Minutes of a meeting of the
Colorectal Cancer Support Group; ‘The Bottoms-up Club’, held at 7-00pm, Quaker
Meeting House, Newcastle, Staffs. On Wednesday 29th September 2004.
The meeting was opened by
the Chairman, David Rowley, who apologised for the late start due to a mix-up
with the booking of the room.
Those present signed the
attendance register, apologies were received and recorded from Deanne Latham
and Shirley Bird.
The Chairman welcomed three
new attendees, Jeff & Lilley Meigh, and Ann Wakefield. He hoped that they
would find the evening of interest.
Copies of the minutes of the
previous meeting, held on Tuesday 29th June 2004, together with and
agenda for the evening were distributed to those present. The minutes were read, approved and signed
as correct.
1. Draft copies of the professionally printed handout were distributed for information of those present. It was agreed that Coloplast be asked to proceed with the printing of these leaflets in sufficient quantities for distribution by the Colorectal Cancer Nursing Team; to new patients, and for distribution by members at exhibitions, meetings etc. Lee Findler said that he would action this. Thanks were extended to Coloplast Ltd. and Lee for their help.
2. The Treasurer, John Hopkins, reported that there is currently £638.10. held in the Groups name at the Alliance and Leicester Bank. He explained that there has been certain difficulties whilst carrying out the original plan of an account at the Royal Bank of Scotland, which had resulted in the change. It was now possible to pay into our account at branches of The Post Office, which would be more convenient. The action was approved.
John also gave his view that, as the group was reasonably well funded at the moment,
any approach to the Macmillan for financial assistance would not be necessary and
the item covering this should be left on the table until some future date.
John made available for members a copy of a photograph of Belinda Riley, taken
whilst she was competing in the Potteries Marathon.
3. The Secretary Peter Taylor, confirmed that letters of thanks, agreed at the last
meeting, had been sent.
David Rowley reported that
since the last group meeting he had been working closely with Ernie Hulme, of
the British Colostromy Association (B.C.A.), to arrange regular visiting to non
stoma bowel cancer patients whilst they were undergoing their post operation
stay in hospital. Generally the
experience had been rewarding and he hoped that other in the group would be
given an opportunity to carry out visits in the near future.
Lee Findler, Colorectal
Bowel Care Nursing Team, said that feedback from patients had been very positive. There is a hope that, once the process had
been trialed and tested, other members of our group will be given to
opportunity to use their own particular expertise and experience, e.g. age,
sex, job roles, hobbies and past-times, to support patients with certain
interests, during their recovery period.
It must always be remembered that there are legal, moral and ethical
issues to be addressed in a delicate way, so progress may not always be as
quickly as we would like.
A general discussion took
place, where members recounted issues, during their own treatment and recovery,
which may have been helped by someone being available to share their thoughts
with. Also, let us not forget pressure
under which carers are placed during this distressing time. Maybe we can provide information for their
support?
David said that he would
like it to be recorded the great help and support he had received from Ernie
Hulme during the introduction and commencement of this service to non stoma
patients.
The Chairman announced that
he had been invited to an ‘Oscar Style’ award ceremony, at the Moat House
Hotel, Festival Park, on Monday 20th September 2004. The invitation had been arranged by the
hospital Bowel Care Team, who had entered our group for an award. There had been 50 original entrants covering
7 categories. This had been reduced, by
elimination, to 3 finalists in each category.
He was pleased to report that ‘The Colorectal Cancer Support Group’ or
‘The Bottoms-up Club’. were announced the winners of our category. We were all pleased with the result. Certificates covering our ‘Finalist’ and ‘Winners’ status;
together with the ‘Oscar’ were available, tonight, for us all to examine. In future they will be held, for safe
keeping by the department at the hospital.
It was announced that,
following the last meeting, one of our members Michael Duncalf, had presented a
number of 2005 diaries for sale to boost our funds. These were available for those who wished to purchase them. Our thanks were extended to Michael for his
thoughts and action.
John Hopkins said that
Belinda Riley, who had previously undertaken a sponsored Potteries Marathon run
on behalf of the group, had applied to be a contestant in the London Marathon,
next year. If her application is successful
she would like to donate any sponsorship to our group funds. We will await further developments.
John also announced that he
had been in negotiation with ‘Annual Beer Festival’ organisers and workers with
a view to sharing any profits of the event with our group. John was thanked for his efforts in this
direction and received several offers of help in any 'sampling’ events.
The Chairman announced that
the hospital bowel care team have organised a ‘Patients Party’ for Tuesday 20th
October 2004. Those who have undergone
bowel cancer surgery since the last event, in 2003, will be invited. It is hoped that our group will be permitted
to have a stand at this event in order to promote our objective.
Members were asked to
consider ways in which our meetings can be extended to increase information,
interaction and enjoyment for those who attend. These could include speakers, quiz nights etc., ideas should be
brought to the next meeting or forwarded to the secretary, treasurer or
chairman.
Christmas/End of Year
meeting. It is hoped that this will be
a less serious occasion, with food and drink, together with light-hearted
events being available. Ideas were put
forward. The Chairman, Treasurer and
Secretary agreed to work together in making this an enjoyable evening.
There being no further
business the meeting was closed at 8-50pm.
Next meeting to be at the Quaker Meeting House, Newcastle, on Wednesday
1st December 2004 at 7-15pm.
Chairman to book the room.