Singing to the Dead

Tuesday being the worst day of the week aside, I’m in a fairly positive and upbeat mood this week so far. It struck me yesterday how many families we get visit their relatives and sing to them. It’s happened to me on a few occasions now and I think it’s lovely. I know that there are some religious songs that are sung but it’s difficult to tell, although I’m fairly certain one family came in and just belted out a few of their relatives favourite tunes.

How sweet it must be to be able to sing to your deceased relatives and feel that connection together and with them. Personally I’m not from the kind of family who would do that, plus I’m utterly tone deaf and tend to only sing when alone in the car, drunk or simply to annoy my fiancé. However, we do play songs at the funerals I have been to, some hymns and some just meaningful songs. My Nan had a bit of Rod Stewart playing at hers because Nan really liked Rod Stewart, it wasn’t just a random choice. Music can be very powerful, and I think that song will always stay with me as my Nan’s funeral song. I’d be interested to hear what anyone else thinks about this or your experiences?

Coincidentally, Laura D sent me this passage from a book earlier she’s reading today advising that I should read it, the passage mentioning singing to a relative! It’s all connected! And I will read the book once she’s passed it on, it’s All That Remains by Sue Black.

Page 85- All That Remains photo thanks to Laura D!

Otherwise, for the past week I have been looking at the anatomy of the neck and trying to learn all the structures. Like with anything, the neck is made up of a lot of different sets of bones, muscles, nerves, veins, arteries and other features that mean I’ve really just been hugely overwhelmed. I have found myself looking at muscles on a diagram though and trying to flex them as I’m reading. I must look rather special sat there rubbing the side of my head and clenching my jaw trying to trace the muscle down my face.

I had a chance to complete a y-section on a patient recently and I found myself fascinated by the structures of the neck I revealed. Usually we will perform a midline incision starting from around the collar bones so that there is minimal disruption to the appearance of the person. I am determined to learn the names of the muscles, glands and other parts so I can name them as I go. If you need me, I’ll be staring at diagrams of the neck from various different angles with a confused look on my face.

We have a busy rest of the week ahead, lots crammed into the next three days I will update you with at the weekend!

Take care,

MG x