Final catchup for 2025!

It was great to see everyone again for the last catch up for 2025!

No guest speaker for this week, just good chat, swapping stories and offering tips and advice. We started by welcoming new member Mick and then segued into possible upcoming public events where members can volunteer (shh, it’s a secret!). There was also some more on the wrap up of the HANCA Gala.

We then spoke briefly about bone grafts and potential chronic issues at the graft donor site such as weakness and pain, and there was much discussion around that old favourite, saliva production! Saliva production (or lack of it) was a mixed bag in the group, with symptoms changing over time. For some a ‘new normal’ was established within a couple of years of treatment but for many of us eating dry foods was still an issue to be navigated, and dry mouth at night (or during exercise) is still a problem. Xylimelts were mentioned as a potential solution during sleep by some of us.

Finally there was a discussion around PEG tubes and eating while travelling, plus throat dilations and upcoming surgery.  

All in all, another great year of helping one another. Best wishes to everyone for the holiday period, and see you all on February 4 next year!