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. 276
The Laryngectomee Association of NSW©
September 2016
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,
VICE PRESIDENT: Peter Tierney,
11 Berrico Place, BANGOR, 2234.
Ph. (02) 9543 0478
Phone: (02) 9334 1900, Fax: (02) 9357 2676.
Or contact
2011 (PO Box 572, Kings Cross, 1340)
Social Worker at hospital you will be attending.
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:
WELFARE OFFICER: Cathy Edwards PO
Box 54, ALLAWAH, 2218. Ph. (02) 9587 9636
John Chaloner, PO Box 31, SUMMER HILL,
2130 -
SPEECH AIDS COORDINATOR:
John Chaloner, PO Box 31, SUMMER HILL,
2130. Ph. (02) 9560 2852
Ph. (02) 9560 2852
EDITOR: George Southgate,
[email protected] Ph. 04176 79651
Cathy Edwards, PO Box 54, ALLAWAH, 2218.
Ph. (02) 9587 9636
SHOWER SHIELD, STOMA COVER
MATERIAL & WELFARE MATTERS:
[email protected]
NEXT MEETING
ASSOCIATION WEBPAGE:
www.stilltalking.org
21st September 2016 at the
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
Sydney Mechanics Institute, 280 Pitt St,
SYDNEY at 11 am.
The meeting will be followed by light
refreshments.
Laryngectomees, Friends, Families,
LARYNGECTOMEES:
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 Friday of the month,
Cancer Council Community Hub, The Hive,
Erina Fair 10am - 12 noon. Social Worker
(02) 4320 2587
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
10/08/2016
George many thanks for Still Talking. As a lonely member in South Australia I find the info in the
news letter great. It is my mention to attend a meeting of the Association when in Sydney. As a
recent Lary. I am going through the big task of adjusting to life changes and also the feeling I am
on my own in SA. I read with interest the letter from the wife of a Lary and in particular the
comments re friends avoiding them. Prior to my operation I was active in the community and had
many friends and associates. My experience has been similar. A few good friends are very
supportive but many now distance themselves. I have worked out it is because they don't know
how to handle the situation other than a smile and a wave. Almost as if they are uncomfortable
with trying to communicate. It is understandable because they think it is hurting me to talk and
they chose not to engage. A shame but not much you can do. Don't have a problem with you
passing this on to your correspondent including my name.
Not sure when membership is due but please ensure that I receive renewal advice as I enjoy
receiving the newsletter, minutes etc.
Kind regards
Roger Brown
01/09/2016
Could you forward the below to George to include in “Still Talking” please
One of our regular attendees at the monthly meeting has requested that the following
comments might be printed in "Still Talking" to recognise the hard working speech therapists
and other hospital workers who interact with us Laryngectomees.
"We Larry's everywhere need to promote people of this calibre in our corner with
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encouragement as to keep them interested, as I think, there is not too much praise from within
the medical circle. We do not seem to create many headlines or medical news. I had a pre-op
meeting with one of their up and coming cases 2 weeks ago, which prompted me to write this
note.
I personally would like to pass on thanks and gratitude to two speech pathologists at
Wollongong Hospital the dynamic duo "Lisa & Jess", it seems these two have high regard and
respect of their many "Larry" cases because of their energy, help and understanding, they also
host four group discussions throughout the year. This is the type of good news the Association
likes to hear and report and so do all their dedicated colleagues. I would say "Well done Lisa &
Jess"
Frank Campbell, Laryngectomee from the Wollongong area of N.S.W.
Laryngectomee Association of NSW Inc.
Minutes of the Meeting of 17 August, 2016.
The Meeting commenced at 10.50a.m. with the Vice – President Peter Tierney occupying the
Chair.
Attendance – Laryngectomees
R Chappelow; R Gray; F Campbell; P Phelan; P Tierney; J Pyle; L Tuhou; B Bunker; G Joss.
Attendance – Non - Laryngectomees
C Edwards; C Gardner; G Tierney; P Bunker.
Apologies
P Lamont; L Byrnes
New Member – Garrard Watt of Nowra
Vale
Robert Walker of Uralla
Victor Garisyne of Empire Bay
Minutes of Previous Meeting were adopted on the motion of C Edwards/J Pyle
Matter Arising
Carol Gardner to close our phone & email account
Reports
Treasurer’s Report adopted on the Motion of C Edwards/J Pyle
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CBA Balance b/f 30 June, 2016.
$5,419.61
Add July Income
Subscriptions
Donations
Patients' Items
Interest
Unpresented Cheques#84 & #96
$45.00
$200.00
$241.45
$0.06
$1,146.00
Total A
$7,052.12
Less July Expenditure
"Still Talking" Postage
Telecommunications
Stationery/Printing
Freight/Post
Lunch
Travel/Transport/Accommodation
Patients' Items
Meeting Room
Sundry
$288.00
$68.65
$255.00
$516.55
$40.00
$248.45
$250.00
$72.00
$200.00
Total B
$1,938.65
CBA Balance as at 31 July, 2016
$5,113.47
Welfare Officer’s Report
Sent Patients’ Packs to John Hunter, RPA & St George Hospitals
10 Packs only left
Making Stoma Covers at no cost to LANSW
On Leave from 28 October till late November, next
Out of copies of “You Can Say That Again” – suggests reprint of 100 or 200.
Matter/s arising
G Joss has been working on new edition of “YCSTA”
C Edwards (Welfare Officer) to liaise with Forestville Printing re print of the new edition
Despatched Patients’ Items to as follows –
J Heapy $24; D Sorejevic $30; M Gianetti $60; S Smith $14
Postage $8.25
Stoma Covers Fabric Patch $60.40 (Bias Binding for the Stoma Covers)
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Report of Newcastle Branch Meeting, 19 July, 2016.
By Raymond Chappelow
I travelled by rail from Lithgow to Broadmeadow, catching a taxi to the Mayfield Bowling Club.
Being early I settled for a lemon squash and some “Hogan’s Heroes” and was soon joined by a
jovial group of Members and supporters.
The attendance was an impressive 15 and Dawn Lovett (President) chaired the Meeting which
was an informal affair with drinks, sandwiches and home cooked sausage rolls were on the table
Tina Wilkie, the Speech Pathologist from John Hunter Hospital was in attendance and there was
a recent laryngectomee attending for the first time. Tina reported 2 new recent laryngectomees
at John Hunter.
They are supporting a fund in honour of a long term member, friend and patron who has recently
passed away (in his early 50’s) – the Dr Colin Reid Memorial Fund.
A donation from Cardiff Rotary Club was received and was added to an already healthy bank
balance
I presented a written report of the NSW perspective
This, our largest, most effective and successful branch has a long established presence on their
local community and playing a strong role in support of laryngectomees.
I encouraged them to attend the NSW meeting on a regular basis. If I can get from Lithgow to
Sydney to attend our meetings why not some of them? After all, they could teach us a thing or
two.
Report of Southern Districts Head & Neck Group Meeting of 27 July, 2016
by Raymond Chappelow
The group meets at Liverpool Hospital and there were 8 patients and carers in attendance
There were 3 professionals as speakers, 2 Speech Pathologist and a dietician. Two students
were also present
Lisa was the first to speak announcing that the day was the occasion of the Second World Head
& Neck Cancer Day. She also read a list of events Australia wide to mark the day.
We learnt there are 4,000 Australians today who have had issue with a Head & Neck Cancer.
We then were addressed regarding the Swallowing and Communication problems associated
with these cancers.
The dietician spoke of the dietary advice available to assist us with the consumption of food and
drink
Finally, we (the former patients/carers) made a contribution with 3 of the women present
outlining cooking and food preparation methods that they use to assist with our issues
Overall, a rewarding and enjoyable 2 hours and I intend to be a regular attendee from now on.
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Correspondence
Outgoing
New members Anthony & Christine Warbrick
Incoming
Carol Gardner (email) re Telstra account
ACNC Quarterly – Winter 2016
George Southgate (Editor) – Float receipts
National Pen – Financial Year End Special Sale
Signet Buyers’ Guide + Order Form
Signal Events – Easy Badge System
IOOF – Quarterly Statement
Janice Walker – re death of husband, Robert Walker.
Claim for $350 by Coffs Coast Head & Neck Cancer Support Group
Matters Arising
Claim for $350 by Coffs Coast Head & Neck Cancer Support Group – carried by consensus
C Gardner suggested an annual claim & payment to branches
Debate for and against ensued re two letters to the Editor published in August “Still Talking”
Claims for Payment
R Chappelow
1. Telstra - $89.62 (due 25 July)
2. Postal - $10.50
3. Travel – Southern Districts Meeting – 130kms @ $0.66 = $85 Parking (3+ hours) - $24
4. Telstra - $77.77 (due 23 August)
Total = $286.89
P Bunker (Lunch) - $30
SMSA (rent) - $36
C Edwards - $68.65 (Post $8.254; Patients’ Supplies $60.40)
Coffs Coast Head & Neck Group - $350 (donation)
General Business
The following items were put forward by R Chappelow
1. Term Deposit – any 2 can sign of Byrnes, Joss, Tierney, Chappelow, Chaloner & Edwards
2.Notifying unfinancial members of their status?
3.Training Course for Hospital Visits, early 2017.
4. Business cards for executive?
5. LANSW pens for Hospital Packs etc.
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6. Name Tags – training courses, etc.
7. Reprint of “You Can Say That again”
Matters arising
1. P Tierney offered to make renewal arrangements with the President
2. Secretary instructed by consensus to publish a general notice in “Still Talking”
3. Secretary instructed by consensus to publish a request for expressions of interest in “Still
Talking”. C Gardner advised contacting S.P. Helen Brooks (St. Vincent’s Hospital)
4, 5 & 6 The Chairman instructed that R Chappelow provide the next meeting
Further information
7 C Edwards to organise
Discussion ensued about the circumstances of P Lamont. G Joss attempted to visit but instead met with neighbours who updated him
The Meeting closed at 12.08pm.
Speech Aids Coordinator’s Report – August 2016
Dr Fazaneh Ahmadi is the researcher who has been working on a grant at Western Sydney University’s Bankstown campus on her “Bionic Voice” project. And I have been assisting her occasionally with sessions recording my voice to train and calibrate her computer program.
On Thursday 04 August she was a guest on ABC Sydney 702’s morning program, talking with
presenter Wendy Harmer for about 12 minutes on the project.
At WSU she works with the MARCS Institute and they have uploaded the interview to YouTube.
For those of you with a computer the link is –
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F4T8-hjWk3q0&ie=utf8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=iG2-V8ntOq7u8weA6L3QAQ
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1) In a study of 200,000 ostriches over a period of 80 years, no one reported a single case
where an ostrich buried its head in the sand.
2) A crocodile can't stick its tongue out.
3) A shrimp's heart is in its head.
4) People say "Bless you" when you sneeze because when you sneeze, your heart stops for a
Milli-second.
5) It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
6) Rats and horses can't vomit.
7) If you sneeze too hard, you can fracture a rib.
8) Wearing headphones for just an hour will increase the bacteria in your ear by 700 times
9) Rats multiply so quickly that in 18 months, two rats could have over a million descendants.
10) The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.
Subs Overdue!
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 of n ext
year
Thanks George
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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Do we know what causes laryngeal and
hypopharyngeal cancers?
We don’t know what causes each case of laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer. But we do know
many of the risk factors for these cancers (see “What are the risk factors for laryngeal and
hypopharyngeal cancers?”) and how some of them cause cells to become cancerous.
Scientists believe that some risk factors, such as tobacco or heavy alcohol use, may cause
these cancers by damaging the DNA of the cells that line the inside of the larynx and
hypopharynx.
DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes – the instructions for how our
cells function. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. But
DNA affects more than how we look. Some genes have instructions for controlling when cells
grow and divide into new cells. Genes that help cells grow and divide are called oncogenes.
Genes that slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumor
suppressor genes. Cancers can be caused by DNA changes that turn on oncogenes or turn off
tumor suppressor genes.
Some people inherit DNA mutations (changes) from their parents that greatly increase their risk
for developing certain cancers. But inherited gene mutations are not believed to cause very
many cancers of the larynx or hypopharynx.
Gene changes related to these cancers usually happen during life, rather than being inherited.
These acquired mutations often result from exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, like those
found in tobacco smoke. Acquired changes in genes such as the TP53 and p16 tumor
suppressor genes seem to be important in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, although not
all cancers have these changes. Several different gene changes are probably needed for cancer
to develop, and not all of these changes are understood at this time.
Inherited mutations of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes rarely cause these cancers, but
some people seem to inherit a reduced ability to detoxify (break down) certain types of
cancer-causing chemicals. These people are more sensitive to the cancer-causing effects of
tobacco smoke, alcohol, and certain industrial chemicals. Researchers are developing tests that
may help identify such people, but these tests are not yet reliable enough for routine use.
Some forms of human papilloma virus (HPV) are emerging as important causes of some throat
cancers (including cancers of the hypopharynx). Patients who develop HPV-linked throat
cancers are less likely to have used tobacco and alcohol heavily. The outlook for people with
these cancers appears to be better than for people whose cancers are the result of tobacco or
alcohol use.
Last Medical Review: 04/08/2014
Last Revised: 02/17/2016

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Humour
A man and his wife were sitting in the
living room and he said to her, "Just so you
know, I never want to live in a vegetative state,
dependent on some machine and fluids from a
bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."
His wife got up, unplugged the TV and threw
out his beer.
Police arrested two kids yesterday, one
was drinking battery acid, the other was eating
fireworks. They charged one - and let the
other one off.
A woman has twins, and gives them up for
adoption. One of them goes to a family in
Egypt and is named 'Amal.' The other goes to
a family in Spain, they name him Juan'. Years
later; Juan sends a picture of himself to his
mum. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her
husband that she wished she also had a
picture of Amal. Her husband responds, ''But
they are twins. If you've seen Juan, you've
seen Amal.'
A fifteen year old Amish boy and his father
visited the city for the very first time. They
wandered around, marvelling at the different
sights. Eventually they got to a mall. They were
amazed by almost everything they saw, but
they were especially amazed at two shiny,
silver walls that could move apart and then slide
back together again.
The boy asked, "What is this Father?" The
father (having never having seen an elevator)
responded, "Son, I have never seen anything
like this in my life, I don't know what it is."
While the boy and his father were watching with
amazement, a fat old lady in a wheelchair rolled
up to the moving walls and pressed a button.
The walls opened, and the lady passed
between them into a small room. The walls
closed, and the boy and his father watched the
small numbers above the walls light up
sequentially.
They continued to watch until it reached the last
number, and then the numbers began to light in
the reverse order. Finally the walls opened up
again and a gorgeous 24-year-old blond woman
stepped out.
The father, not taking his eyes off the young
woman, said quietly... "Son, go get your
Mother." (courtesy of Susan Hass)
Freya was driving her Chevrolet Vega
home in New Mexico when she saw an elderly
Apache woman walking along the side of the
road. She stopped the car and asked the
Play with Words
woman if she would like a lift?
With a silent nod, the woman climbed into the
car. Freya tried in vain to make conversation
with the Apache woman. The old Apache
looked closely at everything she saw, studying
every little detail, until she noticed a red gift
bag on the seat next to Freya.
'What's in the bag?' asked the old woman.
'It's a bottle of whisky that I got for my
husband.'
The Apache woman was silent for another
minute or two. Then speaking with the quiet
wisdom of an elder, she said, 'Good trade.'
The market garden was designed to produce
produce.
The nurse wound the crepe bandage around
the wound.
Dessie decided to desert his dessert in the
desert.
is in the lead.
Since there is no time like the present, he
thought it was time to present the present.
Why do our noses run but our feet smell?
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