First day back at the hospital since the weekend’s madness. I usually run a singing group in the evening that’s open to patients,staff, family & friends. Visitors are now not allowed, so it was just patients at the start, with staff milling in and out.
We talked about the coronavirus, and I suggested singing “I will survive”. We belted out the first line “At first I was afraid I was petrified!!” to much laughter. Somewhere during this, spontaneous dancing happened. I put Dancing Queen next, and before I knew it,
more and more staff came in.. doctor, nurse, HCA.... all dancing with the patients. Stroke patients with limited mobility were on their feet with assistance from staff, dancing along, everyone enjoying themselves but also trying to keep an arm’s width apart.
I was freaking out with all the handholding and singing in close proximity but I couldn’t bear to stop it.... I think we all needed that release, staff patients all of us who’s been anxious all weekend.
When the song ended, I dashed out to grab disinfectant wipes for everyone before continuing (not before performing the Coronavirus Etude on the keyboard, to much amusement).
Someone then suggested singing “I wanna hold your hand” which inspired another round of chuckles. We changed the lyrics “Oh yeah, I'll tell you something, I think you'll understand.. then I'll say that something, I DON’T wanna hold your hand!!!”
We then sang My Bonnie. I suggested changing the lyrics. Suggestions came in—Bring back my toiletpaper to me. Bring back my pasta to me. Then someone sang Bring back my visitors to me. We smiled bitterly. Everyone is missing their visitors. We acknowledged how difficult this was
Told them I’m not sure whether I’ll be allowed in next week, but I am trying my very best to be remain vigilant & healthy, so that hopefully we can keep singing. Let the music go on. #musictherapy #coronavirus
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