Violinist who plays instrument through brain surgery reunited with London surgeon

Dagmar Turner's returned to playing with the Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra

Dagmar Turner and Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, consultant neurosurgeon at King's College Hospital
Author: Ella Bicknell and Charlotte McLaughlin (PA)Published 2nd Aug 2023

A woman, who played the violin during her brain surgery, has been reunited with the Kings Colleg surgeon who removed her tumour.

Dagmar Turner's operation was specially planned to ensure her ability to play the violin would not be impaired, and she has since returned to playing music in the Isle of Wight.

She played the instrument as her tumour was removed to help ensure parts of the brain that control delicate hand movement and coordination were not harmed during the operation.

The musician met with her consumltant neurosergon Professor Keyoumars Ashkan at the Royal College of Surgeons in London on Tuesday.

Together they warched the footage of the operation after two and a half years since the surgery.

Ms Turner, who plays in the Isle Of Wight Symphony Orchestra, said:

"When I saw him, I just had to smile, he always makes me laugh, which is great, and I've been eternally grateful to him for what he did with my tumour in my head, because it wasn't supposed to be there."

The 57 year old added: "Pretty close after the operation, only a few days and weeks, I was really fit. I was straight back in my symphony orchestra.

"My conductor looked at me like, 'what are you doing here?' (I was like) 'I just want to come to rehearsals'.

"It was quite mind blowing in a way but then also, after that, I got all the side effects, fatigue, constantly tired, no energy and I still have that now, which is really annoying me."

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