KIDDERMINSTER & WORCESTERSHIRE PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

SUPPORTER June 2018, Issue 68

REG. CHARITY NUMBER 1100718 CHAIRMAN’S LETTER. The Education Evening for all those who attended was a huge success. The response from all those who attended, and who had taken part in the evening, said it was for them a very worthwhile exercise. Thank you to Professor Joe Herbert for the specialised research on the subject of Testosterone. A number of members said, how they found the subject most fascinating and so well explained by the speaker. Recently, a number of the committee attended a meeting at Malvern. This was to explain to us, the new process of Transforming Cancer Services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. This is what is projected to be part of the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP). Yet another of the re- organisation of the National Health Service. We all felt, yet another change, and how was this going to be implemented. In some ways we felt it was an exercise that had to be done to show that there had been involvement of the patient and carer. As the King Fund call it ‘Tokenism’ as directed by the NHS. The STP was first introduced in 2016 to bring together Social and Health Care, which many of you will remember was divided a number of years ago, much to the detriment of so many people. At that meeting there were four subjects to discuss in 40 minutes; they were Prevention and Screening, Referral and Diagnosis, Treatment, and Living with and beyond cancer. We were allocated ten minutes to discuss each subject. We all felt that this was a token exercise, and how could decisions be made in such a short time. So often this is the way to show they have been through a user involvement. This was nothing like the setting up of the Survivorship programme for Prostate Cancer in Worcestershire, when so many different views were taken in to consideration and all who took part in the discussions felt valued. This was directed by Mr Makar, our president, and Mary Symons who was then Clinical Nurse Specialist. We will keep you all up to date if there is any further developments in the Transforming Cancer Services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and the contributions that this Support Group can give to further discussions in the future. The committee are always open to any comments, or feedback, that you may have with regards to any of our meetings in the Town Hall and any suggestions for meetings in the future. Paul Brothwell.

2 3 Mary’s Corner. I have lots to tell you for this Newsletter but I am writing this early because of a holiday we have booked in May. Firstly it was a good turnout for the last Town Hall meeting, and I do apologise if some of you could not hear properly. Joe Herbert spoke on the subject of testosterone and how it affects the human race and other animals. It was a light-hearted look at the subject but with some very interesting facts which were not generally known. All our talks are available on the new website so please check it out if you did not manage to catch everything that was said at the Town Hall. Jean Garner from Macmillan came to talk about her focus groups to be run in the Wyre Forest area in early May. I hope we get some feedback from attendees and from Macmillan at some time, as this can all have a positive effect on how patients with cancer are having their say on future care. The meeting at Pershore Civic Centre in March was extremely amusing and educational with Dr. Laurence Trueman discussing diet and nutrition. I think the big outcome of such talks is that we need a staple diet but should eat in moderation and we can all debate with the expert on the subject of what is good or bad for us. Certainly I was impressed with how Laurence got the message across, so much, that I have booked him to speak to us in the Town Hall at our July meeting, please come, and I promise you will not get bored. Before this we have the South Worcestershire meeting at the Civic Centre in June, and the information about this is on the calendar of events. We are also having a Facilitators meeting just after on Saturday 16th June, and we are very keen to sign up some Facilitators to take on this role for the south of the county and perhaps a couple for the Wyre Forest Area so we can reduce some lists. We provide lots of support and the chance to attend a training course run by Macmillan. It is not too time consuming, we generally suggest you ring round your list about 6 monthly, some of your list will tell you not to bother and others are very grateful to receive the calls. Please attend the meeting in the League of Friends Coffee Shop, at Kidderminster Hospital, if you feel you can offer your services or ring myself or Derek Scully. John Poole, ex Committee member and one of the founders of the group, who worked with me to set it up, has arranged the golf day on Friday 3rd August. Details in the Newsletter with a form to fill out if you can get a team together, please support this event, it will be the first time it has been run by Cleobury continued on page 5 4 Golf Club for us. We are extremely grateful to Sapey Golf Club for all the years that they ran the Golf Tournament for us, it was always a pleasure to attend. The data protection information has gone out to all our members, it is important that you return the signed paperwork to us so that you can remain on our database. Unfortunately, if you do not return it we have to remove your details and you will no longer receive our Newsletter and any other communication we send to our members. Regards to you all Mary

NEED HELP OR ADVICE? - PLEASE CONTACT US The Committee 2017 Chairman Paul Brothwell Secretary Mary Symons 01299 823495 01299 823166 Treasurer Paul Marka1l Facilitator/Co-ordinator 01562 751355 Derek Scully 01886 833236 [email protected] Fed Rep David Underhill Minute Secretary 07817 518201 Val Markall Trustees Dick Herbert 01562 751355 Derek Wood South Worcs Rep 01299 823619 Gordon Kingston Publicity/ Richard Langley 01386 462253 Website 07861 233930 Co-opted Mag. Editor Fund Brian Wilkes John Mills Raising 01905 773353 [email protected]

£75,000,000 Theresa May announces a government investment of £75 million into resarch focused on getting men diagnosed earlier and faster - the biggest investment in prostate cancer research we’ve seen, and we want to spread the word. The news comes after months of media focus on prostate cancer that kicked off when it was announced that prostate cancer is now the a bigger killer than breast cancer. Keeping the disease in the public eye must have helped. 5 6 South Worcestershire Prostate Cancer Support Group They say that time folly of getting in the way of rivers and flies, whoever they the sea. are, and it is time for Like everyone else involved with another contribution prostate cancer support, I’ve been there to the Supporter and got the T shirt. So, it’s a big thank Stephen Branchett magazine from the you to the following, Paul Rajjayabun, South Worcestershire group. Our who diagnosed my condition, chairman, Gordon Kingston, Adel Makar, who carried out my normally does this but he has passed prostatectomy, and Lisa Capaldi, for the baton to me on this occasion. my later radiotherapy. Without you So, who is ‘me’? Well, my name is guys and your staff I wouldn’t be here. Stephen Branchett, I am the honorary And finally a thought. Why, when treasurer of the group and I’m the record amounts are being invested in one missing from the photo of the the NHS, are Trusts running up deficits committee on page 7 of the last issue and having to make cuts to their of the Supporter. services? Having watched the recent To call me the treasurer is a bit of a series Hospital on BBC2, I believe it’s misnomer, more correctly I am the because the method of funding Trusts keeper of the group’s small change, is out of touch with reality. Instead of all surplus monies being paid into payment by results, which means that the main bank account. Last year it income drops when some services was some £364 and the year before can’t be provided because of a greater some £870, reflecting some successful call on other services, as we have just fundraising that particular year. I seen this winter, shouldn’t Trusts have am a retired chartered engineer who annual budgets to fund their services, spent all his working life in the public with the management left to do just sector dealing with flooding, trying to that, manage? minimise the effect of nature on man’s Quarterly,Meetings If any member, wife or partner would like to attend our meetings and is a non-driver or does not like to drive at that time of day, then we can arrange for a taxi and pay for it to transport you to and from the meeting. All you need to do is telephone Mary Symons on: 01299 823166 ...and we will make all the necessary arrangements for you. 7 GOLF TOURNAMENT As many of you will know, last years’ golf tournament was cancelled due to the sale of Sapey Golf Club where it had been held for many years for the support group. This year, Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club owned by brothers, Graham and Rob Pain have very kindly agreed to host it for us for the foreseeable future. I for one, am extremely grateful, All the latest news and ask that any of you that play and information is there golf or have an interest, please and you can get in touch with do what you can to support us Kidderminster & Worcestershire by entering a team or joining Prostate Cancer support Group on one for this event. Or, just come along to enjoy the day subject kwpcsg.co.uk of course, to the British variable weather. Further information about this event is in the Newsletter with a form to fill out to enter a team on Friday 3rd August 2018. 27th August 2018 John Poole (Ex Trustee of PCSG) PSA Helpline 0845 601 0766 HELP FOR CARERS OF MEN Classic Car Day LIVING WITH PROSTATE CANCER The Swan Chaddesley (10am -7pm at local call rate) www.prostatecancersupport.co.uk Corbett Registered Charity Number 1067 253 8 MATCHSTICK MOLINEUX was not the case and in 2013 another I had been a long suffering Prostate biopsy examination confirmed that the Cancer patient, first being diagnosed Cancer had returned and was again with a problem in 2004, fourteen years aggressive. Mr A.A Makar put forward ago in the days of Mr D.C. Baxter- a case for the removal of my Prostate to Smith. My problem was confirmed which I agreed. The procedure, I was as being an aggressive Cancer by Mr informed, had removed the Cancer. J.C. Sullivan in 2006. The removal However, without going into detail, the of the Prostate was not considered operation had left me with traumatic to be an option at that time and so I after effects. My quality of life had was subjected to the commonly used been reduced to zero. After private procedures of radiation and hormone consultations with a top physician I injections. The later of these two was referred by my local practice to a treatments lasted for a period of three Professor A. Mundy at the University years and during this time my PSA College Hospital in London. Professor level was always below 0.1. When the Mundy and his excellent Staff did a hormone treatment stopped my PSA rebuilding job which took two years Level again began to rise. It was hoped to complete. Again , I will not go into that it would level off at about 2 but this continued on page 10 9 details. By mid 2016, I am very pleased and primary reason for building my to say, I had been given my life back. I Molineux. And, as you may have owe so much to NHS and in particular already guessed, the plan is for all to Mr Makar who had saved my life monies raised to be donated mainly to and to Professor Mundy who gave me a Prostate Cancer related charity. back my life. Matchstick Molineux was the headline So what has all that got to do with my used by the Express & Star. In truth vintage Molineux Stadium. Well for there were very few matchsticks used. the first reason nothing. I have also I did, however, use lots of Coffee been a long suffering Wolves fan since stirring sticks, rabbit hutch wire and The age of twelve. My Wife and I and other bits of wood and materials in another member of the family had my construction. Net curtain had been been season ticket holders for over used in the making of the Goals. The twenty years. We gave up our seats at Floodlights and Stands can be switched the end of the 2013-14 season for health on to light up. The Stadium has now also reasons already mentioned. I loved the been reported upon by BBC Midlands old Stadium, the matches, the players Today, Sky Sports News, Local Radio and the atmosphere. The Wolves were and, through the Press Association, in playing in the old stadium when they a number of Local Newspapers up and were last crowned League Champions down the country or on their websites. and last won the FA Cup. In the It can also be viewed on You Tube. old stadium they were pioneers of The general feeling amongst Wolves European Football and what is known Fans is that it should find a home in today as the Champion’s League. the Wolves museum and this may well When Wolves beat the Hungarian turn out to be the case. I am meeting team, Honved, they had the audacity to with the Head of the museum during declare themselves World Champions. the coming week. Hopefully, wherever They were the days of my youth and comes to rest, my Stadium will make young adulthood. The days that you a decent contribution to my chosen always remember. charities. I had always planned to build a model Chris Jepson of the old Stadium at some point during 22nd April 2018 my life. It was not that I wanted to own a replica; more a case of achieving a nostalgic objective. Once built, it had also been my objective that it would be Awarded to Kidderminster & sold to raise money for a good cause. Worcestershire Prostate Cancer This good cause became the second Support Group on Sept. 4th 2017

10 Severnside Ukulele Strummers Association At our Annual General Meeting in March 2018 it was voted that we would make a donation of £300 from our collected funds to your Support Group. SUSA is one of the longest running Ukulele clubs in the UK and our song book includes over 500 songs. The club is open to ukulele players of all abilities and all ages and if anyone fancies a strum and singalong you are very welcome to pop along for an evening to see what we are about. There is no pressure, just come along and enjoy at your own pace. All ages welcome. We meet every Thursday in Kidderminster at St George’s Social Club which is behind St George’s Church. From A456 turn into Radford Avenue and then right in Gilbert Scott Way and the Social Club is on the right. Post code DY10 2EZ The beginners session, where we go through chords and tips, is from 6.45pm until 7.30pm and the general club starts at 7.30pm until 9.30pm. Beginners are encouraged to stay for the whole evening. Regular attendees need to be members of St George’s Social Club (annual membership currently £12). The evening fee is £1.50. You are welcome to come along and try us before deciding to become a member. A number of us play at various venues - Nursing Homes, Care Homes, Stroke Clubs and a number of Afternoon Clubs. Peter Wakefield 11 The copy below has been writen investigations and treatment which by Barrie Davies who was a such a serious condition needed. The Kidderminster Doctor before information I was given before I started becoming a Flight Medical Officer off to London’s Heathrow airport were, and author. He has kindly given so say the least, sparse, and I was even me permission to print extracts of more confused when I collected the flight tickets only to find that I was in his story. Part 2 fact on my way to Moldova and not Romania. I couple of urgent phone calls Moldova, where poverty is to the repatriation company confirmed relative that although the original information August is usually a quiet month for had come through Romania, he was in me; unusual you might be thinking, fact in Chistinau, the capital of Moldova because it is at the height of the holiday – another former communist block season and, surely, there will be many country a few hundred miles further travellers needing my services. But, if east! you think about it, most high season London to Frankfurt on a Lufthansa holidaymakers are younger people, and airbus to connect with an Air Moldova young families and their children, the flight to Chistinau on a Yak 42 aeroplane, ones who don’t often suffer the types the old Russian equivalent of the BAC 111 of illnesses and injuries needing the which has long been replaced by airline attention of a doctor. Of course there are companies in the west. Surprisingly, the many summer travellers who do need Yak was a very comfortable aeroplane assistance, and who need to be brought and the in flight service was superb. The home unexpectedly. But the great two and a half hour flight was indeed a majority of them have non threatening pleasant one and even more surprising complaints and are either accompanied was the countryside of Moldova we by in flight nurses or those who can flew across. Mile upon mile of well travel unaccompanied. It was therefore cultivated fields, interspersed with hills a pleasant surprise when I was asked to covered with huge forests and vineyards pick up my bags and to fly to Romania stretching as far as the eye could see! to accompany a fifty three year old The airport at Chistinau was modern American citizen back to England for and clean, and the reception I received treatment. was far more friendly than many I have The story I was given was that he was encountered in western airports. It was a senior Salvation Army officer from almost a pleasure to part with the eighty Kentucky and who was working to American dollars I was asked to pay for set up that admirable organisation’s a visitor’s visa! humanitarian service in that former When I arrived at my Hotel, my patient communist block state. It was reported was sitting in the reception waiting for that he had a suspected ruptured spleen me and, for the first time, I was able to and that it was felt the medical facilities get a true picture of the problem over a there were not sufficient to cope with glass of very good Moldavian red wine. his problem. He was to be brought back It transpired that my patient had fallen to a private hospital in London for the at home in America some two months 12 previously and, although he had not than all other causes put together. My mentioned it to his doctor there, he patient’s arrival in Moldova was met with had experienced a vague pain in his stiff and violent opposition from the stomach ever since. This got worse after indigenous worshiping sects including his arrival in Moldova and he had seen a the Russian Orthodox Church, the local doctor who, after a series of simple Muslim community and many others, investigations, had recommended an who saw their worship of the same god operation to explore his abdomen. I will in a different way as a serious threat. His tell you more about Moldovan medical life had been threatened, his property facilities in a moment but, suffice it to say stolen or destroyed and his wife verbally that my patient contacted his insurance abused in the streets. It speaks worlds of company who asked the repatriation his admirable dedication that he even company to transfer him to London stayed there, let alone his success in the as soon as possible. The pre flight work that he was doing. medical examination I did also raised Although it did not appear immediately the suspicion of problems affecting his obvious, Moldova is a very poor country. kidneys which had not been previously For many years under the wing of the mentioned. And so, it was with little Soviet Union all their produce had been hesitation that I agreed to transfer him spoken and paid for, albeit for a pittance, to London the following day. by other Soviet states. However, once the In fact my patient, although I suspected communist block fell apart, their market he was masking the underlying medical had collapsed and demand for their problems, was a remarkably cheerful produce had disappeared. This was no and friendly man. Indeed at no time more demonstrated than by their wine had he been admitted to hospital in producing industry which I was told Chistinau but had carried on with his had vast underground cellars, holding normal activities and humanitarian millions of bottles of high quality wine duties. After completing the pre flight with no one to buy it. I have already told assessment, and having contacted the you about the excellent red wine I tasted, repatriation company with my thoughts but when I tell you that I bought it at 20 and decisions, I had the pleasure of pence a bottle you may realise what I spending the evening with him and his mean! wife and listening to them speaking Poverty is relative; relative to what you about their work and thoughts about are used to and have been brought up Moldova. to accept. My patient told me about He had been working in Moldova for the schoolchildren who attended the some four years, and difficult years they schools the Salvation Army had set seem to have been. The Salvation Army up, and where the attendance hovered has always been held in high esteem in my around forty percent. The attendance mind for the magnificent humanitarian leapt to around ninety percent when, work they have done throughout the after a request to the Salvation Army world over many years. Having said that, in Scandinavia, two container loads of they are still a religious organisation, unwanted children’s shoes were bought beset with the sectarian divides which is at six dollars a kilo, shipped to Moldova responsible for more hurt and suffering and distributed. The children simply 13 didn't attend school because they had and local vegetables and concluded with no shoes to wear. I was told that on one a delicious local sweet. The whole was occasion a young boy attended school washed with a bottle of the excellent in the morning but was noticeable by local red wine I have spoken of, and the his absence in the afternoon. When bill at the end – the princely sum of six asked why the following morning, he American dollars! Small wonder then, innocently replied that he was unable to that when I left the waitress a tip of five because it was his brother’s turn to use dollars she burst out in tears. As my the shoes! Salvation Army patient told me, I had Medical facilities in the country are given her the equivalent of a week of her also hopelessly inadequate by even the normal wages! poorest western standards. Something As happens too often with my as well cared for in western countries repatriation experiences, I had little such as diabetes is, In Moldova, almost time to really get to know the country I a death sentence. Not because of lack of was visiting. My patient however was a knowledge or medical caring but rather mine of information and I left Moldova because the supplies of insulin, syringes with a sense of despair to realise what and needles vary between scarce I was leaving, and knowing what I was to simply non existent. Death rates going back to. Readers of my first book amongst children in Moldova would, will know that my opinion of the United in the United Kingdom, be regarded Kingdom national health service is as catastrophic, but are regarded there critical to say the least but, having being as the norm. Once again because what given the opportunity to see how others we consider to be basic items, such as simply exist, it is with a sense of relief antibiotics, antiseptics and pain killers, that I started the journey home. are virtually unobtainable and, if they We started off early the following are, only at a very high price. Medical morning to catch the comfortable Yak equipment for investigation of illnesses 42 flight back to London via Frankfurt. is rudimentary and very often only Flight delays and an unusual lack outdated cast offs from more modern of assistance at the airports meant a and ‘generous’ countries in the affluent long twelve hour journey before my west. It was therefore small surprise patient was comfortably settled into to me that the decision to repatriate a good London hotel, there to wait for my patient to the United Kingdom for an appointment with a well equipped investigation and treatment had been London clinic. At the end of the day it was made. obvious that he had tired considerably, Having said all this, my reception in was unacceptably breathless and in Chistenau was wonderful. I certainly significant pain. I sincerely hope that couldn’t understand the Russian that his ailment will be settled soon because was spoken but the whole attitude Moldova will be a sad place without him. of everyone I met was friendly and courteous. The hotel staff welcomed me To be contiued in the next edition with open arms and the food I ate was superb. My evening meal started of with caviar, continued with fried sturgeon 14 POLITICALCORRECTNESS TOMORROW A doctrine fostered by a One of the greatest labour saving delusional,illogical minority. devices of today. RAISIN YAWN A grape with a sunburn. An honest opinion openly SECRET expressed. A story you tell to one person at a WRINKLES time. Some thing other people have.... SKELETON similar to my character lines. A bunch of bones with the person scraped off. In youth, the days are short and the years are long.In old age,the years TOOTH ACHE are short and days long. The pain that drives you to extraction.

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WOLLASTON OFFICE CLEANING SERVICES Ltd On site specialised cleaners for home and office Tel 01562 510 000 Mobile 07860 893053 www.wollastoncleaning.co.uk WOLLASTON HOME CARE SERVICES DAILY OR WEEKLY DOMESTIC CLEANING 15 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2018 Wednesday 13th June 2018 Public meeting for South Worcestershire Civic Centre, Pershore. Doors open 6.30 p.m. for 7.00 p.m. start. Speakers: Di Fox, Project Officer for the County Sports Partnership Fitness & Exercise Also, Helen Worth & Lisa Hammond Clinical Nurse Specialists From Worcestershire Royal Hospital Their roles.

FACILITATORS MEETING Saturday 16th June 2018 League of Friends Coffee Shop, Kidderminster Hospital 10.30 a.m. – 12.00 noon.

Tuesday 17th July 2018 Quarterly meeting at Kidderminster Town Hall Doors Open 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. start. Speaker: Dr. Laurence Trueman – University of Worcester Subject – Diet & Nutrition

Friday 3rd August 2018 Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club Tee Times between 1.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. Entrance Fee: £25.00 Cleobury Member £40.00 Visitor Entrance fee includes Golf and two course buffet. All proceeds to Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Monday 27th August 2018 Pershore Plum Festival

Monday 27th August 2018 Classic Car Day The Swan, Chaddesley Corbett

Vernon Print & Design 01905 795901 Prostate Cancer Support Group Charity Golf Day. Friday 3rd August 2018 at Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club. Tee Times Between 1pm and 3pm. Teams of 4. Best Two Stableford scores to count on each hole.9/10 Handicap Allowance. Maximum Handicap. Men: 28 Ladies: 36

Name: Phone Number: Email Address: Address: Postcode:

Team Name:

Player 1: H’Cap: CMGC Member: Yes/ No Player 2: H’Cap: CMGC Member: Yes/ No Player 3: H’Cap: CMGC Member: Yes/ No Player 4: H’Cap: CMGC Member: Yes/ No

Entrance Fee. £25.00 Cleobury Member £40.00 Visitor Entrance Fee Includes Golf and Two-Course Buffet. Preferred tee time: 1pm- 3pm …………………….... Hole Sponsorship available from just £20.00. Entry Fee £………………. Sponsorship £………………. Total Enclosed £………………. Return to: The Pro Shop, Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club, Wyre Common, Cleobury Mortimer, Nr Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY14 8HQ.(Cheques payable to Cleobury Mortimer Golf Club)