She is a Friend like no other

Wednesday, December 11, 2013...it's really cold tonight and Tad is sick with the Flu....bummer

I haven't blogged much about my Lady Companion lately so I will put some thoughts down while they are fresh in my mind.

My Lady has Benson's Disease...a rare form of Alzheimer's.  Very little is known about it so I joined a Group so I could learn more about it's progression and perhaps help the Family.  This past week we all had quite a scare, as she developed Seizures.  I knew when I went in on Monday that the Family was aware of them and she was having them often, but I was not prepared for what I saw.  She was having them every 2 or 3 minutes, lasting about a minute.  After they were over she would let out a sound, like she was exhausted and terrified.  I just held her and told her I was there....I hate that she can't see and rarely can communicate.  I think loosing those functions must be so scary for her and then to have these on top of all that....bummer for sure.  I did contact the Family after about an hour and they came over to the  Facility and scheduled tests and she is on new Medication.

Before the Family got there I took her back to her room where my Harp was and decided to try playing to calm her, thinking that may help reduce the Seizures.  As soon as I started playing she had another one and after that....NONE...no more until the Family got there and I quit playing.  It was about an hour with no Seizures.  I wanted to do something different this time when I played for her.  I started with just Open 5ths...up and down the Harp very slowly and softly.  I did this for quite a long time and then I slowly added some melody notes and improvised a soft and gentle tune.  I kept this at about 65BPM and slowly transitioned to Christmas Music.

What I love about the Harp is it's ability to calm...no matter what you decide to play.  Some things are more effective, but if your Intention is correct, it works every time.  It was a beautiful thing to watch the fear, tension and pain just leave her entire body.  It was like I wrapped her up in a blanket.   I guess it was the Blanket of Sound.

From what I have read, these Seizures are to be expected as the disease progresses.   Hopefully the new Medication will keep them at bay...I did not see any today.  She was alert and said "yes" and "ok" today, which is wonderful.  I played my Harp in the Lobby and put her right in front of me so I could keep a good eye on her.  She loves her Hymns and Christmas Carols and I think the Staff really appreciated the distraction.  After my fingers tired out, I went to the Piano and played for another hour before taking her to her room for the evening.  A full day of Music is what she deserves and I am happy to be the one to give her that Service.

It's an interesting friendship that I have with my Lady.  She has never seen me...she knows my voice, my touch and my smell.  We have built this love and trust relationship around Music and I have grown to love her so much.  Her family is so grateful that Music has allowed her to say their names, respond to their questions and say I love you again, as they feared they had lost her forever.  They thank me all the time and I appreciate their gratitude, but they have no idea what joy, laughter and love she gives me in return.  She is a Friend like no other.