Hello, everyone! We all know & love Greg Thiel. He’s been on drums for many of us downtown for years. He had a health scare turn quite serious this morning and will require surgery that will ultimately put him out of the music game for a few months. (See a more detailed explanation from Greg's post below.)

We all know that our work down on Broadway is crazy and unpredictable, but something like this REALLY throws a wrench into it. Please consider donating to help while he’s not able to play!

I’ll update this page as I get new info!

****COPIED FROM GREG’S POST ON 3/4:

Well folks, bad news. The camera in the heart and arteries didn’t look good. They are keeping me here in the hospital. Immediate bypass surgery. The main intersection of arteries where others branch off of is blocked about 80%. Looking at 2-3 bypasses. Since I’m a drummer they are going to take the veins from my least used limb my hihat leg. . I’ll be out of commission for awhile. Luckily I have people flying in from Wisconsin . A surgeon is on his way as we speak . Waking up from anesthesia and seeing a panic in the room and the doctor already briefing me on what’s going put me in tears.

On a positive note my heart itself is strong from the mountain biking so recovery should be quick. Thanks everyone!! I love you ❤️

Update: Dad flying in from Wisconsin right now. Lynda Thiel is here now . Surgery scheduled 6am tomorrow ( I’m the first of the day) approximate 5 hours.

FYI: Many of you have asked “ did you have any symptoms?” Any chest pain? “

Here’s how it went down. Right before Christmas I got an ear infection so I went to a clinic . They noticed I had high blood pressure 160/110. This isn’t the first time a nurse had mentioned it. A couple weeks later I went to my regular doctor. They did an EKG, some blood tests. Everything was a bit high but not concerning. They asked if I had any chest pain or shortness of breath? I said when I bike I sometimes can’t keep up with the others but I’m also older than everyone usually. And when I’m carrying gear around the other band members seem to be winded as well. We decided to do a CT Calcium score test. They are $50 and can tell any plaque buildup around the arteries. I had this once before in 2015 but this time it was worse. I was setup to see a cardiologist. He recommended a full nuclear stress/ treadmill test. The results were abnormal. So next would be a cardiac catheterization where they put a camera in your heart and arteries. This test was this morning and they immediately had me stay in the hospital and called in a surgeon. My main intersection that connects 3 arteries on the left side of my heart is 80% blocked. The last few years I would occasionally get a little chest pain/pressure but I just thought it was heartburn. I’m on a heartburn medication and had an endoscopy over the summer. My esophagus was irradiated and the medication really helped. The primary reason for this is 100% family history. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The surgeon says that once you get in your 50’s and you’ve had other family members that have had heart problems in their 50’s you can almost bet someone in the family is going to follow.

I’m glad we caught it because the survival rate of a heart attack caused by this type of blockage is less than 10%. It’s going to be a tough recovery but I should be back by June.

I highly recommend getting a CT calcium score test. It takes a few minutes and is between $50-$75 that you just pay for when you arrive to a radiology place.

***UPDATE 3/5/24 5:26am*** Greg’s surgery has been bumped to midday instead of early this morning. 

***UPDATE FROM NOON 3/5/24*** 

surgery began at 0915 and first update received 1220- doing really well, his "wish" of left leg graft was denied and they will be harvesting from the right leg. Chest incision beginning as I type- send positive prayers/energy whatever you got. Looking at another 5-6 hours with next update within 2 hours. He truly is overwhelmed and touched by everyone's texts, messages, prayers, love and kindness. As Greg would say.... Get busy Living.... Next update when I get the call.

***UPDATE FROM 4pm 3/5/24***

Bypass x4- heart stuff done. No complications at this time.

***UPDATE FROM 9:40pm 3/5/24***

Greg is alert and talking. In a lot of pain but still has in great sense of humor and he's already asking for Cronuts. He thanks everyone for all the love and support and getting him through this.