|
Firstly I would like to take this
opportunity of wishing all of you and your families a prosperous
and above all, a healthy New Year.
In the November 2010 Call Sign, I wrote an
article about Prostate Cancer and by co-incidence a moving
article appeared at the same time on a taxi website from a
driver who has prostate cancer, which had spread to his lymph
nodes and he published his experience to urge his fellow cabmen
to not be an idiot like him and ignore, as he had done, a
disease that has the second highest mortality rate amongst men
after lung cancer.
In 2008 there were 10,168 deaths through prostate cancer in the UK
and the irony is prostate cancer is one of few cancers that can
be detected early with a simple PSA blood test. And, if detected
early there is almost a 100% chance of a complete cure. Proof of
this is myself who had prostate cancer 15 years ago and a number
of people I have known since then including the cab driver
friend who I mentioned in the November Call Sign.
At the time of writing that article, my friend was due to go for
his treatment just three weeks after the result of his biopsy.
He was treated at Guys Hospital by one of the top specialists on
Bracky Therapy, which is inserting radioactive pellets directly
into the prostate. It was done under general anaesthetic. He was
in and out on the same day and was back at work within a week,
fit and with no lasting side effects. A glowing example of
beating the Big C as easy as having a tooth taken out.
Many rich and famous people have died of prostate cancer and many
of these people would most likely be alive today had they made
the effort to go just once a year for a simple PSA blood test.
We all know having big bucks can solve many of life’s problems,
however it is of little use when the Big C has got out of
control. So whether you are a billionaire or an out of work
drifter, the easy and only way to beat prostate cancer is by
detecting it early. Incidentally, one of the signs of Prostate
problems can be the need to empty the bladder often, which
brings me onto another subject that I have been informed about
in the hope I can prompt our members into action. That is the
use of public toilets without the fear of getting a parking
ticket.
This is becoming a serious issue that affects everybody who drives
a cab, including female cab drivers. An issue that is only
likely to be resolved if ALL of you get your local MP involved.
I’m aware a vast majority of cab drivers suffer from apathy,
preferring instead to let others take up the cudgel. But in this
instance only you know your local MP and it is for you and many
like you in your area to bombard your MP to the point where he
or she takes notice.
I myself have been in contact with Nick Raynsford, my local MP in
Greenwich and Caroline |
Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal
Democrat Group at the London Assembly. I expressed my
concerns about the shortage of facilities for cab drivers to
take a natural break and gave one suggestion on how I believe
the issue could be resolved.
I was informed that the GLA Health and Public Services Committee
are to review the provision of public toilets in London and the
Mayor has launched the Open London Scheme with several aims, one
of which is to encourage businesses to open their toilets to
non-customers. However, whilst much is being discussed on the
subject, on reading their agenda I notice nowhere does it
mention the issue of motorists - especially cab drivers - being
able to park to use the toilets without incurring a parking
violation.
My suggestion was that 20p parking meters with a maximum stay of 10
minutes be installed close by public toilets, similar to that
operated in Guernsey. Except in Guernsey there are no meters,
instead you use a plastic timer that you set on arrival and
place on view inside your vehicle. I suggested a maximum of ten
minutes to prevent the meters being used for other purposes.
When I first got my Bill, there was never any problem using public
toilets, a note in the window was enough for the police to give
you a few minutes for a natural break and the majority of hotels
made their toilet facilities available. However, I remember many
years ago regularly using the toilet facilities of the Durants
Hotel in George Street. The way I was dressed, it never occurred
to the doorman that I was a cab driver. I would use the toilet
and the auto shoe cleaner, have a wash at the basin and a dab of
free cologne! When finished, I made sure the toilet was as clean
as when I found it, and on the way out the doorman would tip his
cap and say have a nice day Sir. Apparently he thought I was a
long term resident until by chance he saw me parking my cab
nearby. He laughed but still let me use the facilities, until
one day he said I’m sorry but you can’t use the toilet any more.
When I asked why, he said to go and have a look how a cab driver
has just left it. I was shocked. Two basins were covered in what
looked like mud. I can only guess the cab driver had changed a
wheel, or repaired something to his engine and used their
facilities to clean up. The toilet was absolutely filthy. I was
both angry and embarrassed and insisted I be allowed to clean
it. I got a bottle of flash from the back of my cab and set
about making the toilet as clean as possible. The doorman
appreciated it, but from that |
moment on he banned all cab drivers
from using their toilet facilities, including me. Rightly or
wrongly, we live in a society where people or groups are
stereotyped and often judged by the worst examples and
unfortunately there are an ignorant few in our trade who act
like complete morons. Regrettably, that image reflects on the
rest of us, so when I hear of drivers being banned from using
hotel toilet facilities, it doesn’t surprise me and neither do I
blame the hotel management.
As for those like Norman Lewis, who wrote in the November
issue of Call Sign that he had a weak bladder due
to prostate cancer, and being angry at not being allowed to use
a hotel’s toilet even though he explained his predicament, I’m
not sure if he and others are aware but there are aids available
for this purpose.
When I was undergoing Radiotherapy for my prostate, it involved 26
sessions and as each one progressed it was making my bladder
weaker and weaker and making it almost impossible to hold half a
pint - let alone the two litres of water necessary when having
the radiotherapy! On talking to one of the radiologists about my
problem, she said I could have a catheter fitted or one of
several aids available. I didn’t fancy a catheter so I asked for
one of the aids, this was a heavy-duty condom that is fitted to
where you would expect with self adhesive, while the other end
had a narrow tube that goes to a sterile bag strapped to your
leg. I’ll never forget the amusing experience when I was sent up
to the department in Bart’s Hospital to get the aid.
It was a large outpatients waiting area, where I was told to sit. A
short while later a nurse came out and called my name and
probably because she saw I was wearing a hearing aid, she said
in a unnecessarily loud voice: "Is the condom you want small,
medium or large?" Suddenly the whole place went quiet and I
could sense everybody looking in my direction. Fortunately,
having a sense of humour, I asked with a silly smile if I could
try one of each and she said OK, come along and I’ll show you
how to use them. What followed was one of the funniest
experiences of my life!
Go to
https://www.charter-healthcare.co.uk. The brand name for
this aid is Simpla and they are available at most
chemists and anybody with a need for these aids would be
eligible for free NHS prescriptions. Personally I found them
hygienic, practical and extremely convenient - ideal for long
journeys and fantastic when I was undergoing radiotherapy,
because in many instances the feeling of wanting to empty the
bladder can be in the mind, the fear of wetting yourself, so by
wearing this aid I could drink a full two litres of water
knowing that whatever happened, I would not embarrass myself
whilst having my treatment.
Allen Togwell
DaC Marketing |
