Due to my work schedule as a former college student, practice time was limited to a few days a week. Whenever I sat down in a practice room at the college, I became LOST in time for 2-3 hours. While trying to get up from the hard bench after each session, I felt stabbing pain from a hernia after sitting in one position. I told myself I would learn to live with the pain even if it meant walking with a cane. No one in the music department knew why Darlene was in practice rooms for long hours esp. on weekends. Other music students who lived off campus practiced at home. I was also a commuter. I didn't own a piano. This was my secret.