The Voice Issue 7, Summer 2013 | Page 36

Take Care Of The Carers So They Can Look After You By Mrs G, Manchester Don’t send them upstairs to get something off the shelf, Then when they come down, go up for yourself. Don’t shout at them, when they’re doing their best, and remember that they also need to rest. Don’t waken them to tell them something that could keep, Just remember they also need to sleep. Don’t say, ‘I’m tired and feel too ill, to do as I’m told and take my pill’. Don’t ask if anyone is making a drink, then let it go cold and throw it down the sink. Yes dear patients, please do learn, to make your carers your loving concern. Ed: Thanks to Mrs G and Len for their wonderful contributions this issue. New to the fold I just wanted to write and say how much I enjoy reading The Voice and also how helpful I find it. I am relatively ‘new to the fold’ I had my operation in December 2010 - followed by six weeks of radiotherapy in February. Thankfully I am now feeling much better. I enjoy walking and geology along with Gerry - my better half, and have found that being a neck breather has not really made much difference to our normal summer activities. I was very pleased to be able to walk right to the top of Roseberry Topping in August without any problems, I also have Asthma. The only problem that I have had has been getting my Trachinaze + plus Stoma Stud to stay in. My Speech Therapist has been wonderful but we have found that the Shaft Length of 14.5 was a bit short while the long 22.5 was too long and rubbed the back of my stoma. Is there a need for an intermediate size ? Anyway I have been using the shorter Stud with a Kapi-Gel Tracheostoma Spacer which appears to work quite well. I was particularly interested in the article Advice For First-Time Travellers in the Autumn edition 36 THE VOICE | Summer 2013