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National Phone Pals - eavesdropping with Chris Jennings, Phone Pals host

(A glimpse into the thoughts and reactions of Phone Pals host Christopher Jennings. Edited clippings from a series of emails selected by Chris and Ella (Phone Pals organiser)

First Night Nerves

1) I was extremely lucky that everyone in my group seemed to have a sense of humour (A’s is perhaps a little more difficult to uncover, but it is there), and hence when H admitted to having had a 'bovine patch', and then added spontaneously, 'and I went around saying moo to everything thereafter', this proved to be the best natural ice-breaker we could have wished for!

2) Just a quickie to let you know we had a fabulous Phone Pals last night. Such a shame that C was ill, but could I ask you on behalf of the group to pass on our sincere good wishes? We look forward very much to 'meeting her' on the next Phone Pals date. I have given everyone all the dates till the end of this year as follows…

3) K's story was indeed a harrowing tale, but I found immediately that B and H started to comfort him - something which happens very often in the stroke rehabilitation unit that I attended, especially with the younger males, and, as a stroke patient myself, I am well used to seeing this kindness.

Focusing on overcoming problems

4) I think this session could be considered a success. And, yes, I did try the rather more 'focused' approach … so last night we focused on the emotions of anger, fear and frustration, and what we did individually to overcome them. I don't think they were only being polite when, at the end of the call, both S and J said that the allotted time seemed to have just rushed by, and that they both liked the rather more analytical and disciplined approach.

5) Interestingly, both B and L mentioned moderately severe cognitive problems in taking in the written, as against the spoken, word. I immediately identified with this, as I can no longer read the paper without tremendous concentration, and even dread the post arriving! But not so K, who described his tumour, a meningioma, as having been 'grapefruit-sized', who has over 500 books (many of them medical), and is an avid reader. So, just as with stroke, every single one of us is different, dependent on which part of the brain is affected.

Not everything goes to plan!

6) What a (pleasant) surprise I had last night !! The phone went at 7.40 pm, and immediately I was thrust into the middle of an unscheduled Phone Pals session. But although it took all the others by surprise as well, we did at least have four as well as myself - B, L, K, and J!!! Perhaps this indicates the way forward? Surprise them !

But, despite the fact that I had done no preparation, and hence did not really feel quite 'in control', it seemed to go surprisingly well. B apparently started as a lifelong vegetarian, and when his partner was eventually diagnosed with a tumour they both went vegan and organic, and take no processed sugar. The result (according to B) is much increased energy levels.

This, naturally, lead on to alternative medicine and complementary therapies. By the end of the session, we seemed to have covered almost the lot from acupuncture through to homeopathy, magnets, copper bangles, cod liver oil etc. Two of the group had some difficulty in drinking, and the existence of a 'dysphasia mug' was also mentioned; apparently it helps enormously with this problem . If I can find out more details about it, I’ll pass them on to you - perhaps it’s worthy of a mention in a future newsletter?

Phone Pals is free. If you want to know more about Phone Pals or you’d like to join in, why not phone us on 0845 4500 386.