Theme: Youth Service Month
Lookout Reserve Maintenance Roster:
6/5/2018 – 19/5/2018: Rod Greer, 20/5/2018 – 2/6/2018: Alan Keyse,
3/6/2018 – 16/6/2018: James Ricchini, 17/6/2018 – 30/6/2018: Adrian Schmidt
Report of Meeting: 8/5/2018.
Guests:Neil Tampleton from RC of Rutherglen.
President: Leggo Brick Display at Queenscliff will be held over the June long weekend, 10th & 11th. Volunteers to help RI Queenscliff would be most welcome. A list will be circulated.
- Vic has Bowel Scan Kits for purchase @ $15.00
Secretary:- Forms needing updating were distributed. Please complete these and return to Gil Morgan.
Health: Rod Bush will have his surgery next week. The thoughts of the Club members go with him.
Foundation: The Centurian program will be finalized soon. See Vic if you wish to donate $100 to this very worthwhile annual giving appeal.
Social: - 19/6/2018 - Car Rally
Footy Tipping: Alex would be VERY pleased if those who have not paid him would do so ASAP. Geoff Chandler is in the lead; Alive (A George) won this week.
Guest Speakers: Geoff Brentnall and Richard Grimmett “Two Members Journey.”
The main focus of this talk was the procedure of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) experienced by these members. The treatment/procedure is undertaken for sufferers of Parkinson’s disease. Their journeys were very different to arrive at the same place…the operating table two weeks apart late last year. The disease manifested itself in different forms with different symptoms, different reactions to medications and different approaches by doctors resulting in different responses to the surgery the cause is unknown.
Both men have had successful outcomes, leading to improve quality of life… the aim of the exercise. It must be remembered that DBS does not offer a cure but it does make the everyday tasks of living easier for all those concerned.
Richard developed the condition when he was 43 years old. It appears that it is family related in his case as his father; uncle and brother have had the condition. One of Richard’s early symptoms was change in movement especially his gait. He was referred to a neurologist who specialized in movement. His diagnosis was confirmed in 2011. The messages to this brain became very scrambled resulting in changes in posture, sleep, constipation, poor sleep patterns writing, finishing projects, cognitive skills and decision making. Many other physical skills were also affected. His major problem was dyskinesia resulting in uncontrolled movement.
Parkinson’s Disease is the most prevalent neurological condition in the community with over 1000 sufferers in Australia. There are approximately 30 people diagnosed per day and many are young. The effects can take many years to affect living profoundly and not all sufferers are suitable for surgery.
Richard has been heavily involved in the ‘Shake it up Foundation’ as well as “Light of Day Australia’ which carries out research of the condition and he is deeply committed to various methods of fundraising to be used for this purpose. The main aim of the foundation is to be shut down as it is not needed …a cure has been found.
Geoff had suspicions in 2005 when his attention was drawn to early signs and symptoms he was showing at a conference. His condition was for some years managed through drug therapy but the worsening effects of poor movement, hand writing, constipation, bladder control, rigidity of facial expression, poor sleep patterns at inconvenient times, difficult fine movement and general stiffness made general living very difficult.
Geoff underwent extensive pre-operation preparation and testing with a neuro- psychiatrist, neuro-physiotherapist, neurologist and neuro-surgeon, as well as a device manager. The surgery took three and a half hours, for half that time he was awake. Electrodes and a battery are implanted so nerves within the brain can be stimulated to reflect the normal effects of certain chemicals, which are lacking in the disease. Post surgical care has been fairly complicated for both men and ongoing care requires the process of charging the battery weekly.
Both Richard and Geoff expressed their thanks to those people who have inspired them to pursue this treatment, for the support and care demonstrated by members of the club and most particularly their wives and families throughout their journey.
The operation was scary. Geoff is now off medication and Richard has great improvement in controlled movement.
APOLOGIES ARE NECESSARY!IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND A MEETING. THOSE WHO DO NOT CONFORM WILL BE SENT A BILL, AS THE CLUB HAS TO PAY IF NO APOLOGY IS REGISTERED.
Thank you: A George.
