I played violin during my brain surgery

Available for over a year

In January 2020, Dagmar Turner was woken up in the middle of her brain surgery and handed a violin. It was her idea. She was an amateur but committed violinist and was willing to go to drastic lengths to keep playing the instrument. Dagmar had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in her right frontal lobe. It was dangerously close to areas of her brain that were responsible for coordinating delicate movements in her left hand - essential for her musical talent. So she sought the help of Dr Keyoumars Ashkan – he was a respected neurosurgeon but also an accomplished musician, so he understood her love of music. Dr Ashkan agreed to perform an incredibly rare procedure where Dagmar would play the violin during surgery so that he and his team could remove only brain tissue that would not damage her music skills. This interview was first broadcast in 2020. There are lots of situations that test a new relationship. In 2017 one couple in Australia chose a particularly make-or-break experiment. Jesse Siebler and Taylor Stevens applied for a six-month stint to become caretakers to Australia's southernmost lighthouse on Maatsuyker Island. They successfully competed against thousands of applicants. Outlook caught up with them during their stay. This interview was first broadcast in 2017. Get in touch: [email protected] (Photo: Dagmar Turner with her violin during her brain surgery. Credit: King’s College Hospital)