Next month I'm undergoing a Bone Marrow transplant, which will kill my immune system for a while. I want to attempt to continue playing during this time, but the risk of infection is high, so sterilizing my harmonicas seems like a wise thing to do.
I play OOB Marine Bands. I'm willing to sacrifice a harp or two if necessary. I've considered autoclaving, soaking in bleach, but wanted to get some ideas from you experts.
im sorry to hear you are having an op. With that in mind yes and no. soking the marine band with a wooden comb can detroy it but if you are willing to soak the harmonica in alcahol and leave it to dry. i wouldnt recomend it Dont soke it in bleach it will mess up your insides! Maybe ask your doctor/seargon for any advice. or ask a friend to treat you to a sp20?
Second, your harp needs to only be as clean as other things you will be putting in your mouth, like utensils, for example. Unless you are going to be using sterilized utensils, I think you would only need to use a harp that has been cleaned rather than sterilized.
Are you able to disassemble your Marine Band? I think that you would need to clean off the reedplates (both sides of both plates) as well as each surface of the comb and coverplates. As clean as you would want your fork and knife to be.
If you cannot disassemble your MB (I wouldn't unless you tap it for screws), then I would suggest you get a harp that can be disassembled.
I have worked in operating rooms and ICUs for over 20 years. I have worked in isolation rooms with immunocompromised patients so that's what I am basing this on. Do check with your facility's staff or your doctor, though to make sure. Maybe your utensils will be sterile - I don't know... Note that plastic utensils and/or straws that come in a wrapper are not sterile - just clean.
Good luck with your health. Find out if it needs to be sterile or clean, like Arzajac suggested. I think plastic or metal combs might be the way to go for a while. Ask your doctors specifically.
@Tooka, I assume you recommend the Sp20 due to the plastic comb? Is the SP20 physically laid out (hole sizes, shape) like the MB?
@arzajac, I have a MB "A", that I've modified and added screws to, but the comb isn't sealed, yet. My wife too is a critical care nurse and the idea of the porous combs got me the evil eye.
Just another thought. If you carefully use an ultraviolet light, and you take apart the harp. Wouldn't that be ok? The light is REALLY bad on the eyes, but will kill all living critters. I'm not sure if it would be able to get everything under the reeds, but it will sterilize in a few seconds.
Put bulb in a box. Put harp in box after taking apart. Close box, turn on light for a few minutes. Turn off light, open box reassemble and play.
As I said. It is just an idea.
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 8:28 AM
I agree with arzajac even if your harp was sterile as soon as you touched it would not be sterile anymore so dont get hung up on sterile and yes the marine band wood comb is affected by moisture and bacteria loves water special 20s or golden melodys might be a good choice with the plastic combs
I use an ultrasonic cleaner, but don't use wood combs. My suggestion is to also consider some harps with fully sealed or composite combs, etc.
I haven't tried this, but if you sealed a MB comb, could you then get it wet like that? You could do that and reassemble with the nails. ---------- Mike Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Based on what I've heard today, perhaps the best solution is to pick up a Special 20 or something similar with a plastic comb in C and A, clean them thoroughly (maybe my doc will put them into the untrasonic for me, and use them until I'm cleared hot by the docs.
Very best wishes for your transplant Paul. I agree, it would probably be best to take a sensible approach and leave your MB's on standby for the time being. Both SP20's and GM's are good harps with plastic combs. I like the raw tone of the GM's better for certain songs and it maybe a better match for the tone you are used to with the MB's.
Can't vouch for this but found this post:-
'isopropyl alcohol will kill just about anything biological IF left to air dry on the harp after swishing, running tap water thru etc... dip the harp in a 99 cent bottle of it and leave it to dry,, what happens is the alcohol , in air drying, sucks the precious bodily fluids out of any remaining little beasties and they die'
As you will be the only person using the harmonica, I would make sure your mouth is clean before playing, maybe use an antiseptic mouthwash before playing so you don't leave any food particles inviting bacteria.
Ultimately your doc will know best but it would be a real shame if you couldn't play harp after your treatment beacause playing harp is great therapy.
Given that you can't totally isolate yourself from infection, it maybe best to go ahead and play anyway after taking sensible precautions, unless the Doc says you're putting yourself at considerably greater risk.
How about a Seydel 1847 silver. They advertise that you can put it in the dishwasher. All stainless steel with a solid polymer comb. ---------- The Pentatonics Myspace Youtube
Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out.
I really enjoy playing my MBs, so I'm trying to stay with something built similarly. That's why I'm thinking the SP20 is probably the best option. The Seydel looks nice, but I don't want to screw up my muscle memory by spending a lot of time with a harp that has different dimensions; when I'm well, I'll probably go back to the MBs. There's also the fear that I'll fall in love with a different harmonica, which will be an expensive proposition. Been there before with my first love: LOs.
@PaulM. I think the Special 20 is your best route. It has Hohner Special 20 Marine Band etched into the top cover. I've been told the tuning is identical to the Marine Band and I should imagine there is not much difference if any in the hole spacings. It has been advertised as the Marine Band with the plastic comb.
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 10:56 AM
The SP20's might be a good route, but the only problem with standard plastic harps combs is they have lots of little nooks and crannies where germs might hide. You might want a simpler comb, something plastic but shaped like a wood comb.
PaulIM, my significant other had a marrow transplant recently. we spent almost five months in LA at City of Hope hospital.
FIRST of all, normal fungus we breath everyday call kill an imunocompromised person. it is long, difficult, and damn near impossible to clear up. . you will always have it. it can and will form lesions on your lungs liver and spleen. that's just for starters.
i'd check with your infectious disease specialist and oncologist before attempting ABSOLUTELY anything.
a simple cold will have you in an infusion room twice a day, everyday, till you are in the safety zone.
i really, really wish you the best of luck, we're on edge here too. graft/host disease etc..
i wish i posted first, and i hope you read this and take it to heart. i know exactly what i'm talking about.---------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 1:13 PM
A fungus is certainly not a virus, but something dangerous none the less.
Perhaps MP is speaking of a Prion which is harder to kill?
An autoclave should sterilize fungus as well. I would definitely clear it with your medical team though. Better safe than sorry.
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 12:34 PM
my bad, got excited and confused colds/virus with fungal infection. both deadly under the circumstances. deleted mistake. there are inumerable types of fungus with many names. any type is dangerous when you are imunocompromised. ---------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
-that's funny!-i prefer gin. i sterilized surgical instruments in-autoclaves for several years, but under the circumstances, all bets are off.
arazajac has the best info so far. anyone without firsthand knowledge of imunocompromized patients, such as arazajac, and doctors, really should be taken with a grain of salt.------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 1:49 PM
MP-I'm hoping it doesn't take a hundred, but I'll be patient.
Tooka-My wife plays piano / keyboard, but I don't think she could teach me. We'd probably kill each other. I was hoping that the guitar would do much of the same.
I really think you will still be able to play harp and with downtime you will have lots of practice time and you cannot be infected with your own germs
after 100 days you are allowed to eat fresh fruits and vegetables.
prior to that, your diet will be no fun. you won't like how anything tastes anyway. initially you will be infused with a food bag.
you will be given platelets, and RBCs. only you can make WBCs. monitor white blood cell count. when it starts 'taking' these numbers will increase exponentially.
you will be given steriods for multiple reasons- graft host disease, reaction to idarubicin and cyterabine or whatever chemo they'll give. no food can be consumed one hour after preparation. even if refrigerated.
a little graft vs host disease is desireable. this indicates that the marrow transplant is starting to work.
good luck!---------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 4:19 PM
eharp: May try piano, but not sure if my wife can put up with me. Perhaps a CD for our collective sanity. Is there a good book that addresses music theory specifically for harmonica? Maybe that should be on my recovery reading list.
Groyser: I hope you're right. I'll run all this by the doctor at my next appointment on 20 Jan.
MP: Good news/Bad news: No HVGD for me; I'm doing an autologous transplant, however, I'm getting two types of high-dose chemo:(
--at least you won't become a new man?woman? you'll be the same old Paul. high dose chemo in a shorter time period has yielded the best results so far.-------- MP hibachi cook for the yakuza doctor of semiotics superhero emeritus
I just want to add that an ultrasonic cleaner does not sterilize. (Neither does a microwave oven, by the way.)
Also, whatever strategy you pick, think of how you will apply it. I don't think you will be cleaning or sterilizing only once, but maybe every few days to prevent things from growing. So a harp that you can disassemble and clean easily with soap and water (something you will have on hand) would be practical.
arzajac: Will definitely use something that I can easily disassemble. Maybe the clinic will let me use their autoclave, which I believe will sterilize. I'll post a thread once I get the doc's opinion on the matter. Heck, it shouldn't be that much worse than a toothbrush.
As stated above ultrasonic cleaners just clean, they do not sterilise.
I wouldn't trust the heat and pressure in an autoclave; I can see the heat killing the reeds (extreme heat will anneal the brass and make it brittle - I don't think we're quite talking about those kinds of temperatures, but I wouldn't want to risk saying there will be no negative effect). actually lower (domestic oven) temperatures can be beneficial to reeds - search the harp-l archives for posts by Dave Payne and Buddha. Anyway it'll certainly warp a plastic comb and what it superheated water under high pressure would do to pearwood is a frightening thought.
I'd buy a single, plastic bodied harp and a bottle of isopropyl alcohol. Before playing it, I'd take the covers off and dip everything in a bath of isoprop for 10 mins, airdry and reassemble. I would clean your hands with an alcohol gel before playing too.
Good luck with the transplant
Last Edited by on Jan 08, 2011 6:29 PM
Another thought is you could buy acrylic combs for your existing marine bands. I think Chris Reynolds sells these ($20-30). Also, maybe the crossover marine band with its fully sealed Bamboo comb could survive frequent sterilizing (not sure).
