant everything.
I know Brent doesnât 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 doesnât see it himself.
And through all of this, Iâve 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: stroke survivor
2 Months After His StrokeâBrent Sings “Another Man’s Grave” & Proves Music Heals!
2-Month Stroke Recovery Update â Brent (aka Advocatus Diaboli)
Itâs been two months since Brent, known to many as Advocatus Diaboli, experienced a life-altering series of strokesâthree 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. Heâs feeling more sensation and, along with it, more painâespecially in the shoulder. According to his doctor, thatâs a normal part of healing. As the brain rewires and reconnects, itâs 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 toughâphysically 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 hasnât changed? Brentâs passion for music.
Live performances have continued throughout his recoveryânot just as art, but as therapy. Theyâre a source of connection, healing, and hope. Our shows are never about moneyâtheyâre about sharing joy, weirdness, and a love of community through music and storytelling.
Brent sang Amigo The Devil âAnother Manâs Graveâ two days after surgeryâand again two months later. This emotional performance reflects not just his talent, but his resilience. You can watch that powerful moment below.
Follow Brentâs recovery journey and live performances through:
đ” advocatusdiaboliandgrimleaferband.com
đș YouTube
đ Facebook
đ¶ TikTok
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#BrentRecovery, #StrokeSurvivor, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #LiveMusicHealing, #MusicTherapy, #StrokeRecovery, #GrimLeaferBand, #AmigoTheDevilCover, #MusicianLife, #OffGridLiving, #DesertMusic, #RehabilitationJourney, #IndieArtist, #StrengthThroughMusic, #SupportLocalMusic
Stroke Recovery Off-Grid: What No One Tells You About the Pain, Uncertainty, and Healing Process
Recovery, Reflection, and Real Life at Ka-Hoon Campground
We want to start by saying **thank you** for your patience and support. We havenât been posting as much lately because life has been fullâwith doctor appointments, ongoing recovery, and tending to the daily flow of campers coming and going here at **Ka-Hoon Campground** (Plateau Hame de Colquhoun). Despite everything, weâre still here, still growing, and grateful for each step forward.
We’re currently in **full recovery mode** after a medical event that changed everythingâa stroke. We had read about stroke recovery, seen others go through it, even feared it quietly… but nothing truly prepares you for the reality. Not just for the person recovering, but also for those who love and care for them.
Stroke recovery is uncertain and incredibly personal. You donât get clear answers from doctors. Thereâs no magic scan or test that can tell you whenâor ifâyouâll be able to hold a squishy ball again or push the power button on a water pump. It takes **time, physical therapy, occupational therapy**, a lot of **rest**, and even more **determination**.
One of the unexpected challenges has been circulation issues in the affected arm. Swelling and pain are common when mobility is limited. Weâve learned how to perform **lymphatic massage**, and itâs made a noticeable difference. Itâs humbling how something as small as brushing your hair or lifting a spoon becomes a monumental task.
Every day is about celebrating the small wins. And even in the midst of all this, weâve been able to keep Ka-Hoon Campground runningâwelcoming guests, maintaining our off-grid homestead, and finding moments of peace under the wide New Mexico sky.
If youâre going through something similarâwhether youâre a survivor, caregiver, or just someone whoâs curiousâwe see you. This journey is tough, but not impossible.
Thank you for being part of our story. We hope to see you out here soonâwhether for a night under the stars or just to breathe a little deeper and reconnect.
Stay kind, stay strong, and always take time to rest.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#KaHoonCampground, #DesertHealing, #StrokeRecoveryJourney, #OffGridLife, #CampNewMexico, #MindfulCamping, #RecoveryTakesTime, #NatureTherapy, #SupportAndHealing, #RVLife, #QuietTheMind, #AlternativeLiving, #HealingInNature, #OccupationalTherapy, #LifeAtKaHoon
From Stroke to Stage: Advocatus Diaboli Returns for Open Mic Night in the Desert!
Back at It: Open Mic Night with Advocatus Diaboli â May 25th at Ka-Hoon Campground
Itâs been a challenging journey, but Brentâalso known as **Advocatus Diaboli**âis on the road to recovery. Following his stroke, each day brings a little more strength, a bit more movement, and renewed energy. While he’s still healing and tires easily, heâs determined to reconnect with the music and community that bring him to life.
In celebration of his progress and the desire to get back to doing what we love, **weâre hosting an Open Mic Night on Sunday, May 25th** at **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center** in the New Mexico desert.
This event is **free to attend**, with **camping available at just \$12 per night** (up to 5 people per site). Whether youâre a seasoned performer or just want to relax under the desert stars and listen, all are welcome.
**Canât make it in person?** No problem! Weâll be livestreaming the event on our **TikTok channel (@ColquhounEntertainment)** so you can watch, support, or even join in remotely.
This is more than just an open micâit’s a moment to reconnect, celebrate resilience, and support local artists. Brent may not be 100%, but his passion for music and community is stronger than ever.
**Join us May 25th for music, connection, and healingâlive from the heart of the desert.**
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**Follow us on TikTok:**
* @colquhounentertainment
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#OpenMicNight, #LiveMusicNM, #KaHoonCampground, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #StrokeRecovery, #DesertVibes, #NewMexicoEvents, #SupportLocalMusic, #CampingVibes, #OffGridLife, #HealingThroughMusic, #TikTokLiveEvent, #MusicInTheDesert, #DesertCampout, #ColquhounEntertainment
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. Brentâalso known as Advocatus from our band *Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band*âbegan 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. Thatâs when real fear set in. X-rays and a CT scan revealed that Brent was having a strokeâand 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 heâs home, slowly regaining his strength. Heâs singing againâhis voice may not be at full strength yet, but itâs there. His arm is still affected, but weâre seeing small signs of progress. Only time will tell how much mobility heâll recover.
These last two weeks have been filled with fear, uncertainty, and hard adjustmentsâbut also love, resilience, and hope. I couldnât be more proud of Brent. We are thankful for every day, every note sung, and every small step forward.
If youâve followed our journey or are new to it, thank you for being here. Life off-grid isnât always easyâbut itâs real, itâs raw, and itâs 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
Stroke Survivor Sings Again: One Week Update Singing “Another Man’s Grave” by Amigo the Devil
**Two weeks ago, we were told Advocatus Diaboli might never sing again.**
One week ago, he sang *âAnother Manâs Graveâ* by Amigo The Devil âjust two days after surgery.
Today, weâre sharing a one-week update with the same song, showing just how far heâs come.
From stroke diagnosis to surgery, to singing againâhis strength, determination, and love for music have carried him through.
**Watch the recovery. Hear the difference. Feel the hope.**
Support local music, celebrate resilience, and be part of the journey.
**Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band**
Live. Raw. Real.
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#AdvocatusDiaboli #GrimLeaferBand #StrokeRecovery #MusicHeals #Inspiration #Resilience #LiveMusic #OffGridLife #IndieBand #AmigoTheDevilCover #SupportLocalMusic #HealingThroughMusic #ComebackStory #DesertVibes #RawAndReal
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 