Christmas 2010

Although Christmas came early as far as the lunch went that didn't stop anyone from having a grand time. We were fortunate that we dodged the snow too.

November & World COPD Day

November was a busy month with a talk at our usual meeting from Geoff Parry on the RNLI. He regaled us with stories of brave rescues off our coast and well as the facts and figures on what it takes to keep the RNLI running.

We also had an awareness stand in Boots the Chemist in Whitefriars on World COPD Day and we thank them for their support of this day. It was amazing how many people we spoke to who are either affected by a lung disease or know somebody who is.

This month we also received an award from the British Lung Foundation for 5 years as a successful group.

AGM & Bingo

Also in October we held our Annual General Meeting when we welcomed Dominic Papineau from The British Lung Foundation who helped along the proceedings. This year our Press Officer Jean Fraser stood down from the committee and will be much missed. We did welcome two new committee members however Mr & Mrs Barrow which we're very pleased about. The groups were also delighted to learn they have been awarded a Breath of Fresh Air Award for Outstanding Service of 5 years.

After the business part of the afternoon was concluded we welcomed Karen Cotter from the Specialist Respiratory Team who treated us to a few games of Bingo.

Quiz Night 2010

October was a busy month with another successful Quiz Night bringing in over £400 thanks to our Quiz Master once again donating his time and coming up with entertaining and challenging questions. We welcomed teams from Thanet Breathe Easy and representatives of the Specialist Respiratory Team as well as many members, friends and family from our own group.

The Annual Strawberry Tea

It's that time of the year again; our treasurer's beautiful garden in Chestfield saw twenty five members and guests turn up for our annual strawberry tea. We were particularly pleased to welcome six members of Thanet Breathe Easy and three from our specialist community Respiratory Team which is based at the Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital.

Collossal amounts of strawberries and cream were consumed, along with scones baked by several members, with amiable banter about whose were the best! The weather held up and a brilliant time was had by all with lots of jokes and laughter.

Every year Carol, our treasurer, and her loyal and helpful family allow us to use their garden, and assist with organising food and creating a welcoming environment for the event and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. It is also a time to be grateful to the British Lung Foundation for setting up the Breathe Easy network, and for the support of our own Canterbury & District group gives to all of us. We would like to thank Rupert Mitchell, who also attended the event, for again donating what must be the best strawberries in Kent, which is really saying something! And the raffle raised £102 thanks to everyone's generousity.

5th Birthday Party

We are five years old this month and to celebrate our birthday held a tea dance at the Marine Hotel on 14th June, an occasion which truly did justice to this landmark. Attended by over a hundred people, we danced the afternoon away to the KD Jazz and Dance Orchestra, stuffed ourselves with sandwiches and cream scones from the donated by The Rotary Club of Whitstable, and took part in the raffle and tombola, with prizes contributed by local businesses and individuals.

Mollie Jackson was our main guest speaker; Mollie started the group five years ago when she headed the specialist respiratory team at the Whit and Tank hospital. She has since gone on to work as Nurse Manager at the British Lung Foundation but still finds time to support us and keep up with our news. Also present was Dominic from the British Lung Foundation and Pauline Treadwell, head of the Specialist Respiratory Team who came to thank us for the items we have purchased for them over the years.

To all these people, especially the band and the Marine Hotel, we extend our thanks and appreciation for their generosity. The afternoon raised £800 for people with lung disease.

Tea Dance Photos

Coach Trip

For this month’s meeting we left our usual sanctuary to embark on a magical mystery tour. And despite a few worrying moments, the weather held up for our annual coach trip, which this year was to the Secret Gardens at Salutation Manor House in Sandwich. The gardens were originally designed by Edward Lutyens and his “planting partner” Gertrude Jekyll and only restored, replanted and opened to the public in 2004 so we were enthusiastic to see what had been achieved. And they did not disappoint.

Following a tasty lunch at Deal, we arrived at these truly exquisite gardens at 2.30 and happily wandered round enjoying their elegant layout and beautiful flowers, until, in need of refreshment we downed delicious cream teas in the cosy tearoom. Then, refreshed and accompanied by souvenir plants from the nursery, we boarded the coach for home.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Active 4 Life

Siobhan and Alex two of the Physiotherapists from the Specialist Respiratory Team started the meeting by telling us all about Pulmonary Rehabilitation. They explained how breathlessness in COPD leads to inactivity which in turn leads to muscle wasting and then further breathlessness. This cycle of inactivity can be broken by Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes which is an eight week tailored programme of exercise, relaxation and education. Classes are held twice weekly and are designed specifically for people with chronic lung conditions.

The classes aim to improve quality of life and promote self-management by increasing awareness of your disease. The first class starts with an assessment of your exercise level which is reviewed again at the final session. The other sessions begin with an exercise circuit and include an educational discussion or talk on a topic relevant to COPD.

There are usually up to 14 people in the class, all of varying abilities and each person is encouraged to exercise at their own level and pace. The classes are very informal and many of our members have made lasting friendships through their Pulmonary Rehab classes.

Those of our members who have previously been on a Pulmonary Rehab course were interested to find out that they may be eligible to go on a top-up course after 18/24 months. To find out more call the Respiratory Team on 01227 594640.

Once people have completed Pulmonary Rehabilitation classes many are looking for a way to continue the exercises and this is where Active 4 Life classes come in. Carol Gillatt took over the meeting at this point and explained about the range of classes available in the area, ranging from Gentle Active 4 Life, Aqua 4 Life, A4L Gym to Advanced Active 4 Life. You need to be referred to join a class, usually by a GP, a nurse or the Pulmonary Rehab physios for example. Classes are held in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay. For more information see the website www.activelifeltd.co.uk

Buteyko

A dozen stalwart members and several new ones braved another snow storm in February to hear Eileen McShane talk about Buteyko. Buteyko is an alternative treatment discovered in Russia and initially aimed at asthma with a high degree of success. It is now claimed to improve many other conditions too, and works through limiting hyperventilation and conserving carbon dioxide within the body. This is controversial as a treatment for emphysema whose frequent retention of carbon dioxide is often a major problem. So our members with this condition were very interested to meet Eileen and learn her views on the relevance of Buteyko for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the whole range of lung conditions which our member are living with.

Such was the interest from our members that questions went on right through tea time as Eileen also demonstrated EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping, a technique thought to channel the same energies as acupunture and reduce anxiety and calm breathing.