Ed: Thanks for letting us in on the secret to your
success Tony. Judging by the letters and comments
we receive, you’re not alone in making light of things
and taking a positive approach to post-lary life. We’re
still working on the Forum, and we’ll keep you up-todate with developments.
Cheer up Angry Lary!
My name is Harry; I have had throat cancer
twice. The first time was about eight years
ago and I had eight weeks of radiotherapy.
It came back five years ago – this time it
was a total laryngectomy and I was treated
at the UCLH in London at the time of the
London bombings.
I’d like to tell the Angry Lary and any other
members with a lary that it is now classed
as a disability, and I have been receiving
Disability Living Allowance for the last
three years. I am now on the higher rate of
care for the middle rate of mobility and also
qualify for a blue badge.
A Macmillan nurse advisor also confirmed
that the government now definitely
accepts larys as disabled. So anyone, like
Angry Lary, who thinks they’re not entitled,
should definitely take it further.
Harry Moorhouse
When the District Nurse came, exactly
the same thing happened; they sent two
nurses to see me and they hadn’t seen a
total laryngectomy before, so they didn’t
know what to do, or what I needed.
In the end, they sent a nurse from the
hospital to show them what had to be
done. But since I’ve had my rig removed
and can eat again, I haven’t had anyone
come to see me. Now I need to go for
check-ups at the hospital.
Second, the letter from Hugh McKluskey
about his fistulas: I had my operation and
was in hospital for five weeks. As I was
eating, they let me home, but when I went
for a check-up, they found I had a fistula
that had not healed, so I went back into
hospital to have a rig fitted.
The answer to the letter is you just
don’t know how long it will take to heal.
Unfortunately, you just have to let it run
its course like I did, I was impatient to get
home and do without the rig, but with
hindsight, the answer is let it heal and
don’t rush it. I hope this might help Mr
McKluskey; Keep on with the Voice mag – it
is of help.
Mr M Summerson
Ed: Thanks for the advice Harry. We also heard
from Ethel Culling at the National Association of
Laryngectomee clubs who suggested that Angry Lary
should contact Vivien Reed at The Association on
0207 7308 5851 for a benefit pack.
Ed: Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you were
able to get rid of the rig, and hope that Mr McKlusky
gets some good news about that soon.
Fistula advice
I received your copy of The Voice; can I
comment on a couple of letters? First, I
understood what Mary Mason meant in her
letter.
Support for young larys
Hi, my name is Baljit, I am a 47 years old
laryngectomee. I work as an Advisor in the
Neighbourhood offices at Birmingham
City Council. My voice is my tool to do my
job. So having had this operation, I am
still doing my job, but using a Servox (I am
talking nearly all of the time!)
Autumn 2011 | THE VOICE
31