NEWSLETTER FROM TELFORD GROUP (ENGLAND) no 34 28.10.04

Dear Friends,
We were pleased to see l4 friends present at the meeting today.

There were apologies from Diana who has her niece staying with her. She is having physio at the PRH - it's excellent and she is feeling much better. There's no news on her Xray results and she is awaiting an appointment with Dr. Newman.

Jan said Ben has had a very successful operation to remove bladder stones, but still has problems with a pressure sore for over a year now and cannot attend.

Jenny and Dave were unable to make it this time - he couldn't get time off work and Jenny is nervous of driving from Redditch on her own.
Jenny is suffering lost of pain in her toe joints.
Determined not leave them out Colin and Glenys sent them cakes by post - can't be bad!

We welcomed two new friends at this meeting - Margaret and Kelvin Holmes from Stourbridge, who found us through the last Newsletter on the Internet. Kelvin told us his attack of TM happened at the end of July.

When his bladder ceased to function he was admitted to Russell Hall Hospital, Dudley, for one week, during which time he lost the feeling is his legs. He was transferred to the QE in Birmingham and whilst he was there had bowel and bladder infections.

Transferred later to Moseley Hall Re-hab Centre for 5 weeks, he and Margaret could not praise this centre enough. Everything was excellent, especially the physio.
Kelvin now takes only Baclofen for spasms - he takes no pain killers.
Whilst he has restless legs at night, plus pins and needles in his feet, he does feel very fortunate. Perhaps one of our members can help him with this.

We then had our tea break, with Glenys and Colin's great selection of cakes and tea and coffee made by Rita. The goodies were enjoyed by
everyone ! We are so spoilt with our refreshments.

After the break it was decided we would have a general chat with all our friends ------
Marcia has kidney problems and is awaiting a hospital appointment.
Sandy spoke about an article in the Times, of stem cells through nasal treatment to regenerate myelin. Let us wait and see if the political /religious problems are still in front of us.

Jean has received a visit from Telford Council regarding an application for disablement reduction of Council Tax. They went to check the property for any adaptions made - let us hope the outcome is favourable.

Jan suggested we all go out for lunch for the April meeting and this will be discussed in full at the January meeting.
Going on through the last Newsletter ------
Colin has a new walking frame which folds, packs easily into the car and is useful on coach journeys and in hotels. He bought the frame from Ableworld, which has branches in Crewe, Nantwich, Newport(Shrops), Oswestry and Wrexham.
His cholesterol is coming down and both he and Glenys are still gradually losing weight - well done !

Jean's check-up was satisfactory, she will go again in 3 months time. She could sympathise with the pins and needles Kelvin is suffering - there was some discussion about Zanaflex.
Maureen has changed to Nortriptaline during the day. She is not nearly as fatigued and feels much brighter.

Gordon has been prescribed the new drug Lyrica by his doctor at the PRH Pain Clinic, and it seems to be working well for him.

The next meeting will be held on THURSDAY 27th JANUARY 2005
At the same venue.

We wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year for 2005.