ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MARYLAND

OSTOMY ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 847

GAMBRILLS, MD 21054

OFFICERS President: Paul Rossi 410-647-6171

268 Shakespeare Drive Severna Park, MD 21146

Vice President Secretary Jamie Darr 410-987-0094 Treasurer Lyn Rowell 410-672-6983 Webmaster: Janice Winters

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Allyn Mellits Joan Gardner Ginny Gross Stan Baker Sandi Burnett Bob Keller

OSTOMY ADVISERS: Irene Repka, RN, BS, CWOCN Michelle Perkins, RN, BS.

We’re on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com Volume 44 Number 7 April 2017

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

Note:Meetingsareheldat7:30pm,thefirstThursdayofeachmonthattheBelcherPavilionatAnneArundelMedicalCenterinAnnapolis.Fromthe2ndflooroftheparkinggaragetaketheentranceintotheBelcherPavilionandonceinsidetaketheelevatortothe7thfloorandcheckwiththedeskfortheroomnumber.

If AA County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be NO MEETING.

UPCOMINGMEETINGS

April6,2017–GroupDiscussion

There is a beautiful and an ugly way in which to say almost everything, and happiness depends upon which way we take. Delia L Porter

The Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Ostomy Association, Inc. (AACOA) is a non-profit, volunteer-basedorganizationdedicatedtoprovidingreassuranceandemotionalsupportforpeoplewhohavehadorwillhavesomekindofostomysurgery,suchasacolostomy,ileostomy,urostomy(urinarydiversion)oracontinentprocedure.ThegoaloftheAACOAistoprovidemoralsupport,information,andeducationtopeoplewithostomiesandtheirfamiliesandfriends.MembersreceiveTheRamblingRosebudnewslettermonthly.DUESare$15pleasemakecheckouttoAACOAandmailtoAACOA,POBox847,GambrillsMD21054-1454

MembershipApplicationPleasePrint

FullName_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last FirstM.I.Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________StreetAddress Apartment/Unit#_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City State ZipCodePhone:()DateofBirth:Gender:

EmailAddress_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reasonforsurgery:____Crohn’s____UlcerativeColitis_____Cancer_____Other__________________________

Emergencycontactifweareunabletoreachyou:______________________________________________________________________Whattypeofsurgeryhaveyouhad?

☐Colostomy ☐Urostomy ☐Spouse/FamilyMember☐Ileostomy ☐Parentofchildwith ☐Other(pleasespecify) Howdidyouhearaboutus?

☐InternetSearch ☐ET/WOCNNurse ☐Other ☐Hospital ☐Physician

2016-2017

HAPPY SPRING !!! Happy end to Winter and beginning of Spring! If you haven’t updated your ostomy accessories lately, perhaps consider adjusting if your products do not seem up to par. Consider Safe n Simple’s line of No Sting Skin Barrier Wipes and Adhesive Removers. Safe n Simple also has a great ostomy pouch deodorant, Assure C, that is unscented and colorless. Only a few drops are needed at a time, so the product is both effective and economical.

Hollister’s Adapt Cera Ring protects and heals as the products is made with a component that preserves skin’s natural moisture integrity. It is designed to promote healthy skin, provide a custom fit, and prevent leakage. Additionally, Coloplast’s Mio Soft Convex product line works wonders for uneven contours that don’t do well with firm convexity.

For more product specification, give us a call, or stop by! Consultations are available by appointment.

Schedule Your Ostomy Consultation Today! (P) 410-773-0300 (x3)

(F) 410-773-0302

Austin Pharmacy and Medical Supplies Baltimore

6729 York Rd Towson

901 Dulaney Valley Rd Hunt Valley

10757 York Rd

March 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

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PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE Hopefully, by the time you read this the weather has warmed up. The days are getting longer, making it a little easier to drive at night. We often have the largest attendance at our meetings when we have a speaker. The Board of Directors puts together and contacts the speakers you enjoy. We could use your help in getting new and interesting speakers. The next time you have a doctors appointment, and you think that doctor could discuss an interesting topic at one of our meetings, please ask him or her if they would be willing to do so. If they are willing, please contact me and I can let you know which months we need a speaker. We can then coordinate dates that are available. The speaker doesn’t have to be a doctor, or the subject doesn’t have to be ostomy specific, although that is preferable. In the past we have had excellent discussions about fire protection and senior citizens services. If you are wondering how you can contribute to helping our group, this is a great way to help. Thank you in advance.

Paul

Items from this newsletter may be reprinted in other ostomy newsletters, provided proper credit is given as to source of material.

OSTOMY ADVISORS FOR STOMA HELP

To consult with one of the ETs below, a physician’s referral is necessary and a fee will be charged. Call for an appointment.

BALTIMORE WASHINGTON HOSPITAL 410-787-4578

ANNE ARUNDEL MEDICAL CENTER Michelle Perkins, RN, BS, CWON

Email: mperkins@aahs.org Laura Alberico-Klug, RN, BSN, CWON

Email: lalbericok@aahs.org 443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177

Fax: 443-481-5198 Private Consultants

Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN 410-932-7312

“To succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone.” Reba McIntyre

No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities – always see them for they’re always there. Norman Vincent Peale Please note that over time articles will be repeated for the benefit of new ostomates and as a reminder for us “oldies.”

THE MID-ATLANTIC’S LARGEST OSTOMY DEALER

We have a dedicated group of Ostomy Supply Service Professionals that are committed to keeping you in your active lifestyle. Northern Pharmacy and Medical Equipment has an attentive staff that cares about your quality of life. Make us your first step in getting back to life as it was meant to be. After all

“We’ve been here for over 75 years, there must be a reason!”

Our Ostomy Department provides a full range of comprehensive services and quality products from trusted brands you can rely on.

WE OFFER: x� Delivery anywhere in the United States x� Free delivery available x� Next day delivery is available x� Large inventory of ostomy & wound care

supplies in stock (we stock an inventory of over 5,000 boxes of supplies)

x� Customized hospital and clinic service plans available

x� In-house Medicare and insurance billing specialists

x� Personalized pharmacy/medical supply specialist available

x� Easy ordering by fax, phone, online, or in-person.

x� Toll Free 24 hour hotline x� Acceptance of all major credit cards

Northern Pharmacy and Medical Equipment 6701 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234 Harford Rd & Northern Parkway www.NorthernPharmacy.com

SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR OSTOMY SUPPLY MANAGER: AARON SACCO Phone: (410) 254 2055 x260 Fax: (443) 740 9297 woc@northernpharmacy.com

March 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

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Important Ostomy Questions and Answers Amparo Cano, MSN, CWOC & Debbie Walde, BSN, CWOC,

Excerpts from the UOAA New Articles to Share, 2017 What is the crusting procedure which helps to cure irritated or raw peristomal skin? 1. Clean the peristomal skin with water (avoid soap)

and pat the area dry. 2. Sprinkle skin barrier powder onto the denuded

skin. 3. Allow the powder to adhere to the moist skin. 4. Dust excess powder from the skin using a gauze

pad or soft tissue. The powder should stick only to the raw area and should be removed from dry, intact skin.

5. Using a blotting or dabbing motion, apply the polymer skin barrier over the powdered area, or lightly spray the area if you're using a polymer skin barrier spray.

6. Allow the area to dry for a few seconds; a whitish crust will appear. You can test for dryness of the crust by gently brushing your finger over it; it should feel rough but dry.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 two to four times to achieve a crust.

8. You may apply a pouching system over the crusted area. Stop using the crusting procedure when the skin has healed and is no longer moist to the touch.

Editor’s Note: Sandi mentioned learning about the crusting technique at a UOAA regional conference last year.

What is the push-pull technique? Rough removal of your skin barrier wafer can tear out hair on the peristomal skin. Pulling out hair causes folliculitis, infection of the hair follicles, and is characterized by red, sore, itching and eventually weepy skin. It can also look like a pus-filled or open pimple. Never pull your skin barrier wafer off but instead hold the wafer in place while pushing your peristomal skin in toward your body. This method is far more gentle to your skin.

Second, each time you remove a pouch, the adhesive takes with it the top layer of dead skin cells. However, if you are removing a pouch frequently, cells can be removed faster than they are replaced. This is called "tape stripping." Everyone's skin reacts differently to having tape removed. But it's important to be gentle and not remove a pouch more frequently than necessary. Skin that is stripped will be sore in some spots and not in others. Sometimes skin around the stoma becomes fragile and strips easily, and a pouch and tape with very gentle adhesive must be found. What are peristomal skin problems? A study revealed that 61% of people with an ostomy have a peristomal skin problem as assessed by a WOC or Ostomy Nurse. The primary cause of skin problems was from effluent coming in contact with the peristomal skin. Body shape and skin type are as individual as personality - some people can establish a good seal between the skin and the barrier, while others may find it a challenge getting a tight seal to avoid leakage and may need a little extra help to make their ostomy appliance fit securely and to care for peristomal skin.

What are some hospitalization tips for ostomates? Never assume hospital personnel know the difference between ostomy types. Ask if the hospital has an ostomy nurse. If they do, call them and let them know you're an ostomate and you'd love to just meet them even if they do not need to be involved in your immediate care. Never assume they have ostomy supplies you use in stock. Always keep an emergency supplies kit ready in your closet full of everything you need for at least five changes of your ostomy appliance during an unexpected stay. Bring a warm bathrobe. Hospitals are kept very cool to keep them sanitary. Never assume the medications they give you are correct.

March 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

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Fun Puns Via Facebook I tried to catch some Fog. I mist. When chemists die, they barium. Broken pencils are pointless. What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A Thesaurus. What does a clock do when it’s hungry? It goes back four seconds. I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me. When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

TIPS FOR LIVING LONGER Lyn Rowell

I recently read an article on line about simple things we can do to live longer. What was interesting was that while some things on the list were expected, many were simple, even obvious things that we might neglect, and among them were: Wear your seatbelt. I know – shockingly obvious but surprisingly something many people neglect. So buckle up. Stop smoking – the sooner the better, but even if someone doesn’t stop until their 60s they can still add a year or two to their life expectancy. Move your body – walking can add three years to your life. Exercise helps reduce stress, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and help maintain weight. Brush and floss your teeth, and see your dentist regularly. Inflammation in the gums caused by bacteria, can increase risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Use your brain – read, do crosswords or other games, learn new things. Keeping your brain active can lower the risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Sleep – don’t sleep longer than 8 hours or less than 4 hours. Studies showed individuals who slept for less than 4 or more than 8 hours had a higher death rate. Laugh more – it reduces stress and seems to be associated with improving the immune system. Be more optimistic – pessimists are more prone to viral illnesses while optimists tend to live about 12 years longer than their pessimistic counterparts. These are just a few of the points they mentioned and are simple every day things we can all do. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF? By: Ellice Feiveson, Metro MD. Via: Dallas Ostomatic News

Trust me, every ostomate has had or will have an “ostomy accident.” By accident, I mean a pouch leak of some kind. The question is, “are you prepared in case an accident occurs away from home?” Not so much prepared as far as having a change of clothes and extra pouches, but prepared emotionally to deal with the unexpected mishap. The reality of it is that every ostomate must think of what he or she would do if at a party, in a restaurant, work or anywhere else, your pouch leaked because it wasn’t on securely, or the clasp came off and the contents were spilling out. The question is, “What do you do if you feel your pouch is not on securely or you feel wet around your pouch? First of all, you think that everyone is noticing you and knows what’s happening. Stay calm. Go to the nearest bathroom and take care of business. Most likely, your friends are continuing their conversation in the restaurant or in your workplace and no one knows you are temporarily missing. When I encountered an accident while I was in a group situation, I just removed myself and took my time in freshening up and rejoined my friends. No explanation was necessary! The more outings you take and the more public situations you are in, the more confident you will be as time goes on.

Avoid any diet that discourages the use of hot fudge. Don Kardong

A.A.C.O.A. P.O. BOX 847 GAMBRILLS, MD 21054