Welcome to to the online of home of the 'Preston Larrys' which supports patients who have undergone surgery to remove their voice box, and their carers. The group reached it's 1st anniversary following it's relaunch in 2014!
The group often raises funds for the benefit of patients. 'Boogie Boards' were recently purchased and donated to Ward 3 at The Royal Preston Hospital. Ward 3 is the regional head and neck cancer ward where surgery takes place for patients from Preston & Chorley, Blackpool & the Fylde, and Morecambe Bay & South Cumbria.
Boogie Boards are electronic writing tablets which allow patients to communicate in the immediate post operative period until they can talk using the artificial voice box (speech valve): usually 10 days to 2 weeks. The group meets at Vine House at Cromwell Road in Preston*, and aim to meet and support cancer patients and their families. The groups are supported by health professionals from the Head and Neck Cancer Team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
On the site you will find links to information about head and neck cancer, it's treatments, and hints and tips on how to live with the effects of cancer treatment.
*CancerHelp Prestonaims to support cancer patients, their families and carers through the impact of cancer diagnosis, the effects of the disease and the side effects of its treatment. To do so the charity offers a wide range of free services from simple advice to nurse led treatments and complimentary therapies. Vine House is where our group meets.
Our Laryngectomy group celebrated our 1st year since relaunch in style!
Above, Kim Winterton, John Geddes and CNS Andrew Fishburn cut the cake!!! Below: Tom enjoying a brew, and Duncan who joined us from the Blackpool group - The Windpipers.
Above, a drop of red wine always proves a popular win in the raffle. Below: The mandatory group photo!