TAMESIDE PULMONARY FIBROSIS SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTER

TPFSG LAUNCH APRIL 2018

Wednesday April 11th saw the launch of the Tameside Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group. We are supported by Action For Pulmonary Fibrosis, and it was lovely to see Lorna McLauchlan (Support Group Co-ordinator) and Stephen Morgan Hyland (Trustee) from the charity at the launch. Thank you also to the Health Professionals from Tameside and Wythenshawe who were able to attend and to Ian Kenworthy from Breathe Easy, and representatives from Willow Wood Hospice and Action Tameside.

Having spread the word about the group by delivering posters and leaflets to all doctors` surgeries in Tameside, advertising on Social Media, and by Clive going on Radio Manchester and Tameside Radio, it was lovely to see so many people on the day. We are certain that this group will be beneficial to us all in many ways.

Since the launch we have been to a COPD event in Denton and spread the word, and to an Awareness Day at Donneybrook/Clarendon Medical Centre in Hyde.

A POEM BY CAROLINE BIRCHWOOD

I`ve been diagnosed the Big PFIts kinda like the big CNobody wants to get itIts an incurable illness to you and me

My lungs are ruinedBroken beyond repairI`ve never smoked a single cigarette,So how is this fair?

A double lung transplantIs what it will take to surviveAnother person dyingSo that I get to stay alive

The guilt that comes with itIs hard to explainMy indebted gratitudeContrasts with that family`s pain

What must they think of me?I`m not a worthy choiceThere`s plenty of others worse off than meYou can hear it in their voice

The time has come to go on the listI`m a little scared to say the leastBut with my friends and family beside meI`m ready to take on the beast

Caroline is a member of the group, and she wrote these very poignant words about her condition, and her feelings about it. She has very kindly given us permission to print it here in this first Newsletter for the group.

Some of you may have seen it on the Facebook page, but for those of you who don`t use Social Media, here it is.

Thank you Caroline

HOBBIES

Pulmonary Fibrosis News talks about adjusting your hobbies from physical activities to quiet,

less-physical activities. They say it is an important step following a diagnosis. If this is something you

are struggling with, it may be worth talking to other members of the group to find out what they

have done to adjust.

This is something we saw on Facebook and thought it might be interesting for anyone travelling abroad. It might even be something that is available at other airports in the UK.

AND FINALLY . . . Don’t forget, laughter is the best Medicine

Doctor, doctor . . . I think I`m a bell . . .Take these tablets and if they don’t help, give me a ring

Doctor, doctor. . . I feel like a yo-yo .. Sit down, sit down, sit down

Don’t forget next month`s meeting ison 6th June 2 – 4pm

The Speaker will be Michelle Cunningham Specialist Respiratory Nurse

You know you`re old when . . .

Happy hour is a nap.

Going bra-less pulls the wrinkles out of your face.

An all-nighter means not getting up for a wee.