I was touched and inspired by the story of Yumiko Sato (2009), her work with the dying, and her story of her patient. Since 2003 when I took care of my paternal grandmother as she was dying of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, hospice care and working with the dying have been of particular interest to me. I wonder how we may take the practice of music therapy a step further and utilize it to assist more particularly with the patient's dying processes. Sato was able to witness the patient awareness, but would there be a way of witnessing the dying process more completely, and creating a holding space for the patients?
Music therapist Deborah Salmon's work with those in palliative care has shown me some of the ways in which work can be done with those that are dying (Beitel & Lazar, 1993). I had the pleasure of hearing Deborah lecture at a Massachusetts Music Therapy Alliance meeting in 2008; her work to me is nothing short of spectacular. She exudes peace and presence when working with this population. Sato speaks of the last song, but if a client is unable to sing their own last song, work such as Deborah's provides a last song in many cases. I think this film is a must see for those working with patients in hospice care; it gives you an in depth look with how a music therapist deals with dying patients on a day to day basis.
Another project, though not completely music therapy based, but which inspired me prior to my applying to Lesley, was a video given to me by a friend who is also a chaplain and social worker. The project is called Chalice of Repose (Kaufman & Kaufman, 1997). The project's founder, Therese Schroeder-Sheker, was inspired by her work at a geriatric home many years ago, where she witnessed a patient with advanced emphysema in the process of dying, "There was an immediacy to the situation that is difficult to describe. Everything fell away and just two human beings were left in the same room, facing a moment that would become very large" (Schroeder-Sheker, 2009). From this her dedication to providing music to those in their final moments would become a life's calling. Therese explains in the film how the music is often matched to the patient's breathing while in the final moments of life. Since the patient is often aware of his or her own death, being there in those final moments, with music, seems to be a way of providing a final comfort and allowing the patient to let go. When reading "The Last Song", I too had that inclination. Viewing Schroder-Sheker's video documentary (1993) was another life-changing event for me and furthered my desire to work with the dying.
I think that the more we can understand about the process of dying or the more we can learn about other's work with the dying, the more present we can be for the patients and clients we may choose to work with in this particular population. Zabin (2005) points out in “Lessons Learned from the Dying: Stories from a Music Therapist” gives many details about her work with those in hospice care; she takes on a very candid view of the subject, but also provides us with details on how her work in the past can assist us on our work with these clients in the future.
We can bear witness and provide the musical holding space for the process. From my past experiences, I find this to be a sacred and mysterious process that unfolds, but we can also learn from those who have been doing this work and have made a strong commitment to it. Salmon (1993) and Schroeder-Sheker (2009) in particular are virtual mentors to me, providing insight, ideas and understanding of the patients in hospice and palliative care. And I also know that I will come up with my own method or style of working with those in hospice. I had seen glimpses of my own willingness and ability to work with the dying back in 2003 with my grandmother, and can see how my own personal experiences and the work of others can both assist me in the future.
Beitel, G. (Director), & Lazar, B. (Producer). (1993). On wings of song: Music therapy at the end of life [Motion picture]. (Available from Filmakers, Inc., 124 East 40th Street, New York, NY 10016)
Kaufman, P. (Producer), & Kaufman, J. (Director). (1997). Chalice of repose: A contemplative musician's approach to death and dying [Motion picture]. (Available from Sounds True, PO Box 8010, Boulder, CO 80306)
Sato, Yumiko (2009). The Last Song. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved November 29, 2009, from https://normt.uib.no/index.php/voices/article/view/51