Oklahoma meets the Prophet of Doom

Had a great time at the crossroads by The Plough @ Lathom. They kindly let me park on their carpark and even better accepted a poster to display in the men’s toilet. Collected a bag of rubbish to much appreciation from passing motorists inc a tractor driver. To crown it all I received a donation of £3 from a lovely young man in a red Fiesta(?). Said thanks but like the Prophet of Doom suggested when he was 50 he go and have a PSA check. Could have been a little bit more upbeat but who knows it may be a vital piece of advice – if he remembers.

In was the perfect spot for appreciating the abundance of our farmland. Potatoes thriving on one corner, barley on another and wheat on the third with The Plough completing the picture on the fourth. Couldn’t help hearing a rousing extracts from Oklahoma including “There’s a bright golden haze on the meadow" and “Okla, Okla, Oklahoma...” playing in my head.

Just a passing reference to the personal archive, I first saw Oklahoma at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham when I was about 8. Couldn’t be done now but the family had a biggish van and Dad used to put an old sofa in the back plus some cushions on the floor for the kids so that the five of us with Grandma, Auntie Maggie and Grandad could be loaded up and whizz off to such events. I think he used to go round corners deliberately in a way so we would slide all over the place, giddy with laughter. So much for child and bumper seats but it sure was fun.

Collection in tribute

I had a couple of good reasons to go out collecting on Briars Lane, Lathom tonight. We spent an afternoon at Briars Hall celebrating Julie and Colin's 50th Wedding Anniversary with their family and friends. What a lovely occasion.

 

As well as this I wanted to take some time to remember Annie Cowburn, who died recently. She with husband, Bob and their family farmed just down the road. I spent many hours in her company and found her such a positive and gentle lady, a proper country woman with an infectiously warm, all encompassing smile. There will be many people throughout the area and beyond who will remember both Annie and Bob with great affection.

 

On practical matters, the collection was a bit of a trudge, scrappy bits of plastic and sweet papers. One small entertaining find was the Michelin man. I didn't know he was still around!

 

Clean up PC is in the news

Grand plans create empires but then sometimes things just happen. Dusk falling at the end of a collection on Scarth Hill Lane, Augton, Lancashire, a car pulled up and out sprang Roger Blaxall. He introduced himself as a reporter for qlocal.co.uk. Photos, a brief chat and he dashed off again. Well, when I got home, it all seemed a bit incredible. Found the site and found they did have a reporter of that name so nothing ventured I sent an email with a bit more information and waited.

http://www.qlocal.co.uk/ormskirk/news_list/Janet%27s_tidy_piece_of_work_in_fighting_prostate_cancer-54346382.htm

Please use this link and find out why I'm chuffed to bits. Need I say more!

The information page is where you will find useful thoughts and contact details divided into 3 separate posts as follows

 

Prostate Cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

 

Where to find support in the Prostate Cancer community

 

Litter and related topics 

The information mainly relates to the countries of the United Kingdom. Over time I hope to include relevant details from other countries.

All information in these posts was correct in July 2015.

 

 

 

Prostate Cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

·         Remember 7 out of every 8 men in the UK will not experience Prostate Cancer. (Prostate Cancer UK 2015).

·         There are several conditions which share symptoms with Prostate Cancer. If  you are aware of a problem please seek medical advice as soon as possible. Researching treatments or listening to friends before seeking medical advice will often cause unnecessary distress.

·         Each incidence of Prostate Cancer is unique and needs to be assessed by experienced medical practitioners. Important factors include the stage at which the cancer is discovered and consideration of how aggressive the cancer is combined with patient specific circumstances.

·         Prostate Cancer strikes randomly, however, there are two groups which need to be particularly conscious of symptoms - if one or more of your close relatives have already been diagnosed OR if you have African or West Indian heritage the chance of you having the disease increases significantly. Become familiar with symptoms and consider having regular checks. In the UK 50 is the accepted age for volunteering for a PSA test but if you are in the 2 groups mentioned your GP may be prepared to start monitoring sooner if circumstances suggest an history of early onset.

·         Incidence of the disease increases with age. For your own peace of mind it may well be worth discussing a monitoring schedule with your GP. 

·         The internet offers many sources of information. Please be very careful, not all of them are accurate or relevant

I have deliberately not included symptoms to look out for here. For good information I recommend visiting Prostate Cancer UK http://prostatecanceruk.org/

You can also call the specialist nurse team there on 0800 074 8383 

The internet cannot replace one to one advice from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.

Always start with your GP  

In the UK, if you are not already registered with a local doctor you can find out where the nearest practice or clinic is here http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search

It allows a simple search requiring your postcode. As I write in 2015 access to appointments in clinics varies and is subject to change. Check the arrangements before registering.

 

The Prostate Cancer Community

 

·         In my experience once a cancer has been identified hospitals have well established arrangements for leading you through the stages of your treatment. You will be assigned a consultant but it is likely your treatment may take you into several different departments and even to different locations.

·         You may be given a case nurse or contact details for an individual who you may speak to about your concerns. They will help you understand what is happening. It is inevitable that you will feel a range of emotions. Fear, isolation, emptiness, helplessness and confusion are just some of the commonly mentioned sensations among newly diagnosed cancer patients. Sometimes your brain just stops working or can be entirely engulfed by the diagnosis. Your case nurse is the person you need at this time. If you are not assigned someone from the oncology department to take this role, do ask for a contact name and number. We had Jan and she was wonderful.

·         Look for a support group. It is often helpful to spend time where you can speak openly about your condition with others who are in the same situation. Ask for details at your next appointment OR http://prostatecanceruk.org/get-support/find-local-support has a list of support groups. If you can't find one in your area consider starting a group yourself. http://menunited.prostatecanceruk.org/ offers guidance for those seeking to set up support groups. Getting involved can even help by giving you a positive focus.

·         Internet forums, for example the Macmillan Prostate Cancer Forum or the one at Prostate Cancer UK offer mutual support. The community is strong. While you may receive help, forums also give you the opportunity to return the favour if only by showing your support in a brief message. One word of warning take care, members tend to speak from their personal experience or point of view which may not be appropriate to your situation.

·         Don't forget your own family, friends and colleagues. They are your ready made supporters club. They may not have the disease but they are sharing your experiences.  They are living with Prostate Cancer just as you are. Our cousin turned up one afternoon out of the blue and sat talking for a couple of hours. He was being treated at the same hospital for bowel cancer and his calm reassurance, his praise for the the unit gave us confidence to go forward with hope rather than blind fear. We owe an awful lot to John's spontaneous act of love.

·         People talk of the elephant in the room, with Prostate Cancer the elephant is stampeding and damaging everything in its path. We found being open and including the family in conversations worked best. It may well be that you feel sharing your innermost feelings is a step too far but maybe there is someone, not necessarily someone you anticipate, who can become a confidante, if you let them. Talking is good and perhaps, one day, you'll find that cancer isn't mentioned at all. I'd try really hard not to keep it bottled up inside.

 

Remember you had a life before Prostate Cancer came along.

Please do work on rediscovering and continuing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Litter and related topics

 

I use collecting rubbish from the roadsides as a means of spreading awareness of Prostate Cancer. I love these islands. Rubbish exists and no matter how much money, time and effort local and national authorities commit to controlling waste, it is constantly replaced. To stop that happening over and over again we all have to take responsibility. Until everyone does so the only way forward is to roll up sleeves and get out there. 

Main Players

Locally

In England your local district council is the waste collection authority while waste disposal is the responsibility of the county or equivalent council. 

Environment Agency

This is the body which operates at a national level with Parliament to oversee all matters relating to waste. Wales and Scotland have their own versions, National Resources Wales and Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Zero Waste Scotland has the job of minimising and eliminating as much waste as possible.   

Keep Britain Tidy inc Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Keep Britain Tidy, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful all started out as a single organisation launched by the WI in the 1950s. Times have moved on but the fundamentals stay the same. Working within communities the groups aim to stimulate and educate, while encouraging them to improve their own environment. Visit websites @

www.keepbritaintidy.org

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/

www.keepwalestidy.org/

www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

 

 

Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE)

CPRE campaigns for change in policy and to stimulate action on a range of topics including waste. Visit their website to find out more. www.cpre.org.uk/

 

Litteraction UK

This is a place where active individuals and groups can promote their litter collection efforts. Clean up Prostate Cancer is among them . There is a diary page where groups post information about future events. There is also a count for total number of bags collected and reported by all the groups nationally. A growing number of those are from Clean up Prostate Cancer. Visit www.litteraction.org.uk/

 

Get involved

·         Do it yourself. Some people just take a bag and pick up rubbish. If you would like to make a more concerted effort there are clear restrictions about disposing of street litter collections. I recommend you get in touch with the waste department of your local council for advice. They may also be able to provide you with equipment and almost certainly bags.

·         Look for a group in your area. The organisations shown have lists covering the whole country but it is worth keeping an eye on local press. National Trust, for instance, organises specific events which are often featured. We have a group who clean up round the railway station on a Sunday morning who aren't listed anywhere, they just get on and do it.

·         Keep safe. I always wear working gloves with protection against sharp items and shoes with sturdy soles for the same reason. I always carry hygienic handwash in my workbox and use it as soon as I've finished a job. Wear clothes which maximise visibility. There are recognised margins for clearance from moving traffic. I work alone using common sense but particularly if you are organising a group event do ask for advice from the local council waste department. They may recommend insurance. It's bureaucracy I know, but safety first. 

A few examples of what Government is doing in the UK

·         Since 2006 English and Welsh councils have had the right to impose penalties or fines for littering.  Drop a cigarette stub or dump the old kettle and you are liable for a fine. Penalties vary but the ones I've found range from £60-£75.

·         Fly tipping is a serious criminal offence and in 2014 courts were instructed to maximise levels of fines imposed on offenders. Be aware, as a householder you are responsible for making reasonable attempts to ensure anyone working on your property has made correct provision for disposal of waste.

·         Street webcams, love or hate them, have become key in identifying and prosecuting offenders.

·         Laws have been introduced regarding styles of packaging in an attempt to maximise recycling and or use of biodegradable materials. 



The question you need to ask is who is responsible?

 

Bottom line is that everyone needs to play their part.

 

Avoid creating rubbish.

 

Get rid of rubbish properly.

 

 Dog owners, you know what you should do, do it.

 

Refuse unnecessary packaging.

 

See if you can use it again, even if only to entertain the kids. 

 

Give the people on the frontline, bin men, street cleaners and their colleagues your support. Help them to do their job and thank them for doing it, not everyone would. 

 

Take photos, record dates and report businesses and organisations which fail to dispose of waste properly. They are breaking the law.

 

This information is correct at July 2015