BEST.EMAIL.EVER

I am truly not trying to brag or wave my flag or toot my own horn or however the euphamism may go...

BUT!

I recieved the best email of my life this morning and wanted to share. I am so incredibly humbled right now. I am so PUMPED to feel like I actually can make a difference. This patient is the patient I am working with on a case study right now, trying to show that while a client may be declining (this patient has a Parkinson's Diagnosis) music therapy can in fact improve self esteem, depression, and ultimately Quality of Life. This makes me feel like it's WORKING! Aaah! Music therapy R-O-C-K-S.

Anyway... here's the email (name and location has been edited to comply with HIPAA) if you are still reading this far into my rambling:

________________________________________________

Ann-

I made a social work visit to [patient] yesterday at [assisted living facility].  She was in a crabby mood but that’s besides the point.

She kept asking “where is the music lady?” and later started calling you by name!  When I was leaving, she said about 3 times, “make sure ann knows where to find me.”

Just thought you should know what a great job you are doing and what a difference you have apparently made for [patient]! Keep up the good work!

________________________________________________

<3

Seniors say the darndest things

Today we went to a new facility that I will be taking over during the rest of my time at Seasons. One of the facility's employees wanted to see music therapy in action, so off we go to see some the patients signed on to our services. We get settled into a quiet room, the patient was sleeping peacefully. As I start to play the patient's roommate walks in - having freshly showered. In order to give her some privacy my male audience excused himself from the room, and closed the curtain around myself, my advisor, and the patient. As I hear him close the door behind him, I also hear the squeaky clean resident yell after him, "Suck my d***!!" I look over at my advisor with what I am sure were eyes as big a saucers and holding back a laugh.

Throughout the rest of the session, thinly veiled (one hospital curtain separation) commands such as
"shut the hell up" wafted over my improvised guitar playing. But then the kicker came...

The roommate pulled back the curtain, looked at us, whipped the curtain back into place, called out, "EAT MY SHORTS!!" and stormed out.

I couldn't make this stuff up... even if I tried.

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Today is mine and Mr. Bean's anniversary. We have been married 2 whole years. And all you professionals out there are probably wondering why in the world I am writing about my saucy love life on my professional blog but there's a reason. And I'm getting to it.

He doesn't always WEAR his glasses and for some reason feels
the need to be clean shaven at times but you get the idea.

I have to give credit to Mr. Bean. This man allowed his crazy bride to start school to become a music therapist a mere 3 weeks before getting married. This man supported the notion that not only could I go to the University of Iowa (with a 2 hour commute), continue to work a full time job, and pull off what was sure to be the wedding of the century. He listened to me stress over seating arrangements, stress over homework, and stress over planning a youth ministry program (that was my former area of employment). He took on the financial burden of a wedding and then said "Sure why not" to the burden of paying for school out of pocket (no loans = yay, no financial aid = boo). He worked multiple jobs to support not only his business, but my dream, and to provide for us. AND THEN! When I wanted to intern at Seasons Hospice, he moved with me and started a new career.

Why? Because he believes in and supports my dreams. He has proofread papers, bounced around session plan ideas, and helped compose songs that assist children in hearing and pronouncing the difference between "p" and "b". He who has been playing the guitar for years, who has more patience in his little toe than I have at all, calmly teaches me music and silently listens as I figure things out. He went to extracurricular lectures with me, got excited when he'd hear my professor on Iowa Public Radio or listen to a podcast talking about music therapy, and listens to be me babble about my days at Seasons. He is genuinely interested in everything I am doing and learning. He pushes me to be the best I can be. And for that I owe him an incredible amount of thanks... and it just so happens that I can't help also giving him all of my heart.

So my dear readers... the question today is:

Who inspires and supports you? Who is accompanying you on your walk to be a great music therapist? There are tons of people in my life who are helping me grow and become the best ME, but today is the day I celebrate marrying my #1 fan. I am so blessed... lucky... undeserving. I am eternally grateful.

Remembering September 11

When the United States of America was attacked, I was a senior in high school. The announcement was made over the PA system during what was the end of our 2nd period class... my class was unruly and of course we did not hear the announcement. It wasn't until my 3rd period class - choir - that I watched and understood what had happened.

After the bell rang and we passed to the next class the hallways were full of people and their reactions. Disbelief was written all over the walls as I met with my girlfriends. And I remember hearing people shouting their plans to enlist as soon as the day was over.

As we drove home to our families, I remember sitting at a stop light as local radio station B-96 played a remixed version of Enrique Iglesias' "Hero".

Friday as we prepared for this terrible anniversary, B-96 debuted a new tribute. The song choices are interesting... the differences and similarities between the two. When I think about all I've done and become over the past 10 years, I cannot help but think of my decision to go into music therapy at the forefront. it makes me want to reread Caring for the Caregiver: The Use of Music and Music Therapy in Grief and Trauma. It's a book of reflections on the New York City Music Therapy Relief Project which was an effort to care for those effected by the September 11th attacks.  

What do you remember from that day? What are your personal or professional reflections. How has September 11th impacted you? Who you are? What you do? What are  you doing today in remembrance?

Professional music therapists... what are your MT plans for remembering September 11th, if any?

Midterms

We interupt this blog for a brief musical interlude. Shaking your hair, air guitar, and all out rock star behavior is allowed and encouraged.

Thank you. You may resume reading this post.

Half way there! Holy COW! Where did the summer go? There are days when I feel like I did back in June... brand new and uncertain. But there are just as many days where I feel like I've been doing this forever. Not "forever" in a bored/burnt out sort of way but rather a confident, self assured professional sort of way. It's hard to believe the growth and change I have undergone in the fleeting three months I've had so far as an intern. It's hard to imagine that in just three more I will be preparing for the board certification exams and looking for jobs. It's sad to think that I might not find a job in hospice, which in all sincerety I have come to love. It's exciting to think of all the other possibilities and populations I could start working with. It's especially exciting to start earning a paycheck again... my husband loves that idea.

It has been three months since I started my internship.As I hit the midterm point of my internship, I am amazed at the growth and change I have undergone. My guitar skills have grown by leaps and bounds. My comfort level with patients has shocked me. My documentation skills have come a long way and I see that crossing over into my every day conversations. When people ask me about music therapy I am able to explain the profession more and more clearly, more concisely, and feel more confident doing so.

Don't get me wrong though, there are times when this internship can be challenging. Of course! It can be emotional, it can be frustrating trying to learn music and refine my music skills, and finding the balance or pacing in a session. I am learning to be more comfortable with other professionals, collaborate with them when working with clients, and communicate my opinions, ideas, and observations. I am working really hard to see set backs and challenges as a great indicator that I am at the half way point and after an initial improvement it is time for even more growth. I am being pushed even further and I know that it is for my good. The challenges are making me a better therapist, and I really appreciate that.

You may now press play for the 5th time again and resume the party.