Excerpts from the Mayo-ASU communication log book, designed to informally capture the patient-artist experience.

Read more about the partnership between ASU artists and the Mayo Clinic in, "Taking Leave."

Nurse asked me to come back – patient is 27 years old… Asked for Amazing Grace – she also requested her grandma’s favorites, then we went to country music and her prom song. She loves the music service – she heard Paula – says she looks forward to hearing all the musicians. -- Vicki

She is leaving for hospice today – her husband is with her – she’s very young – I sang for a long time, all gospel songs – lots of tears – they were so appreciative. He’s trying to be so strong for her. -- Vicki

The patient said, “I had an out-of-room experience. I saw the big open plains with rolling hills, beautiful open landscape.” -- Randy

I asked if I could sing, and the first thing he said was – If you are as good as the flute player and the harpist, I would love it. He requested What a Wonderful World. When I sang it, he got teary and told me his wife was in ICU and asked if I would go sing a song for her. She was taking care of him and had a heart attack – so he’s worried about her. -- Vicki

This was amazing – her husband sent me. She is quite something. These people love each other very much. She talked and talked. She was so happy that her husband sent me; she kept saying she couldn’t believe there was music. I sang the song he asked for, and she was very teary. -- Vicki

Checked with daughter – she thinks her mom would like it because she’s a singer – when I walked in, she was flat on her back, and when her husband told her I was a singer, she came to life – two other singing friends came in, and that was the beginning of a small concert. I would sing one, and they would sing one – the patient jacked up her bed and increased her oxygen and got right with it. They thanked me again and again. The music really lifted her spirits. -- Vicki

Nurse said the patient was in the waiting room by the elevators with her son. Two friends were also there. I played several songs: “Memory” from Cats, “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Lara’s Theme,” and ended with “18th Variation.” They loved it. We also talked about the harp. Then on my last piece, Karla and Doug (poets) walked up and had the patient’s poem ready. Doug read it to her, and it was a very moving moment. The timing of all of us showing up was just right. -- Paula