It was a beautiful sunny fall morning the day after the twin towers came down. It was the morning I kissed my then 15-month old daughter and walked the 20 minutes from my home to
the hospital to get my larynx removed. By 3:00 pm that afternoon, I was wondering if was worth going on. I was horribly disfigured, stripped of my voice, and emotionally decimated. 15 years later I see things a little differently. I was given 15 years to watch my daughter grow. I was given 15 to fall in love again and spend
12 fabulous years with my new partner. I was given 15 years to learn a little humility and I was forced to listen as well as speak. 15 years later I am not as pretty, well spoken, or as wealthy as I was, but 15 years later I feel I have had a chance to become a better man. What else could a man wish for. For those just starting the journey, try not to despair over what you have lost, try rejoice in the
new opportunities you have been given. It may often not seem like much of a gift, but every day on this side of the daisies, is gift far too valuable to be squandered. Kevin
Hi George Got quite a surprise to see my note to you up there in black and white. It was remiss of me in saying I was a " Loner" in SA to not acknowledge my many carers. The medical profession cops a lot of unnecessary flak in the media and I note NSW is no different. I have received excellent care from the surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, radiologists and last but not least Robyn Burnett the Senior speech pathologist at Royal Adelaide Hospital who I note is on your mailing list. Every step of the way I have been treated with compassion, genuine interest in my well being and a high degree of professionalism. All have made my bumpy journey easier to cope with. Cheers Roger
Laryngectomee Association of NSW Inc
Minutes of Meeting of 21 September, 2016.
The meeting commenced at 11.00am with the President, L Byrnes occupying the Chair.
Attendance (Laryngectomees)
R Chappelow; L Byrnes; P Richards; F Campbell; P Tierney: J Peden; S Galea; J Chaloner
Attendance (Non-laryngectomees)
C Edwards; G Tierney; N Peden; C Gardner.
Apology
Alan King
New members
Garrard Watt of Nowra
Greg O’Loughlin of Leichardt
Vincent Magill of Bonnells Bay
Bob Toirkens of Leumeah
Vale
Ivan Everett of Wagga Wagga
Minutes of August Meeting
Accepted as read on the motion of P Tierney/ C Gardner
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Matters arising
Reprinting of “You Can Say That Again”
Resolved on the motion of L Byrne/P Tierney that the Editor ask his printer to quote for 500
“YCSTA”.
CBA Term Deposits L Byrne/P Tierney to renew in November.
Mistake in General Business - should read Helen “Brakes” not “Brooks”.
Minutes adopted on the motion of C Gardner/P Tierney
Welfare Officer’s Report
Postal Costs
Emma Charters $8.25
Garrard Watts $11.30
Wendy Tyrell $8.25 (new satchel)
Rochelle Cook $4.45
Satchels (bulk buy) $81.60
Total $113.85
By Cathy Edwards
Cathy then read in full a letter from Mrs Everett re the passing of her husband & our member
Ivan Everett. The post script consisted of expressions of gratitude towards Brian & Carol
Gardner for the support given them during Ivan’s hospitalisation.
Report adopted on the motion of J Chaloner/L Byrne
Report of Meeting of the Coffs Coast Head & Neck Group
18 August, 2016
Earlier that day I met with George Southgate, our Editor and we travelled to the Coffs Harbour
Base Hospital Campus and soon found our venue – Shearwater Lodge. The campus is quite
new being built in the last few years .Shearwater Lodge is an accommodation wing and our
meeting room had lounges, TV, kitchen & tables and of course – Climate Control! It was
funded by the local community with help from Council We were joined by a group of 14 people
ably led by the Secretary, Sue Hass and Treasurer, Eric McFarland. Also in attendance were
the Speech Pathologists Melissa Parish and Sue Lee and one of their students, a young man.
The format of their Meeting was the same as Newcastle & Port Macquarie branches – informal,
ample food and liquid refreshments. Likewise, these are a close knit group of friends who are
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very supportive of one another and delight in each other’s company. They have a bank
account and have achieved contacts throughout their community.
I took several photo’s which were sent to the Editor and was given the opportunity to speak. A
written report had been earlier presented.
I urged them to participate at the state level and to attend any training courses that eventuated
in the future.
George & I are hoping to attend their Christmas Party later in the year. We also expect we will
be attending frequently and he was quite impressed with his first LANSW meeting. He also
received many compliments on his new newsletter, particularly the humour.
The distance I travelled to get there was 750 kilometres + Parking (Sydney) + 3 nights’
accommodation. It would have been cheaper to send me by plane at $162 one way (six weeks
in advance). (See my claim overleaf which will not be paid until our Term Deposits mature)
Countrylink Economy Class Sydney – Coffs Harbour return $290 + 2 Nights Accommodation at
YHA $170 = $370
Airfare (see above) say, $350
My cousin, employed by the Education Department of Queensland, receives 75 cents per
kilometre for a car with an engine less than 2 litres –we pay 67 cents!
Think about it?
Shearwater Lodge
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Financial Report
Balance at CBA as at 31 July, 2016 $5,113.47
Add Income
Subscriptions $25.00
Patients' Supplies $169.00
Interest $0.05
Total Income $5,307.52
Less Expenditure
Telecommunications $167.39
Postage/Other Freight $18.75
Lunch $30.00
Transport/Travel/Accommodation $109.00
Patients' Supplies $60.40
Meeting Room $36.00
Sundry $350.00
July's Cheques #584 & #588 $1,146.00
Total Expenditure $1,917.54
Balance at CBA as at 31 August, 2016. $3,389.98
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Pen Proposal
Manufacturer
National PenEstimate
100 x $1.77 each $177.00
Imprint
Laryngectomee Association of New South Wales Incorporated
Business Card Proposal
Manufacturer
Officeworks
Quotation as at 16 September, 2016.
Standard Business Cards – Single Sided – Gloss – 250 = $29
Premium Business Cards – Single Sided – Bleach Board 270gsm – 250 = $75
Name Tags
Not possible unless being specific re requirements
They can be individually manufactured or pin-on frames may be purchased with printing paper
and we would then provide the names.
The above matters are to be pursued further in 2017
Claim for Payment – Coffs Trip, August, 2016.
Wilson Parking, King Street, Sydney $48.50
Accommodation YHA (2 nights) $144.50
“ Taree $85
Fuel - 750km’s @ 0.67 cents $502.00
Total $780.00
Claims for Payment
As at 21 September, 2016
Wendy Tyrell (SEAMS) - stoma covers - $486.59
SMSA - Rent - $36
Raymond Chappelow - Coffs Coast Meeting - See separate - $780
Raymond Chappelow - Post - $18.20
Post - $20
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Cathy Edwards Post - $113.85
G Tierney Lunch - $40
Telstra $83.48
Resolved C Gardner/ C Edwards that the previous reports by R Chappelow be adopted and his
claims for payment be paid
General Business
Atos promotion in “Still Talking” - LANSW has issued an invoice against Atos re 3 x A4 page
L Byrnes spoke of R Chappelow’s loss of his VP and subsequent healing of puncture resulting
in 3 weeks without voice. Also, L Byrnes successful trialling of Atos Hands Free device
Christmas Luncheon insert – to be published in October “Still Talking”
Renewal Notice – November “Still Talking”
L Byrnes asked members how they viewed the work of our new Editor and there was an
overwhelmingly positive response.
Meeting closed at 12.08pm. Welcome to all the Lary’s who have joined the association, since I took over the editorship of S,T. 3 months ago. New members may have questions that only experienced Lary’s can answer best, if that is the case please forward them to me to print in S.T. and we will try to find you an answer straight away, or definitely in the next issue (E.g. below Asked 4/10, answered 4th/10 & 5th/10) Hi Raymond I wonder if you can point me in the correct direction. I am trying to source a nebuliser for home, any preferences for suppliers and models and more importantly, trache masks for nebulisers. There are many models but people suggest I get dual power 9battery and electrical) and trache masks I can only source from USA. Neil
Hello Neil, Nebulisers aren’t really my area, our previous Welfare Officer, occasionally dealt with nebuliser queries, but I think it’s really an individual matter. Everyone has different requirements and different local sources. Sounds like you’ve only recently had the op. so are you sure you’ll need a nebuliser once things settle down? – may be better to rent one for a time initially rather than outlaying money to buy one. My pharmacy in Leichhardt, Blooms, has them for rent, so probably a big pharmacy near you would have them. A lot of larys don’t need one, and some who do have a ‘dryness’ problem find a bowl of water in the room is sufficient (especially in winter when heaters are on). Or maybe the occasional ‘spritz’ of water on the stoma or stoma cover from a small water container to keep the area moist. I definitely think renting initially is your best option, rather than spending money of something you may not need, or on a model which turns out not to meet your requirements. Kind regards, John Chaloner ( Speech Aids Coordinator) 4/10/2016 Here's the address to get a nebuliser, Aidacare Ph 1300 133 120 or 8706 2300 The product number is RES 659761. I brought mine for about $160 - $180 a year ago, I have had no problems with it, it has free delivery and can be delivered to St Vincent’s, that way you have it when you leave. I used mine 2 x daily for the first year, but now rarely. It comes with 2 masks adult and child, I use the child face-mask on my neck as I don't have a trachy mask. You can buy the ampoules of saline from $15 - $56 dollars a box of 50 which is 1/2 litre or you can by a 1ltr bottle for about $5 from any chemist. It’s usually used for cleaning contact lenses but make sure its 9% and you can use it safely, hope that helps, I think long term it will be cheaper than hiring a nebuliser George 5/10/2016
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1) Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over a million descendants.
2) Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times.
3) In every episode of Seinfeld there is a Superman somewhere.
4) The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.
5) Thirty-five percent of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.
6) A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
7) 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide are caused by people sitting on them and
photocopying their butts.
8) In the course of an average lifetime you will, while sleeping, eat 70 assorted insects and 10
spiders.
9) Most lipstick contains fish scales.
10) Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different.
Subs Due!
Please note that many members are no longer financial members, there are 48 members only 1
year behind, but some members haven’t paid their subscription since 2009. Due to increased
printing and postage costs, some of the longer term, unfinancial members may not receive
future copies of our newsletter. If you wish to keep receiving still talking please contact Ray
Chappelow to pay your yearly subscription. The deletion from our mailing lists will start in
November.
Thanks George
Pg 10
CHRISTMAS PARTY !!
The 2016 Christmas Party for the Laryngectomee Association of NSW is to be held on Saturday 3rd December, 2016 at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club at 12 noon till 3pm.
There is NO charge for Laryngectomees, their partner/carer.
There is NO charge for Speech Pathologists/Health Professionals
The cost for visitors is $35 and is subsidised by the Association
Name (s) Laryngectomees.......................................................................................................................
Name (s) Visitors......................................................................................................................................
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Name (s) Speech Pathologists/Health Professionals...............................................................................
Make cheques payable to - Laryngectomee Association of NSW
Nearest railway station is West Ryde. The 501 bus from the City stops at the door. Parking available underneath the club. Club address - 117 Ryedale Road, West Ryde. Ph 9807 2444. Opposite West Ry-de station.
The meal comprises a choice of buffet layout, hot and cold meats, soups, salads and desserts. Coffee, tea and after-dinner mints. Menus have been selected to ensure we have food suitable to our needs. Please indicate any special dietary requirements.
13 Reasons to Get Active This article was published by Rachael Rettner of Live Science on Tuesday, 18 May 2016 Researchers analysed information from1.4 million people in the United States and Europe; the subjects were in 12 different study groups and were followed for about 11 years. Participants were asked whether they did moderate or vigorous exercise in their free time, like walking, swimming or running, and how much physical activity they received. During the study period, more than 186,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed in the study participants. People were classified as doing higher levels of exercise if they were in the top 10% of all people in their study groups for the amount of exercise they did. These individuals had a reduced risk of 13 types of cancer compared to the people who were in the lowest 10% of their study groups. These were the 13 cancers, with their associated amounts of risk reduction: Interestingly, high levels of physical activity were actually linked with a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer (5% increased risk).
Key Component Overall, high levels of physical activity were linked with a 7% percent lower risk of any cancer, according to the study. "These findings support promoting physical activity as a key component of population-wide cancer-prevention and control efforts," the researchers wrote in the 16May 2016 issue of the journal JAMA Internal Medicine For most of the cancers (10 out of 13), exercise reduced the risk of the disease regardless of people's body mass index or smoking habits. [4 EasyWays to Get More Exercise] Interestingly, high levels of physical activity were actually linked with a slightly higher risk of prostate cancer (5% increased risk). A biological reason for this finding is not known, and it's possible that physically active men are more likely to get screened for prostate cancer, which would lead to more cancers identified in this group, the researchers said. More research is also needed to determine exactly how exercise lowers the risk of cancer, the commentary said. Understanding the underlying mechanisms for the link could help identify potential targets for cancer prevention, the authors said. To read the complete article online, please go to: www.foxnews.com/
"I'm sorry, But as I said, this is most definitely,
100% certifiably, A dead duck."
The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a
few keys and produced a bill, which he
handed to the woman.. The duck's owner, still
in shock, took the bill. "$150!"She cried, "$150
just to tell me my duck is dead!" The vet
shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my
word for it, the bill would have been $20, but
with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now
$150."
Two hillbillies walk into a restaurant. While
having a bite to eat, they talk about their
moonshine operation. Suddenly, a woman
eating a sandwich at a nearby table begins to
cough. After a minute or so, it becomes
apparent that she is in real distress.
One of the hillbillies looks at her and says, "Kin
ya swallar?" The woman shakes her head no.
Then he asks, "Kin ya breathe?" The woman
begins to turn blue, and shakes her head no.
The hillbilly walks over to the woman, lifts up
her dress, yanks down her drawers, and quickly
gives her right butt cheek a lick with his tongue.
The woman is so shocked that she has a
violent spasm, and the obstruction flies out of
her mouth. As she begins to breathe again, the
hillbilly walks slowly back to his table.
His partner says, "Ya know, I'd heerd of that
there 'Hind Lick Maneuver' but I never seed
nobody done it."
My husband was water-skiing when he fell into the river. As the boat circled to pick him up, he noticed a hunter sitting in a duck boat in the reeds. My husband put his hands in the air and joked, “Don’t shoot!”
