What A Day! What A Day! What A Day!

                    What a Day!                                                                 What a Day!

The Nashville Music Medics have been saying for years that each time we go out to sing “ It doesn’t get any better than this.”                   

                             Well! Friday March 6th, proved us “wrong” again, by leaps and bounds.


During our monthly visit to Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, it certainly was  better than expected because we met a special young lady named Ruby, accompanied by her Mom. I have found over the years the more places we visit, that somehow I’m connected to them through my own personal adventures.


                    

This very brave young lady was going through her second spine operation for scoliosis.  I had the same exact operation 40-years ago, and so the connection was made. As we discussed what we both went through, the similarities were astounding. Her first operation was to stretch the spine through use of a halo; then a second operation a week later to fuse the rods to her spine.  Mine was a bit different, as I had one long implant along the spine. She’ll have several. Just as painful, regardless.  

Nevertheless, Ruby was cheerful, smiling the entire time, especially when we did “The Name Song.” We noticed she was conducting while we sang keeping pretty good time to our songs. We found out later she was a percussionist in a marching band.  

             AND  another “first time” for us because we had a second Ruby sitting with her family. 

                                 Given that unique opportunity we sang to the Rubies! 

We were just so impressed with young Ruby, that our day was immediately brightened. We wished Ruby well, said our good-byes and proceeded to our next venue – 


                    Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, the conveniently adjacent facility.

          Where  we met two more patients, Mack and Shira, among the patients, caregivers and families.

We had a special request from our hostess and guide, Julie, to serenade Mack with the popular ice-breaker,
     “The Name Song”, aka The Mack Song, and a few minutes in the future became “The Shira Song”.  

Mack was a bit concerned as the seven of  us nearly encircled him for his serenade; however with the first
 “Oh, Mack, Mack, Bless Your Heart...” the grin turned to a broad smile and we began our task to “change the world, one smile at a time”. 

We spent our customary 30 – 45 minutes visiting and entertaining as patients and staff passed through our designated area in the waiting area lobby...

                                                    
                                                           Then there was Shira!

                          You can learn more about Shira at  https://cancerdoesntcare.com
                                              And her journey with lung cancer       
              
                                        
                                                               “One Scan Saved My Life”




Between songs, and much to our surprise, Shira is standing in the midst of us with her phone in the “selfie” position, trying to get into just the right position; our bass singer, Bill, is our designated, accomplished, adept selfie lensman. Bill is easily 6’1”  and he came to Shira’s rescue as is evidenced by this wonderful photo memory!

                        
                                    Bill               Music Medics                                   Shira             Music Medics


                                 “ Making a small but positive difference in troubled lives is a task worth repeating”


                                                              

                                          



[ A collaboration By Wayne Jackson &  Sam English, for Nashville Music Medics]