In praise of technology

7 years ago

Yesterday, along with my mother in law, sister in law and her partner, I sat by my husband’s uncle’s hospital bed as he was dying. It’s winter here, and frail 93yo Uncle had caught a chest infection he was not to recover from.

Due to his lung congestion, Uncle struggled for each breath. Mother in law wondered if some music might help settle him, but we had none.

I pulled out my iPhone, went to YouTube and found one of Uncle’s favourites, the slow movement from Dvorak’s “New World” symphony. We played it on a loop. It did seem to relax Uncle a bit, and it helped us as well.

Some days I’m very glad for technology.

Featured Answer

bpath

7 years ago

Colleen, I am so sorry for your loss. But you gave me a gift: this evening I was sitting with my mom in the ER, and while she was in imaging I glanced in here, and saw your post. I pulled out my phone and we chilled to Mama Cass (Dream a Little Dream of Me, so much nicer version than the Doris Day we listened to first), Joni Mitchell (Free Man in Paris, my theme song these days), Gerry Rafferty (Baker Street, another theme song), Ella Fitzgerald (Summertime, my all-time favorite song), Beautiful Dreamer (a real oldie, mid-1800s, but my dad played it on the piano. I don’t know who was singing it, maybe Al Jolson), and Beautiful Savior. My mom is fine, back to her memory care, and we stayed chill the whole evening.

So, Colleen, my sympathies to you, and my thanks. Nice to be reminded I have this instrument.

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Comments (22)

User
7 years ago
That is so touching. Music helped my mom in her last days too. I'm sorry for your loss.
colleenoz thanked User
morz8 - Washington Coast
7 years ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. And happy you had a way to help your uncle in his last hours. Peace and hugs for your family.
colleenoz thanked morz8 - Washington Coast
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sleeperblues
7 years ago
I’m so sorry
colleenoz thanked sleeperblues
pudgeder
7 years ago
Thankful you were able to bring some comfort to your uncle. My sympathies for your loss.
colleenoz thanked pudgeder
greenshoekitty
7 years ago
I am glad you could bring some comfort to your day. So sorry for your loss tho.
colleenoz thanked greenshoekitty
annie1992
7 years ago
Oh, Colleen, I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost your Uncle. Music can be soothing, sometimes, and I'm glad it seemed to help your Uncle, at least a little.

Annie
colleenoz thanked annie1992
colleenoz
Original Author
7 years ago
Glad to pass on a helpful idea, bpath Oh Sophie. I always amaze DH when I use technology in slightly different ways, because he has this mistaken belief that I am a total Luddite due to my general preference to do most things the old fashioned way :-) But I’m not averse to using tech to do things I can’t.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
7 years ago
My deepest sympathy for you and your family. Music does soothe the soul.
colleenoz thanked ravencajun Zone 8b TX
Islay Corbel
7 years ago
My condolences. You brought comfort when it was needed.
colleenoz thanked Islay Corbel
Sooz
7 years ago
My sympathies to your and your husband and your family.
colleenoz thanked Sooz
Annie Deighnaugh
7 years ago
So sorry for your loss and so glad you were able to bring some comfort in that difficult situation.
colleenoz thanked Annie Deighnaugh
Yayagal
7 years ago
My condolences, may he rest in peace.
colleenoz thanked Yayagal
nancyofnc
7 years ago
Your post is not relative to cooking. However, playing music while under stress cooking or baking is definitely helpful and hearing music while eating is common in restaurants. This brings your post into the reason we call it the Cooking Forum not the Commiseration Forum.
chisue
7 years ago
Hospice often uses music to help calm patients and *everyone in the room*. ( presume the patient is allowed directives over what *kind* of music. I'd hate to be dying and unable to Make It Stop!)

Sorry for your travail, Colleen. Sad times.

Glad your DM is out of the ER and 'safe home', bpath. Another crisis behind you.
colleenoz thanked chisue
dedtired
7 years ago
Lovely story, Colleen. It’s proven that people with memory loss often remember the music of their youth.

Nancyofnc, seriously? That comment is so rude.
colleenoz thanked dedtired
chloebud
7 years ago
"It’s proven that people with memory loss often remember the music of their youth."

Very true. My sister works with memory loss patients, and it's amazing what music can do.

So sorry for your loss, Colleen.
colleenoz thanked chloebud
PKponder TX Z7B
7 years ago
I'm sorry for your loss Colleen but happy that you were able to comfort him with technology.

Jeers to Nancyofnc. The world is full of mean people, don't join that club.
colleenoz thanked PKponder TX Z7B
Solsthumper
7 years ago
Colleen, my condolences to you and your husband.

Nancyofnc: Your comment is not relative to this thread.

Sol
colleenoz thanked Solsthumper
writersblock (9b/10a)
7 years ago
My condolences to you and your family, Colleen. I'm glad there was something you could do to ease things a bit.
colleenoz thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
westsider40
7 years ago
My condolences to you and your family. That was a very good idea and thanks for sharing.
colleenoz thanked westsider40
bcskye
7 years ago
My condolences to you and your family. May your uncle rest in the peace you brought to him.

Madonna
colleenoz thanked bcskye

In praise of technology

bpath

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morz8 - Washington Coast

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