Newsletter No. 35 27/1/2005

Dear Friends,

We were very pleased to welcome 24 friends at our meeting today.

Maureen is still very poorly having had a big operation at the beginning of January. We all send her our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Diana couldn’t be with us as she went into the Lady Forester Hospital but she is still awaiting her X-ray results and her appointment with Dr Newman.

Jenny and Dave were still not able to join us but luckily Jenny is feeling much better — exercise walking her new grand daughter!

Ben and Jan were able to join us and we were so pleased to see them both. Ben looks well and is coping with the pressure sore which has almost healed.

Janet said that Beryl has sent us a donation again and we send her our grateful thanks and our very good wishes. She is managing, but with difficulty, and we hope she is getting all the care she needs.

Marcia had X-rays in December 2004 and is awaiting her appointment in March 2005.

Jean’s Council Tax is sorted and she shouldn’t be bothered in the near future.

Gordon doesn't find the drug Lyrica any more helpful than his previous medication of Gabapentin.

We then moved on to new business.

Eve reported she has received £100 from Ketley Parish Council. In their letter they thank the Group for all the help and support we are giving to everyone in the area.

Janet then talked about the proposed lunch at the April meeting. This buffet lunch will be at the Horseshoe Pub at Ketley. We shall meet at 12:30 pm for 1 pm, have lunch and then carry on to Parkside for our usual meeting.

Directions: — Take J6 off the M54, 1st exit (Tesco on LH side), drive straight down to the big island. Take 3rd exit. Horseshoe Pub 100 yards on left (white building) and there is a large car park at the rear. If you reach the traffic lights you have gone too far!

If you would like to join us but couldn’t attend the meeting, please ring Janet and there will be no problem.

We welcomed Carol from Rowley Regis and also Ursula and Dennis from Wrexham. Ursula has had TM for two years now. She requested Lyrica from her GP, has only had them for about a week but is feeling some improvement.

Tracy and Matthew have been pursuing her claim (see last newsletter) but, because of what seems to be ‘the old boys network’ amongst doctors etc, have had to decide not to take the matter any further. The group take a dim view of this considering what she suffered, which proved totally unnecessary, and seems to indicate the medical profession involved didn’t know enough about TM to identify it at the early stages.

Kelvin attended Corbett Hospital, Stourbridge. He is unable to work at present, but does physio at home and his symptoms at present are restless legs, as experienced by others in the group. He is, however, now able to drive again. His wife Margaret said the PALS department at local hospitals can assist with completion of forms for various benefits and she will bring a leaflet about this. The contact at the local hospital, The Princess Royal, is Margaret Warner, and her office is situated just before the rehab shop on the main corridor, when entering the main entrance of the hospital.

If you are in receipt of DLA, you can obtain cheaper rail, cinema and theatre tickets.

At our break, we were again grateful to Rita for making the drinks, and to Colin and Glenys for bringing us a splendid array of cakes. They make our meetings into a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon — thank you all.

We are sorry if any of you feel you missed out on information at the meeting. With so many conversations going on it was difficult to ensure everyone was included. Perhaps this newsletter will clarify some items and hopefully we will be able to talk to everyone at the next meeting. Please bring to our attention anything you wish to discuss or enquire about.

NEXT MEETING — 28th APRIL 2005

At the Horseshoe Pub and then on to our usual venue until 4 pm.

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Disclaimer:

The Transverse Myelitis Association does not endorse any of the medications, treatments or products reported. This information is intended only to keep you informed. We strongly advise that you check any drugs or treatments mentioned with your physician.