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Carole Mikita reporting Most hospitals have cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, nurses and lab technicians, but to that group, Primary Children's Medical Center has added a music therapist. The patients at Primary Children's can hear Lillie Grand before they see her, but the jingling of her instruments is good news. She's the therapist who makes them feel better.
Music therapist Lillieth Grand says, "Music can act as an audio analgesic and can actually block pain. For others, it's calming, reduction of anxiety, reducing fear."
Music, Lillie says, is a powerful tool for change. She directs her patients to create the sounds of a storm, then they make it go away. She tells them it will get better.
One patient, Breanna Raumaker, said, "When she plays the ocean drum, it helps me with relaxation and stuff."
Sometimes it's a group session, and sometimes Lillie will go to an individual child who's having a procedure done. She says, "The IV team has taken to calling me in for kids who want PIK line placement without medication, without sedation, and so, we're able to use music to block the pain."
Even the first time, patients say they see a difference in pain control. Patient Jeff Achter said, "I had my cast removed 20 minutes ago, which leaves incredible amounts of neuropathic pain, which I can only equate to having your foot stuffed in fire. But while I'm here, I feel OK."
Another patient, Shayla Draper, said, "It helps control emotions and release pain. I really like when Lillie comes by."
Appreciation comes from parents, too. Anne Draper said, "It had been a hard day for Shayla, and she solved the problem. Shayla got right back into the groove. You need to feel good in order to get well. She needs to fight, and Lillie gave her that fighting spirit back."
It's why the doctors 'prescribe' Lillie Grand. The music therapy program is funded through donations to the Primary Children's Foundation, so even though doctors 'prescribe' the treatment, it is free to the patients.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
