News Beat - Cardiac Support Group Nottingham

CARDIAC NEWS-BEAT
AUTUMN
2015
Official Newsletter of the
CARDIAC SUPPORT GROUP
(Nottingham)
Supporting Cardiac Rehabilitation
Your Committee
2015 - 2016
CHAIRMAN
Maurice Smith
HON. SECRETARY &
NEWS-BEAT EDITOR
Mick Wagstaff
HON. TREASURER
Christine Edwards
SOCIAL SECRETARY
John Mason
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
David Shelton
FUND RAISING OFFICER
Noel Keeton
PROGRAMME SECRETARY
John Judson
ELECTED TRUSTEE
Barry Brentnall
ELECTED TRUSTEE
Luke Appleby
ELECTED TRUSTEE
Geoffrey Slater
ELECTED TRUSTEE
Chris Kelly
ELECTED TRUSTEE
Graham Burton
APPOINTED TRUSTEE
Rowland Malkin
APPOINTED TRUSTEE
Dr William Smith
APPOINTED TRUSTEE
Dr David Gray
APPOINTED TRUSTEE
Mr David Richens
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queens Medical Centre
City Hospital
NHS Direct
……
……
……
0115 9249924
0115 9691169
111
Editorial
A SPECIAL WELCOME TO ALL NEW MEMBERS
I would also like to welcome all new readers to the third official quarterly
magazine of 2015 of The Cardiac Support Group Nottingham
The revised front cover of the last issue has been received very well. As you
know the News-Beat is only published every three months and you may
remember – the front cover always indicated the month of publication but
we had received a few comments that News-Beats which were given out
the two months after publication were classed as “out of date”. So we have
amended the month to the Season.
In this issue, Christine has given us an half yearly report on the finances,
just to keep you updated, and I have included an item on the inventor of the
I.C.D which is a continuation of the articles published in the last issue.
Eileen Price has once again sent in another quiz for you to excercise the old
grey cells! This time, the subject is chocolate and confectionary.
I have also included two articles from Luke on Care Home fees and Lasting
Powers of Attorney which you may find interesting. Another item included,
which may take you back to earlier days is from Alan Bates and his paper
round in Basford.
It is now September and the fifth anniversary of Roy Tomlinson’s death, so I
have included an article from Roy which was originally published in 2003.
Roy was Honorary Secretary of the group from 1998 until I took over from
him in 2004 and he never missed writing an article for an issue of the NewsBeat. Even when he was in hospital, he would always produce something
for the pending issue.
Thanks to everyone who has sent in items for publication – if it is not in this
issue, it will be in some future issue.
Mick
Mick Wagstaff, News-Beat Editor.
3 Thistle Close, Newthorpe, Nottingham. NG16 2DD
email:- [email protected]
Page 1
Chairman’s Chat.
I can’t believe that we are in the month of September already. It really does not
seem five minutes since I was writing my piece for the Summer magazine and
suddenly we are heading for Autumn. I have had a busy time with various items
going off and trying to keep in touch with some of our previous members, only
today did I ring Ted Edwards to see how he is getting on, by the way for people
who do not know Ted, he was our Treasurer for a good many years before
Gordon Birch took up that position back in 2009. Ted has recently had a heart
by pass operation and has recovered well from that and is getting on with his life
so some good news there and keep it up Ted. Also looking back to the groups
past, I was recently in the company of Mike Pearl and he seems to be getting
on with life and keeping busy.
As I recall In the Summer issue, I was talking about putting my bedding plants
in the garden, now it is strange but I have had a number of people in our group
asking me how these plants have done over the past few months. By the
way the total number of plants put into the garden and display tubs rose from
900 to around 1100 or more so we have had a lot of colour on display, Jean
and I have taken some photographs of
some of them (I have to tell you that
neither I or Jean are not very good with
photographs) but I hope the colour
shows through on a couple of these
photographs which will give you some
idea of the plants we have been
speaking about.
I have to tell you that I cannot take
any credit for the garden tub
displays. My wife Jean did them
all. I hope this will give you some
idea of what we were talking about,
we could show you some more of
the garden but we will save that
for another time.
Page 2
Lets get back to what has been happening within our group over the last three
month's, well we had our Summer Social which proved to be a big success our
members providing all the food on the buffet table, so thank you all for that.
We also had two new Honorary Members appointed at this social namely. Beryl
Meredith and John Merriman this is a big thank you for all the work that they
have put in over the years by catering for tea and snacks as you come into our
monthly meetings they along with other volunteers do a wonderful job for us.
THANK YOU.
At the same social we had our guest singer Luke Michael for the whole night
and he really did sing' he has a really good voice and the temperament to go
with it I know everyone who was present really appreciated his talents and I
caught quite a few people singing along with him, so they like me were really
enjoying it.
Over the past months we have presented television sets to the high
dependency unit in the Trent Cardiac Building, unfortunately when we
enquired last month we found that these televisions are not yet in use, they
have been P.A.T tested and are ready to use. So we shall be chasing this up.
We also made a gift to the Cardiac Rehab Team, as some of you will know part
of their role is to speak to patients at a pre-op session and they address a
patients question's/worries and explain the nature of the treatment they are
about to have etc, in other words they try to put the patients at ease. Helen
Marsh who is the Nursing Sister in charge of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team
asked if we could help out with some vital equipment. A desk top fridge, kettle
and a microwave oven, the reason for the request was they were going to a
new venue for the pre-op sessions and that no equipment was available at this
new venue. The group have bought this equipment and we have received a
lovely thank you card from the whole rehab team and that equipment is now in
use. I am sure the patients who go to the pre-op session will find a cup of tea
most acceptable
Our speaker for the August meeting was Mr David Richens a senior Cardiac
Surgeon at the City Hospital here in Nottingham. I have to say he was a brilliant speaker, he spoke in a way that we could understand what he was talking
about. The subject he spoke about was Mitral Valve surgery and how it had
changed over the years. Apparently we have two cardiac surgeons who
specialise in this kind of treatment at Nottingham’ one is Mr Richens himself.
Mr Richens and his colleague Mr Mitchell were the first Cardiac Surgeons to
set up a cardiac surgery department at the City Hospital. Over the years this
department has grown and I have to say changed (for the better) with different
Page 3
operations and procedures taking place. I know from my own personal experience and with speaking to many other cardiac patients that we are all very
happy and blessed to have this facility in Nottingham.
I think it is now time for a cup of tea and something to eat. So I look
ward to seeing you all soon.
for-
That’s it for now folks, now don't
forget keep taking the tablets but
most of all keep smiling.
God Bless ,
Maurice
~~~~~~~~~~
Secretary’s Slot
Have you ever had “Writers Block?” Funny thing to start a report but it does
happen – Roy Tomlinson used to say “Walk away and something will turn
up”. Alan’s item on the paper round arrived via email and it automatically
took me back to my days delivering a paper round and how different a rural
paper round was to Alan’s deliveries.
I shared an evening paper round with a friend, we were 12 years old and
the round was in the Moorgreen area, from Newthorpe to the top of Hunts
Hill. The papers were delivered to Nevilles Garage at Moorgreen corner by
a Nottingham Post van at around 5:30pm, (6:00pm on Saturday due to the
Football Post) where we had to get the papers ready for delivery, no Paper
Shop in the vacinity. The round was separated into two parts, Moorgreen
Corner to Newthorpe and Moorgreen Corner to the top of Hunts Hill, this
was of our choosing and who do you think got the later – yours truly. Any
one who knows the area, this was working away from my home in
Newthorpe.
None of the properties had a front door on the pavement, all had long paths
and drives so there was no skipping from door to door and a bike was
essential due to the distance to the end of the round.
Page 4
The majority of the papers had been delivered by the time I had reached
Moorgreen end of Engine Lane but what was in front of me was the longest
part of the round.
The Lodge at the entrance of the drive up to Beauvale House, also known
as the “Manse” adjacent to the reservoir was next and then up to Highpark
Cottages, up the narrow road along the side of the wood, returning back to
the “Lodge” and then up the drive, through High Park Wood (locally known
as “The Gullets” and no street lighting at all) to the “Manse”, then owned by
the Hanson Family, the Kimberley Brewery owners. The final delivery was a
cottage at the top of “Hunts Hill” occasionally calling in at “Lamb Close”
when Major Barber requested a paper. I must admit, the later part of the
round was a pleasure in summer but in winter when it was dark and snow
on the ground and my imagination running wild – well! that was a different
matter.
One football season we were asked to deliver a Football Post to a cottage
at Beavale Priory. This was not part of the main round and would put an
extra 12 minutes bike ride on top of the existing round, this we did on
alternate Saturdays whilst the other sorted the papers. Needless to say, we
were pleased when the customer moved out of the area.
It was a 6 night a week delivery with The Nottingham Post, the Nottingham
Evening Post and Football Post on Saturday during the football season
plus, money collection on Friday and catch up on Friday non payers,
Saturday. My friends Mother was in charge of the round, due to the
collection of monies.
We got the round down to fine art, completing each half in about 1hr 20mins
(Weather permitting). The downside was when one of us couldn’t do their
half of the round, so it was down to the other to complete the whole round
as there was no one else to call on.
Well! Got carried away there – thanks Alan. Maurice has covered most of
what’s on with the group so it only leaves me space to remind you of the
Christmas Party on Thursday 10th December at Stadium Leisure at New
Basford – Members £10 and Guests £17. This includes the meal
entertainment and a welcome drink on arrival.
Mick
Page 5
Cardiac Support Group (Nottingham)
Treasurer’s Report for Half Year Ending 30 June 2015
As we approach the end of summer (!!) I thought I would just do a brief
report on where we stood financially half way through the year. I am pleased
to report that we have a very healthy balance of just over £20,000 in the
bank at the present time.
January got off to an excellent start with a contribution of £2300 from
Sainsbury’s Community Fund. Donations continued throughout the first half
of the year (as indeed they still do) and by the end of June stood at
£6364.89. A very big thank you must go to all who support us, particularly
the Tombola Team who raised over £900.00 and to the family and friends of
the late Derrick Wragg for their generous donations which totalled £1186.50.
We have once again had some very successful public collections with
£2220.89 having been raised by the end of June. Many thanks as usual to
Noel Keeton who liaises with supermarkets and garden centres and, of
course, a big thank you to people who give up their time to collect. I know
from personal experience that the Cardiac Support Group (Nottingham) is
very well regarded in the community and it is very good to know that we are
supported even in the current economic climate when there are ever
increasing requests from charities.
We continue to meet our aim of making contributions toward the cost of
special items of equipment for the cardiac units of the two Nottingham
hospitals and to this end we donated £7193.53 to these organisations during
the first half of the year.
I hope you find this half year information useful and I will of course prepare a
full report for the year end 31 December 2015.
Best wishes, Christine
Page 6
Public Collections 2015
April
Morrisons, Gamston
615.11
April
Linby Ward Collecting Box
107.20
May
Tesco, Carlton Hill
346.00
May
Sainsbury’s, Arnold
Till collection Buckets
May
154.00
ASDA Arnold,
Green Token Scheme
50.00
May
ASDA, Arnold
114.00
June
Morrisons, Eastwood
384.58
June
Morrisons, Netherfield
450.00
July
Morrisons, Bulwell
306.87
July
Linby Ward Collecting Box
37.49
July
Brookfields Garden Centre
146.90
Aug
Trowell Garden Centre
169.55
Total to Date
2881.70
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Membership subscriptions for the forthcoming year which ends on
the 29th February 2016
Cost:- £5.00 per member
Page 7
Mieczysław Mirowski - The inventor of the ICD!
Early life
Mirowski was born as Mordechai Frydman on October 14, 1924, in Warsaw.
When Nazi Germany invaded Poland in the fall of 1939, his
father renamed him as Mieczysław Mirowski to try to protect
him from the anti-Semitism of the time. Later, his French wife,
Anna, would call him Michel, by which he became known.
To escape the Nazis, Mirowski fled to Ukraine, and for the next
five years survived under the most appalling conditions. By
1944 he was an officer in a Polish regiment and returned to Poland where,
as the war ended, he registered as a medical student at the University of
Gdańsk. "Warsaw had been completely destroyed, including its ghetto," he
remembered. "None of my family was left. I couldn't even find our old home.
Mirowski attended medical school there for a year, but gradually came to
believe, "I had to leave Poland. I had become a Zionist. After all that had
happened and what I had seen, the Jews had to have a country of their own
to survive. As far as Poland was concerned, it had become a cemetery for
me. I told myself that I would never return."
Medical training
Mirowski emigrated to Palestine, but no medical schools were operating
there in the early post-war years. He returned to Europe to seek training
and entered the medical school at Lyon, France, in the fall of 1947. His
French was poor, and his English almost non-existent. He listened to the
lectures and demonstrations in French and studied medical texts in English
as he taught himself both languages.
Graduating in 1954, Mirowski returned to Israel and to a position at the Tel
Hashomer Hospital where he became first assistant to Dr. Harry Heller, the
chief of medicine, an association which would eventually lead him to his
great project. Having decided to practice cardiology, Mirowski studied at
the Cardiological Institute in Mexico City and with Dr. Helen Taussig, the
pioneering pediatric cardiologist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
Treating dangerous arrhythmias
For the next 5 years, Mirowski was the sole cardiologist at Asaf Harofeh
Hospital, 15 miles from Tel Aviv. In 1966, Professor Heller started having
episodes of ventricular tachycardia (a dangerous rapid heart rhythm) and
died 2 weeks later while at dinner with his family. Mirowski wondered what
could have been done to prevent his mentor's death. He reasoned that it
Page 8
should be possible to implant a defibrillator in the body that would convert
arrhythmias when they occurred. He consulted cardiologists who knew
more about such devices. They told him that defibrillators could not be
miniaturized. In an era when defibrillators weighed 30 to 40 pounds, it
seemed preposterous to propose reducing it to the size of a cigarette box.
Mirowski decided that only in the United States could he find the funds and
technical support for the project that was becoming almost an obsession for
him. Through an American colleague, Mirowski learned of a job at Sinai
Hospital of Baltimore, an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, where he would be director of the coronary care unit but have half
of his time to work on his defibrillator. So his family, which now consisted of
Anna and their three daughters - each of whom would become a doctor returned to the United States.
For the next 12 years, Mirowski and his colleagues developed their device
and miniaturized it to be implanted in patients. On February 4, 1980, the
first patient received a defibrillator, installed in an operating room at the
Johns Hopkins Hospital. Since then, the device Mirowski invented, much
improved and further miniaturized, has been installed in millions of patients.
Later life
In the mid 1980’s, Mirowski developed multiple myeloma, a cancer of the
blood. When his medical condition became desperate and fighting against
the odds as usual, he insisted on receiving the most intensive
chemotherapy. When the disease stopped responding, his oncologist
raised the possibility of a bone marrow transplantation, then in experimental
development for the treatment of myeloma. A near relative as donor would
be needed. Mirowski's brother, Abraham, had died in the Holocaust.
Mirowski died on March 26, 1990 at the age of 65 years.
Though his work had been ridiculed for many years—someone described it
as a “bomb inside the body”—and he was long unable to obtain grants to
support the development of the defibrillator, the last 5 years of his life
brought Mirowski both recognition and acclaim. Professional societies and
leaders of academic medical institutions honoured him. He received
invitations to write more articles and give more lectures than he could
accept. So he picked and chose, accommodating his friends and those who
supported him in darker times. Often with his wife or children, he travelled
where he wished since now he was welcome everywhere.
When he spoke overseas, Mirowski usually lectured in English, but he often
discussed his papers during the question and answer period in the
Page 9
language of the country he was visiting. He spoke French, Hebrew, Polish,
Russian, Spanish and Yiddish fluently, but he never learned Italian and
refused to learn German.
Mirowski was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for coinventing with Morton Mower the automatic implantable cardioverter
defibrillator (ICD) in the 1960s after his mentor died of a heart arrhythmia.
The Patent number is 4,202,340
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BACK HOME!
If I had the power to turn back the clock,
Go back to that house at the end of the blockThe house that was HOME when I was a kid,
I know that I’d love it more now than I did.
If I could be back there at my mother’s knee,
And hear once again all the things she told me,
I’d listen as I never listened before,
For she knew so well just what life had in store.
And all the advice my dad used to give,
His voice I’ll remember as long as I live,
But it didn’t seem really important then,
What I’d give just to live it all over again.
And what I’d give for a chance I once had,
To do so much more for my mother and dad,
To give them more joy and a little less pain,
A little more sunshine – a little less rain.
But the years roll on and we cannot go back,
Whether we were born in a mansion or in a shack,
But we can start right now – in the hour that’s here,
To do something more for the ones we hold dear.
And since time in its flight is travelling so fast,
Let’s not spend it regretting that which is past,
But let’s make tomorrow a happier day,
By doing our “good to others” – TODAY.
Page 10
Jumpstart Support Group
The Next Meeting – 26th November at 6.30pm
The next meeting will be our ‘Xmas’ meeting and it is hoped that you will be
there. Good food, good company and a talk by one of our Cardiac
Consultants promises to be a great evening.
Meeting Report – 9th July 2015 @ 6.30pm
Thirty Five people attended the last meeting and were all amazed to be
shown some advancement in ICD design and function. The speaker –
Stephen Smith (Boston Scientific – Territory Manager) explained in great
detail how the new S-ICD System worked and stayed for a considerable
time to answer some very searching questions.
The TRANSVENOUS ICD — this administers an electric shock through one
or more electrical wires into the heart. The pulse generator is implanted
near the collarbone. Using X-ray imaging, the electrical wires are fed
through a vein into the heart and across the heart valve. Once in place, the
wires are attached to the heart wall.
The S-ICD System — in contrast to a TRANSVENOUS ICD, this system
administers an electric shock without the use of wires implanted in the
heart. The subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) leaves the heart and blood vessels
untouched and intact. The pulse generator is implanted below the armpit
and the electrode is implanted just under the skin above the breastbone,
avoiding the potential for short and long-term complications associated with
placing electrical wires in the heart.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – 2015/16
Jumpstart Meetings:
26th November – Xmas Social/Speaker
10th March - 7th July – 24th November 2016
To contact Jumpstart:- Tel 01159691169 Ext 54482
or email: [email protected]
Page 11
PAPER BOY
I started delivering newpapers at the age of nine years. My employer was
the local newsagent on Egypt Road in New Basford which was only a short
distance from my home. I was paid the princely sum of five shillings per
week. (that was twenty-five pence in present day money) Mr and Mrs
Mowbury were the proprietors.
My job was to deliver newspapers every morning and evening six days a
week with one delivery on Sunday morning. During the football season I had
an extra delivery of the Football Post for no extra pay. I did this paper round
for one year until the school leaving was raised by one year. I had to be
eleven years old to be able to work and I was only ten.
Mr and Mrs Mowbury contacted me when I was old enough to replace
another boy who was not satisfactory. It was around Christmas time and he
made sure to collect all his tips from the customers before he left. Mr and
Mrs Mowbray were not pleased with him.
My day started by rising at 6.45pm, I dressed very quickly in a cold attic
bedroom and then descended two flight of stairs into the main room which
was cold and on into the scullery to wash in cold water. I was the first
person in the household to rise and therefore had the task of cleaning out
the fire grate and laying it for lighting later.
Mrs Mowbury had the papers ready for me when I arrived at 7.00am, all
marked with street and house numbers at the top of each paper. These
were loaded into a large bag which I hung round my head and shoulders the
bag was in front so I could pull the papers out easily.
My paper round during the week was quite easy. Most of the houses were
terraced and close together with passage ways to navigate. The Sunday
delivery involved a longer walk. I remember one particular newspaper which
had to be delivered to the watchmans house at Shipstones Brewery. I could
smell the large dray horses in the nearby stables. These were often seen
hauling the wagons loaded with casks of Shippos beer over the cobblestone
streets.
When the weather was kind I could complete the delivery round in less than
an hour and have breakfast before walking the two and a half miles to
school. Wet days was always a problem trying to keep the papers dry and
dodge puddles of rain water. I wore a raincoat, good strong shoes and my
school cap. I enjoyed delivering the papers on Sunday because we started
later and I had time to read the papers. During the Football Season I had to
Page 12
deliver the Football Post after the main delivery. It was usually dark which
made the round more difficult.
My round covered street names such as; Eland Street, Zulu Road, Delta
Street, Gawthorne Street, Mount Street, Egypt Road and Central Avenue.
1947 was a very cold, icy, long winter with heavy falls of snow, very low
temperatures and strong winds which caused havoc all over the Country. I
had to plough through snow which came over wellington boots. Papers
were delivered late from the printers and it was difficult to get to school on
time. The school did not close during this cold spell. We had to brave the
two and a half mile journey twice a day through piles of snow. I remember
trying to keep warm sitting in a clockroom on large pipes with a few friends.
The Headmaster came in and caught us in a no go area. He marched us
into his study and gave all of us a tap on each hand with his cane. The most
dangerous part of delivery the newspapers was dodging the snow as it
thundered off the roofs of three story buildings. Long icicles hung down from
the house gutters which were another hazard to dodge as they fell crashing
onto the pavement.
However we had fun in the snow. We built crude wooden sleges with metal
runners and raced them down steep slopes. Nottingham Forest Recreation
Ground was the best place for a fast run. We also made snowmen and even
an igloo. Snowball fights were popular when the snow was soft but lethal
when it turned to ice. I remember the chapped hands and knees. Short
trousers were worn by minors in those days, even in the worst weather.
Mum always made a large plate of sandwiches so that we could dash in and
out quickly for the food to keep us warm and continue playing in the lovely
cold snow. I was keeping fit running and playing in the snow.
All this excerise helped me to keep fit so that the newsagent had no reason
to give my job to anyone else. There was a lot of competition for paper
rounds in those days as times were hard.
Happy days though.
Alan A Bates
Page 13
SPEAKER PROGRAMME 2015
January 29th
Laura Skaife
Director of Communications
and External Relations
N.U.H Trust.
February 26th
AGM
Sherwood Hall,
Sherwood Wing NCH
March 26th
Nicole Huthwaite
Hypnotherapist
April 30th
Susan Holland & Staff
Echocardiographs
May 28th
Darren Warrior
Heart Failure
June 25th
Peter Winson
Resuscitation EMAS
July 30th
Summer Social
Sherwood Hall,
Sherwood Wing NCH
August 27th
Mr David Richens
Consultant Cardiac Surgeon
(Mitral Valve Surgery)
Sept 24th
Graham Roseblade
Justice of the Peace
October 29th
Dr David Gray (Rtd)
Cardiology Consultant.
Nov 26th
Laura Skaife
Director of Communications
and External Relations
N.U.H Trust.
Dec 10th
Christmas Party
“Stadium Leisure” Basford.
The above programme is correct at the time of print but due to unforeseen
circumstances this may change at short notice.
Mick
Page 14
KEEP IN TOUCH
One of our aims as a support group is to keep in touch with our
members who may be unwell and not able to attend meetings.
Please inform David Shelton or any Committee Member and we
can send a card with our best wishes or condolences to a Family
who has lost a loved one.
~~~~~~~~~
If you are unable to attend meetings, you can become a postal
member (Membership Subscription £5) and we will send you our
quarterly magazine.
My contact details are below:Mick Wagstaff, Honorary Secretary.
Email:- [email protected]
Roy’s Salutations
A couple of stories for you this month. One true, the other not so true. You
decide which is which:An infamous gang leader visited a fortune teller at a local fairground,
expecting to receive the usual eulogy of how wonderful he is and how his
empire would go from strength to strength. At first, all went according to
plan until the old crone suddenly gave a startled gasp, her hands flying up
to her mouth. “What is it, old woman?” snarled the gangster “What have
you seen?” The quaking old lady refused to answer. “Tell me” he insisted
“What have you seen there?”
“I can't tell you” she whimpered “It's best you do not know”
The gangsters face contorted in rage as he drew his gun and pointed it
at the fortune teller. "Tell me what you see- NOW!" he commanded.
Page 15
With quavering voice the ancient seer told him: “I see you, in the near future,
as your life is brought to an end. You will meet your death by water...”
At this point, the gangster gave a roar of rage and shot her dead.
“No one says that Sammy Kam dies”, he bellowed. “What's she know
anyway? She couldn't even predict her own death!”
Nonetheless, her prediction rested heavy on his mind and he began to
avoid any form of contact with water. He would not drink it, nor eat any boiled
food. He would neither fly over it, nor cross by ocean liner. He was trapped
within his own country and even then was restricted in his movements.
Every route had to be carefully checked to ensure it contained no bridges
over what might prove for him to be highly troubled waters. Naturally, he
ceased to wash or bathe and it was not long before he was known, albeit
behind his back, as “Stinky Sammy”. “I'll prove that old witch wrong”, he
gloated “Water will never be the death of me if I never come in contact with it”.
One day, Stinky and his henchmen were driving along a mean and dark
street, lit only by a solitary lamppost, when several cars suddenly pulled in
front of them, disgorging the members of a rival gang. A furious round of
shooting followed, in the course of which Stinky's gang was almost totally
wiped out. Stinky felt no fear, however, as he ran from his car. He faced the
rival gang, shook his fist and shouted “Your bullets can't hurt me. I can only
die by water!” They were almost the last words he uttered as he was mown
down. He laid there, under the old lamppost, face contorted with pain and
incredulity. “How?” he gasped “She said I would die by water. How can this
be?”
By now, the police had arrived and as he breathed his last plaintive
breath, the officer contacted Police HQ. “Yeah, thats right. Stinky Kam. He
and all his gang. Wiped out. Stinky has just died. Location?” He looked up at
the sign post on the lamppost. “Yeah, here we are, he died by Water Street”.
If only Stinky had let the fortune teller finish her prediction!
I guess there is a moral here somewhere, possibly that patience is not just a
virtue, it CAN be a lifesaver.
Page 16
The second story concerns a very famous writer of romantic novels who had
just completed her latest epic in which her gallant hero, David, had pursued
the heroine halfway across the world before winning her hand. This gave the
excuse for many colourful backgrounds to the story and as she checked it
through, she felt most pleased with her efforts, apart from one thing. She
didn't feel the name ‘David’ was dashing enough for her very virile hero and on
an impulse, decided to re-christen him ‘Jeff’ which she felt, was far more
manly.
Fortunately, she had written her novel through her word processor, so the
amending of his name caused her a little problem. She merely had to give
the instruction for the name ‘David’ to be replaced by the name ‘Jeff’ on
each occasion it occurred in the narrative.
The word processor gave a moan and a groan but got on with the job and in no
time at all, it was done. She took a cursory glance at the manuscript and knew
she had made the correct decision. ‘Jeff’ certainly had just the right ring about
it for her hero.
The draft copy was duly despatched to her publishers and disaster was
only averted by an eagle-eyed proof reader who spotted that, in the section
covering their adventures in Rome, the romantic couple stood admiring that
famous work of Art - 'The Boy Jeff!!
No moral here, except we should always remember that brilliant though
computers are, it is the human brain which rules - OK?
So, which was the true story?
Stinky Sammy is pure fiction. The famous author is genuine but her name as
been withheld, partly to save her from embarrassment and partly because I've
forgotten it.
Take care.
Roy Tomlinson
Page 17
Donations June to August 2015
Morrisons, Eastwood
Public Collection
384.58
Funeral Service
Donation in lieu of flowers
for Derrick Wragg
666.50
Mrs A Wragg & Family
Donation,
in memory of Derrick Wragg
50.00
Donation
in memory of Derrick Wragg
100.00
Morrisons, Netherfeild
Public Collection
450.00
Tombola Team
Donation
454.35
Morrisons, Bulwell
Public Collection
306.87
Elizabeth Smith
Donation
Linby Ward Collecting Box
Public Collection
Mr & Mrs Prentice
Donation from Open garden
Fundraising Event
Donation in lieu of Wedding
Anniversary presents
400.00
Brookfields Garden Centre
Public Collection
146.90
Trowell Garden Centre
Public Collection
169.55
Gary & Chris Kemp
Donation
10.00
Mr & Mrs Dowlman
Donation, for the Plastic
Wallets
50.00
Mr D Doherty
Donation
250.00
Nottingham Post
“Cash for your Community”
198.14
Mr & Mrs Colley & Family
Mr R Harris
5.00
37.49
50.00
Total Donations Received £3729.38
Many thanks to everyone for their donations.
Page 18
The Answers are all related to sweets, chocolate of
confectionary (Past or Present)
1.
Party Time (12)
2.
Talk Quietly (5)
3.
Content of Conversations (5)
4.
Bright Kids (8)
5.
Small Dog (6)
6.
Holds our Solar System (6)
7.
Snow Particle (5)
8.
The Co-op man’s Round (5,3)
9.
Ruffled Water (6)
10.
They Torment Little Malcolm (9)
11.
A Carrier for Dairy Products (4,4)
12.
Doers of Brave Deeds (6)
13.
Where Big Cats go to Drink (4,3)
14.
Nine, Ten, Eleven (5,6)
15.
Edible Fasteners (9,7)
16.
Dark Conjuring (5,5)
17.
Pirates Loot (6)
18.
City Transport (6,6)
19.
100% Precious Metal (3,4)
20.
Between the Two (4)
Answers on page 21
Page 19
SUNDRY SALES
Sweatshirts
Polo Shirts Short Sleeves
Woven Ties
Tee Shirts
Baseball Cap
Badges
Car Stickers
£13.90
£10.20
£7.50
£9.50
£8.75
£1.00
£0.50
All items carry the Cardiac Support Group logo
Garments are available by special order from our Secretary, Mick Wagstaff
also Maurice and Jean Smith. Payment is required with all orders
~~~~~~~~
Spare a thought for loved ones and friends who are no longer
with us. Also those who are not feeling so well, we wish them a
speedy recovery. Don’t forget.
Give someone a call!
~~~~~~~~
DON’T FORGET YOUR FLU JAB
Contact your Doctor’s Surgery for Clinic
Times
~~~~~~~~
The Cardiac Support Group meets on the last Thursday of every month
(except December) in the Main Hall of the Sherwood Wing at the City
Hospital Campus Nottingham, 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm
Meetings take the form of a social get together and guest speaker. Tea and
biscuits are available with plenty of time for meeting other patients and for
swapping information and ideas. Members are on hand to help with any
personal or welfare problems.
Page 20
The Luncheon Club
26 Members visited “The Willow Tree” at Basford on
Tuesday 18th August 2015. Good food with excellent
conversation was had by all.
“The Willow Tree” seems to be a popular venue with the
Members, maintaining an average attendance of 20.
For further information on the Luncheon Club outings:Please contact: - Geoff Slater.
Answers to Confectionary Quiz
1. Celebrations.
2. Wispa.
3. Topic.
4. Smarties.
5. Yorkie.
6. Galaxy
7. Flake.
8. Milky Way.
9. Ripple.
10. Maltesers.
11. Milk Tray.
12. Heroes.
13. Lion Bar.
14. After Eight.
15. Chocolate Buttons.
16. Black Magic.
17. Bounty.
18. Double Decker.
19. All Gold
20. Twix.
Page 21
Will all my assets be swallowed up by Care Home fees?
Men aged 65 today have a 7 in 10 chance of needing care before they die.
Women have nearly a 9 in 10 chance. The average cost of care is £30,000,
with some paying over £100,000.
Current rules provide for extremely limited situations where care and
accommodation might be free, but generally a financial assessment will take
place. For those with assessable assets in excess of £23,250, the full care
home fees are payable. Assessable assets will almost always include the
value of a property and cash, although there are some limited exceptions.
There are ways to protect assets legally, such as a couple owning a joint
property as what is known as “Tenants-in-Common” and signing carefully
drafted Wills. But there are also a lot of unregulated companies out there
offering schemes which “guarantee” to protect a property, simply by giving it
away. Unfortunately, the reality is somewhat different. The Local Authority’s
rules are clear – gifts of any amount made at any time can be taken into
account, if the reason for the gift was to avoid care home fees. The problem
is that by the time the truth is realised, the person who gave their property
away is in a care home, and the company that offered the “guarantee” may
no longer be in existence.
For those who do not have time on their side because they are about to go
in, or are already in, a care home, planning in advance is not an option, but
action can still be taken. For example, the sale proceeds of a property can
be invested to provide an income, or used to purchase an Immediate Care
Fees plan. This is an insurance policy to cover the difference between the
care home resident’s income and the care home fees.
Whilst the Government have said that a “care cap” of £72,000 will be
introduced in April 2020 (recently put back from April 2016), this is still a
long way off, and may yet be delayed further or even scrapped. Further, the
Government’s definition of “care” does not include accommodation costs,
and relates to the payment of care costs at the Local Authority’s rate rather
than the private payer’s rate which is often substantially higher. Clearly, any
future Government assistance with the cost of “care” is still going to leave a
large bill to pay. Expert legal advice should be sought sooner rather than
later in order to protect an inheritance for the next generation.
Luke Appleby, Solicitor.
Page 22
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
When we plan for the future we must consider the possibility of becoming
unable to look after our own affairs due to physical or mental incapacity. A
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can help in these situations because it
allows you (the Donor) to give another person (the Attorney) the authority to
make decisions on your behalf.
A Property & Financial Affairs LPA allows you to choose one or more
Attorneys to make decisions regarding your property and financial affairs, to
include selling your home. A Health & Welfare LPA allows you to choose
one or more Attorneys to make decisions regarding your personal
healthcare and welfare, to include where you live (that is, in a care home or
not) and refusing life-sustaining treatment.
If you were to become mentally incapable of making financial decisions and
did not have a Property & Financial Affairs LPA (or the “old style” Enduring
Power of Attorney) then no one can make such decisions for you. It would
therefore be necessary for someone to apply to the Court of Protection to
be appointed as a “Deputy” (which is like a Court-appointed Attorney).
Deputyship is a very time-consuming and expensive process.
If instead you have a Property & Financial Affairs LPA then your chosen
Attorney can deal with your finances for you.
If you were to become mentally incapable of making health and welfare
decisions and did not have a Health & Welfare LPA then it will be up to
health and care professionals to make decisions on your behalf, applying a
“best interests” test. However, this may result in decisions being made that
you would not have agreed with had you been mentally capable.
If instead you have a Health & Welfare LPA then health and care
professionals are legally obliged to comply with the decisions of the
Attorney.
Luke Appleby, Solicitor.
Page 23
Obituary
MONICA HAW,
ST
21
DECEMBER 1925 - 6TH JULY 2015
It is with sadness that I have to inform you that
Monica passed away on the 6th of July. A funeral
service was held at Wilford Hill on the 20th July for
her, which was attended by her two daughters and
families, Linda, Ian, Karen and granddaughter
Lauren. Also at the service were Monica’s friends
and members from the Cardiac Support Group here
Nottingham.
in
Monica was born in Yorkshire, (a Yorkshire Lass) and she met her husband
Alan in Yorkshire whilst he was serving in the army. When Alan was
demobbed from the army they moved back to Alan’s home town in
Nottinghamshire.
Both Monica and Alan loved horses and they became involved with the
Lambley Riding Club. I remember when I visited them at Gedling, there was
a field at the back of their bungalow and Monica gave a shout and a horse
came charging down the field to greet her, this love of animals showed in
Monica and I know it is a love still shared by the family of Monica and Alan.
I first met Monica some twenty five years ago, we were on a cardiac
rehabilitation course and that is how Monica and three others became
involved in forming the Cardiac Support Group.
It has been a pleasure to know you Monica.
God Bless you.
Maurice Smith
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
Page 24
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
2015
Social Events
December Thurs 10th
Christmas Party
“Stadium Leisure, New Basford.
Supermarket Collections 2015
Other venues are waiting confirmation dates.
If you can spare a couple of hours to
Collect for the Group!
Please give your name to Noel Keeton
MANY THANKS
Registered Charity Number 1076567
~~~~~~~~~
Volume 23 Issue 3
Telephone: 0115 978 2409