Still Talking
Dedicated to the welfare of Laryngectomees and those with similar vocal disorders.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE : The Secretary, The Laryngectomee Association of NSW, 65/9 Col Drewe Dr,
STH Bowenfels, NSW, 2790. Email: [email protected].
Issue No. 279
The Laryngectomee Association of NSW©
February 2017
OFFICE BEARERS 2016
ACCOMMODATION ASSISTANCE WHEN NEEDED
PRESIDENT: Les Byrnes, 82/79-87 Boyce
Road, MAROUBRA, 2035. PH. (02) 9344 0445
OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT AWAY FROM
HOME:
VICE PRESIDENT & WEBSITE ADMIN:
Greg Joss 61 Morrice Street, LANE COVE
2066 (02) 9427 0509
Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling St,
WOOLLOOMOOLOO, 2011 (PO Box 572,
Kings Cross, 1340), Phone: 13 11 20.
(Information & Support) Or contact Social
Worker at hospital you will be attending.
VICE PRESIDENT: Peter Tierney,
11 Berrico Place, BANGOR, 2234.
Ph. (02) 9543 0478
www.cancercouncil.com.au
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Raymond
Chappelow, Villa 65/9 Col Drewe Dr, STH
BOWENFELS, 2790 Ph. (02) 6352 5826
[email protected]
WHO TO CONTACT
SPEECH AIDS, BATTERIES, ADVICE ON
REPAIRS:
John Chaloner, PO Box 31, SUMMER HILL,
2130 - Ph. (02) 9560 2852
WELFARE OFFICER: Cathy Edwards PO
Box 54, ALLAWAH, 2218. Ph. (02) 9587 9636
SHOWER SHIELD, STOMA COVER
MATERIAL & WELFARE MATTERS:
SPEECH AIDS COORDINATOR:
John Chaloner, PO Box 31, SUMMER HILL,
2130. Ph. (02) 9560 2852
Cathy Edwards, PO Box 54, ALLAWAH, 2218.
Ph. (02) 9587 9636
EDITOR: George Southgate,
[email protected] Ph. 04176 79651
[email protected]
ASSOCIATION WEBPAGE:
www.stilltalking.org
NEXT MEETING
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
15th February 2017 at the
LARYNGECTOMEES:
Sydney Mechanics Institute, 280 Pitt St,
SYDNEY at 11 am.
The meeting will be followed by light
refreshments.
Laryngectomees, Friends, Families,
www.theial.com/ial
WEB WHISPERS:
www.webwhispers.org
Professionals all WELCOME.
Regional Meetings Pg. 2
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Regional Meetings
Centre, Liverpool Hospital. Contact Hei Lan Byun
0477 330 719 or Joanne Bartley 0439 813 807
NSW Association: 3rd Wednesday of month
(February - November)
Sydney Mechanics Institute, 280 Pitt St, SYDNEY,
2000 at11am.
MID NORTH COAST: Port Macquarie
Community Health Centre. Last Wed of March.
June. September. & 1st Wednesday December.
Contact Jodie Bowles (02) 65801828
NEW ENGLAND: Meets 2pm 1st Wed December
Conference Room, Rehab Unit, Tamworth Base
Hosp.(02) 6767 8369
[email protected]
NEWCASTLE: 3rd Tuesday. Monthly Mayfield
Bowling Cub, Ingall St, Mayfield. Contact John
Lovett (02) 4954 8308
CENTRAL COAST: 3rd Thursday of the month,
Cancer Council Community Hub, The Hive,
Erina Fair 10am - 12 noon. Head and neck cancer
nurse (02) 4320 9823 Cancer Council 4336 4500
Facilitator 0418 254014
NORTHERN RIVERS: 4 times annually in
Lismore. Contact Speech Pathologist Allison Grady
(02) 6629 4523 or (02) 6620 2157
COFFS / CLARENCE: Shearwater Lodge, Coffs
Health Campus. 2pm every 3rd Thursday,
Bi-monthly Contact: Melissa Parish
(02) 6656 7606
ALBURY: Meets alternate months from
February. Contact Norma Teasdale
(02) 6021 1749
WOLLONGONG Hospital Block C level 8:
11am -12.30 Tri-monthly 22/1/16, 23/4/16, 23/7/16
Lisa Le Cussan (02) 4253 4500
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS: Last Wednesday of
month 10am. Thomas Rachael Moore Education
Letters to the Editor
After our last edition in November, I received a correspondence
from Kent, in England. It was from a member named Len Hynds
A.K.A (The speechless poet)
http://www.thespeechlesspoet.co.uk/stories_lary_index.php
He has offered to let us use some of his short stories and poetry,
which I will do at times, in the newsletter. I also sent an email
back, asking him to tell our readers a bit about himself, I thought it
was quite interesting and so have printed his reply. You can also
access his web-site at the above address
George
Hello George,
I will make this as brief as possible. The youngest of seven children, I was aged 9 when the
2nd world war started. Went to five schools as each was bombed and demolished in London
We lost three homes, I was buried way down in the basement in the last one for four hours,
with my head firmly fixed by masonry, until I was dug out by rescuers, I was twelve then., All
my siblings were in the forces and as there was no school available I put my age up to 15. I
enrolled in the Cadet company, of the Royal Artillery regiments Heavy Anti-Aircraft unit. After
training I was the signals runner for one, each night we went onto to the streets of London,
firing constantly at the swarm of enemy bombers hurling death and destruction down upon us.
On getting my first stripe, still at that young age, I guided parties of servicemen between main
line railway stations when raids were on, and all public transport had stopped. I then went to
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two infantry cadet units, obtaining the coveted red star, meaning I had attended all sorts
of weapons training courses, commando tactics etc. In 1944, I was a Sergeant Cadet in the
Buffs, still only 14, but everybody thought I was 17, and due for the army soon. I was attached
to 3 Bofors Guns on the cliffs at Ramsgate, and several times fired the twin Vickers machine
gun at German planes coming in at sea level to avoid radar. Then at the true age of 17 and a
half I was called into the army proper and finished up in the Royal Military Police.
I was involved in the first Israeli War, when we had to get between two opposing armies. I
have lots if stories about the desert. Returning to England I joined the Metropolitan Police and
became a London Bobby, eventually transferring to the "Sweeney", I was on the Flying Squad
engaged with the Great Train Robbery.
After leaving the police, I became the Head of Insurance Investigations, for an insurance
company. I decided to retire, but soon started my own security company, this I sold to a TV
security company and retired again. Retirement didn’t last long I went to work for an
International Store as Group Security Manager, then the biggest retailer in the UK. I retired
again, but in 1994, at 64, went down with heart problems. I had open heart surgery at Guys,
had metallic heart valves installed, plus a by-pass, plus a pacemaker. Recovered then started
another company selling car parts to the repair industry, ten years later had to give it up as I
had cancer of the throat and could only communicate at first by writing, so I went to adult
education classes to speed up that writing.
I was told I had a gift for writing stories and poetry and was urged to go on to university. A
daunting prospect as my education had stopped at the age of 12. But I was accepted
speechless. I graduated at age 78 and was able to talk again. I graduated in Creative Writing,
Poetry and Writing for Stage and Screen. So you are never too old to learn, I shall be 87 next
March, and have never been so busy.
Enough of my nonsense George. Sorry this has been so long winded.
Keep well Len
ASK THE DOC
Why does my nose run all the time after my laryngectomy? Is it a cold or sinus
infection?
Answer: Your nose runs after a laryngectomy because you no longer breathe through your
nose but through your stoma. Because there is no longer any air flowing through your nose the
tissues lining the nasal cavities become engorged with blood and do what they are supposed
to do - make mucous. This is a self-limited process and requires several weeks for the body to
get adjusted before the condition improves, You should avoid taking any anti-histamine
medications, particularly if you have had radiation, as this can make the dryness from the
radiation even worse.
Glenn E. Peters, M.D.
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1) On average, half of all false teeth have some form of radioactivity.
2) Hot water is heavier than cold.
3) Plutonium - first weighed on August 20th, 1942, by University of Chicago scientists Glenn
Seaborg and his colleagues - was the first man-made element.
4) If you went out into space, you would explode before you suffocated because there's no air
pressure.
5) The radioactive substance, Americanium - 241 is used in many smoke detectors.
6) Sound travels 15 times faster through steel than through the air.
7) Every year about 98% of atoms in your body are replaced.
8) Only one satellite has been ever been destroyed by a meteor: the European Space
Agency's Olympus in 1993.
9) Starch is used as a binder in the production of paper. It is the use of a starch coating that
controls ink penetration when printing. Cheaper papers do not use as much starch, and this is
why your elbows get black when you are leaning over your morning paper.
10) A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber. A ball of solid steel will bounce
higher than one made entirely of glass.
11) A chip of silicon a quarter-inch square has the capacity of the original 1949 ENIAC
computer, which occupied a city block.
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Minutes October
Email C Gardner
Email from John Chaloner re the late John Bowman’s Cooper Rand device
Outgoing
1 C Edwards to member D Webster
2 R Chappelow to H & N Coordinator, Central Coast
3 Letters of Welcome to new members Alexander Khlebakov, Leonard Deane &
McIntyre
Robert
4 Invitations to join (3)
Matter arising
Discussion around acquiring the Cooper Rand device of a deceased laryngectomee – decided
not to acquire
Late payment from ACT Health – recently received and receipt mailed
Correspondence received on motion of C Gardner/A Krasnodebski
Financial Report
CBA balance as at 30 September, 2016
$2,170.69
Add Income October, 2016
Subscriptions
$67.50
Patients’ Supplies
$103.00
Interest
$0.02
Sub total
$2,881.21
Less Expenditure October, 2016
“Still Talking” Postage
$397.75
Telecommunications
$70.64
Printing
$2593.00
Post
$113.70
Lunch
$40.00
Patients’ Supplies
$1,248.70
Rent
$36.00
Sundry
$25.00
Sub total (2)
$4,524.79
Balance (-)
-$1,643.58
Add unpresented cheques
#605 Telstra
$70.64
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Minutes October
Laryngectomee Association of NSW Inc
Minutes of meeting held 16 November, 2016.
The Meeting commenced at 11.10am with the President, L Byrnes occupying the Chair.
Attendance – Laryngectomee
R Chappelow; R Gray; A Krasnodebski; J Pyle; B Bunker; F Campbell; L Byrnes;
Attendance – Non-laryngectomees
C Gardner
Apologies
P Tierney; G Tierney; C Edwards
New members
Robert McIntyre of Panania
Alexander Khlebakov of Blacktown
Leonard Deane of Elmore Vale
Vale
Robert Kidd of Tweed Heads South
Jeffrey Watts of Grenfell
Minutes of October Meeting
Received motion C Gardner/A Krasnodebski
Matters Arising
Term Deposits
Account 5207 reinvested for 2 years @ 2.75%
Account 5194 reinvested for 6 months @ 2.3%
Correspondence
Incoming
Coffs Coast Laryngectomee Group – Christmas Party Invitation 20 December
Gary Mar (Central Coast H & N Cancer Support Group) – introducing himself & new role
Lisa Shailer (Central Coast H & N Cancer Support Group) Nurse Coordinator
Membership Applications via website for L Deane, A Khlebakov, A Canova,
Miscellaneous emails from J Chaloner
“The New Voice” from LA of Victoria
Emails between Yulia ( A Khlebakov’s daughter) and R Chappelow re her father’s treatment
LANSW – Hunter Valley Branch Christmas Party Invitation 13 December
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Minutes October
#607 Master Instruments
$225.35
#609 L Byrnes (Office Works Printing- YCSTA)
$2,175.00
CBA Balance as at 31 October, 2016
$827.41
Report – Central Coast Visit, 21 October, 2016
This is a report of a non-meeting as the day of the week had been changed so I arrived a day
too late. (Earlier in the week phone calls were made to confirm a meeting but I failed to get advice of the change)
Nevertheless, next time I will be travelling there by public transport thereby reducing the cost to
LANSW. There is a bus from Gosford rail to the venue and an economical, well situated hotel
has been found.
Also, I learnt that Head & Neck Cancer Group is the best attended at the Cancer Council’s
Hub.
So, some good may come of my misadventure in 2017. I look forward to meeting our people of
the area.
Reports received on the motion of F Campbell/C Gardner
Claims for payment
Previously Authorised
R Chappelow $780 (Coffs Trip)
Already Paid
Cheque #607 Master Instruments $225.35
#608
$150.24
Unpaid
SMSA - rent - $36 #610
R Chappelow - Postal $24.35
Drinks for Xmas Raffle
$35
Central Coast Trip - 446klm x $0.66 =
$294.36
Accommodation
$128
Total = $481.71 + previously =
$1261.71
(Cheque #611)
Resolved that the claims be paid on the motion of F Campbell/C Gardner
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Minutes October
General Business
F Campbell reported on a meeting with a Mr Azzapardi who socialised with the late Bruce
Hodges. Advised that Bruce is much missed at his preferred watering hole.
The Secretary undertook to resend our Christmas Invitation by email.
The Meeting closed at 12 noon.
The Scorpions of the Desert
They have no fear in the shade so still,
their only object is that to kill,
with their venomous tail to stab if they can,
any animal, or a careless man.
Their tail arched over, above their head,
Ready to strike and make you dead.
It takes an hour for a man to die,
poor camels, so much longer lie.
But the thing they fear, is a soldier from Britain,
who for a hundred years many were bitten.
Petrol is poured in a circle around,
the flames drove them mad the soldiers found.
They sting their own neck in a moment of madness.
Death is instant to the soldiers gladness.
That desert alas, is two thousand miles wide,
With plenty of places for those scorpions to hide.
( Courtesy of Len Hynds)
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Christmas Party 2016
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Laryngectomee Association of NSW Inc.
Report of Christmas Luncheon by R Chappelow
For 2016 we had attempted to have our Luncheon a week earlier to avoid conflicting with other
events but were too late. So, we settled once again with the first Saturday in December. I was
allowed the enjoyable task of purchasing our alcohol raffle prizes for the second time
It may have been an error not to include an invitation with our November newsletter as I failed to
remind our editor. Whatever the reason, attendance was down on previous years.
Regarding the alcohol purchases, I approached Lithgow Workies Club for support which resulted
in a significant donation of wines. As for myself, I purchased wines of the Central-West eg.
Mudgee & Orange which I thought would be a novelty.
The other prizes were bought by Glenda & Peter Tierney making the total cost of raffle prizes in
excess of $1,100.
Needless to say, the display that welcomed our members & guests was impressive
John Lovett of our Hunter Branch was M.C. and was again at his best but had me a bit nervous
with his jokes about “The Greens” political party. Fortunately, there was no backlash.
A sad absence on the day was Carol Gardner who needed to stay home with a sick relative so
Les Byrnes sold raffle tickets in her stead.
The catering was superb and even I was able to swallow sufficient food for once!
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Having missed out on our preferred day for 2016, I booked for next year’s soon after so the 2017
Christmas Luncheon will be on the 25 November, 2017.
See you there!
Mystery Payments
Can you help with these, who deposited the following into our account?
21 Jan 2016 Cash The Entrance $10.00
12 Feb 2016 Cash Grafton $10.00
8 Dec 2016 Cash St Ives $10.00
Thanks Raymond Chappelow
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Speech Aids Coordinator’s Report
Atos Medical P/L are the Australian agent for the Nu-Vois speech aid and for the Provox voice prosthesis and
hands-free system and HME.
They are in the process of moving from Ultimo to North Sydney.
From 01 February their new address will be Suite 4, Level 12, 100 Walker St, North Sydney.
Their postal address will be P.O. Box 1142, North Sydney NSW 2059.
Their phone number is changing too, and from 01 Feb the only number to call is 1800-286.728 (a ‘free call’ number).
Their email address remains the same – [email protected].
The net cost to the Association of the Varta batteries we supply to members for Servox and Romet speech aids
has increased slightly, from $22.30 to $22.75 each – this is what we charge members for them.
The postage & packaging has also increased slightly from $8.50 to $8.65 per small padded bag & stamps – but
your Association continues to absorb this cost, and any GST.
Atos
Dear Valued Customer,
Due to our rapid expansion, we will be moving our office location to North Sydney. Our last day of
operations at our current premise will be the 31st of January 2017. To allow for a seamless transition
and to ensure there is no business interruption, please note our new free call phone number is now
active:
FREE CALL PHONE NUMBER:
1800 ATOS AU (1800 286 728)
As of the 1st of February we will no longer be contactable on any other land line office numbers.
Please find attached formal notification and our new address details.
Dear Valued Customer,
RE: NOTICE OF BUSINESS RELOCATION & NEW NUMBER
Due to our rapid expansion, we will be moving our office location to North Sydney. Our last day of
operations at our current premise will be the 31st of January 2017.
To allow for a seamless transition and to ensure there is no business interruption, please note our new
free call phone number is now active: 1800 ATOS AU (1800 28 67 28). As of the 1st of February, we will
no longer be contactable on any other numbers. Provided below is our new office details, however,
our email address will remain [email protected].
Please forward this information to any relevant parties in your organisation:
FROM THE 1 FEBRUARY 2017
Physical Address Atos Medical Level 12, Suite 4 100 Walker Street North Sydney NSW 2060
Phone: 1800 ATOS AU (1800 286 728) Fax: (02) 8404 4155 Continued Next page
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Postal Address: Atos Medical PO Box 1142 North Sydney NSW 2059
We appreciate your business and we are looking forward to our ongoing partnership in our
new .location. On behalf of the Atos Team, we wish you a safe and happy new year.
Rachel Mineo and Farah Vayani from ATOS MEDICAL will be at February meeting with
some "exciting products" for 2017.
Communication Breakdown.
As a laryngectomee since October, 2006 I have had my share of communication breakdowns.
Even with my best voicing, issues may occur, particularly with telephone conversations & more
so when these are with an overseas call center. The best thing is for people to “pull you up”
have you repeat! Or have an interpreter/translator!
Our Welfare Officer, Cathy Edwards has had trouble when playing recorded phone messages
from both laryngectomees & their family members.
One such occasion this message was played –“My father wants 5 Stoma covers”.
Now how do you dispatch & invoice such an order? And there have been others just as bad!
Also, with many messages Cathy was unable to understand laryngectomees so their orders
could not be acted on.
So, may I make a suggestion? Put your orders in writing – via Australia Post, email, sms. And
keep a record yourself.
Remember, all Committee members are volunteers & have other obligations so keep
messages concise and simple.
Laryngectomee’s
Billing & Delivery
Address
Date
Description 0f Goods
Laryngectomee’s Signature:
Date:
Mr J. Challoner For speech aids:
P. O. Box 31 Summer Hill NSW 2130
Mrs C Edwards For other supplies:
P. O. Box 54 Allawah NSW 2218
Mr Raymond Chappelow Annual membership &
Matters concerning Sec/ Treasurer
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Humour
A burglar broke into a home.
He heard a soft voice say, "Jesus is
watching you." Thinking it was his
imagination, he continued his search.
Again, he hears: "Jesus is watching you."
Principal: " What is 3 x 3?"
Johnny: "9."
Principal: " 6 x 6?"
Johnny: " 36."
So, it went on like this. The principal asked
him every question a third grader should
know. Finally, after about an hour, he told
the teacher, "I see no reason why Johnny
can't go to the third grade, he answered all
of my questions right."
He turned his flashlight around and saw a
parrot in a cage. He asked the parrot if he
was the one talking. The parrot said, "Yes."
So he asked the parrot his name, and the
parrot replied, "Moses."
The teacher asked if she could ask him
some questions. The principal and Johnny
agreed. Teacher: "What does a cow have 4
of that I only have 2 of?"
Johnny: " Legs."
Teacher: " What do you have in your
pants that I don't have?" The principal
gasped, but before he could stop him from
answering, Johnny answered.
Johnny: " Pockets."
Teacher: " What does a dog do that a man
steps into?"
Johnny: " Pants."
Teacher: What starts with F and ends
with K and means a lot of excitement?"
Johnny: " Firetruck."
The principal breathed a big sigh of relief
and said: "Put Johnny in the fifth grade, I got
the last 4 questions wrong myself."
The burglar asked, "What kind of people
would name a parrot Moses?" The parrot
replied, "The same kind of people who would
name their pit bull, Jesus."
A Game Warden is walking along a beach
one morning when he spots a man with a
bucket of lobsters. The Warden walks up to
the man, flashes his badge and says,
"You're in big trouble, buddy. Poaching
lobsters is a serious offense." The man
answers, "You've got it all wrong, these
lobsters are my pets! Every morning I take
them out for some exercise. I let them swim
around in the ocean for a few minutes and
then whistle them back in."
The Warden looks at the man sceptically and
says, "Okay then, prove it."
The man proceeds to throw the lobsters into
the ocean and both he and the Warden
stand there waiting. After a couple minutes
the Warden looks at the man and says,
"That's long enough, now whistle your
lobsters back in." The man turns to the
Warden and says "Lobsters? What
lobsters?"
An engineer, a priest, and a doctor are trying
to enjoying a round of golf. Ahead of them is
a group playing so slowly and inexpertly that
in frustration the three ask the greenkeeper
for an explanation.
"That's a group of blind firefighters," they are
told. "They lost their sight saving our
clubhouse last year, so we let them play for
free."
The priest says, "I will say a prayer for them
tonight."
The doctor says, "Let me ask my ophthalmologist colleagues if anything can be done
for them."
And the engineer says, "Why can't they play
at night?"
A second grade teacher was having
trouble with one of her students. One day
she asked Johnny what his problem was,
and he replied, "I'm too smart for the second
grade, my sister is in the third grade and I'm
smarter than her too." The teacher took him
to the principal's office and explained the
situation to him. The principal told her that he
would give Johnny a test, and if he failed to
answer one question, he would go back to
the second grade and be quiet.. The teacher
and Johnny both agreed.
“The worst time to have a heart attack is
during a game of charades”
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