Professional Musician Plays Violin Mid Brain Tumor Surgery to Preserve Her Skills

Courtesy of Dagmar Turner

A professional violinist braved through her brain surgery by playing complex music scales as doctors operated on her massive tumor all in an attempt to minimize the risk of losing her skills.

When Dagmar Turner, who plays in Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra, England, was told that her brain tumor had become more aggressive, she was at risk of losing her ability to play the violin. However, with the support from a consultant neurosurgeon, who is also a pianist, the experts planned an “unusual approach” to saving their musician patient’s fine talent: waking her up mid-operation to play the violin.