Percussionist once marched in parades

He’s performed music all of his life and now this patient hopes he can remind his body to do what he loves.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

As he rested in his hospital bed, 27-year-old Jonathan Phillips talked about the things he loves - his wife, Abby, his family, his dog, and playing drums.

He held tight to a hand drum, his fingers tapping in rhythm to guitar accompaniment. Since he first came to IU Health July 21, Phillips looked forward to these melodic moments with music therapist Adam Perry. Music therapy is part of IU Health’s CompleteLife Program. Patients also receive art, yoga, and massage therapy.

“I think the first time Adam played for me I fell asleep,” said Phillips, a resident of Fort Wayne, Ind. On a recent visit, it was the second time he took part in the music.

As he played, he was reminded of a long history of percussion performance. His musical interests started when he was in third grade.

“My parents returned from a trip to New York and brought back a keyboard. I have no idea why, but I was the only one who wanted to take lessons,” said Phillips. He is the middle son of three. His parents are Larry and Susan Phillips. Growing up in the Cass County town of Royal Center, Ind. Phillips went on to take up drums in sixth grade and by seventh grade he was joining the high school marching band.

He said he’s trained on marimba, snare, drum set and every other percussion instrument imaginable. He’s performed with pep band, concert band, winter drum band, solo and ensemble competitions, Indiana All State Band and 4-H band. He’s also marched in the local Pioneer Day and Veteran’s Day Parades, and the Indianapolis 500 Parade.

After high school he attended Trine University where he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in robotics. For a time, he performed with the college orchestra, and eventually joined the Christian Campus House Worship Team. He also performed with the praise band of his home congregation Cedar Creek Church of Christ, Fort Wayne.

After he played for a bit from his bed, Phillips decided to just listen to the acoustic guitar music. And while he listened, he began looking through mail that had been delivered to his room - cards from Texas, California, Pennsylvania and many other states.

“I’ve got a lot of people praying for me,” he said, as he hoped for a discharge from a long road of declining health. He was in Arizona for a work trip when he became nauseous. It was one more sign that something was wrong. He’d been experiencing coughing and fever.

“I went to four different doctors and no one could tell me what was wrong,” said Phillips. His work trip turned into an extended hospital stay when test results determined he has advanced stage melanoma. When he returned to Indiana, his body went into septic shock and he was transferred to IU Health University Hospital. He is in the care of oncologist Dr. Theodore F. Logan.

“At one point I almost died,” he said. His treatments damaged his kidneys; he’s now on dialysis. His body has become so weak, he can’t move his legs and he is learning to write and complete other occupational and self-care tasks. He will continue working on his strength in rehabilitation.

“Playing the drum gives me confidence that I can go back to what I love to do,” he said. “After all the muscle I lost, I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to play the drums again. I don’t know if my legs remember how.”