The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)

A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees

The Voice of PLC

July - August 2011
Address: c/o 80 Warleigh Avenue, PLYMOUTH, PL2 1DH, Devon, UK Mobile: 07745819828 (text only) Email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://plymouthlc.webs.com

FOREWORD BY THE SECRETARY

Written by Geoffrey N. Read Dear Friends & Supporters! Ted, our Chair, welcomed everyone to our July 2011 Meeting and thanked them all for attending. Ted then explained that 1 2 Maggie and Julia had agreed to run our Club Meetings until further notice and this had been accepted by the Committee (Ted, Geoff & Jean). Ulla ROHRBECK from HEIMOMED UK was our Guest Speaker who gave us a Talk about the products made by her Company. Julia thanked Ulla on behalf of us all, not just for her presentation but also for the donation of a decorative mug towards our Raffle Prizes! We should like to thank our newest member, Rosemarie, for very kindly providing a tray of tasty pastries for our sustenance during the meeting! Further details of our meeting are explained later in this Newsletter. Best Wishes Geoff

GREETINGS!

EW Friends & Members.

New Friend. Mr. Alan PEACEY has become a Friend of PLC. Alan is a British Laryngectomee living in Norway. Further details are shown on our website. Please also read the Letters to the Editor! New Member. We welcomed Ms. Rosemarie STEPHENS who was attending her first PLC Meeting, and also her guest, Dave. Rosemarie showed some photographs relating to the Alzheimers Charity that she is involved with.

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EST Wishes to the Secretary of PLC, Geoff READ, for th his birthday on Sunday, 10 July 2011.

ANY Happy Returns to Ms. Rosmarie STEPHENS for th her Birthday on Saturday, 16 July 2011. Rosemarie is now a full Member of PLC. Happy Birthday Rosemarie! And finally...

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Clinical Specialist Nurse, ENT, Derriford Hospital. Speech & language Therapist, ENT, Derriford Hospital.

APPY Anniversary to Christine th and Jim REID for Sunday, 10 July 2011. Congratulations to you both!

EDITORIAL COMMENT

NTERNET Links. If youre reading this on-line and come across words with blue lettering that are underlined, then you can click on these links and be taken directly to another site for more information on that particular topic. Put your cursor over the link, hold down the Control (Ctrl) Key and click! Ed.

THE PLC JULY 2011 MEETING

UR July 2011 Meeting took place at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Center at Derriford Hospital on Monday, th 4 July 2011 at 11 a.m. There were 13 individuals in attendance including three Friends and one Guest.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is an Affiliated Member of: The National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC) In Association with Macmillan Cancer Support Registered Charity Number: 273635 Our Funder: Macmillan Cancer Support A Member of The Plymouth Third Sector Consortium (PTSC) Patrons & Medical Advisors : Mr. W.M. BRIDGER, FRCS - Consultant ENT Surgeon, Mr. Tass MALIK, BSc FRCS (Gen), FRCS (ORL H&N) - Consultant Otolaryngologist, Head & Neck / Thyroid Surgeon, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.

OMMITTEE Meetings. The Committee (thats Ted, Geoff and Jean) are well overdue a meeting. Meetings are usually held fairly frequently in an attempt to resolve matters prior to monthly Club Meetings. However, Geoff has had difficulties talking lately so its been necessary to put things on hold for a little while. A meeting will be called as soon as Geoff is able to talk!

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AFFLE. Ted ran the July 2011 Raffle and the results were: Ron: Ron: Julia: Rosemarie: Percy: Maggie: Eileen: Tin of Biscuits. But he put it back! 4-piece set of Drinking Mugs. Heroes Chocolates Tin of Biscuits. Jar of Coffee (which Maggie promptly donated to the Tree!). Decorative Mug (kindly donated by Ulla of HEIMOMED UK).

1 Prize: nd 2 Prize: 3 Prize: th 4 Prize: th 5 Prize: 6 Prize:

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NTERTAINMENTS Member. Organising our meetings and social events is taking up more and more of Geoffs time. At our June 2011 Meeting, Members agreed that the Committee should have a fourth member: An Entertainments Member to organise the Clubs social diary. No volunteers were forthcoming at the June or July 2011 Meetings so Members are asked to give this some thought! UNDING. Geoff will be making a bid to various funders in the near future. However, before making a bid Geoff will need to know specifically what the Club needs the funds for. This might include the cost of printing our Newsletters, Postage, etc. Or it could be to fund a special trip perhaps, such as our Christmas Dinner or a Pantomime? Or it might be to finance our proposed Goody Bags project. No specific suggestions were forthcoming at the May, June or July 2011 Meetings. Geoff needs Members to make some suggestions at the August 2011 Meeting so do please give this some thought! In the meantime, Geoff has applied for a Setting-up Grant from the National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC).

Ron will therefore provide the prize for the August Raffle!

UPPORTING Role of the Club. After receiving advice from Maggie who explained the Confidentiality Rules, Members agreed that the onus should be on individual Club Members to let the medical authorities (the Ward Staff, Maggie or Julia) know if they would like to receive a visit from another Club Member should they have occasion to be in an in-patient at Derriford Hospital. Alternatively, let another of our Club Members know! Its up to YOU!

REASURERS Report. Jean reported that she was holding 48.30 and the remainder was held in the Clubs Bank Account. The accounts are open to view by any Club Member at any time on application to Jean.

OODY Bags Project. The Speak Easy Club in Cornwall have given us this idea and supplied us with information of what is required. This project was mentioned very briefly at the July 2011 Meeting and Members agreed to it some further consideration at the August 2011 Meeting and to think about the cost. This would be a delightful project for one of our Members to take on. Interested? Please contact Geoff!

THE PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS

ALENDAR of Events. A copy of the Clubs Calendar of Events, including Future Entertainments for the next 12 months or so, is available on our Clubs website. Please keep yourselves up-to-date by taking an occasional peek!

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EMBERSHIP Status. Our current Membership Status is shown in the table below: POSTAL 9 0 8 0 17 EMAIL 8 0 20 3 31 TOTAL 17 0 28 3 38

UGUST 2011 PLC Meeting. Monday, 1 August 2011: The PLC Club Meeting starts at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre at 11 a.m. There will be a Talk by our Guest Speaker, Miles WILLIAMS from Platon Medical. EPTEMBER 2011. Monday, 5 September 2011: The PLC Club Annual General Meeting starts at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre at 11 a.m. After the meeting there will be a Talk by our Guest Speaker, Charles HANDLEY from Countrywide Supplies Ltd. EPTEMBER 2011. Wednesday, 14 September2011: The Speak Easy Club in Cornwall has made a booking th for Wednesday, 14 September 2011 at Devoran, near Truro for a Soup & Sandwich lunch and has invited PLC Members to join them. Members of the Speak Easy Club will arrange to meet anyone travelling by train or bus at Truro. Anyone wishing to attend should notify Geoff as soon as possible. The last date for names will be Monday, st 1 August 2011 (the August 2011 Meeting).
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Confirmed Members: Prospective Members: Confirmed Friends: Prospective Friends TOTALS:

RESCRIPTION items. Maggie explained that all medical supplies obtained from Countrywide Supplies Ltd., Heimomed UK or elsewhere, were prescription items and as such were budgeted for from each local GPs purse. Patients must be registered with their local Allied Health Professional (for our Club Members, this would normally be Maggie or Julia) before ordering anything from any company. Julia stated that Base Plates from Platon Medical Supplies Ltd. were professionally preferred. Patients should never order a different item just to try it! But should always consult with Maggie or Julia prior to ordering anything different. If in doubt, always consult Maggie or Julia first.

EPTEMBER 2011. MINI-BUS Trip. Ted will be organising a mini-bus trip from Plymouth to Dartmeet for a Cream Tea sometime in September 2011. Rosemarie and Dave said they could book a mini-bus on favourable terms which could carry up to 14 passengers. Please book your place with Ted now to avoid disappointment! 2

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only) or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com

CTOBER 2011: Friday, 7 October 2011: Laryngectomee Study Day. This event is still in the planning stages and is being organised by Julia and Maggie. Please make a note of this event in your diaries as we have cancelled our normal October 2011 Club Meeting!

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Geoff, I should be grateful if you would relay the following message to the Members, Friends and Supporters of PLC: Ive just joined the Plymouth Laryngectomy Club as a Friend. I am an ex-British serviceman living in Oslo, Norway and am now employed as a long-distance truck-driver. I had my laryngectomy in February 2010 but as Im a young man of 50 I must continue working until I am 67 years young! I use a Provox Prosthesis and have done since the operation. My laryngectomy was not the result of cancer so I didn't have radio or chemo therapy. However the full laryngectomy operation was the same as for cancer patients! I would be very happy to hear from anyone who wishes to communicate via email. Regards, Alan D PEACEY glosters@live.no Editorial Note: Alan has sent us the story of his operation and this is available on our website. Ed.

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OVEMBER 2011: Monday, 7 November 2011: John MCKENNA of Colebrook Housing Carers has kindly accepted our invitation to be our Guest Speaker.

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LIFTS TO THE HOSPITAL

RITISH Red Cross in Plymouth. Remember what was said about possibly being able to get a lift to Derriford Hospital for an operation? I tried it and was informed that its only for out-patients and the infirm! I duly informed the Sister on Erme Ward who seemed somewhat surprised! Oh well! Submitted by Geoffrey N. READ

PENINSULAR CANCER NETWORK

ENINSULAR Cancer Network (PCN) Allied Health Professional (AHP) Rehabilitation Group. Geoff READ attended a meeting at the PCN Offices at Dartington on th Thursday, 30 June 2011 as a Plymouth Patient. Julia POCKETT was also in attendance as an AHP. The next meeting st is scheduled for Thursday, 1 December 2011. If anyone should wish to have further details then do please contact Geoff.

NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS

DISCLAIMER Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this section are not necessarily those held by the PLC Committee nor its Members.

THE HEAD & NECK CANCER GROUP OF HEREFORD & WORCESTER

UNDRAISING Chief Sian Boosts Cancer Support Team. This article was published in the Plymouth Herald on th Monday, 20 June 2011: MACMILLAN Cancer Support has named the newest member of its local team. Sian HARRIS has become the Fundraising Manager for Plymouth, North Devon & the Tamar Valley. Leaving her post in Gloucestershire, Sian has moved back to the area she said she came to know and love while studying for a degree in social policy at the University of Plymouth. Suzie WARREN, Area Fundraising Manager for Devon & Cornwall, said: "Sian is a valuable and welcome addition to our team, particularly during this, our double anniversary year. Macmillan Cancer Support is celebrating the centenary st of its founding and the 21 birthday of its World's Biggest th Coffee Morning event on Friday, 30 September 2011."

HIS Group has kindly sent PLC a copy of their published book entitled Soups & Puddings. Geoff is passing a copy of this book around to Members on a loan basis. If anyone wishes to have a copy of their own they can purchase one from for a suggested minimum donation of 2. Funds raised contribute towards productions costs of the booklet and to the treatment of patients at the Head & Neck Cancer Unit, Beech Ward, Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Please contact Geoff for further information.

THE SPEAK EASY CLUB CORNWALL

EWSLETTER. Geoff has received the June 2011 st edition of their newsletter on Tuesday, 21 June 2011 and emailed it out to those Members who are on-line. Those not on-line can ask Geoff for a hard copy.

The Memory Conservatory is a self-funded group for Alzheimer's disease sufferers who meet at Chaplins Superstore in Plympton. They have created a garden enabling sufferers and carers to enjoy the open air, and activities such as singing old time songs and dancing.

ARDEN Concert. The Memory Conservatory welcomes you all to an Open Air Garden Concert with the City of Plymouth Concert Band at Chaplins Superstore in Plymouth rd from 2 until 5 p.m. on Saturday, 23 July 2011. The price includes a Cream Tea with Langage Farm Clotted Cream, Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks. Bumper Raffle Tickets will be on sale at 1 each. Please book your tickets by telephoning (01752) 344923 or you can pick up tickets on the day at the gate.

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only) or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com

WON'T LET Cancer Destroy My Appetite For Life: Bon viveur Danny BAKER is hauntingly candid on earning millions and living on handouts. There was a two-page spread published in the Daily Mail by Simon HATTENSTONE on Saturday, th 18 June 2011: What would be the cruelest trick to play on a man who talks for a living and loves his food? It's nine months since Danny BAKER was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth and throat. His fans knew something was up... there were replacement presenters on his six BBC radio slots each week for starters. But he never announced what exactly was wrong. After all, Baker's never been big on self-pity. You can read the complete article by clicking on this link.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Our grateful thanks to :

THE PLYMOUTH DIOCESE

http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/

for their assistance in reproducing copies of this newsletter.

And, just for those who may not be aware...

Laryngectomy is the removal of the larynx and separation of the airway from the mouth, nose and oesophagus. The Laryngectomee breaths through the neck, a stoma. It is done in the cases of laryngeal cancer. However, many laryngeal cancer cases are now treated only with radiation and chemotherapy, or other laser procedures, and Laryngectomy is performed when those treatments fail to conserve the larynx.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)

is a Charitable Support Group. PLC aims to offer support and care to the laryngectomees and their carers and families. PLC also encourages understanding and support by the public.

If youre a Laryngectomee you would be most welcome to come along on your own or with your partner and / or Carer.

Come join us!

Our Members and Friends meet on the first Monday of every month. Do please see our website for further details.

Contact The Voice of PLC Newsletter Editor Geoff Read on (01752) 563800 or 0774581928 (text only) or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com