On October 24, I had the privilege of shadowing my friend, Dr. Kathleen Weatherstone, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Overland Park Regional Medical Center for almost 3 hours.
Ever since I began my studies with MHTP this year, the idea of bringing live, therapeutic music to a NICU setting has intrigued me. Kathleen has been such an encouraging supporter for me, and graciously invited me to spend some time with her touring the unit and watching her treat the babies. I have always hoped that I could fulfill some of my internship hours in a setting like this.
First of all let me just say that, Kathleen does not wear the fact that she's a gifted physician (OR musician for that matter) on her sleeve. In fact, she is one of the most down-to-earth and authentic women I know. Don't get me wrong -- she's brilliant. But in all the years I've known her, I've never seen her talk down to anyone or speak in terms I couldn't understand. That, my friends, is a gift.
So I showed up at the NICU -- knowing in general what I would be seeing but, at the same time, knowing I wasn't really prepared for what I would be seeing.
The unit is beautiful -- larger than I expected and and much quieter than I thought it would be. Everything is state-of-the-art: all vital functions of the infants' little bodies are reflected on a computer screen just above their isolettes; the warning alarms that go off periodically aren't disruptive or upsetting -- but every staff member knows exactly what they mean.
Kathleen first had me wash up -- similar to scrubbing up for surgery -- before stepping foot into any of the treatment areas. The outer perimeter of the unit has private rooms, and the large area in the middle is divided up into semi-private areas that can open up to each other should a family have multiples to care for. She warned me that some people have an unexpected visceral reaction to the babies (nausea, faintness) and that I should just let her know if it was too much for me.
The first baby I saw, born at only 24 weeks, was just over a day old. He was so tiny ... his skin looked so paper thin and fragile ... and yet every fingernail and toenail was there, every detail you would expect to see on a full-term baby, only in miniature.
I had a visceral reaction all right -- but I didn't get faint. I absolutely fell in love with this little guy. Let's just say that I am now hooked.
It was amazing to watch Kathleen and the staff members handle these little bundles. There are "boundaries" (cushions and soft, bean bag-type pillows) placed around them -- especially their heads -- so they feel secure and get the sensation that they are still in the womb. If the babies don't have anything to snuggle their head up against, they will "travel" to the corners of the isolette until they have met a new boundary then can relax. I also learned that there is a dramatic difference in development during weeks 24 to 26. I saw first-hand evidence of that in all the babies she treated.
In discussing the possibility of bringing live music to this unit, it was more than apparent that the doctors and nurses are highly protective of these little ones. AS THEY SHOULD BE. The word "intensive" in the acronym NICU is somehow magnified in this setting. Not that every patient in a hospital isn't as valuable and important -- but there's something almost sacred about the NICU. It's all about caring for the little ones -- and caring for the parents as well. They need as much TLC as the babies.
I met the unit's director during the last 15 minutes of my visit. It was made clear to me during the split-second that Kathleen introduced me to the her in the hallway (and then ran off to her own meeting) that the director was the lady to whom I must "sell" this whole internship idea. I had the immediate realization that I was "on." It was now my turn to do some fast talking.
In the adrenalin rush that followed, I honestly don't remember what I said to the director. But between what I said to her and the fact that she heard from a colleague at another hospital that is successfully using therapeutic music in their NICU, I've been invited back to the unit to "try this out." I am honored and excited.
Take a gander at this photo of Julie Hussar, CMP who plays at the University of Michigan NICU. 
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