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.

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) A Charitable Support Group for Plymouth Cancer Laryngectomees

The Voice of PLC May - June 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 Written by Ted BURNETT

Hi! To All Friends & Supporters! Another month has passed! Our Club Meeting in May 2011 was, I thought, quite good. It was very pleasing to see some new faces and friends who came to our Club to swell our numbers .

I hope that as many of you as possible will turn up for our Club Meeting on Monday, 6

th June 2011 as we have Bert

CULLING, a Member and Officer of the National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs (NALC) travelling down from Sunderland... especially to give our Club a Talk. He would like to meet and talk to as many PLC Members and Friends as possible after his Talk and our Monthly Meeting. Our club, the PLC, is affiliated to NALC.

I do hope you enjoyed the Bank Holiday and that the weather is fine and dandy for you all!

See you all next at the next Club Meeting!

Best Wishes Ted

EDITORIAL COMMENT

NTERNET Links. If you’re 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.

LC NEWSLETTER Articles. A healthy, lively discussion took place at our recent Club Meeting as to whether

PLC should be including articles about Derriford Hospital in its Newsletter. The consensus was that we should. As Editor, my personal view is that Derriford Hospital is very close to the hearts of all members of PLC. And as such, we should all wish to know all that we can about the building, the staff, its management, and of course the grassroots medical and nursing aspects. Not only that... but we would wish to know the bad news as well as the good! But that’s just my personal view. What are YOURS? Please do tell!

LC NEWSLETTER Editor. It’s an accepted rule that the editorship of any Newsltter should be rotated and

handed over now and again so as to create a fresh image and prevent it from becoming stale. It’s alway good too for an Editor to be reminded that the PLC is not all about him... as Geoff was so aptly and quite rightly reminded at the Club Meeting in May 2011! If anyone would like to take over the post of Editor do please submit your names to Ted BURNETT or Geoff READ (Secretary).

GREETINGS!

EST Wishes to the Chair of PLC, Ted BURNETT, for his birthday on Friday, 10

th June 2011. Have a good’un Ted

and thanks for all the hard work that you’ve put into our Club!

ANY Happy Returns to Mr. Peter STOCK for his Birthday on Friday, 24

th June 2011. Peter is a new

Member of PLC. Welcome Peter and Happy Birthday!

APPY Birthday to Martin FISHER for his birthday on Saturday, 25

th June 1011. All the best Martin!

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

From: Isa xxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.ca To: Geoffrey READ saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Sent: Tuesday, 19

th April 2011, 0:08

Subject: THE PLYMOUTH LARYNGECTOMY CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR APRIL - MAY 2011

Dear Geoff,

I would like to say that your candidness and openness about your terrible ordeal has reached across the Atlantic. I am a smoker myself and never really thought about quitting. But I have finally come to the conclusion... it takes me a long time and damn it is hard... to decide to quit! No amount of warnings nor thousands of dollars each year going up in smoke, pun and no pun intended, convinced me before. Real life accounts did! I am awaiting with eagerness my kit of e-cigarettes ordered from the US (not available in Canada) and with determination... hopefully... Thank you and all my best!

Isaxxxxxxxxxxxx Canada

P.S. I allow this email to be published in the PLC Newsletter if it can help or encourage others.

Dear Isabelle,

Thank you for your email! It does make one think doesn't it! I wish I could turn the clocks back, knowing then what I know now! However, although a lifetime of excessive smoking and drinking almost certainly caused my cancer, it should not be assumed that this is always the case. Some sufferers have never taken drink nor smoked. Nonetheless, thanks for your email and I'll most certainly include in the next edition of our PLC Newsletter. Well done for quitting… that’s the biggest step done!

Best wishes, Geoff Secretary The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club

From: Christine <xxxxxxxxxx@btinternet.com> To: Geoffrey READ <saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk> Sent: Monday, 18 April 2011, 18:46 Subject: Re: THE PLYMOUTH LARYNGECTOMY CLUB NEWSLETTER FOR APRIL - MAY 2011

Geoff,

A very newsworthy publication!

Christine

From: A PLC Member To: Geoffrey READ saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk Sent: Monday, 2

nd May 2011

Subject: PLC WEBSITE

Hello Geoffrey,

I’ve just listened with interest to the video of Dr. Itzhak BROOK. This gent who holds a prominent position where he has to constantly speak must be an inspiration to many people who’re rather afraid, or embarrassed to use their new sounding voice in public. I’m a bit of a chatterbox and talk to anyone who’ll listen! However, I’ve had a hands-free unit in my drawer upstairs for some weeks now and although I promise myself to start practising, I keep putting it off because I know it’ll take many hours before I learn how to use properly. Starting from to-day I’ll commence my practise and hopefully, before my next holiday in July, will be confident in public to use it. Thank-you for sending video to me.

Best wishes,

A PLC Member

THE PLC MAY 2011 MEETING

UR May 2011 Meeting took place at the Musatard Tree Cancer Support Cente at Derriford Hospital on

Monday, 9th

May 2011. 14 were in attendance! We were delighted to welcome a new member Peter STOCK and his partner Jean. Miles WILLIAMS from Platon Medical was also in a casual attendance as he was on business at the hospital. We look forward to receivng his Talk in August. We also welcomed Steve from Liskeard and his cousin Jacqueline from Birmingham who were casual visitors introduced by Julia. Eileen FURNEAUX won the Raffle... a box of Roses chocolates, whilst Jean READ won a box of scents. After the formal meeting Carol CHESHIRE gave an amusing Talk on The Funny Side of Nursing. It was a shame that not more stayed to listen to this! Members then adjourned to the Jack Rabbit Inn for a drink and a bite to eat.

THE PLC TREASURER’S REPORT

ONTHLY Report. The Treasurer, Jean, reports that PLC has paid its 2011 Annual Subscription to the

National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC) which is the only known expense at present. The accounts can be viewed by anyone at any time by applying to Jean.

ACMILLAN Cancer Support. Jean announced that PLC had received a monetary grant from the Helping

You To Help Others grant programme. The grant had been approved to carry out the following activities:

Payments to Guest Speakers. Postage, stationery, and sundries.

Transportation costs to away functions.

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THE PLC SECRETARY’S REPORT

ALENDAR of Events. A copy of the Club’s Calendar of Events, including Future Entertainments for the next

12months or so, is available on our Club’s website. Please keep yourselves up-to-date by taking the occasional peek!

EMBERS & Friends. Our current Membership Status is shown in the table below:

POSTAL EMAIL TOTAL

Confirmed Members: 6 9 15

Prospective Members: 2 1 3

Confirmed Friends: 7 15 22

TOTALS: 15 25 40

ONTACT Details. Of the 15 Members and Friends not on email Geoff (the Secretary) only has telephone

numbers for four! This makes it difficult if we need to get in touch with them urgently for say, the cancellation of a meeting at short notice. Would those of you not on line please complete the enclosed form and return it to Geoff at their earliest convenience? Thanks!

THE PLC FORECAST OF EVENTS

UNE 2011. Monday 6h

June 2011: PLC Club Meeting at the Mustard Tree followed by Lunch at the Jack Rabbit.

Prior to the meeting there’ll be a Talk on the National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC) given by one of the NALC Vice Presidents, Bert CULLING. Bert has kindly agreed to stand in for the President who has had to cancel all further engagements during 2011. This will be an ideal time to ask any questions you have concerning NALC and how it operates. So do please think about it! Bert is very keen to meet face-to-face with as many PLC Members as possible. Bert will be travelling all the way from Sunderland to be with us so it is hoped that as many members as possible will be in attendance and also, join in for lunch after the meeting. Eileen FURNEAUX will organise the Raffle.

ULY 2011. Monday, 4th

July 2011: PLC Club Meeting at the Mustard Tree followed by Lunch at the Jack Rabbit.

After the meeting there’ll be a Talk on Heimomed UK by Company Representative Ulla ROHRBECK.

EPTEMBER 2011. Wednesday, 14th

September2011: The Speak Easy Club in Cornwall has made a provisional booking at Devoran for a soup and sandwich lunch, if

the PLC are able to accept their invitation for a joint meeting. The Speak Easy Club could arrange to meet anyone coming by train or bus at Truro. Note by the Ed: This information is fresh in and will be discussed at the June 2011 Meeting.

ORECAST. A full calendar of events for the rest of the year can be viewed on our website. Various new events

were proposed at the May 2011 Meeting such as a Coach Trip, a trip to the Eden Project and a Liaison Visit to the SpeakEasy Club in Cornwall.

THE PLC QUESTIONNAIRE

UESTIONNAIRE. Maggie and Julia recently conducted a survery of all Derriford Laryngectomees to ascertain what

they would like to see the PLC provide for them, why some won’t joint the club and what other matters. In March 2011 Maggie reported that she was pleasantly surprised with the returns that had been received. From the replies received it seems that there is no one definite reason for not becoming a member of the PLC. At our May 2011 Meeting Julia added the following infor-mation:

Reasons for Laryngectomees not Attending the PLC:

Bit too far to travel.

No longer drive.

Working.

Reasons for Laryngectomees Attending the PLC:

Mutual support.

Counselling support.

Receive advice from professionals, including physicians, manufacturers, consultants and medical staff.

All Members of PLC would like to thank Maggie and Julia for their efforts in improving the benefits of the PLC so as to make it more widely acceptable to all Derriford-based laryngectomees. Thanks Ladies!

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT

HE PLC has been most fortunate in being awarded a sum of money by

the Macmillan Cancer Support’s Helping You Help Others grant programme. This will be an enormous boost to our Club and help towards our payments to Guest Speakers, postage, stationery and other sundries, as well as transportations costs. We are so very grateful to Macmillan Cancer Support. As a way of thanks, our Club will be now be looking into the ways in which we can help and support Macmillan! Suggestions would be welcomed... how’s about a singing contest!

UNDRAISING. Over the next month the PLC will discussing the best way for us to help Macmillan Cancer

Support, perhaps by doing some fundraising ourselves. To this end we are making contact with the North Devon, Plymouth & Tamar Valley Fundraising Office of Macmillan Cancer Support at Launceston to ascertain how we should best proceed.

ACMILLAN Learn Zone. Did you know that Macmillan offers courses of instruction on all sorts of topics?

Some of them include:

Helping Yourself (Self Management)

Supporting Others

Getting Involved (User Involvement)

If you you’re interested and don’t have access to the internet then please contact Geoff for assistance.

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EGISTERING as a Cancer Voice. Macmillan Cancer Voices is a UK-wide network of people who use their cancer

experience to help Macmillan and other cancer-related organisations change the future of cancer care. Becoming a Cancer Voice is a unique way to make life better for everyone affected by cancer. To make the most of the Cancer Voices Network and resources immediately, visit www.macmillan.org.uk/cancervoices where you can register and receive ongoing information, news and events. If you don’t have access to the internet Macmillan can keep you informed by post... just call them on 020 7840 4936 and they will provide you with a hard copy registration form. Alternatively, speak to Geoff and he will help you out!

HEAD & NECK CANCER PRIORITY SETTING PARTNERSHIP

HE National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs (NALC) has been involved in Head & Neck Cancer research

Projects for many years, through having Members serve on the National Cancer Research Institute’s Head & Neck Cancer Clinical Studies Group. The text below was forwarded to us by NALC from what is on The Chesterfield Club’s website.

HEAD AND NECK CANCER PRIORITY SETTING PARTNERSHIP (ENTUK and Head & Neck 5000 in association with the James Lind Alliance)

To Laryngectomee Clubs:

HEAD AND NECK CANCER RESEARCH PRIORITY SETTING PARTNERSHIP - INTRODUCTION

I am contacting you to ask for the help of your club and its members in a project that has just been launched. The aim of the project is to produce a list of uncertainties or unanswered questions about the treatment of head and neck cancer that can be resolved by research. The aim is then to produce a priority list and the results will be passed to research commissioning bodies to be considered for funding. What is unique about the project is that it is a collaboration between clinicians and patients on equal terms and the views of both groups will have equal weight in arriving at decisions about the priority list. People may suffer unnecessarily because uncertainties about the effects of treatments have not been addressed in research. Patients and doctors may have very different ideas about what important questions need to be addressed compared to those raised by the drug manufacturers or medical technology companies. The aim is to bring our ideas to the fore.

How you can help

Your club or individual members of the club can contribute to the project by completing the form and submitting one or more examples of a treatment uncertainty or unanswered question. Could you please arrange a discussion of the project at one of your meetings or pass the information to individual members who you think may be interested? The address to which forms can be returned is included on the form and the deadline for completion is Friday, 10

th June 2011.

The form is available for download, so that it can be completed and sent in by email rather than by post. The Chesterfield Club website www.hnchelp.org.uk has a link which can be found by clicking on the Priority Setting Partnership item on the home page menu.It does not matter if the ideas that patients and carers submit are real uncertainties or not, once they are collected they will be checked to find out if they have been thoroughly researched or not.

Please consider “treatment” in its widest sense to include anything that contributes to a successful outcome in treating head and neck cancer and improves the quality of life of patients.

Further Guidance

Please use the Contacts page in "About Us" on this website if you need further information or help.

Thank you for your time and any assistance you can give to this project.

Editorial Note: This subject will be discussed at the June 2011 Meeting. In the meantime, should anyone have any difficulty in obtaining a copy of the form mentioned in the article then do please contact Geoff who will provide you with one. Ed.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LARYNGECTOMEE CLUBS (NALC)

NNUAL General Meeting: Monday, 16th

May 2011. Geoff Jean READ represented the PLC at the meeting

held at The Hallam Conference Centre. It was good to meet the people that we have been dealing with and to actually put faces to the names!

NNUAL Lunch 2011: Sunday, 4th

September 2011. This will be held at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith in Cumbria

and will cost £15 per head. A response is needed by Friday, 5th

August 2011 so if you wish to attend this function do please let Geoff know at your earliest convenience.

Note by the Ed: This information is fresh in and will be discussed at the June 2011 Meeting. Ed.

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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.

RITISH Stiff Upper Lip for Her Break Down 'She Just Bottled It All Up': Michael DOUGLAS Blames Catherine

ZETA-JONES. This article was published in The Mail By Daniel Bates on Wednesday, 27

th April 2011.

Cancer It was announced on 16

th August, 2010, that DOUGLAS

was suffering from throat cancer and will undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment. On 31

st August,

2010 DOUGLAS appeared on Late Show with David LETTERMAN. and confirmed that the cancer was at an advanced stage IV. DOUGLAS attributed the cancer to a combination of stress, his previous alcohol abuse, and years of heavy smoking. In November 2010, DOUGLAS was put on a special weight gain diet by his doctors due to the excessive weight loss leaving him weak. On 11

th January, 2011, he

said in an interview that the tumour was gone. He admitted that the illness and aggressive treatment had caused him to lose 32 lb in weight. He will have to have monthly screenings because there is a very high chance that the cancer could return over the course of the next two to three years. Although DOUGLAS has described the cancer as throat cancer, many doctors believe he was actually diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.

Michael DOUGLAS has claimed that Catherine ZETA-JONES broke down under the stress of his cancer battle because of her British stiff upper lip. Talking to Oprah WINFREY, the actor said his wife’s Welsh background meant that she bottled everything up and was overcome with emotion when he was given the all-clear. Whilst he just ‘got on with it’ ZETA-JONES remained stoic throughout and just stored up problems for herself later on.

Left: Opening up: Michael Douglas spoke to Oprah in a candid interview about his cancer battle and how his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones struggled to cope with it. 'I just got on with it': But Michael said Catherine bottled it all up before being overcome with emotion when he was given the all clear.

The Swansea-born actress was admitted to a US rehabilitation clinic for five days earlier this month where she was

diagnosed with bipolar II disorder brought on by the strain of DOUGLAS’ battle with throat cancer. DOUGLAS, 66, was given the all-clear in January. But Zeta-Jones, who has two children, son Dylan, 10, and daughter Carys, eight, with Michael was still experiencing the effects of depression. DOUGLAS agreed that his health problems had ‘exacerbated’ ZETA-JONES’ plight.

‘When you’ve got cancer you’ve got to take care of business. They tell you have seven weeks of chemo, radiation, you kind of dive in and do it,’ he said. ‘I’m the kind of person when they’re sick, I just curl up, I don’t like a lot of fuss and no attention. I just like to get on with it. So I got on with it. ‘I think that part of Catherine’s whole background, she’s Welsh and the Welsh it’s all stiff upper lip, not let your feelings show.’

Right: Stressed out: Catherine, pictured last week on location for her new movie Playing The Field in Louisiana, was treated for bipolar II at a clinic earlier this month.

DOUGLAS said that the last 18 months had been ‘harrowing’ and he had suffered a string of personal disasters that put pressure on his wife. ‘In my last year and a half my oldest son is in federal prison, my ex-wife is suing me, and I got cancer. It's kind of hard for the wife to say, "I'm depressed".' He joked: 'You're depressed, huh? How about some cancer, you want to get depressed?' ‘That played a big part of it, she’s got to be stoic and deal with all the stuff I’m going through. ‘Probably the time I’m off the hook you finally relax.’ Douglas added that he was ‘so proud’ of his wife for seeking treatment for her condition. ‘She’s great now, she’s shooting a movie and she’s relived she has a much better understanding because this was not something where she was clearly aware of what was going on’. Speaking in a slightly raspy voice, DOUGLAS became emotional when talking about how cancer had changed his attitude to life. He said that his priorities were completely different from years gone by when he was driven to succeed in his career at the expense of spending time with his family. Asked he was asked if he was a different man having beaten cancer DOUGLAS choked up... and tears were clearly visible in his eyes. ‘Wow. I think, I know... um... I know that I’m much, much closer to my friends and family, I have a much deeper appreciation of family and friends,’ he said. ‘I was truly overwhelmed by the support. 'For somebody who has no formal religious education the amount of prayers and support I received worldwide truly did have an influence and a help.’ DOUGLAS’ next project is to play flamboyant entertainer LIBERACE in a biopic alongside Matt DAMON, who will play his younger lover. ZETA-JONES is currently filming comedy Playing the Field in Louisiana.

More at: dailymail.co.uk

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or email: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk, or go to PLC website at http://plymouthlc.webs.com 6

Head-and-neck cancer

Around 9,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with head-and-neck cancer each year.

Cancers include those of the eye, mouth, voice box and food pipe.

ANCER breath tests a step closer. This article was broadcast by the BBC on Thursday, 21

st April 2011.

Could a breath test detect cancer? A breath test that can sniff-out cancer is a step closer to reality, according to a preliminary study. Researchers found an electronic nose was able to identify chemical signals of cancer in the breath of patients with lung or head and neck cancer. A cancer charity said it would take years of research to see if the breath test could be used in the clinic. About 80 volunteers took part in the Israeli research, published in the British Journal of Cancer. Of these 22 had various head-and-neck cancers, 24 had lung cancer and 36 were healthy. The prototype breath test uses a chemical method to spot markers of cancer present in the breath. The hope is that one day such a test could be used in a GP's surgery to give an instant diagnosis. 'Urgent need' Researchers at the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) are working on a device called the nano artificial nose. They looked at head-and-neck cancer, which is often diagnosed late, making it more difficult to treat successfully. Lead researcher, Professor Hossam HAICK, said: "There's an urgent need to develop new ways to detect head-and-neck cancer because diagnosis of the disease is complicated, requiring specialist examinations. "We've shown that a simple 'breath test' can spot the patterns of molecules which are found in head-and-neck patients in a small, early study. "We now need to test these results in larger studies to find if this could lead to a potential screening method for the disease." Dr. Lesley WALKER, of Cancer Research UK, said it was incredibly important to spot the disease as soon as possible when it was easier to treat successfully. She added: "These interesting initial results show promise for the development of a breath test to detect head-and-neck cancers which are often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

"But it's important to be clear that this is a small study, at a very early stage, so many more years of research with patients will be needed to see if a breath test could be used in the clinic."

Click here to Continue reading the main story.

ANCER RESEARCH UK income tops £500m for First Time. By John PLUMMER, Third Sector Online, Friday, 15

th April

2011. Cancer Research UK fundraising tops £500m. Income of UK's biggest fundraising charity increased by 3.4% in the year to March 2010.

The annual income of Cancer Research UK, Britain's biggest fundraising charity, passed £500m for the first time last year. It increased by 3.4% from £498m to £515m in the financial year ending March 2010. In its annual report and accounts, the charity says growth occurred "principally because our fundraising held up strongly" during the recession. "It was an excellent year for recruiting new donors, increasing the level of donations, encouraging people to give in different ways and winning back supporters who had stopped giving," the report says. Income was boosted by a single legacy worth £10m, the largest ever received by the charity, and a £9m VAT rebate. Reserves increased by £34m. The charity issued a press release when the report was filed in September last year saying it had spent £334m on research during the year, but it did not mention the sum it had generated. Lynne ROBB, Chief Financial Officer at CRUK, said the impact of the economic downturn had so far "not been as bad as feared" but that this could change if the economy worsened. She said she expected income to be "fairly flat" in the 2010/11 accounts. Formed by a merger in 2002, Cancer Research UK’s income has grown by £134m over the past four years. "It shows we made the right decision because people got behind us," said Robb.

OLEBROOK Housing Carers. PLC has been sent a copy of their general leaflet and you can preview the 2-page

leaflet at the end of this newsletter. Colebrook will be happy to send further information about their service if required. They would also be delighted to speak with any PLC Friends or Members and tell them more about their service.

Please contact:

Sarah TUHILL Carers Advice & Outreach Worker Carers Champions Plymouth 3 Woodland Terrace, Greenbank, Plymouth, PL4 8NL

Tel : (01752) 211348 Fax: (01752) 211365 e-mail: stuhill@colebrookhousing.co.uk www.colebrookhousing.co.uk/carers

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ANNY BAKER Winning Cancer Fight. This article was published in the Daily Express on Wednesday 12

th May

2011. AFTER eight months of gruelling treatment Danny BAKER has opened up about his “horrible, horrible” battle to beat a very “personal” cancer affecting his mouth and throat. The DJ and comedy writer spoke to the Express after winning the Speech Radio Personality of the Year prize at the Sony Radio Academy Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane.

Danny Baker under-went six months of radiotherapy. →

The 53-year-old had the diagnosis in November and took a break from his shows on Radio 5 Live and BBC London 94.9 as he underwent six months of radiotherapy. He chose not to reveal the type of cancer until last night. “I’m not sure when the treatment will be finished. I’ve got a tube I put formula through, I can’t eat at all. I’ve no taste buds, no saliva and chronic pins and needles in my hands as I speak. But I’m feeling all right. “I’ve lost two stone... I won’t be bringing out a book or a DVD though! It’s been a horrible, horrible time.” Danny, who has three children, Bonnie, 27, Sonny, 24 and Mancie, 12 with wife Wendy, says the weight loss is no silver lining: “In a couple of years I hope to be bulging at the seams again, fat as a house. You see me here tonight sipping a glass of water as I have to do 24 hours a day. It’s not fun. “Why would I keep the weight off? Fat people are jolly! I don’t see losing weight as an advantage at all. I love to eat, I love to talk and the particular cancer I had attacked my mouth and throat so it was quite personal. “To get back to what I used to be, to eat and talk, I’m fine with that. I’ve got a big family and we like to sit around and eat and there’s me with my glass of water. Next time you see me I hope I’ll have my own gravitational field.” We wish you a speedy return to health, Danny!

You can read more by clicking on this link.

AJORITY OF PATIENTS rate Derriford Hospital care as 'excellent' or 'good'. This article was published in

the Plymouth Herald on Friday, 22nd

April, 2011. MORE than 90% of Derriford Hospital patients rated the care as 'excellent' or 'good' in an independent survey. Healthcare watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its Annual Inpatient Survey covering 161 hospital trusts nationwide. The hospital ranked in the best 20% of trusts in five areas including confidence in nursing staff, availability of hand wash gel for patients and visitors, admission dates not being changed, and privacy in the emergency department. It came in the worst 20% in eight areas including sharing sleeping areas, bathroom and showers with patients of the opposite sex.

82% of patients reported they did not have to share a sleeping area with a member of the opposite sex when first admitted. Chief Nurse Professor Sarah Watson-Fisher said: "Everything we do is for the benefit of our patients. Their feedback is crucial... it tells us what we are doing well and what we need to change. "It's great that so many of them rate their overall care very highly but there is always room for improvement. We are now able to access more real-time feedback from patients so each ward knows what their patients are happy with and what areas they need to improve on and the ward leaders can take immediate action. This being done every day." Overall, 79% of Derriford patients rated the quality of care as either 'excellent' or 'very good', 12% as 'good', 7% as 'fair' and 1% as 'poor'. 97% of respondents reported the hospital and wards to be either 'very clean' or 'fairly clean', compared to 95% the previous year. 52% of patients found the food to be either 'very good' or 'good', while 31% rated it as 'fair'. The survey was sent to a sample of 850 in-patients who had been discharged by the Trust in June, July or August 2010. There was a 54% response rate.

ERRIFORD Hospital Back in Black After £21million of Savings. This article was published in the Plymouth

Herald on Monday, 9th May 2011: DERRIFORD Hospital has clawed back more than £20million to stay in the black. Hospital bosses have announced they ended the financial year with a £17,000 surplus, after making around £21million of savings. The past year has seen a range of cost-cutting measures across the organisation, and tough negotiations over its NHS income. Managers finalising the hospital's annual plan for the current year warned there are further difficult decisions ahead, due to huge financial pressure across the NHS. Read more on this.

ERRIFORD HOSPITAL to Axe Hundreds of Jobs and 130 Beds to Cut £31m. This article was published in The

Herald on Wednesday, 11th

May 2010: HUNDREDS of posts will be shed and 130 beds closed as Derriford Hospital tackles its biggest ever savings target. Hospital managers must cut costs by £31million... eight per cent of its budget... in order to break even during this financial year. It comes as the organisation's income has been reduced for the first time in a decade, amid rocketing costs and NHS restructuring. The national drive is for hospitals to become smaller as more care is provided in communities and people's own homes... a process already under way in Plymouth. Union chiefs were meeting to discuss the annual plan on Wednesday, 11

th May and it is now available online.

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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 8

UBE-FEEDING service nets Vicky top prize. This article appeared in the Plymouth Herald on Saturday, 7

th May

2011: A DIETITIAN from Derriford Hospital has been recognised at a national awards ceremony for her pioneering work. Vicky CHUDLEIGH-EMSON, who set up a tube-feeding service for patients at home, scooped the Chief Health Professions Officer's Award for Leadership (England) at the Advancing Health Care Awards 2011. The Enteral Feeding Project, which she developed from scratch, involves delivering liquid food through a tube into the stomach and is used by critically ill and postoperative patients. The dietician said: "I am absolutely delighted and rather overwhelmed to have won, I went into shock when they read my name out. "I am so proud of the service and the difference it has made to the care our patients receive. This award is fantastic recognition of the focus, commitment and hard work of the team in the past five years." Vicky, who was asked to develop the service five years ago, added: "We prevent malnutrition and associated complications and have helped to reduce the need for routine and emergency hospital admissions. "In addition we have reduced the incident of infections and complications through improved stoma site and tube care." Paul ROBERTS, Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, added: "This project is a fantastic example of the sort of transformational change that the NHS needs. It is better for patients as it means fewer infections, complications and avoidable hospital admissions and, as a result, it also saves money. "Vicky is a real self-starter who has worked on this strategy for the last five years." The awards are supported by NHS Employers, the Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Federation, the Federation for Healthcare Science and the union Unite.

Note by the Editor: I left the following comment on the Plymouth Herald website: As a tube feeder since my laryngectomee operation two years ago I am most grateful for this fast, efficient and reliable service. This seemingly simple service saves me and others from having to take up a hospital bed and allows us to live in the comparative luxury of our own homes. Thank you to you V icky and to your team! I am so pleased you have been recognised for your efforts!

Geoffrey READ, Plymouth Commented on Tuesday, 10th May, 2011 7:28 a.m.

Geoff also sent a congratulatory letter on behalf of the Chair and all Members of PLC

ERRIFORD Hospital Interim Chief Executive Is Announced. This article appeared in the Plymouth

Herald on Saturday, 7th

May 2011: DERRIFORD Hospital has announced who will temporarily lead the organisation when its top manager leaves this summer. Chief Operating Officer Helen O'SHEA will become interim Chief Executive when Paul ROBERTS steps down at the end of July.

Mr. ROBERTS announced his resignation this week. He has been chief executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust for 11 years. Read more on this.

ORMER Plymouth Health Chief Will Head Streamlined NHS Trusts. This article was published in the Plymouth

Herald on Saturday, 14th

May 2011: NEW ROLE: Ann JAMES A FORMER city health chief will lead a 'cluster' of NHS bodies overseeing major reforms across Devon. ANN JAMES has been appointed Chief Executive of Primary Care Trusts NHS Plymouth, NHS Devon & Torbay Care Trust in a merging of top-tier management. The 'streamlining' is moving towards slashing management costs by 43%, as set out by Government. England's 151 primary care trusts (PCT), which control local health budgets, are set to be abolished and replaced by GP-led bodies by 2013. Read more on this.

OSPITAL Leads Way for a New Cancer System. This article appeared in the Plymouth Herald on

Wednesday, 25th

May 2011: DERRIFORD Hospital is leading a national project which aims to improve information for cancer patients. The hospital has been named a "beacon site" for launching the National Cancer Information Prescriptions System (IPS), a web-based tool hosted by NHS Choices aimed at improving the way in which patients receive information about their condition and treatment. Consultant Haematologist Wayne THOMAS, who is leading the work at Derriford, said: "This is about personalising care so that patients are given the right information at the right time that is relevant to them. "Cancer is not a uniform condition; it affects different people in different ways and there are different treatments and outcomes. This system allows us to give people information that is personal to them. Click on this link to read the full story.

ALID Concerns. The following is the Editorial Comment published in the Plymouth Herald in May 2011:

YESTERDAY we reported on the cutbacks being implemented at Derriford Hospital, as managers tackle its biggest ever savings target. Today, the national Patients Association raised "deep concerns" that frontline services will be hit, while Plymouth patient representative Barry LUCAS questioned whether Derriford Hospital will be able to maintain its quality of care. These are valid worries which all involved in achieving these savings must keep at the forefront of their thinking, whatever they bring in.

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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 9

ave You Used Derriford Hospital in the Past Six Months? Then Tell Plymouth LINk About it!

As part of Plymouth LINk’s ongoing work to improve patient experience at Derriford Hospital and in response to your feedback, we are researching the difficulties encountered by those with disability when using the hospital. Maybe you or someone you know has a visual impairment, limited mobility, learning difficulty, hearing impairment or language barrier and has encountered problems at the hospital as a result. Tell us what you think of the signage, wheelchair availability, disabled toilets, pavement camber and even the parking! Please obtain a questionnaire from the address below or contact Geoff in PLC. When you’ve completed it you can post to the following freepost address: Freepost RRZE-AGZT-EXRS LINk Support Team Unit 15, HQ Building 237 Union Street, Plymouth PL1 3HQ

All completed questionnaires will be entered into a prize draw, with the chance to win £50 of ‘Love to Shop’ vouchers. Don’t forget to include your name and address if you wish to be entered into the draw! Please return questionnaires by Friday, 20

th May 2011.

Karen MORSE LINk Support Team Tel: (01752) 202407 Fax: (01752) 202406 Email: shodgson@plymouth-link.co.uk Website: www.plymouth-link.co.uk

EALTH Forum Meeting. Following the Engaging With Health Structures event in March 2011, we are holding

an initial meeting as part of the development of a forum to promote and engage working with health colleagues. The meeting will work on practical areas of development to improve the health of Plymouth Communities. The two main areas for discussion for the first meeting are:

Enriching the JSNA (Joint Strategic Needs Assessment).

What can I / we do to play our part in the future health delivery and planning?

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 7th

June from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at:

Engage Plymouth, Carmel Church, St. Levan Road, Milehouse, Plymouth PL2 3BG.

Parking is available at the venue. For those using public transport, there is a bus stop directly outside the venue. If you wish to attend the meeting please send confirmation to Nicola@plymouthguild.org.uk.

Many thanks,

Ruth WALLS Consortium Manager, Plymouth Third Sector Consortium, Plymouth Guild, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street, Plymouth, PL1 2DA Telephone: (01752) 201766 Website: www.plymouthtsc.org.uk

VYBRIDGE Comings and Goings.

Donkey Summer Fair at EST Ivybridge, Saturday, 18th

June from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Demonstrations, Games & Stalls, Inflatables, BBQ, Donkey Carriage rides and much, much more! Fun Family Dog Show from 2 p.m. Free entry and parking. For more information, please call the centre on (01752) 690 200.

Car Boot Sales at EST Ivybridge on:

Sunday, 26th

June,

Sunday, 24th

July,

Sunday, 21st

August, and

Sunday, 25th

September.

The timings have yet to be confirmed!

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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 10

VERCOMING Depression After Laryngectomy: An account by a physician as a cancer-of-the-neck patient.

Depression is one of the most difficult issues a patient that had been diagnosed with cancer has to face. I am a physician who had been diagnosed with throat cancer several years ago and am writing this manuscript to share my personal experiences as a cancer survivor and a clinician. I am doing so hoping that my perspectives will assist other individuals who had undergone similar experiences cope better with their situation and hopefully gain insight into their lives. It is also presented to health care professionals who care for patients with this condition in the hope that by gain insight into the patients’ world they would be able to better assist them in their plight. Coping with and overcoming depression is very important not only for the well being of the patient but may actually facilitate their recovery and may even increase their chance for longer survival and perhaps even ultimate cure. There is growing evidence in many scientific studies that there is connection between mind and body. Even though much of these connections are not yet understood it is well known by experienced practitioners that individuals who are motivated to get better and exhibit a positive attitude recover faster from serious illnesses, live longer and sometimes survive immense odds. There are so many reasons to become depressed after learning about cancer and living with it. It is a devastating illness to the patients and their families and medicine has not yet found a cure for most types of cancer. By the time cancer had been discovered it is too late for prevention and if the cancer had been discovered at an advanced stage the risk of dissemination and ultimate cure is significantly decreased. Many emotions go through the patient’s mind after learning about the bad news. “Why me?” and “Can it be true?” After first becoming stunned by the news, feelings of denials, which are followed by anger, with ultimate acceptance of the new reality. It is believed that depression is a form of anger. Perhaps anger at the new devastating reality. The patient has to face their ultimate mortality, sometimes for the first time of their life and have to deal with all the immediate and long term consequence consequences on them and their loved ones. Paradoxically feeling depressed after learning about the diagnosis allows the patient to accept the new reality. By not caring any more it is easier to live with the uncertain future. “I don’t care anymore what happens“ feeling makes it easier for a while. However, this coping mechanism carries a heavy prize because it can actually interfere with getting appropriate medical and surgical care and can actually lead to rapid decline in the quality of life. Becoming a laryngectomee after losing the vocal cords adds additional stress and difficulties. The inability or difficulty to speak creates a sense of isolation. Difficulties in verbalising built-in emotions can create anger and frustration that may lead to depression. Recognising these challenges by the spouse and care givers can alleviate much of the stress.

This is why individual and group counselling and therapy for both patient and spouse are very important. The patient’s spouse and caregivers often experience emotional strain that also need to be addressed. Hopefully, a patient can find strength within themselves to fight the depression. In my case after I returned home from the extensive surgery I had to remove my cancer which included also the excision away of my vocal cords, I was overwhelmed by the daily tasks I had to perform and the new realities I had to accept. I was mourning the many losses I had experienced, which included my voice, my wellbeing, and the need to accept many permanent deficits such as not having a normal voice anymore and having to speak using a weak and rusty voice generated by a prosthesis that connects my trachea and oesophagus. I felt that I had to make an early choice between succumbing to the creeping depression and let it consume me or become proactive and fight back and return to life. I chose the latter because deep inside I had a very strong desire to get better and overcome my handicaps. I also realised that my struggle is not over and will be with me for a long time and that I will need to conquer the downhill slope again and again. The driving force on many occasions to become proactive and resist depression is my wish to set an example for my children that one should not give in the face of adversity. I knew that they may and unfortunately would also have to face difficult in the future and did not want to leave them the legacy that their father gave up and did not do his best to get back to his feet. This was and still is a driving force that I resort to whenever I feel down.

Dr. Itzhak BROOK is the author of the book: "My Voice... A Physician's Personal Experience With Throat Cancer"

https://www.createspace.com/900004368.

The book can be read on the author’s Blog: http://dribrook.blogspot.com/

Itzhak Brook, MD, MSc Professor of Paediatrics & Medicine Georgetown University School of Medicine Washington DC, USA E mail: ib6@georgetown.edu

Support by family members and friends is very important. Feeling that one’s continuous presence in the world and actual involvement in their lives is very helpful in re-igniting the will to go on. The involvement and contribution to others lives can be invigorating. As a parent or grandparent one can draw strength and will to go on by seeing and enjoying the interaction and the impact one has on them. What I found out to be helpful was to become re-involved in activities I liked before and find a continuous purpose for my life. I started to return to the hospital to participate and teach in medical rounds and listen to medical lectures. What was most encouraging and rewarding was that my contributions impacted and improved individual patient care. I felt that I was making a difference again. This made me want to return to the hospital and teach even more. In the process of helping others, I was also helping myself. I was also able to gradually return to many of my other routines. I started with simple challenges such as reading medical literature again, accepting invitation to review articles submitted to medical journals, learn how to take a shower without aspirating water, and even simply walking more.

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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 11

I gradually became able to ride a bicycle and even climb to the top of a mountain with my family. Even though I realised that the quality of my voice is not the same as before, one of my greatest comebacks was to be able to teach and lecture again with the help of a microphone. Each of these small steps made me feel better and stronger. I was discovering the world again, quite like an infant learning to walk. Soon after my return home, I started to attend the monthly meetings of the local Laryngectomee Club, as well as their monthly speech therapy sessions. I cherished the support and advice I received from the other club members and especially from the club president, who was extremely dedicated and deeply caring and helpful toward the members. I kept coming to the club even when my needs were no longer intense and became its Secretary the following year. Seeking the help of a mental health professional can be very helpful. I was fortunate to be assisted throughout my illness and recovery process by an excellent, compassionate and skillful social worker. We discussed various issues relating to my recovery process, as well as my anxieties and frustrations. Having a caring and competent physician and speech and language pathologist that can provide continuous follow-up. Their involvement can help deal with any emerging medical and speech problems are very important for the sense of well being. I found ways by which I can use the set back in my life in a positive way. I realised that I have much to contribute to others. By lecturing and writing about my experiences and sharing them with other laryngectomee and health care providers, others can learn and benefit from my experience.

Submitted by Dr. Itzak BROOK, of Washington D.C. and a Friend of PLC.

HE OLDER Persons Voluntary & Community Network (OPVCN) has been refreshed and is open for membership.

The network covers a range of issues affecting older persons and the organisations and groups working with older people. The network meets approximately six times a year with invited speakers and guests from public and private sector organisations. The network is used for information sharing, promoting best practice and updates on the latest changes affecting the sector and services. The next meeting is taking place on Thursday, 30

th June at:

Plymouth Guild, Ernest English House, Buckwell Street Plymouth from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. The main topic for discussion is Mental Health Services for Older People. It will include changes in service provision for older people and the increasing demand for support in the community. The meeting will also explore concerns over the present services on offer and how those in need can access them. Representatives from Mental Health Services for older people have been invited to this meeting to discuss the needs, gaps and present situation of service provision.

There will also be a general update from the members of the network and the work of groups across the city.

If you would like to find out more about the network, attend the meeting or discuss joining please contact Carole HICKLING at befriendingpcbc@btconnect.com or telephone (01752) 221933. For general information about the network and details of the other sector networks please click on this link.

Many thanks PTSC Team

The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC)

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The Plymouth Laryngectomy Club (PLC) is a Charitable Support Group. We aims to offer support and care to the laryngectomees and their families in Plymouth. We also encourage understanding and support by the public.

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 are a Laryngectomy you would be most welcome to come along on your own or with your partner.

Come join us!

Our Members and Friends meet on the first Monday of every month.

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 12