Support Group Newsletter November 2008

Providing Practical and Emotional Support

To Improve the Quality of Life For all

People affected by a Brain Haemorrhage.







Pictured left are founder Committee members of the Brain Haemorrhage Support Group. Cath Stoneley newly appointed
Neurovascular Nurse Specialist, third on the right attending the meeting and is delighted at the development of this group.



Left to right: Paul, Denny, Maureen B, Specialist Nurse Cath Stoneley, Alan, Sue.





A Word from your Chair





I hope this newsletter finds you WARM and WELL!! Can you believe this weather, roll on the summer sun. On behalf of the Brain Haemorrhage Support Group Committee I would like to thank those people who were able to attend our first support group meeting in October. We felt that the meeting went very well which helped to confirm for us that we are doing the right thing. As a newly formed group we are still finding our feet, this is something new to us all so please be patient with us. We are aiming to hold regular group meetings, as soon as the dates have been confirmed we will let you know.





A look at the books.



Denny, Paul and Alan have been working very hard opening bank accounts and looking
at grant opportunities to help finance the running to our group.





IT Stuff



Alan is fast becoming our IT wizard, he has designed and developed our “NEWS BLOG”, your comments and thoughts would be very welcome, this is going to be the ideal way of keeping you all updated about what is happening with your Support Group. Alan has also been working on a leaflet that we will be able circulate around the hospital and other public places.



Memory Book/Diary

At the support group meeting we had a draft Memory Book/Diary to show you, we are making improvements to this and will keep you informed of its developments.

Buddy Scheme

The Buddy Scheme is being driven by Denny, we are keen to build upon this keep so an eye on our blog/newsletters for more updates.


R2R





The next Road to Recovery Course is taking place in November and once again I am sure that it is going to be a great support for all those who attend.





AND FINALLY



I cannot end this, our first newsletter, without acknowledging the support and commitment shown to this group by our committee members and partners within the voluntary and health sectors that have got us to where we are today. This is a very long journey we have started, but together we will travel this rocky road and turn what have been very traumatic events in our lives into something positive.

There are too many people to name individually but a very special friend to our group cannot go unnamed…….. he is of course Tony Murphy the PALS Officer from the Walton Centre. How he fits in all he does I will never know, his energy and knowledge seems endless. I know he is an employee of the Walton Centre but his commitment to support those affected by any types of Brain Injury goes far beyond what is expected from someone in his position. Tony you have touched the lives of so many people that the words THANK YOU do not seem enough but, thank you, we will always be indebted to you.

Maureen B


Chair

"Road to Recovery"

Brain Haemorrhage Support Group.

The third Road to Recovery Course began on Tuesday 4th November 2008 at Neurosupport Liverpool. The course aims to provide information and advice to those who have recently had a Subarachnoid Brain Haemorrhage. In total 24 people, including their carers, attended the first session and came from as far afield as North Wales and Warrington. PALS Manager Tony Murphy and Cathy Stoneley Neurovascular Nurse Specialist from the Walton Centre spoke at this session, Mr. Moshen Javadpour Consultant Neurosurgeon, Doctor Peter Murphy Neuropsychologist and founder members of the Brain Haemorrhage support group will be talking in the weeks to come. The evening gave people the opportunity to talk to other people who have gone through the same experiences as them and also compiled a list of questions to be put to the specialist when they address the group.

Maureen B
Chair

News from the "Chair"

Alan is fast becoming our IT wizard, he has designed and developed our “NEWS BLOG”, your comments and thoughts would be very welcome, this is going to be the ideal way of keeping you all updated about what is happening with your Support Group. Alan has also been working on a leaflet that we will be able circulate around the hospital and other public places.

At the support group meeting we had a draft Memory Book/Diary to show you, we are making improvements to this and will keep you informed of its developments.

The Buddy Scheme is being driven by Denny, we are keen to build upon this keep so an eye on our blog for more updates.

The next Road to Recovery Course is taking place in November and once again I am sure that it is going to be a great support for all those who attend.


I cannot end this, our first newsletter, without acknowledging the support and commitment shown to this group by our committee members and partners within the voluntary and health sectors that have got us to where we are today. This is a very long journey we have started, but together we will travel this rocky road and turn what have been very traumatic events in our lives into something positive.

There are too many people to name individually but a very special friend to our group cannot go unnamed…….. He is of course Tony Murphy the PALS Officer from the Walton Centre. How he fits in all he does I will never know, his energy and knowledge seems endless. I know he is an employee of the Walton Centre but his commitment to support those affected by any types of Brain Injury goes far beyond what is expected from someone in his position. Tony you have touched the lives of so many people that the words THANK YOU do not seem enough but, thank you, we will always be indebted to you.

Maureen B
Chair.

First Newsletter for the group

Providing Practical and Emotional Support
to Improve the Quality of Life for all
People affected by a Brain Haemorrhage.

Support Group
Newsletter November 2008
Support Group Launch 2nd October 2008

Pictured are founder Committee members of the Brain Haemorrhage Support Group. Cath Stoneley newly appointed
Neurovascular Nurse Specialist, third on the right attending the meeting and is delighted at the development of this group.


Left to right: Paul, Denny, Maureen B, Specialist Nurse Cath Stoneley, Alan, Sue.
A word from your Chair!

I hope this newsletter finds you WARM and WELL!! Can you believe this weather, roll on the summer sun. On behalf of the Brain Haemorrhage Support Group Committee I would like to thank those people who were able to attend our first support group meeting in October. We felt that the meeting went very well which helped to confirm for us that we are doing the right thing. As a newly formed group we are still finding our feet, this is something new to us all so please be patient with us. We are aiming to hold regular group meetings, as soon as the dates have been confirmed we will let you know.
A look at the books.
Denny, Paul and Alan have been working very hard opening bank accounts and looking at grant opportunities to help finance the running to our group.

News and Information of "The Brain Haemorrhage Support Group"

Watch this space for news of forthcoming events of "The Brain Haemorrhage Support Group"
Here is a poem by our "Chair"
Why Me?

What’s happening to me? Is this a dream or reality?
First I was at home, now I wake up alone.
Voices all around, no familiar faces to be found.
I want to say more, please take hold my hand and walk me out through that door.

A sense of urgency rushing all around.
I’m there for a moment, then cannot be found.
How long have I been in this bed, what’s happening in my head?
Where can I be? What’s happening to me?

They won’t let me sleep. I can’t get on my feet.
I’m in so much pain, will I ever laugh again?
There’s needles again, oh no not more pain.
How long will this go on. Just let me be gone!

Machines are bleeping, tubes in my mouth,
White walls now dark places, I’ve got to hang on.
The retching the pain, another headache again
I try desperately to sleep. Oh! No! I can’t eat.

This time’s not right for me, there has to be more fight in me.
My family is so dear to me, how I need them so near to me.
Bright lights are a fear to me, like knives cutting into me.
Stay close be here with me, the nights are so long to me.

Confusion, hysteria are about to set in.
Don’t leave me know I’ll make a terrible din.
Bare with me be kind.
I’m not really going out of my mind.

There’s been problems in my head, the nice man just said.
I’m moved to another bed, what’s that he just said?
My hairs all gone, I’ve still got my nighie on.
I feel ever so weak, not more tablets I need sleep!

Now smiling faces, cards and gifts all around.
Well wishes are said, they want me home now instead.
A new day is dawning, life’s given me a warning.
There’s still fuzziness in my head, I wish I could remember what was said.

I’m leaving my hospital bed, I’m heading home.
I must do as I’m told and can’t be left alone.
I’m so glad to still be here, life is precious and dear.
I have fear held within but this battle I’ll win.

Maureen Mellor – July 2003