President : Mr. Bob Young

The New Voice Founded 1954

Newsletter of the Laryngectomee Association of Victoria Inc. (A0022313R) Dedicated to the rehabilitation of laryngectomees and those with similar vocal disorders.

Patrons: Mr. S. Kleid. MB; BS; FRACS. Mr. J. Kennedy. FRACS; FACS; M.S.(Iowa). DABO.

Affiliate: International Association of Laryngectomees. (IAL) Accredited Support Group: Cancer Council of Victoria. June 2011

President : Mr. Bob Young 2 / 12 Malvern St Vermont 3133 All correspondence: (03) 9874 6456 Laryngectomee Association of Victoria [email protected] 14 Hoddle St SALE VIC 3850 (03) 5143 3307 Vice President : Mr. Geoff Keith [email protected] 39 Broderick Rd Carrum Downs Vic 3201 Following items available by post or at meetings. [email protected] Stoma Covers: White and Navy stocked Single (1 bib on a neck band) $4.00 + p/p Acting Secretary : Mr. Lorrance Lancaster Price is under review as attempts are made to obtain 14 Hoddle St Sale 3850 suitable material. (03) 5143 3307 Double (2 bibs on a neck band) made to order only.

Treasurer : Mr. Lorrance Lancaster Shower Collar: (vinyl bib type) $22.00 +p/p 14 Hoddle St Sale 3850 Shower Shield: (molded pvc ‘nose’) $25.00 +p/p Stoma Patch Kits: (foam + double-sided tape) Assistant Treasurer: Mrs. Dot Pockett Make-Your-Own $25.00 +p/p *** Double sided tape: $9.00 +p/p*** Past President : Mr. Doug Tregonning Ready Made Patch: 30 pack $36.00 +p/p 2 Gremil St Reservoir 3073 (03) 9478 5994 Mobile: 042 159 9134 Battery rechargeable Ni-Mh: Suit ‘Servox’ ‘Romet’ $30.00 +p/p Editor : Mrs. Robyn Stark 3 Naples St Boxhill 3128 Postage and packing please allow $5.00 minimum on (03) 9808 9264 each order. Assistant Editor: Mr. Lorrance Lancaster Sorry AustPost charges have been increased over recent times. Committee : Mr. Harry Hudson SPOUSE’S SUPPORT Mr.Brian Pockett Ring if you need a sympathetic ear. Mrs. Robyn Stark, (03) 9808 9264

MEETINGS: Normally held on the THIRD SUNDAY of each Subscription : Fifteen dollars a year, payable month Support Group at 11am. Followed by a light January. lunch and a General Meeting Note: Receipts will only be issued if requested, and a (no meeting December / January). stamped self addressed envelope would be Venue: 383 Toorak Rd. South Yarra. appreciated. (Melway 2M-B6) Tram Route 8, Stop 33. Met Station is on this route, or a stroll of four or so Loan of Speech Aids : A loan instrument is available blocks along Toorak Rd will find us. for members while awaiting for provision under A&EP or when a member has to return instrument to a supplier for repair. Mr. John Fardell 9302 1742 Mob: 043 206 4807 Next Meeting: 19 June 2011 Mr. Lorrance Lancaster 5143 3307 June Meeting 2011 Welcome to our June Meeting, we had a relatively good attendance, and it was particularly pleasing to see Valma and Bill Crump back at the meeting following their long holiday break. It was also good to see Joe back following his recent lung surgery. An especially warm welcome was extended to all those who attended the meeting today. Despite the dull weather we had a very good meeting with lots of general discussion and catch up and plenty of humor which is what we like to see. Unfortunately Bob our President couldn’t be in attendance today as he is back in hospital because of pain management issues, however Geoff Keith stepped into the chair and did an admirable job. We also welcomed Erica Casey, Year 4 Speech Pathology student from Latrobe University back, and Geoff’s wife Laurel and his daughter Sheryl who was attending her first meeting today. Geoff commenced by welcoming all to the meeting.

VALE DOUG TREGONNING It is with sincere regret that we advised the passing of another one of our members Doug Tregonning on the 15th May. Doug was a President and Past President of our association and was also a dedicated member of our school team. He was also involved in regularly visiting pre- operative and post-operative laryngectomees at St Vincent’s Hospital giving them encouragement and the opportunity to see what they could achieve. Thankyou Doug for the valuable work you did on behalf of the association. You will certainly be missed by all at the association. Condolences to your family and friends.

Apologies Tom Foo Regards to you Tom. Thanks for the phone call, sorry you couldn’t make the meeting. John and Bev Ellis (Bev and John have a previous engagement but extend their regards to all). Dot and Brian Pockett (Dot said Brian was not the best today, although they would have loved to come. Dot said that he is recovering from a chest infection). Dot Rickard (Dot was concerned about the cold weather and her asthma so thought it unwise to attend although she would have loved to.) Dot mentioned that Noelle Howitt (Jack’s wife) had popped in to see her and Brian recently and wanted to send her regards to all the members of the association. Mavis Verhees sends her regards. Mavis is still looking for a lift home from the meeting if possible as she loves attending. She said her daughter maybe able to drive her there. If you can help please let us know. Bob Young. (Bob is back in hospital at Wantirna Health (opposite Knox Private). He unfortunately had to be admitted due to the extreme pain that he was experiencing. Bob is receiving ongoing pain control medication which is helping to keep the level down. We are very sorry to hear this Bob and send you our best regards Malcolm and Jullian McCandlish. Sorry to hear that you are both unwell, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Geoff then welcomed Erica Casey, to speak about her current research study project. The aim of the study is to understand how your sense of self-efficacy impacts on your level of physical functioning, your feelings of distress and well being, and your overall quality of life, after having had a total laryngectomy. Self-efficacy is a belief that by changing your behavior certain goals can be achieved. In relation to your experience of cancer and the removal of your larynx, a strong self-efficacy may mean you have a belief that your decisions and behaviors throughout the course of your surgery and treatment have had a direct effect on the final results of your experience. You may, or may not, believe that your actions during this time made a difference to how well you recovered from your cancer treatment. We are interested in your views on this, whatever they may be. In this study we hope to learn more about how self-efficacy might influence how people recover from treatment, and whether this is something that should be considered and measured separately throughout the course of treatment for future laryngectomees. Another equally important aim of this research is to learn how doctors and speech pathologists can assist making help more relevant to people’s needs after a total laryngectomy, and how to support a person’s sense of self-efficacy before, during and after laryngectomy surgery. The research will provide valuable information to doctors and speech pathologists. Before you agree to participate in this project you will be directed to read the PARTICIPANT INFORMATION STATEMENT which is enclosed in the envelope along with the questionnaire. It is most important that you read it as it contains relevant details of the research including the aim of the research, potential risks, and expected outcomes. If after reading the Participant Information Statement you agree to participate in this project, you will be asked to complete and return five short standardized questionnaires about your self-efficacy beliefs, your levels of distress and well-being, your quality of life and your level of daily functioning now that you have undergone an operation to remove your larynx. It is expected that these questionnaires should take no more than an hour in total to complete. You will be asked to post back all your completed questionnaires in a reply-paid, addressed envelope provided.

We do need to support Erica’s efforts to learn more about laryngectomees. She has chosen us as the focus of this study and she will work very hard to collate the information that you provide to produce a thesis that if published will help provide valuable knowledge of this area. Your experiences will prove invaluable to this study.

Please note: All the completed (ANONYMOUS) questionnaires will be stored securely at the Swallowing Laboratory, School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, where only Ms Casey and Professor Perry have access. The law requires that these forms are stored for a minimum of 5 years after the study has finished. At that point all forms will be destroyed by security shredding.

YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IF YOU ARE:-

*If you are listed with the Laryngectomy Association of Victoria as having had a total laryngectomy. *Eighteen years or over (i.e. an adult). *Able to provide written answers in English on a questionnaire. *Not currently diagnosed with another type of cancer. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE.

1. Obtain a questionnaire, this can be done by contacting Lorrance Lancaster either by telephone (03) 5143 3307) or email [email protected] 2. Read the Participant Information Statement BEFORE deciding to be involved in this study. Return of completed questionnaires indicates your consent to participate in the study has been given. 3. Complete the questionnaires to the best of your ability. 4. Questionnaires should take no more than one hour to complete. 5. Return completed questionnaires within 2 weeks, in the reply paid addressed envelope given to you. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PROJECT, JUST CALL THE STUDENT RESEARCHER,

Erica Casey on Ph: (03) 9479 1937. Without your interest and support, this study could not take place so PLEASE PARTICIPATE .

Alison Perry (Latrobe University) is overseeing this research in Victoria. Erica is also been assisted by Louise Dobbie and also recently spent some time at St Vincent’s Hospital with speech pathologist Penny Chapman doing a block there. There are a lot of issues that can affect our belief system and how we react to these beliefs varies. Geoff’s daughter Sheryl commented that unlike breast cancer where you can cover up where you have had the operation for removal of the cancer, having a laryngectomy where you can have quite invasive surgery to the head and neck, is harder to hide so this fact may have an impact on your recovery. Geoff said when his specialist made the comment when he was initially diagnosed with throat cancer, that there was a better survival rate with this type of cancer compared with other types of cancer, this helped Geoff’s belief that he would recover so his feelings and behavior fell in line with this.

Harry made the comment that some people after they are diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and have their voice box removed are unable to face up and accept their situation. Geoff said that you have to make a choice yourself either you give up and don’t try or accept your situation and make the best of it. Participating in this research may show how much your belief system or perception on how you are going to cope impacts on your decision making and behavior and your subsequent recovery. What it comes down to, is, do your beliefs affect your recovery. For example Mark knew without a doubt that he could adjust to his new situation as a laryngectomee and eventually lead a fairly normal life. His high level of self-efficacy (belief that he can change his behaviors and feelings to help him to achieve this goal) eventually led him to that successful outcome.

Erica said her study could be compared to a brick in a wall. The knowledge she gained will be one of many bricks that will make up that wall of knowledge about this subject. People will come along in the future after her to add more bricks to this wall.

Sheryl commented that she had once smoked but gave it up when her Dad got throat cancer. Up until then, in her opinion, not even the Quit commercials had any major impact on her wanting to quit. She said she would like to see some of the positive aspects of giving up smoking on your health as a contrast to the terrible graphic consequences that smoking can have on your health as in portrayed in these ads. She also believes that there are a lot of other causes apart from smoking cigarettes that can cause this type of cancer, for example exposure to chemicals and pollutants. Other causes may include alcohol, bacteria and viruses, genetic imbalances, or maybe a family history of cancer. Harry made the comment that he had once regularly cycled along the Nepean Highway and been exposed to a lot of car fumes and he wondered if that could have contributed to his situation.

A comment was made then that you can’t always do something about the outside circumstances that might affect your health. However, you can control your own situation by giving up smoking.

Valma Crump says she was very vocal in showing her disapproval during an incident when an older man was giving a younger person a cigarette to smoke. She queried the older man, asking him whether he considered that was the right thing to do. Bill, her husband, approaches it in a different manner, he comments” keep it up and you can look like me” to smokers.

Lorrance then questioned whether anyone really understands why cancers develop and grow in the first place. He thought it may stem from our own personal immune system. Petro chemicals and cleaning agents can cause our immune system to malfunction. In fact, our immune system can be affected by lots of things. Two recent scientific reports confirm that alcohol can do as much damage as cigarette smoking. Even passive smoking can be just as bad for you. Lorrance said that even with his restricted ability to smell, (he can manipulate his breathing to improve this), he can smell someone smoking outside and at times it really grabs him. Charles agrees there are weak parts in our own genetic makeup and that family history does have something to do with it. Lorrance said at the end of the day it all boils down to the individual. Everybody has a different genetic makeup with varying weaknesses within their systems which react differently when exposed to various chemicals and substances. Life style choices such as smoking and alcohol can affect people differently, some people can smoke and drink and never get cancer.

Lorrance said most parents’ melancholy their children today. Just look at all the different diseases children get now days because everything they touch has to be free of germs and sterilized. They are not allowed to play in dirt any more so they are not picking up some immunity to germs. Harry agreed, he recalls that he loved making mud pies as a child. It never crossed his mind to wash his hands afterwards.

Harry said he has a family history of cancer and he is one of the only one’s so far that has survived it. His specialist was straight to the point when he told him he had cancer, and concluded by telling him after you have your operation you won’t have it. Harry said the best advice he could give to help people cope with whatever comes along in life is to try and maintain your sense of humor.

Health Report

Bill and Valma Crump then put an apology in for next month’s meeting as Bill is to have a knee replacement and won’t be able to drive for six weeks. Hope all goes well Bill.

Gwen is also to have her right knee replaced on 1st of June which just so happens to be her 83rd birthday. Many Happy Returns Gwen on your Birthday. Gwen we hope all goes well for your knee replacement. Gwen has been in and out of hospital a bit this year thankfully once her knee has been done she will be backed to normal. Gwen said that you learn to know about your own body and what is and isn’t good for it. Gwen said in life you have got to set goals then put in the effort if you want to reach them.

Harry is still having some problems with granulation which are currently being addressed.

We next dismissed for lunch.

The Meeting Thank you ladies for another delicious luncheon. Thanks to those who brought the delicious food along. Thanks to Harry, Jennifer, Valma, Val and Lauren for helping out in the kitchen. Thanks again Charles for another excellent vacuuming job. Thank you also to Valma for assisting me with the raffle.

Laryngectomee Birthdays Bill Crump. Many Happy Returns for your Birthday on 12th May.

Laryngectomee Anniversaries Congratulations Joe on your 1st Anniversary. Congratulations Stewart on your 3rd Anniversary.

Wedding Anniversaries Congratulations Bill and Valma on your 58th Anniversary. Congratulations Alf and Jennifer on your 14th Anniversary.

Joe D’Agata was asked what he felt was worse, his throat cancer operation, or the removal of the cancer in his lung. Joe said he felt that the throat operation had been the worse. Joe said he has now got the all clear and that he doesn’t have to have any chemotherapy. That’s wonderful news Joe.

President’s Humour Thanks Bob for this one. A married couple was in a terrible accident where the man’s face was severely burnt. The Doctor told the husband they couldn’t graft any skin form the body because he was too skinny. So the wife offered to donate some of her own skin. However, the only skin on her body that the Doctor felt suitable would have to come from her buttocks. The husband and wife agreed that they would tell no one where the skin came from and they requested the doctor also honor their secret. After all, this was a very delicate matter. After the surgery was completed, everyone was astounded at the man’s new face. He looked more handsome than he ever had before! All his friends and relatives went on and on about his youthful beauty! One day he was alone with his wife and was overcome with emotions at her sacrifice. He said “Dear, I just want to thank you for everything you did for me. How can I possibly repay you?” “My Darling, she replied, I get all the thanks I need every time I see your Mother kiss you on the cheeks.”

Sheryl said she had been thinking about how to get more information out about laryngectomees and our association so she thought about doing a brochure which she started and brought it along to the meeting. She then asked others how they found out our association and also general information relating to laryngectomees. Joe said that he had been given a newsletter by a speech pathologist at the Austin. Geoff said he was explained the basic procedure about the operation, and that he just happen to meet someone who knew about us. Michael McQuade said nothing was handed out to him except for our newsletter. Val Walker said her husband Stewart received information and also had a visit from Doug Tregonning. Harry said his speech pathologist had told him about the association. Ian Hannan said he was told to subscribe to our newsletter. Bill Crump was asked if he would like a visit from a laryngectomee again, Doug Tregonning, which he readily accepted. Bill said he now jumps on to his computer and uses the WEB as a life line to get the information he needs and he thinks that’s great. All members agreed it would be good idea to have a brochure, something that maybe a speech pathologist could hand out.

Lorrance said that the major hospitals handed out a client information pack and in that pack is a copy of our newsletter and information about the care and maintenance of the stoma. Lorrance said that he has got a brochure which he has been working on which is more than half done and he has updated it to include TEP speech. He said he would get together with Sheryl to work on it further. Lorrance said that the only active Australian Website for Laryngectomees here in Australia is the one produced by our NSW’s counterparts, but he said that they are mainly sourcing material from the USA. Lorrance said he had been toying with the idea of setting up a site devoted totally to Australian content as our requirements, needs and entitlements can sometimes be totally different from those laryngectomees in the USA and other overseas countries.

Bill said that following his operation he had thought he would retire so he proceeded to ring one of his clients to let him know this. He was quiet surprised when they reacted by saying “What are you talking about haven’t you heard of emails and faxes”. Geoff said that after his operation someone said to him jokingly” your now on our debating team”, he didn’t mind in fact making a joke of it was a bit of a relief. Geoff’s comment, you have to get on with life. As Harry said you do need to maintain your sense of humor it helps you to get through the tough times.

A comment was made that it may be worse for woman following a laryngectomy, as they are more likely to wear clothes that show off their neck area. There is however some quite attractive stoma covers some even looking like jewellery that can be worn. The late Jennifer Green did make a point during the school presentations to the young girls in the audience how much having a laryngectomy had affected her life. She told them that she could no longer do activities such as swimming or just going to the beach.

There are laryngectomees who don’t want to or need to come along to support group meetings but it is great to know that they are there. Harry jokingly commented he only comes along to get a free meal, (can’t argue with that one Harry!!!!!!!! and it’s a great spread if I don’t say so myself).

Business Arising There was no business arising from the previous minutes.

Geoff said there will be a visit to St Albans High School on the 19th of May commencing at 10.30am. There is also a school visit scheduled to Pakenham High on Monday 23rd May. He said that there are two bookings already organized for the school team next year but we do need some more speakers. Please consider joining the school team you will find it an extremely rewarding experience and you could make a big difference to some young person’s life. Please contact Geoff or Lorrance if you are interested.

Correspondence Lorrance said that he was light on with correspondence this month which was just as well as he had been away to Darwin. Correspondence was received from the Department of Human Services mainly concerned with CEO organizations. A newsletter was received from the IAL featuring their annual convention which will be held in Kansa City sometime in June. A newsletter was received from the NSW group “Still Talking”. It was a bit light on as the editor is recovering from recent surgery on his leg. I received a card from Lorraine Cowd, she is recovering from a left knee replacement and says she is walking better now. She said to say hello to all the friends at the association. It was nice to hear from you again Lorraine.

Lorrance said he had a heap of telephone messages on his answering machine when he got back from being away in Darwin. He said the only trouble with this is that everyone talks so fast when they leave their message that he has to play the messages back three or four times to get the return telephone number. Lorrance was relieved to know that he wasn’t the only one who experienced this problem when everyone else in the meeting agreed they had a similar experience.

Bill Crump said that there was a computer scam going on at the moment where a bloke or lady rings up pretending they are from the windows maintenance section and tries to gain access to your passwords. He said he has had at least a half a dozen times. I guess we have all experienced an unsolicited telephone call or two from time to time from someone trying to sell you something or similar. A few of our members have come up with some novel ideas to put them off including “mummy and daddy are not at home and I don’t talk to strangers”, or for nuisance callers “this is such and such police station are you wanting to speak to a constable or the sergeant upstairs”.

Treasurer’s Report Receipts $16313.59 Expenditure $10905.61 Banking Credits $31361.64 Stock on Hand $5391.35 Debits $294.23 which includes petty cash and one invoiced account for stationery.

Geoff then presented Erica with a bottle of wine in appreciation of her visit today and thanked her for attending. MEMBERS PLEASE ASSIST ERICA BY COMPLETING A QUESTIONNAIRE.You may not directly benefit from participating in this project, but your participation will assist doctors and speech pathologists to better plan management that is relevant to laryngectomee needs. Your participation will also assist doctors and speech pathologists to better support a person’s sense of self-efficacy during treatment, surgery and follow up for a total laryngectomy. The results of this research study may also assist people to better understand their own sense of self-efficacy, how this impacts on their treatment, and how a change in their beliefs may improve their situation.

Joe put in an apology for next month as he is off for a holiday to Thailand. Good on you Joe we hope you have a wonderful time.

Raffle Raffle takings this month totaled $58.00 Thank you to those who brought tickets and prizes. The winners were as follows: Valma Chocolates and Fertilizer Cake Stewart Cup and Fertilizer Cake Val Biscuits Reno Toiletries Joe Fertilizer Cake Jennifer Bowl and Basket Michael Soaps Sheryl Toiletries.

Geoff thanked all those members attended the meeting today and reminded them the next meeting will be Sunday the 19th June. Lorrance thanked everyone in attendance and said he really enjoyed the meeting today as it was great to see everybody talking together and having such a good time.

I rang Jennifer Hampton (Tasmania) to see how her husband Rod was going. Jennifer said that someone has loaned him a scooter so he can continue walking their little Dalmatian dog. He is also having night feeds through the peg in his stomach. Jennifer said if all goes well that they might make the next meeting as they will be in Melbourne at that time. If you make it, it will be lovely to see you both.

A reminder the team from SMICS (Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service) will be attending our meeting on Sunday June 19th. Please show your support by attending. SMICS is a joint initiative of Alfred Health, Cabrini Health, Peninsula Health and Southern Health. They are concerned with connecting cancer care, driving best practice and improving patient outcomes.

Cheerio from Robyn. See you next month.

Anzac Tribute On The Ghan. Lorraine and Lorrance Lancaster April 2011.

Trip to Darwin came about for me by accident. After February meeting as was my normal practice I call into say hello to family on return trip home. Over a cuppa daughter Lorraine announced that she had made a booking to travel to Darwin on TheGhan Train for her holiday. I let it be known that this had been a ’like to do’ of mine as I had heard a lot of places in Terrority that my father had been stationed at throughout the war years, including being present when Darwin had been bombed. Next week received an email “have made final booking for Ghan, and you are coming”. Mind you that this booking was made as time of travel was convenient for Lorraine to have time off. Apart from noticing that departure time and arrival time in Darwin where different to normal schedule neither of us where aware of trip extras that where part of “Anzac Tribute on The Ghan”.

Saturday - Early pickup by courtesy bus, a nice trip around Adelaide visiting many inner hotels. Able to admire some of the older buildings as it was Easter Saturday and streets where empty. While bus was waiting for passengers to place luggage on board, council officers placed barricades across street in front of us. (Streets where being prepared for brass bands parade). Driver was a gentleman when he was directed to turn ‘tourist coach’ around and exit by street that we had entered from. “Lady does this really look like a mini minor ??” was sufficient to have barricade opened. All aboard at Adelaide terminus Great Southern Railways, for me glad our allocate suite was standing just outside booking lounge. Train was 27 cars long plus 2 car carriers and locomotive, believe was longest that had been assembled. Farewell by SA Military Concert band playing and singing songs from the WW2. Early afternoon found train at Port Augusta where we detrained into a restored vintage train, cars where of vintage that would have been in service when large numbers of troops passed thru this station. Hauled by a real engine already hissing steam as we changed trains. Car we travelled had a plaque “Used by General McArthur when he evacuated from Phillipenses enroute to Brisbane”. After waiting for track clearance, a large goods train that had been following The Ghan from Adelaide, seemed to take forever to rattle past on its way to Perth. This part of track is shared by both East/West and North/South trains. With many blasts of the whistle we where under way, up into the Flinders Ranges final destination Quorm. A wonderful couple of hours for an old “steam buff’ listened and smelling that engine doing its work. Glad this lary has learnt technique of ‘polite yawning’ to regain ability to smell. These open ended cars with observation platforms where great for an early autumn, a poor substitute for aircon. Wonderful scenery in these ranges, deep valleys and rock outcrops. Arrived Quorm just on dusk, as driver commented just as well as he did not have night endorsement on his permit. During WW2 Quorm was where Commonwealth Railways connected with BrokenHill to the east, Perth to the west, AliceSprings to the North and Adelaide to the south. Remains of the large railway workshops can still be seen on the approaches to Quorm. Into waiting buses and 20 minutes return trip to PortAugusta, first view of an outback sunset as we travelled down west face of the range. This day is going to take some bettering.

Slipped out of PortAugust in the small hours along the shared track to Tarcoola where The Ghan leaves the Indian-Pacific and at last head North. Queries to the crew at breakfast ‘where are we?’. Sorry do not know we are usually across SA-NT border, this is first time we have seen this part of track. Not all that much really missed, low scrub and red sandy country by the kilometers. Just after lunch pulled to a halt at a passing loop, a sign board said CooberPedy. Well nearly, a bus trip along 40 km of red dusty road, gosh how do I describe my first sighting of the millions of white mounds from the test shafts. Looked like millions of North Americian teepee tents as far as the eye could see. Talk about industrial pollution. No wonder the locals like to live underground, shade was in very short supply. Back on board and departure was held until hundreds of camera shutters captured an outback sunset. Big orange ball slowly sinking below horizon. As we pulled out train was in darkness of the new night and the sky was lit with the orange and crimson of the set sun reflecting from the clouds from behind the horizon.

Monday - Seem to remember my bunk stopped rocking around 3.30 am, crew did early wakeup at 5am, buses where ready at 5.30am for trip to Hill Monument Alice Springs for Anzac Day Dawn service. Do not let anyone tell you it is always warn in ‘The Alice’. After service we adjourned to local RSL a large cup of coffee to thaw out, then enjoyed a bacon and eggs breakfast followed by a John Williamson concert. Those from The Ghan then joined in the Anzac March. Afternoon was free for sightseeing, I elected to go along to Transport Museum, predominately motor transport of how need has been met with amazing modifications. The original Ghan museum ran into financial difficulties and in recent times has been absorbed into the Transport Museum. Not in time to save bulk of the older exhibits, many had been sold off to recoup debits. The scrap metal merchants had moved in. Was able to gather a lot of back ground from our guide not so much as we where escorted around the extensive motor transport, but rather around the afternoon cuppa. Other members of group where from Victoria and South Australia, we all where rail buffs and as we where comparing notes our guide joined in. Had been involved with “Old Ghan Museum before it demise”. Back to our train (this time with 2 loco up front) 6:30pm departure, Alice Spring slipped by as we enjoyed evening meal.

Tuesday – Terrain outside our window is now again ‘green’ trees instead of scrub and the occasion cattle with grass above their bellies. Remains of recent floodwaters could be seen in lower country. Arrived Katherine late morning detrained into buses for a trip through town (3 km from railway) and out to Katherine Gorge. On way passed over Katherine River, this bridge and the town was under 2m of flood water, present river is approx 10m below bridge, hard to imagine volume of water that was running thru here. Pass Katherine Hospital and memorial bomb crater alongside, yes Japanese bombers came this far south. River cruise along Katherine Gorge, no crocodiles sighted and the traps where empty. Again a concert from John Williamson in reserve gardens, was again something not to miss the outdoor setting really enhanced his performance. Back to train and a short 200km north short stop to visit War Graves at Adelaide River, where both civilian and armed forces killed in the Territory are interned. Many remains of old airforce runways are dotted between here and Darwin, many where pointed out by an onboard historian along with a mass of ‘numbers’.

Late evening arrival Darwin. A wonderful and enjoyable trip. Thanks daughter.

Now lets get back to reality.

Your Electrolarynx

For many laryngectomees the electrolarynx is their only means of alternate voicing. Do you really look after your instrument and enable it to supply reliable voicing. ? Ok some of my observations from where I sit as a previous primary user and now as custodian and maintainer of instruments in Association ‘loan closet’.

Oop’s I dropped it. They do not bounch very well !!

There are a couple of components internally that are heavy.

Magnet, to simplify construction it is an assembly that is glued together. Fine tolerances are made with matching components. If this fails replacement is expensive.

Battery it is unusual for battery as such to fail, it’s weight can contribute to cracking of housing cap.

You have picked it up ? What do many do ? Check to see what is loose, I bet.

Battery Housing Cap tighten it up, WRONG over tightening can cause cap to crack, that is if the dropping did not do the trick. (Have a look at internal thread inside cap, by time they cut the internal thread here, not all that much thickness in plastic). Only tighten battery housing cap sufficiently to obtain contact for battery to power unit. You did wipe the internal metal surfaces with an alcohol wipe. ?? And same for the external contact, in outer centre of cap. This is one of the contact points for the recharger.

Now lets look at the other end, some serious and expensive damage can be done here.

Soft Membrane while this is most likely not to be damaged when you drop a machine lets have a look. It is located under the Screw Cap (Sounder) and locates the plunger that is part of Coil Assembly (internal). It should be complete and in contact with plunger. DO NOT operate the machine without the Screw Cap in place, the movement of the coil / plunger assembly will be excessive may result in coil damage where it travels within the magnet or tearing of the soft membrane.

Screw Cap (Sounder) tighten it up, WRONG over tightening will cause underside of sounder to foul the plunger and coil forcing it into the magnet (internal). Starting point for this cap is approximately one turn open (before fine tuning). There should be on o-ring between Screw Cap and body, was not always present on older machines

All machines that I have come in contact with have provision for attaching a lanyard, why not make sure your machine has one, and use it. It could save you from expensive repairs when you ‘DROP’ a machine. For unfortunately repairs are not covered under provision of aids and equipment programs.

Ya I know that not all like having to use an electrolarynx, do not like sounding like a robot. Yet these devices can provide good reliable communication. Sure beats having to use pencil and paper.

Have located ‘Flyers’ (2) that I had made a draft of for members to comment on at a meeting some time ago. Had near forgotten them as the comments where overwhelming.

These have been further edited, names and phone number changes, and forwarded to Geoff’s daughter Sheryl for a little jazzing up.

Tuesday 24May Have just received and email from VicePresident Geoff. Had been speaking to President Bob, and reports that progress has been made with pain management and is now able to have a nights sleep. * LMA PacMed Pty Ltd 182-184 Stawell St. BURNLEY VIC. (03) 8416 0321. Toll free: 1800 656 059 Supply: NuVois Electro-larynx, Provox Pulmonary Rehabilitation Products including indwelling and client change (NID) Prosthesis, FreeHands HME and accessories. Kapitex: UK manufactured products for Laryngectomee Rehabilitation.

** Clifford Hallam Healthcare 3 Balbu Close, BERESFIELD NSW 2322. 1300 00 5279 Blom-Singer Voice restoration products.

** Paxton Barrand. 5th Floor, 283 George St. SYDNEY NSW 2000 1800 654 140 Servox electro-larynx distributor.

** Axion Biomedical. 59 Haley St. WONDAI QLD 4606. 1300 650 272

** Laryngectomee Association of Victoria (03) 5143 3307. Email: [email protected] Rechargeable battery to suit ‘Servox’ and ‘’Romet’.

Issue: June 2011 PRINT POSTAGE If undeliverable return to: POST PAID Laryngectomee Assoc of Vic PP 306958/ AUSTRALIA 14 Hoddle St 10005 SALE VIC 3850