Chemotherapy Dancing

If it’s not the worst part of cancer, chemotherapy still ranks high on the list of cancer-related unpleasant experiences. In late October our group entered the chemotherapy treatment room at LAC-USC Medical Center. Most of the patients were Spanish speaking people, and we instantly adjusted to the circumstances by singing the Spanish songs we had prepared.

Perhaps it was the guitar accompaniment or the sudden break in the fearful monotony of the treatment. Whatever the reason for the participation, we were glad that the patients and nurses began to join in the singing.

When we began singing “La Bamba,” a rousing song, one of the nurses began to dance. She wasn’t just dancing, she was sold out to the music. At that moment all of my research on the effect of group singing on caregivers of cancer patients seemed to come alive. The needs that the caregivers have is profound, and I understood that the singing had relieved the stress of these caregivers.

It is not unusual for nurses to dance. They probably dance at home or when they visit a dance club. However, this was the final shift in what was initially an oppressive atmosphere for everyone in the room.

Now it was filled with smiles and singing.