Adventure Day One –Healing Music
May 21, 2008 – Music can cause an enormous variance in emotion; a nursery rhyme can take us back, a spiritual hymn can cause us to rejoice. Rhythm and Blues or Rock and Roll, even a Country Bluegrass tune will get us singing, swaying or crying – based on the words and our state of mind.
For us in the hospital, music was very much a part of our healing and our connection to each other. The “Healing Sounds” link in our Blogroll connects you to Sound Healing by Dean Everson. Early pioneers in music therapy in the 1970’s Dean and Dudley Everson were at the beginning of a movement to link music and healing. We would listen to this particular CD continuously in Rickey’s hospital room, even when he was sleeping – we believed it had a positive effect on Rickey’s reaction to the chemotherapy and the stress associated with his cancer treatment.
Best selling author and physician, Dr. Andrew Weil, says “I am convinced that stress is the primary cause or aggravating cause of the majority of illness.” We agree! Music can be soothing and this CD was central to our lives during our seven months of treatment, I continue to use it, occasionally, as background music in my office.
Another connection to music for us was American Idol. In 2002 it was the first year of American Idol and Kelly Clarkson had captured our interest; it was a show and still is a show we share together.
Now in its seventh season, I remember back to the hospital and the American Idol First Season Greatest Hits CD, where Jim Verraros recorded Easy. It was late in the afternoon and Rickey was hooked up to his chemotherapy treatment. We decide to play some music.
Rickey writes:
Standing there dancing with PJ, pulling my vitals machine with two chemo feeds attached, we were slow dancing in my hospital room to the American Idol version of Easy. As we swayed back and forth the verse, “why would any body puts chains on me, I paid my dues to make it…” came out of the stereo. I looked down and realized I was chained to this machine…maybe for the rest of my life. I broke down. The only time I lost control and cried the entire seven months of my hospitalization. To this day, all I have to do is sing that verse and the tears swell up in PJ’s eyes.
Music can cause an enormous variance in emotion. Listen with your heart and share your feelings with those who matter most.
Until our next blog – remember life is an adventure, embrace the journey. You can make a difference one day at a time.
Share your adventure with us!
Wanted to let you know that every time I hear “Daughters” by John Mayer I think of family. The verses sound true –”Fathers, be good to your daughters. Daughters will love you like they do. Girls become lovers who turn into Mothers So Mothers, be good to your Daughters too. Doesn’t make you think of what you do as a person efects everyone? My Father is the best influnce I have and he is “good to his Daughter.”
Love Always,
Laura