Members - If you hear of one of our mates falling ill, please notify Dave (Speed) Dwyer as soon as possible.

Greetings All, I apologise for leading you up the garden path when I said that my scar on the neck is 2". Well the bandages are now off, and the scar is approx 8" long--leading from the right ear down past the collar bone in a question mark shape. So as I said before (as my spot was the size of a small shirt button on the outside) SEE A SKIN SPECIALIST WITH ANY SPOT YOU OR YOUR PARTNER OBSERVES!!!!!

John Silver has not been the best, had surgery earlier this year. Hope you are much better soon John.

Off to hospital tomorrow for a total right shoulder replacement, or TSR as the Surgeons call it. I’ve been in agony for quite some-time and after a visit to an Orthopedic Surgeon recently, I’m in for the operation tomorrow (two week turn-around). I haven’t been out due to being on morphine and valium, which has not been kind. I’m hoping to be home around 30 July, all going well. I’ll be in rehab for quite some time but if all goes well I’ll be considering having my right knee done: struggling to get up stairs. Nonetheless, I’ll motor on.

Mick went into Cabrini Hospital (Ph: 03 9508 1222.) in Melbourne today for open heart surgery. He's having a double by-pass which Mick says could be a result of his mis-spent  but much enjoyed youth. He should be in hospital for about 6 days.
All going well, Mick says he'll give us a sitrep when he gets home.
Michael Daly
22 Tolmie Way,
Mount Martha Vic 3934
Ph: 03 5977 2499
M:  0427 349 489

Latest update: email from Mick dated 26 Dec 2008............
Thanks one and all for your good wishes. I ended up getting a triple instead of a double. A case of while you're in there!!

I have been home for a week and a bit, body slowly returning to it's gloriest past minus 20 kg. I'll be running around like a buck field mouse in no time at this rate.

Back at work on 12 Jan and all uphill from there.
Hope you all had a bonzer Christmas and have a happy & healthy New Year.

After going through this I would encourage you all over 40 to have a Angiogram which is the definitive test for the ticker.
If I didn't have several since 2005 I wouldn't be here now as I really didn't have any significant symptoms.
This really is a silent but deadly disease.

Anyway enough of that from Doctor Daly.
Have a good one and if you are down the lovely Mornington peninsula at any stage please drop in.

Fondest Regards

Michael (Porka)

Ron Christie has recently had an operation on a badly broken leg and grounded for 6 weeks post op.

Doug Symes Senior ( ex CPO Butcher) has again been admitted to the EPWORTH hospital, for a second operation.
Sons Trevor (ex ABCK) and Doug Junior (ex CPOSV) tell us he is in a positive frame of mind and never complains.
Those that know Doug, well would expect no less from the old sea dog.

Member Paul White, ex-Beagle, has written that at the moment, he is feeling on top of the world, after his recent kidney replacement. Before the op he spent every second night tied to a dialysis machine for 9 hours. Both the donor and Paul a doing well. 
He urges members to register as a donor.

Our Sin Bosun, Dennis McMillin is in hospital. Stepped on a nail and is now having tests done and is expected to be in hospital for a week.

(From Marty Grogan)
I saw him a couple of weeks ago at HMAS CERBERUS and although diagnosed with bowel cancer was very positive he was going to beat it.
A true Gentleman in every respect.

(From Marty Grogan)
Ted McGOWAN had a fourth operation on his knee last week.
A titanium knee that was inserted a couple of years ago didn't quite work out.
Interestingly he had the Ops performed at Linacre Private Hospital in Sandringham where I had my knee operation and contacted Golden Staph. That took me 2 years of daily therapy to even get my leg back to its normal size it had withered that much.
I popped around to see him yesterday and although still in extreme pain he thinks it is better at this stage than previous operations.

From our London Rep Lindsay Birrell: David has had another series of strokes and he is in a bad way.

Charlie went back into hospital, but has since come out, he is recovering at home.

Allen is home after his second op, he is feeling much better today, but this op knocked him around.

Brian has just finished 6 months of Chemo and hopes the rest of the year will be better. G`day to all the members.

Stan hasn't been the best lately, he has ticker and hip problems. We wish you well Stan.

Member Ron 'Shiner' Wright of Camperdown NSW, has not been enjoying the best of health this year. Shiner is up beat about his illness and sends all members his best wishes.

Charlie DeJanovic, ex-Cook, is in Epworth Masons hospital in the critical care ward. He contracted a viral infection and complications developed causing Charlie to be admitted with pneumonia. Speed Dwyer is keeping tabs on developments.

I am now back at home with a new but at present very sore new knee. Chasing the girls is at present a distant memory as I'm on two crutches and am allowed to walk around the house occasionally, and if I behave myself I might be able to walk to the letterbox in a few weeks time. Bill M

Hi all, well the day of my knee operation is the 23rd July and at 0830 is the time I go under. Hopefully with a new knee I will be able to chase the ladies again (what to do when they are caught is another matter) eg it's only a new knee not a new brain- just incase anyone was thinking it.
Thanks for all your good wishes
Bill Morris

From Dave Jr.... Just a quick update on my dad.... In the last few weeks he has made astonishing progress (thank god!), in fact they allowed him to get out of the hospital for weekend leave and it looks as if he may come home for good some time next week.
He can now  just about walk on his own ,but he still can not use his left hand, although he is  getting some feeling in it so you never know.
Thanks to all the support from every one and thanks to his strong (and stubborn) character I think he is going to make a very good recovery. He still has a long way to go but he will get there!!

David Woodcraft

Our UK Representative, David Woodcraft has suffered a serious  stroke  just before Christmas which left him hospitalised and completely paralysed down his left side.
Although he is in a bad way, he has made some steps towards recovery and the doctors are hopeful that he will be able to go  home in 3-4 weeks.

The President, Committee and Members wish you a speedy recovery Dave.