Expressing Through Music During Infusion Treatment: Bobby

Bobby learning to play the guitar during an infusion treatment at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Infusion Center.

Music therapy has been present at the pediatric infusion center at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Mission Bay for quite some time now. Children young and old come to receive lengthy treatments over the course of a day for a variety of complex diagnoses.

Alongside an amazing team of nurses, child life specialists, medical assistants, and other interdisciplinary team members, music therapy has been an addition that integrates expressive creativity and relaxation into the patient experience. This helps to create an uplifting and fun environment for the patients and families who come through.

Take Bobby here as an example.

With an amazingly strong mother, Bobby comes to receive treatment that lasts for several hours. What better way to pass the time than to learn a new instrument or begin to write songs?

Bobby expressed always having an interest in learning the guitar. So he first began by learning how to play his favorite song “Come Together” by The Beatles. He steadfastly wrote down the chords in a notebook so he could play at home with his newly gifted personal guitar.

As he continues to come for treatment, I will always make it a point to stop by his seat and say, “Hey Bobby… want to play guitar?” Before a second passes Bobby, unwaveringly, will say, “Yep!” This has become the routine for when he comes in for treatment.

Bobby has expanded his musical expression to writing songs and bringing his coping resources into music therapy sessions when he is here. What gives Bobby strength? What brings Bobby comfort? Gardening. My Mom. My Family. and he titled his song “Thinking About Things”.

Well, here is to thinking about you Bobby.

After writing lyrics to his own original song, Bobby adds the background chords.

To further support creative arts at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital SF donate here.