Thursday morning, February 27, 2014….Cold, just darn cold!!! But I hear Spring is coming soon, I'll believe it when I feel it :)
I wanted to jot down what a fantastic week this has been with my Companion. She has Posterior Cortical Atrophy, or PCA. I will post a link to a video clip of Actor Seth Rogen speaking before the Senate Committee on Alzheimer's Research…..effecting millions of Americans and RISING!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHqx3-mfHAY
Please take the time to watch this clip and do your own research on keeping your brain healthy and ways you can support those families who struggle with the Disease.
My Lady has had a slow recovery since her upper respiratory infection in December. Although her responses to Therapeutic Music are measurable, I felt like she was loosing ground. Over the last few weeks, I have seen a positive up-swing and I am so grateful for that. My Lady gets 3 consecutive days of Therapeutic Music every week…..
On Sunday, I set up in the Dayroom and there were a handful of patients there along with my Lady. The very First harp string I played, she let out a loud gasp. The Aide that was attending another patient turned around and said, "wow, did you hear that? I think she likes the Harp and look, she's smiling". I was just so thrilled that the Aide had been in the room and had witnessed this expression of pure joy from my Lady. I struggle every day I am there, to educate the Staff on the mental and emotional condition of my Companion. Although she is blind, can't communicate with conversation and needs complete care, she is much more alive than you can imagine. I know the busy staff struggles to complete the most basic care of the patients, but it would make such a difference if they would talk to her as they go about their care. Sadly, I fear it is the families that are left to find alternative intervention and stimulation for their loved ones.
On Monday, I was excited to play again for her. One again, I started in the Day Room, sharing my Therapeutic Music with the other patients and the Staff at the Unit Desk as well. After giving her my hello's…I played one of her favorites to start out, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"….not only was there another Aide in the room but another person who is there on a regular basis for her Companion and has seen my Companion for several months "around town" (that's what we call the Facility, our little town or village and the folks there just become your family :) My Lady immediately starts tapping not just one foot, but moving both feet! Did I mention she is paralyzed on her left side? Yep, that left foot starts moving too. Again, with total shock, both the Aide and the other worker both say, "look, she's moving her feet, she loves that music". Whooohooo…..yep, she is rocking' to the beat.
Tuesday was a real killer of a day. I couldn't wait to email the family at the end of the day to let them know what a fantastic day she had. I played my Harp in the Day Room for about an hour and then I took her to the Dining Room and played the piano for 2 hours. At first she dozed in her chair and smiled off and on while I played. I ordered these really easy "fake books" with simple written melodies so I can make the tunes as basic or as complex as I would like. As I was playing through one of the books I came upon "My Favorite Things" from Sound of Music. Ok, here is the exciting part….not only did she wake up, move her feet, raise her hand to her mouth (she has not raised her hand that high in months) but she started to sing!!! Yes, she was moving her mouth and making various sounds to the beat! That my friends, is a First. I wanted to cry. She was filled with so much joy that she HAD to express it.
I am so grateful for the work that I do. I am grateful to my husband for supporting me on this Journey….although this line of work is such a struggle for employment, I am about the richest person I know. What a gift Music is to the world.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
2 People that Touched my Life Today
Wednesday, January 19th....on this beautiful, sunny late afternoon.....there is a hint of spring in the air....I'm not getting my hopes up, LOL
Our sweet 101 year old "Miss E" Resident passed peacefully this morning. What a beautiful Birthday Bash her family and the facility put on for her two weeks ago. I am so thankful that I took Video for the Family with my IPAD. Now they will have those memories.....when they are ready.
I was so grateful for the powerful effects of Therapeutic Harping today. As I entered the facility Miss E's Son was behind me and grabbed my elbow and led me to her room. I thought he wanted me to play for her, as she's been very weak this last few days. I had no idea she had passed away so it was a shock to enter the room. Her roommate has ALS and is very loud, cranky and uses LOTS of foul language. She is never happy to see me, but I play anyway and by the time I leave she is like a kitten. It worked again today. She was screaming for everyone to get out of the room, grabbing at the curtain and cursing like crazy. Ms. E's Son is grieving and getting more and more upset. My role quickly changed from a comforting friend to a Therapeutic Musician. I brought my Harp to her bedside and she cussed me out and told me she had a headache. I told her I would play quietly so she could relax......not only did she settle down right away but she was singing along with some of the tunes. This gave Ms E's Family a peaceful setting to say goodbye. When I was leaving the room the roommate cussed me out again for leaving so quickly.......when she was laying there with her eyes closed singing along I wanted to hug her tight.....she is someone's Daughter, someone's Mom....someone's Friend.
Within 30 minutes, in the same room, two people touched my life in extreme ways. I experienced such saddness for Ms. E's Family and such joy and compassion for Ms Cranky, that she was able to find peace and comfort in the music.
Our sweet 101 year old "Miss E" Resident passed peacefully this morning. What a beautiful Birthday Bash her family and the facility put on for her two weeks ago. I am so thankful that I took Video for the Family with my IPAD. Now they will have those memories.....when they are ready.
I was so grateful for the powerful effects of Therapeutic Harping today. As I entered the facility Miss E's Son was behind me and grabbed my elbow and led me to her room. I thought he wanted me to play for her, as she's been very weak this last few days. I had no idea she had passed away so it was a shock to enter the room. Her roommate has ALS and is very loud, cranky and uses LOTS of foul language. She is never happy to see me, but I play anyway and by the time I leave she is like a kitten. It worked again today. She was screaming for everyone to get out of the room, grabbing at the curtain and cursing like crazy. Ms. E's Son is grieving and getting more and more upset. My role quickly changed from a comforting friend to a Therapeutic Musician. I brought my Harp to her bedside and she cussed me out and told me she had a headache. I told her I would play quietly so she could relax......not only did she settle down right away but she was singing along with some of the tunes. This gave Ms E's Family a peaceful setting to say goodbye. When I was leaving the room the roommate cussed me out again for leaving so quickly.......when she was laying there with her eyes closed singing along I wanted to hug her tight.....she is someone's Daughter, someone's Mom....someone's Friend.
Within 30 minutes, in the same room, two people touched my life in extreme ways. I experienced such saddness for Ms. E's Family and such joy and compassion for Ms Cranky, that she was able to find peace and comfort in the music.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
What Keeps Me Motivated?
Thursday morning, February 13, 2014...huge snow storm overnight and now followed up with major icing....Mother Nature is awesome!
Last week I visited a Facility that I still do Volunteer Work at and the Director is so sweet, she emailed me and gave me the names of the 3 Patient's that had passed away in the last 2 weeks that I normally see. After news like that, I always go in with a heavy heart, almost dreading going into their rooms to still play for their roommates, but after the first smile from a Patient, my heart is lifted and I am so glad to be there.
Ms Dorothy is a handful! I found her out of her room bugging the heck out of a Nurse at the Unit Desk. I get so tickled with her, she always says NO to Therapeutic Music so I play outside her room in the hallway and when I am done she says over and over, "that was just so beautiful, just so pretty, when are you coming back?" I set up next to her door and after 5 minutes she was sitting quietly in the hallway. Every now and again she would demand something from a passing nurse but all in all she was peaceful. When I played "Moon River" she looked at me and said, "I danced". Those are the moments just reach your Soul.
The Staff is always so grateful to have music on the Units and they are awesome about letting me know who is depressed or not feeling well that day, so off I went to a new Patient's room who is ill. She let me turn down her TV (usually they won't!!!!!) I didn't want to chat with her, she looked too weak and sick, so I started off with Arpeggios in a Minor Key and eventually found my way back to Major and played "You are my Sunshine"....she opened her eyes and smiled. One of the Therapist walked past the room and said, "today is her Birthday!" Another big smile! I played and sang Happy Birthday to her and it just made her day.
I have been singing more and more while I play. Not all songs, and not for all patients, but every now and then there is a need for the words and I am learning to let go of my inhibitions and just letting it happen. I have always loved to sing, but not in front of people so this is just slowly evolving.
I eventually made my way to the room I was dreading....my wonderful Mr. Neil who sat up and ate his lunch when I played for him, passed away but his roommate Mr. Al was in his room and he too is failing fast. He was happy to see me and thrilled to have music and this is a man I sang for. He always tells me he fought in the war for my freedom so the first song is always "America" followed by the Hymns he loves. He slowly sat up and listened to the music and sang some of the Hymns with me. Perhaps I am just a dreamer, but he seemed more alive, happier and even told me he was hungry for lunch! As always, I leave knowing it might be the last time we have together and he always tells me he loves me, and I in turn, tell him I love him too.
Along with the sad news that my Banjo Patient passed away yesterday at another Facility, it is always followed with uplifting news and experiences....the 90yr old Pianist is going home today!!! (well, she might be snowed in for another day) but I was so thrilled for her and she said, "yes, I find this place depressing" I could barely hold the laughter in! So after I burn a Candle in remembrance of one who has passed, I have these glorious experiences that follow, day after day, that keep me motivated. I know Mr. R will be playing his Banjo, somewhere, somehow!
Last week I visited a Facility that I still do Volunteer Work at and the Director is so sweet, she emailed me and gave me the names of the 3 Patient's that had passed away in the last 2 weeks that I normally see. After news like that, I always go in with a heavy heart, almost dreading going into their rooms to still play for their roommates, but after the first smile from a Patient, my heart is lifted and I am so glad to be there.
Ms Dorothy is a handful! I found her out of her room bugging the heck out of a Nurse at the Unit Desk. I get so tickled with her, she always says NO to Therapeutic Music so I play outside her room in the hallway and when I am done she says over and over, "that was just so beautiful, just so pretty, when are you coming back?" I set up next to her door and after 5 minutes she was sitting quietly in the hallway. Every now and again she would demand something from a passing nurse but all in all she was peaceful. When I played "Moon River" she looked at me and said, "I danced". Those are the moments just reach your Soul.
The Staff is always so grateful to have music on the Units and they are awesome about letting me know who is depressed or not feeling well that day, so off I went to a new Patient's room who is ill. She let me turn down her TV (usually they won't!!!!!) I didn't want to chat with her, she looked too weak and sick, so I started off with Arpeggios in a Minor Key and eventually found my way back to Major and played "You are my Sunshine"....she opened her eyes and smiled. One of the Therapist walked past the room and said, "today is her Birthday!" Another big smile! I played and sang Happy Birthday to her and it just made her day.
I have been singing more and more while I play. Not all songs, and not for all patients, but every now and then there is a need for the words and I am learning to let go of my inhibitions and just letting it happen. I have always loved to sing, but not in front of people so this is just slowly evolving.
I eventually made my way to the room I was dreading....my wonderful Mr. Neil who sat up and ate his lunch when I played for him, passed away but his roommate Mr. Al was in his room and he too is failing fast. He was happy to see me and thrilled to have music and this is a man I sang for. He always tells me he fought in the war for my freedom so the first song is always "America" followed by the Hymns he loves. He slowly sat up and listened to the music and sang some of the Hymns with me. Perhaps I am just a dreamer, but he seemed more alive, happier and even told me he was hungry for lunch! As always, I leave knowing it might be the last time we have together and he always tells me he loves me, and I in turn, tell him I love him too.
Along with the sad news that my Banjo Patient passed away yesterday at another Facility, it is always followed with uplifting news and experiences....the 90yr old Pianist is going home today!!! (well, she might be snowed in for another day) but I was so thrilled for her and she said, "yes, I find this place depressing" I could barely hold the laughter in! So after I burn a Candle in remembrance of one who has passed, I have these glorious experiences that follow, day after day, that keep me motivated. I know Mr. R will be playing his Banjo, somewhere, somehow!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
I AM ALIVE INSIDE
Sunday, February 9, 2014...another cold morning with light sow this afternoon...gotta love the Winter of 2014!!!
I had an interesting week at 2 different facilities. My Companion is still coughing and it's so hard on her, it breaks my heart to watch her. I don't think she's ever gotten over the flu from Christmas time. But with that said, she still smiles and responds beautifully to music...all music! The facility celebrated a Resident's 101st Birthday! The party was held in the Dining Room and they had a pianist/singer that plays weekly doing all the favorites from 1913 and on....he did a lot of Beatles Love Songs which my Companion just loved. The best part of the Party was at the end, the Birthday Girl was sitting side-by-side with her friend, who is 106 years old!! The 106 yr old was patting her arm telling her Happy Birthday over and over like Sisters....it was a tear-jerker for me. F-a-m-i-l-y
At this same facility I had a new patient and the Director was very interested in how she would respond to Therapeutic Music. She does not react to anyone and does not communicate. When I first arrived in her room it quickly became bedlam. They were transferring another patient to her room and as distracting as it was for me, I played through it, with lots of questions from the new roommate about the name of my Instrument? For some reason many Residents think it's an Organ, lol.....I'm ok with that! So I am playing and the new roommate starts plucking the strings and singing! oh, did I mention I love my job? After things settled down and the new roommate left for a tour of her new Unit, I started again, introducing myself to the patient..no response. So I started playing just open chords, nothing that she would recognize. I segued into some traditional folk songs from the 40's and then into Jesus Loves Me....yep that was the one. Her eyes opened wide and she just looked at me.....but it was a response! I continued to play a combination of hymns and familiar tunes of the 30's and 40's. I was so pleased with the little bit of response I did get. For someone that is trapped in their bodies, making eye contact and keeping it is huge. Your eyes are the gateway to your Soul.
I moved on to a man that was not on my Patient List. I love working for this Facility because they encourage me to use my judgement. While roaming the halls I always see a patient that is in need of Therapeutic Music. It's impossible for the staff to keep me updated in the Units, as the turnaround is just crazy. Sometimes I will go to a patient that I had seen less than a week ago and they have either gone home, transferred to a different unit or sadly, passed away. I had been to this man's room a couple times before and he was just so sweet when I would come in he would smile, clap after a song and smile when I left, but with no communication. When I came in he gave me a weak smile and I started to play. A few minutes later his Daughter came in to visit and told me he was the youngest of 9 boys!! They all played the Banjo and growing up they would spend many nights sitting outside playing together. After she left I told him I was going to play Dueling Banjos.....I picked out the melody and he had the biggest grin on his face! He struggled with his words but told me "that was a long time ago that I played the banjo." I felt like he was embarrassed to talk to me because it took him so long to get the thought together and to get the words out. I let him take his time and did not try to finish his sentences, R-E-S-P-E-C-T
My next 2 ladies I see weekly and I love them. As soon as I come into the room they both are so happy to have music and patient A immediately puts her bed down and closes her eyes......she is ready to have mind-body-spirit healing. Patient B has just returned from the Hospital after her 3rd stroke. She can still communicate.....slowly and always asks for Hymns. They get so tickled when I put my Notice on their Door. The notice reads:
"On February _____, Ms. ?????? received 30 minutes of Therapeutic Music, thoughtfully and loving prepared by Therapeutic Harpist, Jacqueline Elgie"
Every patient gets one each time I finish a Session. When the new year started, I removed the ones from 2013 and I thought these 2 ladies were going to jump out of bed and get me, LOL I was going to throw them away but they both wanted theirs. Once I was sitting in the Dining Room with my Companion and I heard a couple walking past and the woman said, "I think this is the perfect place for him, they have Therapeutic Harp" and the man said, "how do you know" to which she answered, "I saw it on their doors". I was so happy to hear this because when I came up with this idea, it was to let the Staff, Family and Friends of the patient know their loved one had received Therapeutic Music. Some patients act as though I have given them a Certificate of Accomplishment......they want to read it and watch me tape it to their door, next to their name.......R-e-c-o-g-n-i-t-i-o-n
I like to play in the Day Rooms. You can sometimes reach as many as 6-8 patients at one time. I went to the Unit 2 Day Room but there was only one patient there and he may be my favorite.....he reminds me so much of my Daddy. He not only looks like my Dad, but he is a gentle man with a sense of humor and a he can whistle like an angel.....just like my Dad used to. So I played for him and he moves his hand back and forth like he is conducting an Orchestra. He smiles and tries to sing the words. Sometimes he will stop singing and moving and just close his eyes and listen. One time I was in the Day Room with him and my Companion and a string broke on my Harp. Like a good prepared Musician, I had left my replacement strings at home, DUH? I eventually just played around the borken string but decided to rest my fingers for a few minutes. I wondered how he would react to videos off Youtube so I found Pattie Page, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day.....he was just blown away at the videos. He touched the screen and smiled and sang along the best he could. It was quality time I spent with him. I left with so much more than I could ever give. C-o-m-p-a-s-s-i-o-n
Oh, this same man sat at my table at the 101st Birthday Party. I took his picture with my IPAD and showed it to him and he smiled, laughed out loud and stuffed his paper napkin into his mouth....yep, swallowed it right up!
I had an interesting week at 2 different facilities. My Companion is still coughing and it's so hard on her, it breaks my heart to watch her. I don't think she's ever gotten over the flu from Christmas time. But with that said, she still smiles and responds beautifully to music...all music! The facility celebrated a Resident's 101st Birthday! The party was held in the Dining Room and they had a pianist/singer that plays weekly doing all the favorites from 1913 and on....he did a lot of Beatles Love Songs which my Companion just loved. The best part of the Party was at the end, the Birthday Girl was sitting side-by-side with her friend, who is 106 years old!! The 106 yr old was patting her arm telling her Happy Birthday over and over like Sisters....it was a tear-jerker for me. F-a-m-i-l-y
At this same facility I had a new patient and the Director was very interested in how she would respond to Therapeutic Music. She does not react to anyone and does not communicate. When I first arrived in her room it quickly became bedlam. They were transferring another patient to her room and as distracting as it was for me, I played through it, with lots of questions from the new roommate about the name of my Instrument? For some reason many Residents think it's an Organ, lol.....I'm ok with that! So I am playing and the new roommate starts plucking the strings and singing! oh, did I mention I love my job? After things settled down and the new roommate left for a tour of her new Unit, I started again, introducing myself to the patient..no response. So I started playing just open chords, nothing that she would recognize. I segued into some traditional folk songs from the 40's and then into Jesus Loves Me....yep that was the one. Her eyes opened wide and she just looked at me.....but it was a response! I continued to play a combination of hymns and familiar tunes of the 30's and 40's. I was so pleased with the little bit of response I did get. For someone that is trapped in their bodies, making eye contact and keeping it is huge. Your eyes are the gateway to your Soul.
I moved on to a man that was not on my Patient List. I love working for this Facility because they encourage me to use my judgement. While roaming the halls I always see a patient that is in need of Therapeutic Music. It's impossible for the staff to keep me updated in the Units, as the turnaround is just crazy. Sometimes I will go to a patient that I had seen less than a week ago and they have either gone home, transferred to a different unit or sadly, passed away. I had been to this man's room a couple times before and he was just so sweet when I would come in he would smile, clap after a song and smile when I left, but with no communication. When I came in he gave me a weak smile and I started to play. A few minutes later his Daughter came in to visit and told me he was the youngest of 9 boys!! They all played the Banjo and growing up they would spend many nights sitting outside playing together. After she left I told him I was going to play Dueling Banjos.....I picked out the melody and he had the biggest grin on his face! He struggled with his words but told me "that was a long time ago that I played the banjo." I felt like he was embarrassed to talk to me because it took him so long to get the thought together and to get the words out. I let him take his time and did not try to finish his sentences, R-E-S-P-E-C-T
My next 2 ladies I see weekly and I love them. As soon as I come into the room they both are so happy to have music and patient A immediately puts her bed down and closes her eyes......she is ready to have mind-body-spirit healing. Patient B has just returned from the Hospital after her 3rd stroke. She can still communicate.....slowly and always asks for Hymns. They get so tickled when I put my Notice on their Door. The notice reads:
"On February _____, Ms. ?????? received 30 minutes of Therapeutic Music, thoughtfully and loving prepared by Therapeutic Harpist, Jacqueline Elgie"
Every patient gets one each time I finish a Session. When the new year started, I removed the ones from 2013 and I thought these 2 ladies were going to jump out of bed and get me, LOL I was going to throw them away but they both wanted theirs. Once I was sitting in the Dining Room with my Companion and I heard a couple walking past and the woman said, "I think this is the perfect place for him, they have Therapeutic Harp" and the man said, "how do you know" to which she answered, "I saw it on their doors". I was so happy to hear this because when I came up with this idea, it was to let the Staff, Family and Friends of the patient know their loved one had received Therapeutic Music. Some patients act as though I have given them a Certificate of Accomplishment......they want to read it and watch me tape it to their door, next to their name.......R-e-c-o-g-n-i-t-i-o-n
I like to play in the Day Rooms. You can sometimes reach as many as 6-8 patients at one time. I went to the Unit 2 Day Room but there was only one patient there and he may be my favorite.....he reminds me so much of my Daddy. He not only looks like my Dad, but he is a gentle man with a sense of humor and a he can whistle like an angel.....just like my Dad used to. So I played for him and he moves his hand back and forth like he is conducting an Orchestra. He smiles and tries to sing the words. Sometimes he will stop singing and moving and just close his eyes and listen. One time I was in the Day Room with him and my Companion and a string broke on my Harp. Like a good prepared Musician, I had left my replacement strings at home, DUH? I eventually just played around the borken string but decided to rest my fingers for a few minutes. I wondered how he would react to videos off Youtube so I found Pattie Page, Frank Sinatra and Doris Day.....he was just blown away at the videos. He touched the screen and smiled and sang along the best he could. It was quality time I spent with him. I left with so much more than I could ever give. C-o-m-p-a-s-s-i-o-n
Oh, this same man sat at my table at the 101st Birthday Party. I took his picture with my IPAD and showed it to him and he smiled, laughed out loud and stuffed his paper napkin into his mouth....yep, swallowed it right up!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Ultimate Payback
Thursday, February 6, 2014...it's gonna be a bright, bright, bright...sunshiny day! (Johnny Nash, "I Can see Clearly Now")
I've had a couple busy weeks. I've spent some time learning new tunes. Making familiar tunes "therapeutic" is sometimes way more work than just playing what's written. I've found if I take a tune and add some minor chords that are not written in the music, I always like the sound. Not only does it allow you to bridge back to the original key in unexpected places, but it keeps it interesting to listen to. I think this is one of the many things I love about my work. You are free to be as creative as you'd like, and yet the basic therapeutic elements are there....Keep it Simple, less is more.
When I was doing my Internship there were many times I would embellish the tune a bit, mostly out of habit and training on the piano. There was a lesson to learn and the patients are the ones that teach it to you. When a patient is not feeling well, when you have not left your bed in weeks, months and sometimes years, when there is a constant hum of activity, machinery, heating and the automatic inflation of the beds with monitors beeping, you realize what you are adding to this environment can be nothing short of tones of simplicity. It takes practice to enter a hallway...take in the sights and sounds....enter your patient's room and observe the environment and the patient.....formulate in your mind what your intentions are for this patient........take a moment to become peaceful with yourself and then start your Service. I have had more than one patient tell me they have a headache? Or, I'm not in the mood for anymore music. To stop and honestly evaluate what you kind of Service you have given this patient is a tough one. I often found it was not the patient, it was me.
I am happy that it happens less and less these days, as I gain experience and get to know myself and my abilities better. Therapeutic Music is not entertainment. The tunes can have harmony and good structure with dynamics and articulation, but in the cleanest and simplest form. I've come to love my collection of Therapeutic Tunes and enjoy adding new ones to the list. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, when a patient smiles at the first tones of the harp and relaxes and sinks into their space with complete peace, joy and mind-body-spirit healing. This response is the ultimate payback.
I've had a couple busy weeks. I've spent some time learning new tunes. Making familiar tunes "therapeutic" is sometimes way more work than just playing what's written. I've found if I take a tune and add some minor chords that are not written in the music, I always like the sound. Not only does it allow you to bridge back to the original key in unexpected places, but it keeps it interesting to listen to. I think this is one of the many things I love about my work. You are free to be as creative as you'd like, and yet the basic therapeutic elements are there....Keep it Simple, less is more.
When I was doing my Internship there were many times I would embellish the tune a bit, mostly out of habit and training on the piano. There was a lesson to learn and the patients are the ones that teach it to you. When a patient is not feeling well, when you have not left your bed in weeks, months and sometimes years, when there is a constant hum of activity, machinery, heating and the automatic inflation of the beds with monitors beeping, you realize what you are adding to this environment can be nothing short of tones of simplicity. It takes practice to enter a hallway...take in the sights and sounds....enter your patient's room and observe the environment and the patient.....formulate in your mind what your intentions are for this patient........take a moment to become peaceful with yourself and then start your Service. I have had more than one patient tell me they have a headache? Or, I'm not in the mood for anymore music. To stop and honestly evaluate what you kind of Service you have given this patient is a tough one. I often found it was not the patient, it was me.
I am happy that it happens less and less these days, as I gain experience and get to know myself and my abilities better. Therapeutic Music is not entertainment. The tunes can have harmony and good structure with dynamics and articulation, but in the cleanest and simplest form. I've come to love my collection of Therapeutic Tunes and enjoy adding new ones to the list. The proof is in the pudding, so to speak, when a patient smiles at the first tones of the harp and relaxes and sinks into their space with complete peace, joy and mind-body-spirit healing. This response is the ultimate payback.
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