A patient finds peace in her healing process through music.
By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org
On a recent weekday, there was a small reunion in a room at IU Health University Hospital. There were hugs, cheers, and lots of questions and conversations.
Alyssa Bridgewater first became an IU Health patient when she was admitted to Riley Hospital in January 2020. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood marrow cancer.
That first hospitalization lasted for 300 days. To pass the time and calm her anxiety, Bridgewater attended music therapy. Riley Hospital and University Hospital music therapists are part of a clinical team that helps patients achieve personal goals, such as reducing stress, improving mood and overall well-being. Music therapy is often used in other therapies such as physical, occupational, yoga, and art.
Through primary treatment and stem cell transplants, Bridgewater looks forward to spending time with Riley Hospital music therapist Caitlin Krater.
“Music therapy lifted my soul and helped me forget the pain. Caitlin gave me an outlet, a reason to live, and struggled to not give up on life,” said Bridgewater, 30. Music has always been the focus of her life – something familiar. She sang “Ava Maria” at a wedding, was a church singer, and performed Sally DeFord’s “Shards of Glass” for her final high school project.
While hospitalized in Riley, Bridgewater’s grandmother died of complications from cancer.
“I knew I couldn’t go to the funeral and I was very sad. Caitlin helped me make a music video. I told her we needed to finish in two days and we did it in two days,” Bridgewater said. Her grandmother was able to watch the video before her death and it was later played at her funeral.
“I feel at peace knowing my voice is heard,” says Bridgewater. She grew up in Atlanta, Ind., was homeschooled, and received a Bachelor’s degree in educational studies.
When she was recently reunited with Krater, the two talked briefly and asked, “What are you doing?” “How do you feel?”
Bridgewater has up to a lot. She wrote a book, “Grandfather’s Answered Prayers,” about a child who hesitated to go to school and her grandfather prayed for her. She is cautious about her compromised immune system and mostly still participates in support groups. She loves arts and crafts, homemade cards, walking, and of course music. She was given a ukulele when she left Riley and has perfected her talent.
During her time at IU Health University Hospital, music therapist Adam Perry, invited Krater to walk across campus and join him in music therapy with Bridgewater. There was energy in the room spilling out into the hallway as Bridgewater played the ukulele and sang along in an impromptu session. Perry plays guitar and Krater plays drums.
Bridgewater said: “Today is a beautiful, happy day. “I am grateful, just very grateful.”
