It’s been a little over six months since I started my journey as an independent music therapist, and one thing (of many) that I’ve learned is…
I am not a blogger…
What do I even write about? Do people really want to read what I have to say? Does anyone care? Do I even care?
…
I am not a person who blogs to motivate others and I don’t have wise words of wisdom. I do, however, have pretty amazing music therapy success stories. The majority of my Facebook page consists of shared music therapy articles, success stories from other music therapists, and fun advocacy videos, but I think it’s time for my own success stories.
When thinking about a topic for my next blog post, the first thing that came to mind was my work in the school system. It’s a topic I haven’t talked about, but will get to that at a later date. Today, January 27th, 2020, something incredible happened, and I CAN’’T wait to share.
But of course, I have to share a little back story.
One benefit to working in hospice is the time flexibility. As long as I see patients within a specified Medicare week, I can schedule my visits however I want. The patient that you will read about below, I typically see on Tuesdays, but I felt that I should go today. I could have delayed this visit for another date, and I’m so glad I didn’t!
Don’t get me wrong… I LOVE working in hospice, but there are periods of time when the referrals that I receive are for patients who sleep 20-24 hours a day. Although I know that hearing is the last sense “to go” in the dying process, I can’t help but feel that I’m not actually providing music therapy. When I visit these patients, my mind tends to wander off and I often feel that my services could be used elsewhere.
until today…
my whole perspective changed…
I walked into the room of a patient who I’ve been seeing for several weeks. We’ve created a bond and, per her husband, she brings me up in conversation frequently. Last week, this patient sent me home with homework for our next session. As usual, I procrastinated on practicing the songs she requested until the morning of our next session (this morning). The songs were easy enough, but were they quality? Hopefully the patient would think so!
So as I walked in, this patient was laying in bed with her husband sitting at bedside. This was the first time meeting her husband. After introductions, husband said she wasn’t doing well and hadn’t been responsive all day. I asked her husband if I could play the requested songs for her. He responded “well yes, but she can’t hear anything.”
I sat next to this patient and talked to her like I had before. I told her that I learned all of the songs that she wanted and that I wanted her to listen. We always start by singing “Mary Did you Know.” I played it for her… no response…
I talked to her husband some more and then played the next song - “I Believe” by Elvis. She said this was one of her favorite Elvis songs. I sang through the first verse and suddenly TEARS were streaming down her face. I look at her husband… again… TEARS. I complete the song and sit in silence for a few seconds. This was the first sign of response that this patient had displayed all day.
I decided to sing the first verse again. For some reason, I just felt like I needed to. I get half way through the first verse and this patient BEGINS TO SING “I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.”
I continue the song as the patient chimes in singing every so often. When the song is over, her husband says “did that just happen?”
YES IT DID!!
I continued to talk to this patient and encouraged her to talk back. I told her that I know the other songs she requested. We moved on to the hymn “Ivory Palaces” which was her mom’s favorite song. Once again, she begins to cry. At one point in time, between songs, the patient began to sing “I believe” again.
Not expecting a response, I asked the patient what song we should do. To my surprise, she said “Friends in Low Places.” I looked over at her husband and his face had such a shocked expression.
By the end of our lengthy visit, this patient was more responsive than she was prior to the visit. Her husband said, “I knew music was powerful, but I’ve never seen it happen in real life.”
…
Obviously as a music therapist I know the benefits of music for a dying patient, and I know that I make a difference for my patients. But this was the first time in my career where music has been the key to trigger a desired response. I am so beyond grateful I was there for this patient and her husband.
So if you didn’t believe me already. MUSIC THERAPY IS REAL AND WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO KNOW IT.
That is all, my friends.
attached is a recording of the “I believe” by Elvis.
