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Student shares story of illness through her music
By: Tim McDonald, Classical Corner
There’s an old song titled “What Would I Do Without My Music?” that brings a tear to the eye of many a singer. But to medical student and musician Louann Carnahan, the pursuit of music occupies a tangible and particularly meaningful part of her day as she manages physical challenges brought on by a chronic ailment.
Carnahan wants to share the story of her music and illness through a CD of classical piano selections that will also serve as a fundraiser. She discussed her music, illness and life in a recent interview.
Carnahan is a 25-year-old medical student, a member of the class of 2010, at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. According to her mother, Caroline Lee Carnahan, “at the age of 17 Louann began having seizures, which her neurologist controlled with medication for some time.”
Louann was diagnosed with epilepsy, certainly enough of a medical challenge for one person. But her burden intensified this past January when she was diagnosed with a rare disease called MERRF syndrome – myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged red fibers.
In the words of Louann the med student, “basically there are a group of genetic diseases in which the mitochondria, the ‘power plants’ that make energy in a cell, don’t work properly. Since all cells need and use energy, several different organ systems have the potential to be affected when these power plants fail. MERFF syndrome is one of these diseases – it causes me to have seizures and muscle weakness that gets worse over time.”
The muscle weakness is significant, and she describes it this way: “Strap 20 pounds on each ankle, 100 pounds on your back and 10 pounds on each arm. Walk around like that all day every day. That’s how I feel. Climbing stairs is next to impossible now; standing, even for a few minutes, is tiring.”
When asked how she managed to perform for the recording, she explained, “The weakness is mostly in my shoulders and hips, and especially affects walking. My hands and arms are pretty good.”
The disc opens with an arrangement of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” a virtuosic musical dynamo.
“It’s my favorite piece on the CD,” Louann said. “It’s the hardest thing I ever played. I think I perform it with a lot of power considering I’m only 4-foot-8.”
Sale of the disc will benefit “Beat Mito,” which Carnahan describes as a “fundraising project to support research for mitochondrial diseases. As a future doctor I’ve studied about them, but the books didn’t teach me anything compared to what I’ve learned through first-hand experience as a patient.”
Specifically, all proceeds will be donated to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
In addition to the Gershwin, the recording contains a Chopin Nocturne and Fantasie-Impromptu, several movements from sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven, and an Impromptu by Franz Peter Schubert. Carnahan particularly loves the final work on the disc, Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Prelude in C-sharp Minor.”
“I always wanted to study his music when I was in high school,” she said.
The MERFF syndrome struck Louann during her second year of medical school.
“It was awful,” she said. “I poured myself into the musical works on the disc.”
Upon the advice of her neurologist and the insistence of her family, Louann took a year off from school. She returns this August, though, to begin her third year of medical studies. When asked if she has a specific area of medicine to study, she answered predictably, “neurology.”
To order Carnahan’s CD or to engage her for a recital, e-mail louannc2000@yahoo.com or visit www.beatmito.com.
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Carnahan wants to share the story of her music and illness through a CD of classical piano selections that will also serve as a fundraiser. She discussed her music, illness and life in a recent interview.
Carnahan is a 25-year-old medical student, a member of the class of 2010, at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. According to her mother, Caroline Lee Carnahan, “at the age of 17 Louann began having seizures, which her neurologist controlled with medication for some time.”
Louann was diagnosed with epilepsy, certainly enough of a medical challenge for one person. But her burden intensified this past January when she was diagnosed with a rare disease called MERRF syndrome – myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged red fibers.
In the words of Louann the med student, “basically there are a group of genetic diseases in which the mitochondria, the ‘power plants’ that make energy in a cell, don’t work properly. Since all cells need and use energy, several different organ systems have the potential to be affected when these power plants fail. MERFF syndrome is one of these diseases – it causes me to have seizures and muscle weakness that gets worse over time.”
The muscle weakness is significant, and she describes it this way: “Strap 20 pounds on each ankle, 100 pounds on your back and 10 pounds on each arm. Walk around like that all day every day. That’s how I feel. Climbing stairs is next to impossible now; standing, even for a few minutes, is tiring.”
When asked how she managed to perform for the recording, she explained, “The weakness is mostly in my shoulders and hips, and especially affects walking. My hands and arms are pretty good.”
The disc opens with an arrangement of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” a virtuosic musical dynamo.
“It’s my favorite piece on the CD,” Louann said. “It’s the hardest thing I ever played. I think I perform it with a lot of power considering I’m only 4-foot-8.”
Sale of the disc will benefit “Beat Mito,” which Carnahan describes as a “fundraising project to support research for mitochondrial diseases. As a future doctor I’ve studied about them, but the books didn’t teach me anything compared to what I’ve learned through first-hand experience as a patient.”
Specifically, all proceeds will be donated to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.
In addition to the Gershwin, the recording contains a Chopin Nocturne and Fantasie-Impromptu, several movements from sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven, and an Impromptu by Franz Peter Schubert. Carnahan particularly loves the final work on the disc, Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Prelude in C-sharp Minor.”
“I always wanted to study his music when I was in high school,” she said.
The MERFF syndrome struck Louann during her second year of medical school.
“It was awful,” she said. “I poured myself into the musical works on the disc.”
Upon the advice of her neurologist and the insistence of her family, Louann took a year off from school. She returns this August, though, to begin her third year of medical studies. When asked if she has a specific area of medicine to study, she answered predictably, “neurology.”
To order Carnahan’s CD or to engage her for a recital, e-mail louannc2000@yahoo.com or visit www.beatmito.com.
Comments on "Student shares story of illness through her music"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.glen dodd wrote on Jul 6, 2008 4:04 AM:
" Ive known louann for seven months now, she is smart,talented,loving person.
That I can call her my friend is an
honor and a privlidge. She is a very
inpiring person ,and dosen't let her
disability keep her from her dreams.
Good luck Louann keep up the good work
and may you continue to raise funds for
this important cause. "
That I can call her my friend is an
honor and a privlidge. She is a very
inpiring person ,and dosen't let her
disability keep her from her dreams.
Good luck Louann keep up the good work
and may you continue to raise funds for
this important cause. "
mjbrown wrote on Jul 5, 2008 5:22 PM:
" Great article. we're all so proud of you louann......go get them..... "
hen wrote on Jul 5, 2008 3:11 PM:
" hi louann, thanks for sharing the article with me. very cool. i'm so proud of you. "
robinlmcalpineyahoo.com wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:56 AM:
" What a brave young woman! "
LAURITA SAVILLE wrote on Jul 4, 2008 6:55 PM:
" I bought the CD and it is wonderful. Since Louann is my niece I have watched her music grow and blossom since she was 5 years old. How her tiny hands reach all those notes is a mystery but she does it beautifully. This tiny lady is facing her re-arranged life with the strength of a giant. She is a lovely lady wirh a beautiful soul. "
C. Mohan wrote on Jul 3, 2008 2:16 PM:
" This is a great example of "living" toward a cure rather than allowing oneself to be a victim of the disease!
Great attitude, terrific CD! "
Great attitude, terrific CD! "