If you could select one song that most closely represents yourself, which song would you select and why? I ask my gynecologic oncology patients which song describes their life, then use this as an opening to wade into their concerns. We discuss how their current or past cancer diagnosis has changed their life journey, and whether their song of choice has changed as a result. I find it eye-opening to meet individuals who struggle with the emotions of describing their journey; it’s reassuring to hear how many use their faith to support a quest for treatment or cure. Some patients have returned for follow-up and explained that they selected a new song in the interim.
Music is effective as a therapeutic intervention for psychological and physical symptoms. Improvements in anxiety, depression, quality of life, coping, and mood have been described when using music as therapy. Music can effectively decrease anxiety associated with cancer screenings, such as mammography, while religious music in particular has proven to be successful in assuaging feelings of fear and gaining strength to endure cancer treatments. Physically, music positively influences heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
My favorite patient story is from an elderly endometrial cancer survivor. She related that she was so impacted by the discussion of her song that she spent time listening to music and landed on You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, as sung by Aretha Franklin. Her choice was impacted by having felt she was no longer a real woman since losing her uterus and ovaries to a hysterectomy. She felt reassured that she was indeed a natural woman after I answered her questions and assisted in acceptance at the loss of body organs versus her soul's identity.
The Old Testament book of Psalms is a collection of songs describing loss and love, despair and desire, grief and great joy. Psalmist David played his harp to soothe Israel's King Saul (1 Samuel 16) and later danced in celebration (2 Samuel 6:5). We’re prompted by the apostle Paul to “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19, NIV).
I’m grateful for my faith as a foundation for nursing and for opportunities that challenge my thinking and my skill set. Songs give me strength to view patients through a spiritual lens. Songs give credence to live. Do you have a life song? What song best describes how you feel as a nurse?
Leigh Minchew, DNP, RN, was in active practice in gynecologic oncology at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Mobile, Alabama, when she wrote the Journal of Christian Nursing article from which this post is excerpted.
Read the original full article in JCN.
How has God given you opportunity to have meaningful conversations or offer encouragement to patients? Share your experiences in patient care in relation to faith. Email your blog post or JCN article submission/idea to ncfmailbox@intervarsity.org
