Inside this issueMacmillan Centenary Gala . . . . . . 2

An Alarming Walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Nothing To Pay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

No Flight Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Wine Tastes Like Brillo Pads . . . . . 4

Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Baseplate Not Sticking? . . . . . . . . . . 5

News from the Club . . . . . . . . . 6 – 8

Plus lots of other news, thoughts,poems, letters and views

T H E N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F L A R Y N G E C T O M E E C L U B S N E W S L E T T E R

EXOTIC PLACESYou may well have had your holidays by the time you read this.We had ours – a cruise to the Baltic – over two weeks in June/July. The weather was perfect and the sea was calm. The foodwas delicious and seemingly unending (though we did spot aperiod of about an hour one Thursday when there was nomeal scheduled!) We visited so many places that were justexotic names before – like Copenhagen, Helsinki and StPetersburgh. But there is always a price to pay. In my case itwas about half a stone! So, why not write and tell us aboutyour holidays? With photos, of course.

Time for a VerseAnd the summer seems to have inspired you to write some poetry. We feature severalpoems in this issue. These are always great fun. Maybe you will be inspired to verse. Ifso, send them in. Because:We like poemsEven if they don’t rhyme.And maybeThey will, next time!

Ian Honeysett (Editor)

Issue No. 118 September 2011

For all items for Clan:Ian Honeysett (Editor), 53 Combe Road, Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey GU7 3SL email: Honeysett@btinternet.com

For all other matters (including requests to be added to or removed from the mailing list): Vivien Reed (Association Secretary), NALC, Lower Ground Floor, 152 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9TR Tel: 020 7730 8585 Fax: 020 7730 8584 Website: www.laryngectomy.org.uk

The views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or NALC. Great care hasbeen taken to ensure accuracy but NALC cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

Deadline for issue No. 119: 1 November 2011

All Vegetable SoupHere’s another recipe from theSoups & Puddings book producedby THANCS Group (The Head &Neck Cancer Support Group forHereford & Worcester). Copies canbe obtained for a minimumdonation of £2.00. You can contactthem at: THANCS Group,Hawthorne Suite, WorcestershireRoyal Hospital, Charles HastingsWay, Worcester WR5 1DD.

A nutritional soup that is quick &easy to make. You can use thisrecipe as the basis for anyvegetable soup, substituting anyvegetables you have in thefridge/cupboard.

Ingredients2 large onions – peeled & chopped2 carrots – peeled & chopped2 small leeks – chopped2 to 3 sticks of celery – chopped1 small butternut squash – peeled &chopped

1 large potato – peeled & chopped1 red pepper – seeds removed &chopped

2 pints of chicken stockSalt & pepper – to taste

MethodPlace all ingredients, except theseasoning, in a large saucepan.Bring to the boil and simmer for 20minutes. Liquidise or rub the soupthrough a sieve. Season to taste.Return to the pan and reheat.

Ian and Rose Browse

2

An Alarming WalkClifford Hughes gave an update on theChinwags Club of Kircaldy at the NALCAGM which included the followingaccount of an alarming walk he’d made:Recently, Alistair Lawson, representing theScottish Rights of Way Society, gave anillustrated talk entitled Walk a little, talk alittle to encourage us to explore thebeautiful Scottish Countryside using thecomprehensive, well-maintained, clearlymarked network of footpaths.Our first corporate effort will be not on afootpath but a towpath. There are bargesavailable, free of charge to disabledpeople, which move along the canal fromRatho on the western edge of Edinburgh.We could sit in the barge going out, andwalk back along the towpath torefreshment at Ratho Inn.We’ve enjoyed a number of fund-raisingraffles and 50/50s which provide funds tosupply helpful aids for larys… SOSTalisman Bracelets – a pre-recordedmessage SOS capsule a mini dictaphonewhich speaks for you if you are unable tospeak for yourself.This reminds me of a predicament inwhich I found myself on a walk withAlistair. The viability of the track fromCallander to Comrie needed to beassessed. We parked the car halfway. Iwould walk downhill to Comrie and set upthe first round in the pub. Alistair woulddo the more arduous leg to Callander,return for the car and join me.Unfortunately my track disappeared insome soggy woodland where I thrashedand splashed about in ferns and brackenup to my ears! I passed a dead sheep.The water Ruchill, which drains GlenArtney and runs into Loch Eavn, was in fullflood and a twenty foot drop on my right.I splodged gloopily around. Ooops!There’s that dead sheep again. I wasgetting anxious. I couldn’t call for help. Asa neck-breather I can’t whistle. There wasno signal on the mobile. And then, withhuge relief, I heard chattering femalevoices approaching. Angels of mercy?Well, actually a ladies walking club. Six ofthem. They caught up with me, sustainedme with some high-octane water, and,most importantly, traced the track out of thewood into the open. Alistair, on his way toeffect my resce, met me smiling from ear toear escorted by my female entourage.In the pub, over a pint or so, I explainedmy predicament. My fear – the potentialdanger to one who is unable to makehimself heard. “Right,” he said. “Next timeyou carry a rape alarm!”Clifford Hughes, Chinwags Kirkcaldy , Fife

The Macmillan Centenary GalaMonday 28 November

This year, Macmillan Cancer Support celebrates its centenary. To mark this occasion, theyare holding a special evening of musical entertainment from the past 100 years. Topurchase your tickets call Macmillan on 020 7840 4747. Lines are open 9am to 5pm,Monday to Friday.

Ticket prices: £325 for a ticket to the showand the pre and post show party; £225 fora ticket to the show and the post showparty; £35 - £65 for a ticket to the showonly.

Hosted by Graham Norton and featuringstars of stage and screen, this gala eventtakes place at the capital’s most famoustheatre, the London Palladium. They’ve already got Miranda Hart, Jimmy Osmond,Fearne Cotton, Liz Hurley, Edith Bowman, Rufus Hound and Donna Air on the guest list.Will you be in on the evening of a lifetime? All performers are generously donating theirtime to appear at the gala.

Four In TenThe following was featured in thePlymouth Club Newsletter and is by AdamBrimelow, BBC News: Rising cancer ratesmean four in ten people in the UK get thedisease at some point in their lives,Macmillan Cancer Support says. Thefigure has risen significantly in the pastdecade and poses a ‘massive challenge’for the NHS. Ministers in England say theyare working to improve cancer survivalrates and the quality of life after diagnosisand treatment.

Macmillan Cancer Support says a decadeago about a third of people, or 33%,developed cancer at some point in theirlives. The charity says that figure has risento more than 40%. The estimates aredrawn from projections published twoyears ago in the British Journal of Cancer,

which concluded that at the end of 2008there were two million cancer survivors inthe UK and that the figure was rising everyyear. Macmillan also looked at recentcancer incidence and mortality statisticsfor the UK, indicating that 310,000 peoplewere diagnosed with cancer in 2008.

About 157,000 people died from thedisease, and 89,000 who had beendiagnosed with cancer died from othercauses, making a total of 246,000 whodied ‘with‘ cancer.

The charity says this accounted for 42% oftotal deaths in the UK... which stood at580,000. Macmillan says the increase ispartly down to an ageing population...older people are more likely to developcancer. It says lifestyle factors, such as dietand exercise, and improved diagnosishave also contributed to the rise.

The Wish ListWeb Whispers (www.webwhispers.org/news/aug2011.asp) have asked readers"What would you like to do, within the next 5, or even 10, years?" Here are somebrief extracts from the responses they received (with the date of their laryngectomy).Why not tell us about your Wish List?

Jim Harris - 2008I would like to live the next 10 years. I recently had a surgery and they told me I hadabout 4 years. I got out of the hospital, ordered an electro-larynx, and went back towork as a drilling consultant. I love life and I love my work. I haven't given up much ofanything except trying to order food through the outdoor drive up mike. I am one ofthe most efficient consultants in the field and my boss likes me and my work ethic.

Mike McQuade - 2008Soon to be 72 – I get up and sing Karaoke and I swim and dive under but before mytime comes I would like to SKY DIVE!

3

No Flight ProblemsThe following letter from Greg Jossappeared in Still Talking – the NSWNewsletter: It may reassure thosecontemplating a long flight.

For those larys interested in travel, I amdelighted to report that I had no flightproblems. I had my laryngectomy end ofJuly last year. Up until only a week ago, Iwas still having problems with stenosisof my stoma if I slept without a trachytube fitted. Over the last week, I have notworn a tube except for 20 minutes somemornings to check size andconformation only to find that it insertsnicely, is loose and easily huffed out. Iam now sleeping many hours withoutthe previously usual need to rise everyfew hours in order to clear out and cleanthe stoma. As a result, I have had somemucus crusting around the stoma rimwhich I clear with a wet cotton bud.

As Good As Could BeI was anticipating some problems inflight with humidification etc buteffectively had no problems at all. Weflew 14 hours to Abu Dhabi; had aseven hour stopover during which wedid a return trip to Dubai in the Etihadshuttle bus; 1.5 hours each way; then sixhours to Heathrow (where the passportcontrol queues were horrendous!).

We found the flight, seating, food andservice with Etihad as good as could beexpected on an economy ticket andwould be happy to use them again. Ibooked the flight less than a month agowanting my stoma to stabilise beforecommitting to an extended trip. Afterbooking, I immediately became quiteanxious about my ability to cope. Thiswas somewhat assuaged by a flight toCairns and an eight day stay with a oldfriend near Bramstom Beach, an hour’sdrive south of Cairns. The fading of thestenosis also helped my confidence.

I was well prepared with the usual laryparaphernalia, medications etc buthave not needed more than a goodsupply of tissues and drinking water. Idid find that the anti-swelling pressuretravel socks that my wife bought meand insisted I wear worked beautifully. Ihad had significant problems withswollen and weeping legs during myhospitalisation but arrived in Londonwithout any swelling. So I am happy toreport that my laryngectomy has so far

continued on page 5

You all know Len Hynds – ourlaryngectomee poet. He used to be apoliceman and has sent CLAN thisstory from the ‘old days’…

I had been doing traffic point duty at theOval, when on being relieved, I was calledto an accident outside The Horns PublicHouse, where a car had driven into therear of a lorry. A young mum in her midtwenties, driving the car with her two smallchildren in the back, was not injured, butthe car was smashed in at the front,headlamps, wings and radiator, and thecar undrivable. Fighting back the tears andtrying to be brave, she told me that theprevious evening, at her isolated cottageoutside Ripon in North Yorkshire, she hadreceived a visit by a P.C. from Ripon station,to inform her that her husband, a travellingsalesman, had been involved in anaccident in Cornwall, but had died beforereaching hospital. The police in Cornwallneeded somebody to identify the bodywhich was now in Bodmin Mortuary.

She had no relatives who could do this forher, and in her isolated cottage no-one toleave the children with. So she had set outin this very old car, with the children in theback, with only enough money for petroleach way, and some snacks for thechildren. To say she was distraught wouldbe to put it mildly, and now she wasstranded in London, and just didn’t knowwhat to do. I had her car towed into hisgarage by Charlie Valiant of SutherlandSquare, and the station van to take us intothe station, where they were comforted byour wonderful old matron, and had a washand tidy up in her room. George Howardwas Station Sergeant, and he took them alldown into the canteen and bought thembreakfast. I phoned Charlie Valiant, and hetold me how much all the replacementparts would cost, and I said that she had nomoney and explained the circumstances,and that I would try and raise the moneythrough the lads on duty. Charlieimmediately said, "See what you can do,Len, I won’t charge anything to do it."

Raised EnoughWithin half an hour by seeing everybody inthe station, I had raised enough forCharlie to purchase a new radiator, wings,front bumper, headlamps and side lights,with everybody contributing from the ChiefInspector downwards. With P.C.s’ wagesthen about £10 a week, I knew that manyhad completely emptied their pockets. Itook the money round to Charlie, and he

said that he would start work on itimmediately. When he asked how shewas going to continue the journey, I toldhim that we would take her, and after adiscussion with the other P.C.s as I had thebest car (an old Wolseley), it would be me.He said that it was a round trip of aboutsix hundred miles, and after working outhow much the trip would cost with petrolterribly dear at half a crown (15p) a gallon(4 litres), he insisted I took the petrolmoney from him, as he guessed I hadalready emptied my pockets.

So we set out at about mid-day and theywere all soon asleep in the back. Therewere no main roads in those days, andmotorways were unheard of, so it waswinding narrow country lanes all the wayto Cornwall, which took nearly nine hoursand the Bodmin police opened up themortuary for us, and I stayed with thechildren outside whilst she went in toidentify him. It was 10pm when we set offback again on that long journey, with herin the back cuddling the children tellingthem that their daddy had been such agood man that he was now with Jesus.There was a lot of crying in that car, butthey all eventually fell asleep.

We arrived back in the station yard at7am, and Charlie had just delivered thecar, and all were standing around itlooking at his handiwork. He had workedon it all the previous day, and all nightnon-stop. I am sure that he had doneextra things without telling anybody, suchas brake linings, and adjustments. AfterGeorge took them into the matron’s roomfor a morning wash, he bought them allbreakfast again, and eventually they wereback in their car ready for the long journeynorthwards. We all stood around the carsaying goodbye to the children in the backwhen, from the driving seat, she said toCharlie, "You know I can't pay you now,but let me have the bill so I can send it toyou." "Nothing to pay love, it’s all beentaken care of," Charlie replied

She looked amazed, and then anotherSergeant stepped forward and put abrown envelope on the seat beside her."That’s for petrol and food on the wayback home." I saw her eyes fill with tears,and then she wept openly, and looking atthis hard bitten bunch around the car, shesaid, "You are all such kind wonderfulmen." I have often wondered how thatpoor young woman got through thatdifficult time. Life can be so hard for some.

Nothing To Pay

The Daily Mail recently featured an articleon Radio Celebrity Danny Baker who hasjust announced he is clear of cancer of themouth and throat. Here are someexcerpts:

Pre-cancer, Baker would have celebratedthe end of each show with a couple ofbottles of wine, but not now. “White winetastes like Brillo pads. I managed fourspoonfuls of lasagne today,“ he saystriumphantly. Off air, he speaks faster, withmore of a Cockney accent. It's amazinghow he keeps going, without the saliva.

“There are very few things I can eat,“ hesays. “Anybody who‘s had that kind ofcancer is suddenly made aware of themachinations of your mouth. You think,well, I must be able to eat that if myappetite‘s still up, and you put it in yourmouth and it just turns to stone. Yourtongue is pulverised, all the muscles aredry, you can‘t swallow, you can‘tmanoeuvre things in your mouth, andyou‘re rushing to bins to spit it out.”Before he was ill, his life pretty muchrevolved around food. “God, my wife isone of the great gourmet cooks,“ saysBaker. “She‘s got seven sisters andthey‘re all like that.“

Never SmokedWhen I think of throat cancer, I say, I thinkof John Diamond (Nigella Lawson‘s writerhusband who died of the disease). “Well,yeah, you can say that, but there aremany less publicised cases of peoplewho‘ve survived. John was a lifelongsmoker, too. I‘ve never smoked in my life,so there‘s no rhyme or reason to it. It justhappens. And your mind can race tohorror stories, but I ain‘t built like that. Itwas a horrible time, but it was bound tobe. I didn‘t find it life changing. I‘ve had noDamascene moment. I‘ve not come out ofit a different person.“

Was he bored not working? God no, hesays, he didn't have the strength to be.“No! I was ill. I was very ill. I barely hadthe energy to heave myself over in bed.They told me: ‘The good news is theprognosis is optimistic, the bad news isthat, other than bone marrow, it‘s themost gruelling of times.‘ And that‘s how itproved. My head had to have theradiation. If it‘s in your body, it‘s fine, but ifit‘s in your mouth, you can‘t talk or eatand there are various other disgustingconditions that come with it.“

Does his throathurt? “No, not atall. It‘s healedtremendouslywell. Feel myneck.“ Hedirects my handto it. “Justgenerally howsoft it is,because all ther a d i a t i o nmakes yourskin slough off.It melts. You getup and think,I‘m all wet. Andit‘s not blood,and you think,‘Oh God . . . ' Youradiate yourhead and everything goes – your tastebuds, saliva glands, everything is clearedout. Boom!“

“Anyway,“ he says, “enough with all themiserable stuff. Now it's time to get onwith living, dreaming up more crackpotthemes for his phone-in shows and

having fun. You know, I‘ve hadtremendous fun for the last 30 years.‘ Hesays, “It is an enormously absurd way toearn a living and you can never lose sightof that. And when you get cancer for eightmonths, it‘s a drag, but all you want to dois get back to the goofy wonderland inwhich you rattle around.“

4

ConfidentialityThe basic aim of our Laryngectomy Clubs and/or Head & Neck Cancer Clubs should, inmy opinion, be to provide a support for our fellow patients. To support each other inwhatever way we can. The social side of our clubs and the entertainment they providedoes form part of that support. However I believe that our primary support to each othershould be in the form of listening, encouraging, morale boosting and confidencebuilding, without being overpowering!

I am not talking about professional counselling here but simple fellow support! And yes, Iam aware that Macmillan Cancer Support provides training for those who wish to digdeeper into the subject.

It would seem, however, that sometimes our hands are tied by Confidentiality. This is oneof those modern-day terms riding on the back of the Health & Safety at Work Act and theData Protection Act and all sorts of other Acts! Don’t get me wrong, I do understand thatthese Acts are there for the protection of us all, but they can at times be restricting, andwhat we might call ‘common sense’ is not always permitted to prevail.

The medical staff closest to us, usually those in our ENT Outpatients or in in-patientwards of our hospitals, have their hands tied by Confidentiality. They are not permitted tolet our Clubs know when one of our Club Members is in hospital, about to be released oranything else. It’s literally more than their job is worth for them to do so. This often resultsin our members being in hospital or even having an operation without anyone in theClub knowing. Of course, some don’t want support, and some might not appreciate ahospital visit. But then I do know that some would! So where is the support?

As Secretary of the Plymouth Laryngectomy Club I would very much appreciate hearing fromClubs or individuals as to how they deal with the subject of Confidentiality so as to better thesupport they provide to their Members. Do please email me on: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk

Geoffrey N. ReadPlymouth Laryngectomy Club

Wine Tastes Like Brillo Pads

5

My father, Ronald Greenwood, had alaryngectomy in August 2009 at the age of83. After three tough months in hospital,he finally returned home and lookedforward to attending speech therapy tolearn a new way to speak. However,Dad’s physical neck anatomy proveddifficult. His stoma is oval-shaped, setquite deeply between tight, protrudingneck muscles. He found it difficult to coverit completely with his thumb and adhesivebaseplates would come unstuck, allowingair to escape when he tried to speak. Dadwas feeling frustrated and rapidly losinghope. Even the speech therapist found hiscase challenging.

The initial breakthrough came through asimple solution. My mother, Barbara, tiedsoft material around a ball of cotton wool,with a handle, forming a ‘mushroom’shape. Dad learnt oesophageal speechby pressing the bundle of soft materialover his stoma to stop air escaping – andhe found his voice!

This was an encouraging start but Dad feltit wasn’t ideal to carry his homemadematerial ‘mushroom’ everywhere withhim. Mum’s next experimental discoverywas that a standard HME, usually wornwith a baseplate, also fits into the plastictrachea tubes. So now Dad first puts aKapi-gel around the stoma. (This is a jelly-like doughnut shape which acts like aspacer.) The plastic trachea tube sitssnugly on top of this, held in place with theVelcro neck band. Then Dad simply fits astandard HME into the end of the tube –and talks!

We wanted to share this idea as perhapsother laryngectomees find difficulties withadhesive baseplates too. Hopefully somereaders might find this alternative to be asolution.

Anne Greenwood

Baseplate Not Sticking? Try This!

MacnewsHave you seen the online Macmillan magazine for Summer 2011? It’s packed with

interesting features & news (including video clips). You can find it at:www.macnews.macmillan.org.uk/summer_2011

The following letter was to Still Talking – the NSW (New SouthWales, Australia newsletter):

Your article has reminded me of my own experience. By 2000 Ihad developed Cancer of the tongue which ended up at Stage 4by diagnosis that December. During the preceding wintermonths, I discovered pain similar to that described. Initially, Ithought the problem was that my mattress needed an urgentreplacement as the pain occurred when in bed. However, I learntthat as the cancer spread it had paralysed a nerve (SpinalAccessory?) leading to the failure of a muscle (Trapezius?).

It was too late for me to have surgery so I had Chemotherapyand Radiotherapy. When treatment was completed, beingconcerned that I had the same limited use of my arm, Iconsulted a physiotherapist. I learnt that the nerve and themuscle were still able to function but would benefit from

exercise. A muscle on top of my left shoulder had collapsedand muscles leading from it likewise. The left pectoral wassagging as if the muscle had collapsed to under my armpit.(Man-boob would be an appropriate description to apply here.)Ill health caused a premature end to that and a followingseries of appointments with physiotherapists at the samepractice. A third was started later but only after mylaryngectomy and commencing at a second practice was Ifinally able to lift my arm normally. Last year I commencedtreatment with another therapist and the programme Icommenced then still needs to continue.

My main problem now is my appearance – the dreaded man-boob! I will never work as an underwear model again unless Isucceed in exorcising it. And I fear attending the local swimcentre, changing to my Speedos and being scorned by all theChicky-babes! Oh, my dismay!

Raymond Chappelow

Shoulder Dysfunction

Deadline ExtendedThe deadline for submissions fromdoctors, patients and carers oftreatment uncertainties has beenextended by the Head & Neck CancerResearch Setting Partnership toNovember 30 2011. In September, allclubs will receive details of some of thesuggestions submitted so far andfurther advice about how to get involvedin this important project.

In the meantime any club or individualcan make a submission using the formsent out already or the web linkprovided. Please contact Vivien Reed ifyou need more information.

Malcolm BabbNALC Vice President

No Flight ProblemsContinued from page 3

proven not to be a reason to stay with thesecurity and comfort of home which I hadcome to value particularly and rely onover the last year. Apart from the usualeffects of ageing (I was 71 last January) itis still possible to enjoy life. The supportgained from attending the LANSWmeetings and involvement with thewebsite have contributed tremendously tomy recovery, confidence and wellbeing.

A small boy is lost so he goes upto a policeman and says: “I’ve

lost my dad”.“What’s he like?” asks the

policeman. “Beer and women”replies the boy. (from NSWnewsletter Still Talking)

News from the ClubsNews from the Clubs

6

Chinwags, KirkaldyOn 27 June 2011, 13 (laryngectomees,Speech Therapists, family & friends) madetheir way to Ratho. They were going onone of the barges on the Edinburgh Canal(Seagull Trust Cruises). The crew were veryhelpful and entertaining. There were threecrew members – all volunteers – whogave them a lot of information as theywent along. Tea and biscuits were served.Before their return journey, they stoppedat the picnic area. As it was raining, theyall stayed on the barge. They all enjoyedthe Marks & Spencer picnic hamper,crisps, drinks etc which Christine (theSpeech therapist) kindly organised andpicked up. She also organised thebooking of the barge (for which manythanks).

The Seagull Trust is free for people withspecial needs or disabilities. The crew areall volunteers. Donations are welcomed.They returned with Christine steering thempart of the way back. They all boughtsouvenirs (pens, fridge magnets, smallbears, postcards etc) to remind them ofthe occasion. They arrived back at 5.30.They all had a lovely afternoon (despitethe rain). It was very peaceful andcalming. The photo shows the groupbeside the barge.

At their May meeting, they welcomed UllaRohrbeck from Heimomeb, a Germancompany, who demonstrated theirproducts for laryngectomees. They had avery informative evening and were veryimpressed with the Larkel swimming aid.Ulla distributed free samples to all themembers and they had a very pleasantevening. Some of the members attended

the Hacketts Hotel for their usual luncheonand it was nice to meet up with othergroups from the North West. The Easy ToSwallow cookbooks, which the club hadpurchased for laryngectomees, have beenpassed to Jo Ashton for distribution. A tripto the Lakes is anticipated for August and,of course, the NALC Lunch is on 4September in Penrith.

The Windpipers, Blackpool

THE LOVE AFFAIRHow could she expect me to love it,a bright pink, convertible car.It was a ladies car, or for funny youngmen,not a copper who was manly by far.

My poor old Charlie was no good for thewife,so to that heaven, he had to be sent.A really true friend, in many moments ofstrife,Such sadness, when cruelly bent.

But late one night, as I was driving home,in my effeminate looking car,I spotted a smash and grab, in that gas-litgloom,and the bandits as they sped off afar.

I gave chase along that silent street,with headlights and hooter blaring,hoping a police car, that I might meet,with such noise and all lights glaring.

We did many miles at eighty,with me close, right up their tail.They thought it was the CID,to take them off to jail.

At last my colleagues stopped them,those villains looked in dismay,at my litle pink marvel, racing gem,which had really spoilt their day.

And then I realised it was Charlie,his spirit had been reborn.a true copper’s car, my Charlie,“I’d never leave you,” he had sworn.

So now my little pink Zodiac,is known by all the nick,what gives those villains heart attack.The’re quite glad when he’s off sick.

Len A. Hynds

Speak Easy, CornwallFrom their newsletter: This month, JackPagett, Brenda Salter, Di Helyer, Ted andBarbara Barlow, Peter and Pat Clark, Ronand Rosemary and Jan were treated to amagical boat trip on the Helford Riverfollowed by delicious afternoon teacourtesy of the Budock Vean Hotel –thanks to Ted and Barbara. Our thanksalso to Phil who took us on a guidedjourney up and down the many beautifulcreeks, where we saw egrets nesting andcormorants taking flight alongside theboat, into Frenchman’s Creek (for Daphnedu Maurier fans), and then past multimillion pound properties, some owned byfamous people. This was followed by aninformal meeting at the hotel. A warmwelcome had been extended to Ron,Rosemary and Val by Plymouth Lary Clubat their recent meeting (which wasattended by Bill from NALC) and SpeakEasy would be happy to go up toPlymouth again. Ron told PLC membersthat they are welcome to join us at TotnesLittlehempston for the steam train journey(details below), and of course we lookforward to seeing them at Devoran inSeptember for a soup & sandwich lunch.

Here is an account of their recent trip bysteam train: “After quite an early start forthose taking the train from down West,seven of us met up with Miles from Platonfor an enjoyable, scenic trip back in timeon the Buckfast Steam Train from Totnes toBuckfastleigh. We had two hours to spare,so after lunch some wandered into thetown, but there were several attractionsaround the railway – at the butterfly farmwe saw one emerge from its jewel-like

continued on page 8

Diary DatesWednesday 14 September

Laryngectomy Conference Ireland Wednesday 19 OctoberWelsh and

Western Patient Day in SwanseaFor further details please contact Head Office on 020 7730 8585 or

info@laryngectomy.org.uk

News from the ClubsNews from the ClubsOxford

Many of the club members turned out at the Churchill Hospital, on Thursday 19 May 2011.The occasion was the presentation ofdiagnostic equipment to the hospital andalso for the naming of the room in honourof Ken Whiley. Ken’s family were wellrepresented. His sister Grace, brother Peterand wife Annette, son Keith and Keith’spartner, Kay, were there. Although Kenhimself was unable to be there in person,he made a speech, which was deliveredby his son, Keith:

Firstly, I would like to say I am sorry that I cannot be there in person.

I am very honoured having this unit named after me. I feel the room is honouring notonly me but also the work carried out by the Oxford Laryngectomy Club. For those whodon’t know I would like to tell you a bit about the history of the club.

The laryngectomy club in Oxford goes back a long way. I formed the club a few monthsafter my operation in 1982. I had heard about similar clubs elsewhere and felt that thiswas something badly needed for the Oxford area – and it certainly was needed. In my25 years plus with the club we gained many members – those who were about to haveoperations, their families and friends. Members came, from people in Oxford and frommiles around. The club went from strength to strength – not only helping those affectedwith information who were about to have an operation but also as a social club andfundraiser.

I remember many enjoyable lunches and dinners. These were great for meetingmembers and their families but also raised money through various raffles. That wasapart from bring and buy sales and other events run by myself and other members.Substantial amounts have been raised and this has been used over the years to help the

consultants buy muchneeded equipment, helpingindividuals affected andrefurbishing a relatives’room in the hospital toname but a few. I knowsince I moved to Essex theclub has continued to raisemoney and arrange variouslunches and dinners.

So in conclusion I would liketo repeat how deeply

honoured I am to have this unit named after me and would like to thank you all forcoming with a special thanks to the consultant, Mr Cox. Thank you all.

Ken Whiley

Head & Neck Cancer Clubs

I have heard that several LaryngectomyClubs throughout the UK haveprogressed from being LaryngectomyClubs to becoming Head & Neck CancerClubs. In other words, accepting Head& Neck Cancer patients as members.The NALC Association Secretary hasconfirmed to me that this is perfectlyacceptable. As Secretary of thePlymouth Laryngectomy Club I wouldvery much appreciate hearing from thoseclubs that have made this change andwhether it has proved to be a bonus or aproblem to them. Do please email meon: saudigeoff@yahoo.co.uk

Geoffrey N. ReadPlymouth Laryngectomy Club

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Sans Blas 2011Clan readers may recall news of thecelebrated Laryngectomee choir from Leon.Well, the latest magazine ALLE has twophotos of them celebrating the Feast of theirpatron San Blas (St Blaise). They sang in theChurch of San Martin. We did a web searchto see if they appear on You Tube so wecould hear them in action. But we couldn’tfind them there. So just enjoy the photo.

A club member, Jim Thomas, has writtento CLAN with a poem by GeorgeRobertson. It was prompted by a requestfrom a “laddie about 6‘ 3’’ and about 16years old who asked me to get him fags. Itold him my wife had told the shopkeepernot to sell me fags. I didn’t tell him I’dstopped smoking 27 years previously. Ishowed him my stoma by lifting myKapitex Bib. At that time I didn’t use a larybutton. I’ve never seen him since!”

The LessonMister, mister, can you do me a fave,I’m a lad who is a nicotine slave;I need a draw, I need a drag,Desperate for the kick of a fag.

Mister, mister, I’m out of my mind,Twenty please, if you’d be so kind.I’m going crazy, I’m in a rage,The shop won’t serve me, I’m underage.

Listen lad and listen good,Please don’t think I’m being rude.Before you board this smoking boat,Have a wee look at my throat.

So go away, just turn and flee,Learn a lesson shown by me.Do you still want this man’s fave?I didn’t think so! Not that brave.

Lothian Club

News from the ClubsNews from the ClubsPlymouth

The club has its own website at:www.plymouthlc.webs.com where youcan read about all that is happening.Here are a few snippets:

A copy of the Club’s Calendar of Events,including Future Entertainments for thenext 12 months or so, is available on ourClub’s website. The PLC Club’s AugustMeeting was at the Mustard Tree CancerSupport Centre at 11 a.m. There was a Talkby our Guest Speaker, Miles WILLIAMSfrom Platon Medical. On 5 Septemberthey held their Annual General Meetingat the Mustard Tree Cancer SupportCentre at 11 a.m. After the meeting therewas a Talk by our Guest Speaker, CharlesHANDLEY from Countrywide Supplies Ltd.On Wednesday, 14 September The SpeakEasy Club in Cornwall has made abooking at Devoran, near Truro, for aSoup & Sandwich lunch and has invitedPLC Members to join them. Also inSeptember Ted will be organising a mini-bus trip from Plymouth to Dartmeet for aCream Tea. Meanwhile, Club Secretary,Geoff Read has sent this to CLAN :

IF AT FIRST YOU DON’TSUCCEED...I was in and out of Derriford Hospital oneweek in July! First as an overnight in-patient to have my oesophagus dilatedfor the umpteenth time!

An overnight stay.

They then tried to fit a new valve the verynext day but this was not to be!

It just wouldn’t go!

I returned to the hospital two days laterand had a new all-singing, all-dancingvalve fitted at long last.

Even though I now have a very sore throatI can manage to eat and drink again after12 weeks’ abstinence!

I can even talk a little!

I am so grateful to all concerned atDerriford Hospital... especially for thenever-ending patience of Maggie andJulia!

I know I’m not the best of patients butthose two never seem to give up on me...even though I’m sometimes getting readyto throw the towel in!

It’s great to know that kind of support isavailable to us all!

© The National Association of Laryngectomee Clubs 2011 Printed by The Ludo Press Ltd, London SW17 0BA

Lost Chord NorthStaffordshire

On Tuesday 5 July the Lost Chord Club(North Staffordshire LaryngectomeeSupport Group) along with the HeadCases (Staffordshire Head and NeckCancer Support Group) visited theNational Arboretum at Alrewas. Wearrived at 10.30 in time for those whowished to attend the 11 o’clock service.Members then toured the site either bytrain or on foot. At 1.00 pm we departedfor Barton Marina for lunch. We had anexcellent lunch enjoyed by everyone. Afterlunch some of the ladies visited the shopsaround the marina. The generalconsensus was that everyone had a greatday out!

A few members & friends attended theopen air concert by the City of PlymouthOrchestra at Chaplin’s Superstore inPlymouth on 23 July.

Ashford ClubHere are two photos of their day trip onthe Hythe and Romney railway, travellingfrom Hythe to Dungeness, with atraditional pub lunch at The Britannia Inn,where fish and chips have an excellentreputation. There were 26 in the group,the weather was lovely and all enjoyedthe scenic ride, the fish and chips werevery tasty and all enjoyed the summerouting. The group are now busy planningtheir next venture with plenty of ideas tochoose from.

Speak Easy, CornwallContinued from page 6

chrysalis, exotic specimens flyingamongst tropical plants, and terrapins sostatic we thought they were plasticmodels until one or two suddenly slid intothe water. From there, on to watch theotters swim and play; and for those whoreally only came for the trains(!) amuseum and a miniature railway. Ourthanks to Pat for organising the day, andto Miles who, on behalf of Platon, paidour entrance fees to see the butterfliesand otters. We were disappointed that sofew were able to make it, and missedthose who had wanted to join us but wereprevented (especially Val who boardedour train at St Austell, heard she was on atrain to Glasgow, so jumped off!). Wewould welcome suggestions frommembers for outings or other socialevents – at the moment our eventscalendar runs out of steam afterSeptember!