Silver Star
Newsletter
Issue
59 59
October
Silver
Star Newsletter
Issue
October2014
2014
newsletter
Goodbye to Dee
Prof says:
“In the summer of 1997 I
needed a new secretary. Dee
was interviewed and it was
easy to offer her the position.
She was bright, smartly
presented, cheerful and well
organised. On appointment,
she immediately set about
organising me and it was a
pleasure to work with her
until I retired in 2009. She
immediately gave her time
and energy to supporting our
Silver Star Society. She was a
wonderful link for Silver Star mums and their families.
On the telephone she would listen to their problems
sympathetically, empathise and bend the system this
way and that to accommodate different people's
different needs.
All welcome to attend our popular annual
Christmas Party. This well attended and
enjoyable event has been an important part of
the Silver Star Society’s calendar since its’ early
days. Along with the many fabulous fundraising
events throughout the year our Christmas
Party helps to raise much needed funds whilst
providing an opportunity to catch up with
friends, old and new.
The attractions include varied craft stalls,
homemade cakes, mince pies and mulled wine,
great Christmas hampers and a visit from Father
Christmas. Photographer, Chris King will be
ready to take family portraits from 12 onwards
so you are welcome to come earlier for that.
A family portrait costs from £10 and is available
to take away on the day.
Our raffle has some great prizes. Please find
enclosed £10 of raffle tickets and a pre-paid
envelope to return your signed stubs along
with payment to Maggie. Alternatively bring
on the day. Please make cheques out to
‘Silver Star Society’, thank-you for your support.
The raffles we hold twice a year
are a vital part of our fundraising thanks to
the many generously donated prizes and
your taking part!
Prizes include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Family membership to a local leisure
centre for a year worth £1200
Sunday lunch for 2 at Randolph hotel
Loch Fyne voucher
Ice skating voucher
3 months swimming lessons
Gym membership for a month
Blenheim Palace Family Ticket
Selection of Children’s books
Mahogany Hair Salon voucher
Please enter the raffle if you can,
we really need your support.
Offering special care to mothers with medical complications in pregnancy
Without her it would have been extremely difficult to
sustain the organisation that was necessary to keep
everything on the road. Then she moved increasingly
to part-time work and finally moved out of her office
which she had occupied for 15 years in 2012. She
migrated to the Silver Star office on level 6 where
she has worked with Maggie Findlay, our organiser,
until now. She has helped organise all of our events,
organised our team of marathon runners every year
whose sponsorship has been such an important part
of our fundraising and given her time generously to
many other aspects of the society. But, her life has
changed a lot, with the arrival of three beautiful
grandchildren Isabella, Poppy and Amalie. Sometimes
Dee is exhausted with their non-stop demands, but
there is no doubting the great pleasure that they give
her. Her husband Geoff, has also retired and the two of
them are settling down to a long and rewarding time
together with their growing family.
At the end of this year Dee will cease to be a member
of the society's staff but assures us that she will
continue to help with our summer and Christmas
events. On behalf of you all I say "Thank you Dee!
We owe you so much.”
Silver Star Newsletter Issue 59 October 2014
News from the
Silver Star Unit
Hello
from Clare
by Sue Alcock
Hi. Many of you will
recognise me from my
role as a midwife working
in the Silver Star unit.
It’s now been over three years since I arrived on Level 6 at the John Radcliffe
Women’s centre, I can’t believe how time has passed so quickly. I have
thoroughly enjoyed my time and getting to know the women who use our
service whether through the clinics or at the Silver Star functions that I and
the team have attended.
I will continue in that role
but I have been asked
to step into Dee’s shoes
when she leaves to help
Maggie within the charity.
We have had some big changes and developments in the department
all with the intention of improving the environment and care for the
women we see.
So far I am relishing the
challenges that my new
role is bringing. It is great to have the time to promote
the charity and the work it does to ensure that the care
we provide for Silver Star mothers is better not only at
the bedside but behind the scenes in research, making
pregnancy safer for mothers and their babies.
Some of the changes are:
•
The waiting area on level 6 has had a television installed,
new flooring and blinds and some toys provided for children.
•
Equipment such as trolleys for the notes and for procedures
and an oxygen saturation monitor.
•
Each of the ultrasound scan rooms have had a monitor installed so women
can watch their baby during the scan and curtains installed for privacy.
•
All the counselling rooms have been re-decorated and look much brighter
and modern.
•
We have more staff in the clinics, reducing waiting times most
of the time.
Things that you might not have noticed behind the scenes are the changes in
staff. We now have dedicated core staff in clinics, aiming for some continuity
of care for the women we see and two new consultants in fetal medicine and
an obstetric physician. We have a vision for the future and haven’t stopped
developing. We are open to new ideas to help us to evolve to the changing
needs of women using our service.
We plan to:
•
Begin antenatal classes for women who are seen through the Silver Star
service who cannot attend community classes.
•
To purchase more suitable new toys for the waiting area.
•
Re-furbish some of the other rooms that need updating.
•
Buy more equipment as required by the department.
The role is busy and varied but brings great job
satisfaction and I look forward to catching up with Silver
Star families, old and new at our many up and coming
charity events.
Alison reports on Level 6
At the summer Silver Star fete, I was fortunate to win
2 tickets to see Oxford United at the Kassam stadium.
Along with my son-in-law Tim, we recently went to
see them play Newport County, and amazingly despite
their previous track record, and having only 10 men,
managed to win the match 1-0!
We did enjoy it, but would like to add that the South
stand in October must be one of the coldest places on
this earth!
On a ward level, we have some new staff join us,
midwives and MSWs, all of which have settled in well
and enjoying their work. Grateful thanks again to Silver
Star for funding 3 new ward trolleys. Our old ones had
minds of their own so were difficult to push. The new
ones pictured are fully loaded with our equipment
so time is saved looking for things and look more
professional, so thank you!
We have been able to do all this thanks to the hard work of the Silver
Star Society committee, through their fund raising efforts and the huge
contributions made by everyone who attends their functions.
The tireless efforts of Maggie and Dee to make the functions profitable but
most of all fun, are enjoyed by everyone (except those of us who came last
in the quiz).
They will now be joined by Clare Edwards, one of our core midwives, who
will work with them to help support and organise future events.
The Silver Star Staff all try to attend or participate in these fund raiser’s and
hope to see you all at the Christmas party.”
Offering special care to mothers with medical complications in pregnancy
Silver Star Newsletter Issue 59 October 2014
Silver Star
Patient’s Stories
Camilla’s Story
“I spent most of May on Level 6, with pre- eclampsia, under the care of
Mr.Impey. My twins were born at 33 weeks and spent a month in special
care but are now home! I actually made friends with the lady in the bed
opposite me on Level 6 as we were both expecting twins and both had
pre-eclampsia.
Our twins were born on the same
day! We literally got ready for theatre
together, went to the recovery ward
together, and went to special
care together!!!!
We both had one smaller twin and for
both of us it was our bigger twin that
had most of the trouble at the start.
It’s so nice to be home and we are just
all so grateful to all the staff at the JR
that looked after us so incredibly well.”
Obstetric Physician, Ateka
Oier, tells us of his experience
working with the Silver Star
Team
“ In January this year, Dr Lucy Mackillop
incorporated two Obstetric Physicians into
the Silver Star Unit. I have had the privilege
to be one of them.
T here are no words to describe how
rewarding the experience of these last 18
months in this unit has been and how grateful
I am of having had the opportunity to be part of it.
The warm and experienced team made me feel part of it from the
very beginning, which has made it possible for me to enjoy this time
so much.
The Silver Star unit in Oxford is an exceptional team and I am convinced
that the contribution of all its members, including professionals and
pregnant women, ensure a promising and successful future.
It is time for me to say good bye, but not before saying thank you, and
welcoming Dr Soh, who will join this post (from St Thomas’, London)
from now on.”
Kelly’s Story
“Are you mad?” was the most common response I had from people
when I announced my second pregnancy! My first pregnancy it is fair
to say, wasn’t the smoothest.
I have sarcoidosis which really shouldn’t cause any
problems during pregnancy, if anything it should get
better as it’s an immune disorder however this wasn’t
the case for me. I also developed gestational diabetes
requiring insulin, dreadful pelvic girdle pain, pregnancy
induced hypertension as well as a few other curve balls
along the way. I spent a great deal of time in Silver Star
as a result of all of these things.
My husband says he reckons it was about 3 months in
total of what was an 8 month long pregnancy if you
add up all of the admissions! I knew the menu inside
and out and which takeaway places deliver. Molly
was born at 35+6 and a little time in SCBU later
she was home. Post pregnancy, I got ill again, this time with my
sarcoidosis and was admitted to hospital at least 3 times in the first
year. I had just got well again, having lost 3 stone put on during illness
and pregnancy when I fell pregnant again. Second time around though
was a completely different story.
I had some morning sickness, and ok did get viral meningitis at 18
weeks but I spent just a couple of nights in hospital
as a result of the pregnancy. I had no diabetes, no
hypertension and even managed to lose a few pounds
whilst pregnant. Maddison was born by C-section at
40+6 and less than 48 hours later I was home and I
can safely say that the second child is a lot easier
than the first!
The care I received on Level 6 from the Silver Star
team was amazing, even down to the housekeeper
remembering I had a ‘thing’ for egg mayo
sandwiches! Had it not have been for this supportive
team of fantastic individuals I’m not sure I would even
have contemplated having a second child. Knowing
they were there for us as a family meant we didn’t think twice and
couldn’t have done it without them. In fact, I want number 3 but have
to work on hubby first!”
Goodbye to Dr David Chapman
Prof says:
‘ This autumn we have said goodbye to Dr David Chapman who has worked in the Silver Star clinic for more than 15 years. He took on this
commitment in addition to his busy life as a general practitioner in Hollow Way. His skill, calmness, good humour and compassion have
been invaluable to thousands of women with their various Silver Star issues. He has been a fantastic and supportive colleague. He leaves
because bureaucracy in general practice is increasing by leaps and bounds whereas financial resources are not. He is closely involved with
commissioning the services, which is a labour of Hercules in itself. This is in addition to his general practice but leaves no Silver Star time on
the side. So an era ends and a new one begins. Thank you, David, for everything!’
Offering special care to mothers with medical complications in pregnancy
Silver Star Newsletter Issue 59 October 2014
EuroTox 2014
Prof reports on Silver Star’s
new fundraising venture
Pre-eclampsia is the pregnancy problem that gives a mother high blood
pressure and protein in her urine at the end of her pregnancy. It has for
long been a special interest and concern in Silver Star.
An old-fashioned name for pre-eclampsia is Toxaemia. Sometimes it
is called Pre-eclamptic Toxaemia, PET for short. Despite many years
of intensive research, there is still much to learn about what causes
it, how to predict or prevent it, or how to best treat it, apart from the
long established remedy of getting on with delivery. So, pre-eclampsia
research activity across the world is intense. For example, this
month in New Orleans the biannual international research
meeting will be occurring.
For more than 20 years an outstandingly successful small workshop
has been held every 2 years in San Francisco, called ToxTalx. This is
necessarily focused on North American researchers, although many of
us from the UK or Europe have been lucky to attend from time to time.
L ate last year we thought: "Why not a European ToxTalx?" And so
EuroTox 2014 was born. But where should it be? Who should
organise it? As 2013 became 2014 we realised it could and should
be in Oxford and that the natural organiser should be Silver Star.
The venue was Oriel College, a beautiful college just off Oxford High
Street. 48 delegates from the UK, Europe and North America attended,
at the end of August. A new style of presentation was encouraged, with
plenty of discussion.
The college gave us a beautiful room where we could
continue to talk in the evening, after dinner with wine or
beer according to taste. The evenings were mild so we
could also relax on their rooftop patio overlooking the
exotic spires and towers of Oxford. For those coming from
abroad it was Harry Potter land +++, pure magic! Early in the
morning EuroTox joggers could be seen doing the circuit of
Christchurch Meadows.
And it worked! Delegates left excited by what they had
heard, stimulated by new friendships and bubbling with
new ideas. "The best meeting ever" was one comment.
Nearly everyone agreed that a follow-up meeting was
essential. moment is Oxford. So it seems as if Silver Star
has a new business.
This is not surprising. Maggie and Dee did a great
organisational job which meant that everything went
smoothly. Oh, and of course, there was a reasonable
profit which goes into the society's funds.
Laura Johnson and Jo Aplin run a half- Marathon
“On Sunday 21st September 2014, my supportive
best friend, Jo and I, ran the Richmond half marathon
for the Silver Star Ward. I received the most amazing
care and comfort from the ward when back in
August 2013 my life and my child's life (James) was
in jeopardy due to the severe pre-eclampsia I had
developed. They saved my life but were unable to
save his.
For weeks this ward cared for me around the clock, 24
hours a day, my partner at the time and I, our families
and friends were given support and guidance through
the most challenging time of our lives.
To be able to give back to the ward and show
my appreciation I decided with the help of my
personal trainer and people close to me to run a
half marathon, I had never run before and this was
a huge challenge. I started training in May and
successfully ran the marathon in September, the
Offering special care to mothers with medical complications in pregnancy
whole way, in 2 hours 22 minutes, which
was not bad for someone whose goal was to
just complete it in a very steady pace. I have
raised nearly £1,400 for the Silver Star and
my donations continue to increase. I am so
proud of all I have achieved and I know my
angel looking down on his Mummy is also
proud. I miss him every day and nothing
will compensate for the trauma and loss
involved in losing a child.
I hope my story and donation can help other
parents, when like mine, their world ends,
but it doesn't, you just learn to experience
life in a new way that will never be the same
again. Strength, love and time enables you
to take on anything! Thank you to everyone
who donated, supported and comforted me
throughout all my training and preparation
for the run.”
Silver Star Newsletter Issue 59 October 2014
Abseil
Contacts &
Information.
Twenty one brave supporters abseiled off
the Women’s Centre at the JR Hospital on
Sunday 21st September on behalf of the
Silver Star Society. It was a bright & breezy
day and we all cheered as they came down
in pairs, some quicker than others! What
super stars they are!
Join the Silver Star Society
To become a member and receive the
newsletter free of charge, please e mail Maggie
or Clare on [email protected]. Please
be sure to inform us if you would like your
baby’s name to be included in the newsletter as
this does not automatically happen.
The event has raised over £4000 and I
would like to say a huge thank you to all
those who took part and to all their
sponsors.
Recruiting for next year!
We will be holding another Abseil event next year and are recruiting
for volunteers. If you would like to take part or know anyone else who
would, please get in touch with the charity office for details.
Dates for your Diary:
December 6th 2014 Christmas Party
March 14th 2015 Silver Star Quiz
June 27th 2015 Summer Party
Contact Details
Maggie Findlay & Clare Edwards
Silver Star Society Office, Level 6, Women’s
Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington,
Oxford OX3 9DU.
Tel. 01865 221718
E-mail: [email protected]
www.silverstaroxford.org
www.facebook.com/www.silverstaroxford.org
Twitter: @SilverstarStar
THANK YOU
Donations from May 2014
The 3663 Group held a golf day in Banbury for the
‘In memory of William Noah Pollard Bond Fund’.
Mr Clarke, Access Doors Ltd from Nottingham – in
appreciation of care received.
Aeyean Cain from Northants sent in a selection of
knitted items for us to sell
Mr & Mrs Thompson of Essex continued their
ongoing support in memory of their granddaughter,
Sasha Van Maurik.
Sarah Livingstone & Ruby & Megan – Cupcakes
and hair ties.
Larkmead School, Abingdon.
Martha Moore Just Giving donation.
Barclays Bank, Oxford & Swindon Team.
Emma & Jonathon organised a Summer Fete in
memory of William Noah Pollard Bond.
INCA Central Office Management & Staff continue
to support us.
Ella & Gracie Edwards organised a cake sale in
Bladon, Oxon.
Various donations in memory of Baby Evie Morrell.
Mrs Brighton c/o Lee Longlands Abingdon.
Offering special care to mothers with medical complications in pregnancy
Silver Star Newsletter Issue 59 October 2014
Baby Names from May 2014
Taleen Osman
Judah Tyrus Ngaru Gatoto
Silvia Giuseppina Paradiso
Niko Mic Ramaj
Ronnie Hendricks
2nd May 2014
2500g
04th July 2014
2.9 kgs
16th July 2014
1.2kg
5th Sept 2014
5lb 9oz
6lbs 2 ½ oz
16th October 2014
Adiel Jacob
Albie Ashton Fowler
Amara Nelson
3rd May 2014
4440g
06th July 2014
6lb 15oz
29th July 2014
9lbs 7 1/2oz
Henry Stephen
Foote
Aeva Grace
Dodson-Payne
Emilia Anna Fediw
Tallulah Fleur Kwolek
07th July 2014
7lb 7oz
29th July 2014
6lbs 13 1/2oz
Chloe Sutherland
Marley Peck
7th July 2014
6lb 8oz
31st July 2014
8lb 4 1/4oz
Tommy McDowell
Megan Mary Hunt
7th July 2014
9lb 1oz
28th July 2014
9lb 10 oz
8lbs
James Malcolm Thackwray
Izabella Hope Eccles
Deborah Ribeiro
7th July 2014
3030gm
1st August 2014
5lb 1/4oz (2275g)
10th May 2014
3380g
Issac Marc Scott
Evie-May Steptoe
Mollie Stone
3rd June 2014
880g
5th August 2014
7lb 2oz
10th May 2014
7lbs 3oz
Pippa Woods
Olivia Perzia
Soairse Mairead Jennings
14th July 2014
5Lbs 4oz
3rd August 2014
1.985 kg
Theo Edward RichardsonKing
Noah James Smith
15th July 2014
6Lb 13 1/4oz
2nd August 2014
7lb 8oz
Ronnie Philip Dixon
Daisy May Coyle
27th August 2014
1870g
17th May 2014
6lbs 3oz
Tinodiwa Daniel
Motsi
19th May 2014
750g
Veer Singh Gill
20th May 2014
9th May
6lbs 9oz
Kieran Edward Challis
10th May 2014
4lbs 4oz
Matteo & Marcello
Bocchino
13th May 2014
5lbs 9oz & 5lbs 6oz
Niamh Lily Goodman
24th May 2014
8lbs 15oz
22nd July 2014
6lb 6oz
Lucas Matthew Wickens
21st July 2014
7lb 3 1/2oz
Kyrie Grace Hunt
26th August 2014
5Lb 5oz
7th September 2014
8lbs 4oz
Eva May Anderson
11th Sept 2014
1120g 2lb 7oz
Kendall Evangeline Voigt
13th Sept 2014
10lbs 8oz
Siena Amelie Moggridge
15th Sept 2014
900g
Sybil Alice Joan Bourns
Kyden Leigh Cannon
5th December 2013
5lb 9oz
16th Sept 2014
6lb 8 ¾ oz
George Coyle
Ethan Robert Freeman
28th March 2012
3203g
17th Sept 2014
7lb 13oz
Ettore Galimberti Di Fenza
20th Sept 2014
1720g
Nathaniel John
MacCoss-Smith
24th Sept 2014
8lb 2oz
Oscar Anthony John
James
29th Sept 2014
6lb 15.5 oz
26th August 2014
2050g
Felicity Rebecca Amy
Trueman
21st May 2014
3lb 7oz and 5lb 4oz
Chelsea Sandra Packer z
Ben Froud-Williams
4th October 2014
8lb 6oz
Erin Amanda Mae Kerr
26th July 2014
6lb 6oz
2nd Sept 2014
8lb 2 1/2oz
Orla May Lamb
Avangeline Jaqueline Joan
Anderson
Baby Snow
5th Oct 2014
4lbs 3 oz
2nd Sept 2014
7lb 13oz
Ellie Anne Winder
Offering special care to mothers with medical complications in pregnancy
24th December 2013
890gms
12th November 2013
645gms
23rd July 2014
3145g
27th June 2014
7lb 5 ¼ oz
Elizabeth Philipa Higson
Nadia Obienu
Jacob Ian Young
23rd July 2014
5lb 1/2oz
26th February 2014
7lb 12oz
Ozias Ivan Anderson
Emir Kaplankiran
Lily Mae Caitlin GlennPearce
Jack Stanley Thompson
16th Sept 2014
7lb 14oz
Henry Jackson Warren &
Arthur Richard Warren
23rd June 2014
4170g 9lb 3oz
Babies Names
not previously
published
15th October 2014
5lbs 5oz
Francesca Ashton
22nd November
2010
9lb 12 ½ oz