The Voice of PLC (August - September 2011)

1. The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees
The Voice of PLC
August - September 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 CHAIR GREETINGS!
Written by Edward (Ted) BURNETT
Dear Friends & Supporters!
Well... another month has gone by and I should like to
thank Mr. Miles WILLIAMS of Platon Medical Ltd. for his
most interesting and informative talk about his products at
H
TH
APPY 40 BIRTHDAY to Gillian CLAYTON of
our August 2011 Meeting! Countrywide Supplies Ltd. We shouldn’t divulge a
I should also like to say that I really hope as many PLC lady’s age I know... but this is a very special one! The Friends
Members, Family and Friends as possible will be able to & Members of PLC would like to wish Gillian a very special
th
attend our first Annual General Meeting on Monday, 5
th day on Sunday, 14 August 2011! We should also like to take
September 2011. Further details appear later in this this opportunity of thanking Gillian and her Team for the
Newsletter. excellent service they provide us Laryngectomees year in,
year out! Thanks a lot Guys!
I also hope that as many PLC Members, Family and Friends
as possible will be able to attend our coach trip outing to
th
Dartmeet for a Cream Tea on Saturday, 10 September B EST WISHES to Susan STEPHENSON for her birthday
th
on Sunday, 25 September 2011. Susan is staunch
and loyal member of PLC. Have a lovely day Susan!
2011. Again, further details appear later in this Newsletter.
A few PLC Members and Friends will be travelling down to
th
Devoran, near Truro on Wednesday, 15 September 2011 THE PLC AUGUST 2011 MEETING
to meet up with members of the Speak Easy Club in
Cornwall. Further details appear later in this Newsletter.
I do hope you’re all enjoying this British Summer Time and
O UR AUGUST 2011 Meeting took place at the Mustard
Tree Cancer Support Center at Derriford Hospital on
st
Monday, 1 August 2011 at 11 a.m. There were 11 of us in
making the most of it! attendance including two Friends. We have one or two of our
Members tucked up in hospital at the moment so they were
Best Wishes, unable to attend of course. We have sent them cards to wish
them well, and we hope their situations improve soon. We
Ted
were fortunate to have Mr. Miles WILLIAMS in attendance
who gave us a very informative talk on the products available
from Platon Medical Ltd.
EDITORIAL COMMENT
I NTERNET LINKS. If you’re reading this on-line and come
across words with blue lettering that are underlined, you
C OMMITTEE MEETINGS. The Committee (that’s Ted,
Geoff and Jean) finally managed to meet up in July 2011
to resolve one or two ongoing problems on the Club’s behalf.
can click on these links and be taken directly to another
This saves a lot of time discussing items at our Monthly
site for more information on that particular topic.
Meetings which means we have more time to chinwag
Put your cursor over the link, hold down the Control (Ctrl) amongst ourselves... which is surely what we are about after
Key and click! Ed. all?
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.

2. P S
th
RESCRIPTION ITEMS. This advice appeared in last EPTEMBER 2011. Monday, 5 September 2011: The
month’s newsletter but has been reworded slightly on PLC Club Annual General Meeting starts at the Mustard
advice of our medical professionals: Tree Cancer Support Centre at 11 a.m. Please look at the
next page for more details.
Maggie explained that all medical supplies obtained from
Countrywide Supplies Ltd., Heimomed UK or elsewhere, were
S
th
EPTEMBER 2011. Saturday, 10 September 2011: There
prescription items and as such were budgeted for from each will be a coach trip from Plymouth to Dartmeet for a
local GP’s purse. Patients must be registered with their local Cream Tea. We will be departing from the Tesco’s
Allied Health Professional (for our Club Members, this would Superstore at Roborough at a time yet to be notified
normally be Maggie or Julia) before ordering anything from Please meet outside the Main Entrance. Those with cars
any company. Julia stated that Base Plates from Platon can use the Tesco’s Car Park all day! Geoff has seven
Medical Supplies Ltd. were professionally preferred to start names of those attending so far. Have you given your
new patients off with, and the hospital only keeps Platon name to Geoff yet? Please do so as soon as poss!
base plates in stock. However, other products would be Members going on the trip will be asked to pay Jean just
trialled as necessary if there is a clinical need. Patients should £5 on the day towards the coach hire cost. Friends and
never order a different item just to try it! Always consult with other family members will be asked to pay the full whack!
Maggie or Julia prior to ordering anything different. And, if in Please bring some loose change with you as we will be
doubt, consult Maggie or Julia first! having a whip-round for the driver on the return trip!
S
th
EPTEMBER 2011. Wednesday, 14 September2011:
The Speak Easy Club in Cornwall has invited Members
R AFFLE. Geoff won the August 2011 Raffle which was an
orchid plant very kindly donated by Miles WILLIAMS, our
Guest Speaker. Thanks Miles! Geoff will provide the prize
of PLC for a trip to Devoran, near Truro, for a Soup &
Sandwich lunch. Those who have given their names to
Geoff so far have a car seat reserved. Anyone else wishing
for the September 2010 Raffle! to attend should notify Geoff as soon as possible.
O
th
S UBSCRIPTIONS. Our current subscriptions rules are:
A mandatory fee of £5 per Friend or Member on joining
CTOBER 2011: Friday, 7 October 2011:
Laryngectomee Study Day is still in the planning stages
A
and is being organised by Julia and Maggie. It will be held at
and a voluntary contribution of £1 per month. the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre. Please make a note
of this date in your diaries as we have cancelled our normal
Ted intends to make a formal proposal at our AGM in rd
Club Meeting for Monday, 3 October 2011! Our Club
September 2011 that the Club changes Subscriptions to: Meeting will take place in the Double Room of the Mustard
th
A mandatory fee of £5 per Friend or Member payable at Tree between 11 and 12 noon on the 7 ... just prior to lunch.
each AGM. Members should note that we have been invited to attend
both morning and afternoon sessions, as well as lunch, which
Geoff intends to second this proposal. If the new scheme is has kindly been provided by our Medical Equipment
accepted it will become payable with effect from the Suppliers. So do please come prepared for a longer stay than
October 2011 Meeting and thereafter at each Annual normal!
General Meeting.
N
th
OVEMBER 2011: Monday, 7 November 2011: John
T REASURER’S REPORT. Jean reported that she was
holding £69.45 in cash and that the remainder was held
in the Club’s Bank Account. The accounts are open to view
MCKENNA of Colebrook Housing Carers has kindly
accepted our invitation to be our Guest Speaker.
D
th
by any Club Member at any time on application to Jean. ECEMBER 2011: Monday, 5 December 2011: Members
agreed at the August 2011 Meeting that Ted should book
V OTE OF THANKS! Our Members formally recorded a
Vote of Thanks to both Maggie (Clinical Specialist Nurse)
and to Julia (Speech & Language Therapist) who stepped
a Christmas Dinner to be held at the Acropolis Restaurant in
Plymouth City Centre at 7 p.m. Members also agreed that
the cost of this event should be offset by Club Funds.
into the breach for a couple of months to run our Club when
both Ted and Geoff had problems that prevented them from
performing their Clubbish duties! PLC is most grateful to
them both for keeping our Club alive when it might
otherwise have died. A lot goes on behind the scenes!
THE PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS
C ALENDAR of EVENTS. A copy of the Club’s Calendar of
Events, including Future Entertainments for the next 12
months or so, is available on our Club’s website. Please keep
yourselves up-to-date by taking an occasional peek!
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
2

3. Proprietor of the discount superstore Linda THOMPSON
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
generously provides the conservatory and garden area rent
The Club’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place free to the group, which has around 50 members.
at the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre at 11 a.m. on Volunteer Karen WELLARD said: "Without the generosity of
th
Monday, 5 September 2011. Please try to get there at 10.30 Linda and her staff it wouldn't happen.
p.m. when refreshments will be served in the Reception Area "We are just so grateful for their kindness."
prior to the meeting. A rough programme of events is as Food is put out for feathered friends and wildlife attracting
follows: blackbirds, robins, squirrels and wild rabbits. The group have
their own animals, chickens and rabbits, to look after.
Introduction by the Chair (Ted) Members hold an annual runner bean competition to see
Raffle who can grow the longest bean, making sure they water their
plants to ensure good growth.
An Address by Mr. Michael W.M. BRIDGER, As well as the beans other vegetables are grown in among
Consultant Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeon
the plants, which include strawberries and pumpkins.
A Talk by Mr. Charles HANDLEY, Rose and Barrie FUSZARD live in Manadon. They have been
Countrywide Supplies Ltd. attending the group for the past four years. Carer Rose said:
A Report by the Treasurer (Jean) "It's lovely here, even if we are inside and we enjoy the
company. Everybody with Alzheimer's has a plinth full of
A Report by the Secretary (Geoff) plants and beans. The beans are measured to see who has
Club Business including: grown the longest one and they get a prize."
Subscriptions Bernard POLKINGHORNE, who cares for his wife Edna, said:
"The garden is beautiful and we have been coming for about
Election of a New Committee: 12 months."
Chair
Treasurer As well as providing the drop-in centre for Alzheimer's
Entertainments Member disease sufferers and their carers, activities organised by the
Secretary charity include musical bingo and quizzes.
Any Other Business Sessions are free and take place at Chaplins in Galileo Close,
every fortnight on a Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This AGM is open for all Friends and Members to attend. For further information, call Karen WELLARD on (01752)
However, only Members will have the right of vote. If anyone 344923.
has any proposals they wish to raise at this AGM they must
pass them to the Secretary (Geoff) by not later than Monday,
nd
22 August 2011. New proposals will not be accepted after
that date.
THE PLYMOUTH HOSPITALS NHS TRUST
CANCER SERVICES USER PARTNERSHIP GROUP
THE GARDEN CONCERT
G ARDEN CONCERT. A few PLC Members and Friends
attended the Open Air Garden Concert with the City of
G EOFF ATTENDED A meeting of this Group at the Mustard
Tree Cancer Support Centre at Derriford Hospital on
th
Wednesday, 13 July 2010, as a Plymouth Patient. Anyone
Plymouth Concert Band at Chaplins Superstore in Plymouth wishing to have further details should get in touch with Geoff.
rd
on Saturday, 23 July 2011. The price included a Cream Tea
with Langage Farm Clotted Cream, Tea, Coffee and Soft Drinks.
A delightful afternoon in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
OF LARYNGECTOMY CLUBS
(NALC)
And this is how the event was covered in the Plymouth Herald
th
on Tuesday, 26 July 2011...
O UR CLUB RECEIVED a cheque recently for £200 from
NALC to assist us in setting-up our Club. This much-
needed sum will help us tremendously. Geoff has sent a
A GARDEN OF DELIGHTS. A SANCTUARY in the corner of
the city certainly provides a secret haven for sufferers of
Alzheimer's and their carers.
Letter of Thanks on behalf of our Chair and all Club Members
to the President and Committee of NALC.
The Memory Conservatory, based at Chaplins in Plympton, THE SPEAK EASY CLUB CORNWALL
was founded by Rosemarie STEPHENS and is run by
volunteers who have all lost a loved one to the condition.
Weather permitting, members can enjoy the surroundings
from the many seating areas in the garden where they can
N EWSLETTER. Geoff received the July 2011 edition of
rd
their newsletter on Saturday, 23 July 2011 and emailed
it out to those Members who are on-line. Those not on-line
feast their eyes on containers full of flora and fauna including should contact Geoff for a hard copy. See the newsletter on
petunia, lobelia, fuchsia, lilies, marigolds and hosta. full screen at Scribd.com
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
3

4. The outline planning application has been held up for about a
NEWS & CURRENT EVENTS
year while the developers negotiated with city planners over
DISCLAIMER whether the scheme can be made more in keeping with the
Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this section are council's own Derriford and Seaton area action plan.
not necessarily those held by the PLC Committee nor its Members. The city's vision for Derriford and Seaton has changed over
£ 150M 'NEW HEART' Plan for Derriford Looks Set to be
Rejected. This article was published in the Plymouth
th
Herald on Thursday, 28 July 2011.
the past year, but includes a major
shopping centre near Tavistock Road.
The Highways Agency says that not
enough evidence has been given to
A £150MILLION scheme which has been described as a assess how the development will
"new heart" for Derriford is in jeopardy. affect the road network, in
The developers yesterday accused Plymouth planners of particular Manadon roundabout
"changing their minds" over plans for the north of the city. and Forder Valley link road.
APPLICATION: Plans for Plymouth's new North West
Quadrant development at Derriford Hospital (see pic!).
Wharfside Regeneration (Devon) Ltd. wants to develop the
"North West Quadrant" of the Derriford Hospital estate.
H EALTH CHARITY Says Four in Ten People Will Get Cancer.
Adam BRIMELOW Health Correspondent, BBC News:
th
This article was broadcast on Thursday, 14 July 2010 by
Their plans would see 356 homes along with shops, offices
and restaurants and a hotel. Rising cancer rates mean four in ten
Members of Plymouth City Council planning committee are people in the UK get the disease at
being recommended to refuse the outline application at their some point in their lives, a health
meeting today. charity says.
Planning officers say the scheme fails to take into account Macmillan Cancer Support says the
how the council wants the north of the city to develop. figure has risen significantly in the past decade.
The 6.6 hectare site lies to the east of the Derriford The charity says the rise poses a "massive challenge" for the
roundabout. It is bounded by Derriford Road, the Derriford NHS.
Hospital loop road and western perimeter road, Morlaix Drive, Ministers in England say they are working to improve cancer
the ambulance station and the Norwich Union office building. survival rates and the quality of life after diagnosis and
John OXLEY, a director of Wharfside Regeneration, said treatment.
yesterday: "We have had extensive discussions with planners Macmillan Cancer Support says a decade ago about a third of
and the Highways Agency. people, or 33%, developed cancer at some point in their lives.
"We have held public consultations and had no objections from The charity says that figure has risen to more than 40%.
the public and nothing but positive vibes from the hospital. The estimates are drawn from projections published two
"We had one of the largest developers in the country lined years ago in the British Journal of Cancer, which concluded
up and prepared to invest. that at the end of 2008 there were two million cancer
"We can't understand why, after all this time, the council survivors in the UK and that the figure was rising every year.
has changed its mind." Macmillan also looked at recent cancer incidence and
Mr. OXLEY said Wharfside would appeal to the Secretary mortality statistics for the UK, indicating that 310,000 people
of State if the council turned down the application. were diagnosed with cancer in 2008.
"Our architect is apoplectic over the recommended About 157,000 people died from the disease, and 89,000 who
refusal," he said. had been diagnosed with cancer died from other causes,
Wharfside bought the 6.6 hectare site near Derriford Hospital making a total of 246,000 who died "with" cancer.
in April 2006. The charity says this accounted for 42% of total deaths in the
At present the land is used for car parks and blocks of former UK... which stood at 580,000.
hospital accommodation which are being demolished. Macmillan says the increase is partly down to an ageing
The northern Rowans Building is used as a children's day population... older people are more likely to develop cancer. It
nursery and an office base for the applicant. says lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, and improved
The company wants to build: diagnosis have also contributed to the rise.
82 three-bedroom houses, 54 one-bedroom flats,
104 two-bedroom flats, 53 three-bedroom flats, Click for more on this article, including a video.
32 two-bedroom duplexes and 31 three-bedroom duplexes.
There would be a large supermarket, other shops, cafes,
restaurants, bars and takeaways. There would also be offices,
a bookshop, café, library and community facility, and a multi-
K APITEX HEALTHCARE Ltd. Kapitex have just announced
the introduction of a new
Buchanan Protector Buchanan
storey car park. Lite. For this and other products
The developers are proposing a new hotel on the site, plus (available on NHS Prescription)
care homes and other healthcare facilities. The residential please visit their website. If you are a patient and have not
densities are high, partly reflecting the large number of flats used this Company before, do please remember you will need
and duplexes, ranging from 65 dwellings per hectare to to speak to Maggie and / or Julia before placing an order.
160. The master plan includes areas of open space and a
proposed pond.
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
4

5. M
1.
AN FLU: The “Facts”...
Man-Flu is more painful than childbirth.
P LYMOUTH HEALTHWATCH Information Event.
th
This event will take place on Tuesday, 16 August and
nd
Thursday, 22 September 2011 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in
1
This is an irrefutable scientific fact . the Charter Room of Plymouth Guildhall.
2. Man-Flu is not 'just a cold'. It is a condition so severe  Discuss how HealthWatch can represent local views
that the germs from a single Man-Flu sneeze could  Find out about the Government’s plans for HealthWatch
 Share your ideas about how it could work
wipe out entire tribes of people living in the
rainforest. And probably loads of monkeys too. Please contact Plymouth LINk to let them know if you would
like to attend and give your preferred date at:
3. Women do not contract Man-Flu. At
worst they suffer from what is medically Plymouth LINk Support Team
Freepost RRZE-AGZT-EXRS,
recognised as a 'Mild Girly Sniffle' which if
Unit 15, HQ Building,
a man caught they would still be able to run throw 237 Union Street,
a ball, tear a telephone book in half and compete Plymouth, PL2 3HQ, Devon.
in all other kinds of manly activities. Telephone: (01752) 202407
Email: info@plymouth-link.co.uk
4. Men do not 'moan' when they have Man-Flu. They
emit involuntary groans of agony that are entirely in
proportion to the unbearable pain they are in. R ESCUE BREATHING For Laryngectomees. This snippet of
information has been sent to us by Dr. Itzhak BROOK
from Washington, USA. Itzhak is a Friend of PLC.
5. Full recovery from Man-Flu will take place
much quicker if their simple requests for Ventilation of laryngectomees and other neck breathers is
care sympathy and regular cups of tea are often inappropriate
met. Is that really so much to ask? Florence and may lead to
Nightingale would have done it! devastating
consequences.
6. More men die each year from MFN (Man-Flu Laryngectomees who
Neglect) than lots and lots of other things. Like require anaesthesia
rabbit attacks or choking on toast. or sedation (i.e. for
7. Men suffering from Man-Flu want nothing more dental procedure, or
than to get out of bed and come to work-out they colonoscopy) often
are too selfless to risk spreading this awful condition encounter health
amongst their friends and colleagues. In this sense care providers that
they are the greatest heroes this country has ever are not familiar with
known. their anatomy and
the proper methods
8. In 1982 scientists managed to simulate the for their ventilation.
agonising symptoms of full blown Man-Flu in a I have prepared a 12
female chimp. She became so ill that her head minutes video about
literally fell off. Rescue Breathing for
9. Man-Flu germs are more powerful than He-Man, Laryngectomees and
Thundercats, and The A-Team combined. They are Neck Breathers. This
too strong for weak, nasty tasting 'lady medicines' is available in a form
like Lemsip. Don't bother trying to force them on of a CD and is also
a victim of Man-Flu. available now for
viewing at youtube.
10. While it may seem like a Man-Flu sufferer is just A link to it is also
lying around enjoying 'Diagnosis Murder' it is a available through my website at dribrook.blogspot.com/,
commonly recognised medical fact that the exact which has useful information for laryngectomees (on
pitch and frequency of Dick Van Dyke's voice has medical and psychological issues) and updates.
remarkable soothing powers. Viewing this video by emergency room personal and
Every minute in this country one man is struck down by Man- anaesthetists’ can be life saving.
Flu. Women… all we ask is that each of you offers them a cup I will be happy to send you a CD of
of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and the video if you are interested.
care. Then maybe, just maybe... we'll beat this monstrous Thanks!
disease together...
Itzhak BROOK, MD, MSc
Submitted by Geoffrey N. READ Professor of Medicine
Georgetown University
Washington DC, USA
1 Blog site: dribrook.blogspot.com
Based on a survey of over 100,000 men.
Email: ib6@georgetown.edu
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
5

6. The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)
is a Charitable Cancer Support Group.
PLC aims to offer support and care to laryngectomees and their carers and families.
PLC also encourages understanding and support by the public.
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.
If you’re 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.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our grateful thanks to :
THE PLYMOUTH DIOCESE
http://www.plymouth-diocese.org.uk/
for their assistance in reproducing copies of this newsletter.
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.