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Anesthesia-related heart attack?

February 18th, 2009 · Music and Surgery

Anesthesia-related heart attack?

You’ve probably heard that anesthesia carries risks with it. I think that the average person thinks mainly of

  • not waking up from surgery
  • severe nausea
  • prolonged grogginess
  • severe constipation
  • rashes and skin eruptions

and other such things. But did you know that cardiac arrest can also be an unwanted side effect? You may have heard of the rapper “Usher?” His wife went to Brazil for plastic surgery and suffered cardiac arrest in mid-surgery. Here’s what the AP news said: A spokeswoman for the Sirio-Libanes Hospital said Wednesday that Tameka Raymond left the facility Monday night but declined to provide any details on Raymond’s treatment at the family’s request. The spokewoman spoke on condition of anonymity per hospital policy.
Representatives for Usher had no immediate comment.
Ellen Dastry, a spokeswoman for the doctor who was to perform the plastic surgery, said last week that Raymond suffered a cardiac arrest while being anesthetized ahead of a “simple liposuction” at Sao Paulo’s Sao Rafael Hospital.
Raymond was revived in less than a minute with heart massage, and was placed in an induced coma before being taken to the intensive-care unit, said Dastry, spokeswoman for plastic surgeon Silvio Sterman.
She was then transferred to the posh and better-equipped Sirio-Libanes Hospital to recover.
Usher was supposed to perform at music mogul Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party, but backed out to come to Brazil to be with his wife.

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What are the benefits of less anesthesia?

February 17th, 2009 · Music and Surgery

Benefits of Less Anesthesia

As I talk to people about the benefits of music during surgery, invariably I get the question, “But Alice, why would you want less anesthesia during surgery…I want MORE anesthesia!” OK, I know what you’re thinking: you don’t want to risk feeling any pain or being “accidentally awake” though the doctors think you are asleep. Yes, there’s been a lot in the news about that recently. Here are some of the many benefits of using less anestheisa:

  • anesthesia can take up to 6 months to completely leave your system
  • all bodily systems are brought to an almost complete halt by anesthesia, severe constipation being a common result of this
  • anesthesia is fraught with adverse reactions in patients including allergy and just plain sever side-effects
  • side-effects include prolonged nausea, dizziness, fuzzy thinking, rashes, double vision and depression
  • the less anesthesia you have, the sooner you can leave the hospital, begin your healing journey and get on with your life!

If you could have beautiful music playing through headphones cordless, self-contained, lightweight headphones during your procedure and take less anesthesia without an increase in pain, wouldn’t you do it?? Please let me know! Thank you!

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Why can’t humans be more like animals?

February 15th, 2009 · Music Healing and Animals

Why can’t Humans be more like animals?

Click on this link for an amazing video set to some beautiful music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rooyt3ptNco

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More new on the trip to Paris

February 12th, 2009 · Classical Music

Chantdoc preparing to go to Paris

It seems as though it’s been a very long time since I was in Paris for more than just to transfer planes. I spent six weeks there in the summer fo 1987 doing my Ph.D. dissertation research. My dissertation was on “Wanda Landowska and the Revival of the Harpsichord: a Reassessment.” I’ve included a brief clip from the documentary that was later made from my dissertation.  
www.youtube.com/user/chantdoc
I am hoping to do a presentation at the American Church of Paris, but now it looks as though I might also be able to do a presentation on Landowska to a group of harpisichord afficionados. If you know anyone or any group in Paris that would like to sponsor a lecture or a seminar, let me know ASAP!

Thanks,

Alice

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Muzak misses a note…files for bankruptcy

February 11th, 2009 · Announcements

Muzak misses a note; files for bankruptcy

I think most of us babyoomers know about MUZAK. It is derisively called “elevator music” by many of us as we turn up our noses. Still, there was time when Muzak seemed to be the trend of the future and the belief was that everyone would love having music in stores and airports and most public gathering spaces. But…time marches on and people are more sophisticated musically. There are so many options today and Muzak, the “one size fits all” musical solution no longer fits us!

(CNN) — Muzak, the company that put pop, string-filled arrangements of rock songs in your elevator, filed bankruptcy papers Tuesday after it missed a $105 million payment to creditors.The Muzak company is best known for background music piped into places such as elevators.

The pipeline of easy listening will continue to flow as Muzak restructures its debt during the Chapter 11 process, the company said.
“Muzak is a solid business with an outstanding customer base, but we are burdened with substantial debt obligations established over a decade ago,” Muzak CEO Stephen Villa said.
Muzak’s cash flows doubled in the last three years, Villa said, “demonstrating that our business continues to perform well even in today’s challenging environment.”
Along with its ubiquitous elevator offerings, Muzak and its 14 affiliates — all privately owned — produce on-hold messages and install sound systems, digital signs and drive-thru systems for retail businesses.
Bankruptcy documents showed Muzak owes its largest creditor — U.S. Bank — about $370 million, nearly all of it due this year.
Muzak spokeswoman Meaghan Repko said the filing was voluntary and in cooperation with the creditors.
The weakened global economy was not a factor, she said, noting the company’s profits have been rising in recent years.
The Chapter 11 protections will allow Muzak time to restructure the debt, which was incurred a decade ago, she said.

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Fears about surgery and anesthesia

February 10th, 2009 · Music and Surgery

People’s Fears of Surgery and Anesthesia

Most people are concerned and somewhat frightened when they learn that they are going to need surgery to correct, repair or heal from a condition. Many people are actually terrified that they will not wake up after general anesthesia. Although the science of anesthesiology has come a long way in the past five decades, there are definitely risks!
Recently I read a very interesting thread on a music blog. It went like this:
Who’s been under the knife? How does it feel waking up from the anesthesia? Do you feel groggy, disoriented, pain, numbness? Is it like waking up from a long sleep? Does the pain hit you like a 10 ton brick or does it gradually set in or do you have to keep taking pain killers?
The responses were fascinating: a combination of comforting and scaring the person further. To my delight, many of the readers seemed to be aware of the option of taking their iPod with their favorite music into surgery. If you’re looking at surgery in the near future, please feel free to contact me so assistance in preparing your perfect music!

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Chantdoc traveling to Paris in April!

February 8th, 2009 · Healing Music Travel

Chantdoc planning a trip to Paris!

I’m so excited because I am planning to go to Paris in April! My daughter is doing an internship at the American Embassy there and it’s just too good a chance to pass up…even though I went to Italy last Fall and on a cruise in August! For me, travel is the best education and the best vacation possible. It’s also an opportunity to teach more people about the healing power of music and to learn about new music wherever I go!
At the moment, I’m hoping to do a lecture/workshop/performance at the American Church but nothing has been finalized at this point.
While in Paris, I would love a chance to talk with physicians there about music during surgery, but that too remains to be seen. No matter how things play out, I know I will have a wonderful time and will attend many concerts while there!
If you have connection in Paris that might be helpful or interested, please let me know! Au revoir!

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Mozart and Lullabies

February 6th, 2009 · Music with Newborns and Preemies, The Lullaby Effect, The Mozart Effect...why Mozart?

Why Mozart with babies?

Dr. Cash presenting Grand Rounds on Mozart and Lullabies

Dr. Cash presenting Grand Rounds on Mozart and Lullabies at Lutheran Medical Center in NYC.

If you have a newborn, you might want to know more about Mozart and Lullabies.  This past week I was speaking at a hospital in New York and the subject was “The Importance of Music with Pregnancy, Preemies, and Newborns.” The topic arose as to whether playing Mozart was better for unborn children than singing lullabies. My opinion, based on all the research I have read is that the mother singing lullabies or any soft, sweet songs is always the best. Every baby loves his own mother’s voice the best because that is the voice that has been with him from the moment of conception. That voice is asociated with safety, security, and nurturing.
As the mother of three children, and grandmother of four, I can tell you that having a repertoire of three of four dozen gentle songs, such as lullabies, is worth all the gold at Ft. Knox!  Many new mothers say “but my voice is awful and will frighten my baby, or make him cry more.”  Not true!  Your baby has been hearing your voice since the beginning of the fourth month gestation.  YOUR voice is the one that he’s most familiar with and therefore responds to!  YOUR voice is the one that can calm and comfort and if you start singing at the beginning of pregnancy, your baby will be familiars with these melodies and tunes and calm down quickly and easily!  Please pass this information on to someone you love!
If you feel that you don’t know enough tunes, I’ve created a CD/Download of 23 favorite lullabies. I’ve even included all of the lyrics!  My suggestions is that you start listening to this CD now. Put it in your car and listen to it as you drive around town.  I promise it won’t put YOU to sleep but it may calm you as your drive through traffic.  By the time baby arrives, you’ll easily be able to sing them to baby in whatever key is best for YOU.  Get busy!  🙂

Click Here!

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