The Rosetta Life Diary - Feb 4 to Mar 4 | Apr 29 to Jun 27

Friday 4 February 2005

Billy Bragg at Trimar went well. In the afternoon, talked to Maxine. She has been given 6 months to live 3 months ago and is having chemo for what was a huge lump that has now reduced. The chemo is making her very sick. In 2000 she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction using her stomach muscles. She has a 15 year old daughter, Jessica. She is a devout Christian and is 'praying for a miracle'. I suggested the possibility of her making a video diary with her daughter. Afterwards I felt quite upset and difficult about what she had told me, I think because of our similar ages, only daughters and being single parents... too much to identify with.

Monday 7 February 2005

A report from staff of some resistance to Billy Bragg session from patients on the way home on the bus, but am not too worried as the direct feedback was positive and it is very early days...

Friday 11 February 2005

Towards the end, Maxine and Lisa went into the art room to have individual sessions with Billy. I didn't follow with the camera as I felt it would be intrusive at this early stage, and that the women should have time and space to gain confidence in Billy and themselves in The Song writing process. However, from the feed back, both from Billy and the girls, it sounds as if it went very well and I feel very impressed by and envious of the way Billy was able to work with them both.

Friday 25 February 2005

Max only came in briefly as she is feeling very sick with the chemo, but she has brought in several pages of thoughts and feelings for Billy to work from. She is really struggling with what the writing is bringing up for her - she was tearful and emotional and said that she didn't feel up to doing a session with Billy...despite this she did spend some time with him...

Friday 4 March 2005

Billy came in and worked with everyone again ...spoke to him afterwards, he says that he is totally inspired by working with the women, it takes him days to come Back toearth after each session and he is getting a huge amount from them...he seemed to really want to talk about it...

• Apr 29 to Jun 27

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