Referencing a function and running code on it's reference without overwriting it?

[Fuzzyhed]

I am working with another lua library, and it works a little like gmod Lua, in that I could reference certain variables in this way:
function stuff:doathing(a)
newa = a
end
I have been using that method to grab variables passed in the functions, because the code is compiled and I cant see how they do it in the source. The problem is that that overwrites the original function and breaks the game, any idea how I can get the variable from the args without overwritin it?

[Insomnia Array]

doathingbackup = stuff:doathing

function stuff:doathing(a)
doathingbackup(a)
newa = a
end

But, I think there might be an issue with hidden "self" arguments being passed. Play around with it.

[leiftiger]

[QUOTE=Insomnia Array;34127300]doathingbackup = stuff:doathing

function stuff:doathing(a)
doathingbackup(a)
newa = a
end

But, I think there might be an issue with hidden "self" arguments being passed. Play around with it.[/QUOTE]

It's the right way to do it, but your function doesn't work.
[lua]
local oldDoSomething = stuff.DoSomething
function stuff:DoSomething(a)
newa = a
return oldDoSomething(self, a)
end
[/lua]