Inhaling the Gentle Tones

I first met this patient in the hallway as she was getting some exercise, holding on to her IV pole and being escorted by a family member.  She smiled and told me the music was lovely.  I met her again on her way back to the room, when she smiled again as she heard tunes that were familiar to her.  A nurse then asked me to go to her room – she had been newly diagnosed with cancer and was having a hard time adjusting.  Many family members were in the room.  As I walked in slowly, everyone stopped speaking.  The patient seemed to inhale the gentle tones, breathing more deeply in minutes.  She and her whole family thanked me.