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 Stan Novack 410-255-6802 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.

Were on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com Volume 41 Number 9 June 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

June 4th 2015 Will Meade, 3M Representative

July 2nd 2015 To Be Announced

Note: Meetings are held at 7:30pm, the first Thursday of each month at the Belcher Pavilion at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. From the 2nd floor of the parking garage take the entrance into the Belcher Pavilion and once inside take the elevator to the 7th floor and check with the 7th floor desk for the room number. If AA County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be no meeting.

The Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Ostomy Association, Inc. (AACOA) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to providing reassurance and emotional support for people who have had or will have some kind of ostomy surgery, such as a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy (urinary diversion) or a continent procedure. The goal of the AACOA is to provide moral support, information, and education to people with ostomies and their families and friends. Members receive The Rambling Rosebud newsletter monthly. DUES are $15 please make check out to AACOA and mail to Stan Baker, 958 Fall Ridge Way, Gambrills MD 21054-1454 Membership Application Please Print Full Name _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last First M.I. Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street Address Apartment/Unit # _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City State Zip Code Phone: ( ) Date of Birth: Gender: Email Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Reason for surgery: ____ Crohns ____Ulcerative Colitis _____ Cancer _____ Other__________________________ Emergency contact if we are unable to reach you: ______________________________________________________________________ What type of surgery have you had?

Colostomy Urostomy Spouse/Family Member Ileostomy Parent of child with Other (please specify) I would like to help with the following committee(s) or activities:

Finance Hospitality Membership Newsletter Program Refreshments Sunshine Visiting How did you hear about us?

Internet Search ET/WOCN Nurse Other Hospital Physician A WORD OF THANKS for their constant support of our Chapter to: Anne Arundel Medical Center for providing rooms for our regular meetings and special events. We appreciate their support and assistance.

Items from this newsletter may be reprinted in other ostomy newsletters, provided proper credit is given as to source of material REMEMBER!!! The entrance to the Belcher Pavilion is FROM THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE PARKING GARAGE. Once inside the building you will be on its second floor take the elevators inside up to the 7th floor. When leaving, take the elevator the second floor and go through the doors onto the 2nd floor of the parking garage.

OSTOMY ADVISORS FOR STOMA HELP To consult with one of the ETs below, a physicians 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

For those serving on the board, the next board meeting is September 21st at 7:30pm

2014-2015

Live Well Live Independent Live Active

TOWSON 6729 York Road Baltimore, MD 21212 Phone: 410-377-5300 Fax: 410-377-5302 HUNT VALLEY 10757 York Road Cockeysville, MD 21030 Phone: 410-773-0300 Fax: 410-773-0301

Toll Free: 1-855-AUSTMED M-F 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sat 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Colleen Simpson BSN, RN, CWON

Hello!

At Austin Pharmacy, it is our mission to provide education and guidance to our ostomates and their families. We pride ourselves on having the clinical expertise to aid in problem solving. We find it is in the sharing of "best practices" that leads to happier, healthier living. Below are some "lessons learned" that might be useful collectively.

A resourceful ostomate could not resolve his frequent leaking issues. After multiple bag trials, a hernia support belt and a multitude of accessory products, he finally resorted to the use of a liquid stool absorptant which stopped the leaking.

Another client with both colostomy and urostomy developed a peristomal hernia. The peristomal hernia belt was rising up his abdomen and causing the bags to lift off. After using a body adhesive, the belt ceased to move and he is able to use his belt again.

A urostomate's nighttime tubing would twist and kink during sleep. A multipurpose tube holder used on the thigh to keep the tubing in place lead to more restful nights.

A woman wearing the same bag year after year could no longer remove the bag without skin stripping. After trials of liquid barriers and removers, thin hydrocolloid strips were placed on the skin prior to wafer application. The end result was easier removal.

These are just a few of the stories. We welcome you to share yours! Conversely, if you are having difficulties please call us, we are here to help you live a happy, healthy life!

June 2015 The Rambling Rosebud

4

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE As promised, this month our newsletter includes the registration form for the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) Annual Conference on page 6. This annual event offers a variety of events that ostomates old and new can enjoy. A few of our members have attended in the past and enjoyed the classes and activities. You can find out more about the conference at the UOAAs website www.ostomy.org. The UOAA also publishes a magazine called The Phoenix the magazine provides solutions to the many challenges of living with a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy or continent diversion. You can find out how to subscribe at www.ostomy.org. Paul SOOOOHOW DO I CLEAN THIS POUCH? Via: Hemet-San Jacinto, CA & Evansville Ostomy News Editors Note this applies to those using a two piece pouch. If you are cleaning a drainable two-piece pouch for reuse, use warm, rather than hot or cold water. Cold water doesnt lift stool or urine as readily from the plastic and the pouch is less pliable. Hot water will cause the pouch to wear out faster and may increase the likelihood of odor. If you want to rinse the pouch while youre still wearing it, use a small squirt bottle to get the water in it, slosh it around by holding the end and let things empty into the toilet. Unless you have no option, its best to remove the pouch entirely for cleaning. A bit of ordinary dish detergent with warm water, or, if bacteria is a concern, a bit of white vinegar mixed with water will do the trick. Fill the pouch with the warm water/soap/vinegar solution and slosh it by hand over the toilet, drain and repeat as necessary. Its not recommended that you wash these things in the sink- - the drains are usually too small to handle this sort of waste and the result will not be hygienic.

Once you have things reasonably clean, you can hold the pouch under the bathtub faucet and let it rinse. Tub drains are larger and so long as you let a good flush of water follow, and scrub the bathtub on a regular basis (which you do anyway, right?) your bathroom will not

smell. Baking soda in the wash water and down the drain is an excellent deodorizer. You can hang the wet pouch by the ring on a hook to dry or just leave it flat on a towel and it will be ready for use the next day. The inside doesnt have to be bone dry for use, but the outside and ring should be. A lot of products have a thin fabric covering on themnice against the skin when dry but very uncomfortable if damp. Make sure that part is dry before putting it back on.

The correct way to weigh yourself:

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years. WE MUST SPREAD THE WORD

Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.

THE MID-ATLANTICS 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

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

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

Customized hospital and clinic service plans available

In-house Medicare and insurance billing specialists

Personalized pharmacy/medical supply specialist available

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

Toll Free 24 hour hotline 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: KEITH CAPPS Phone: (410) 254 2055 x249 Fax: (443) 740 9297 kcapps@northernpharmacy.com

2015 UOAA NATIONAL CONFERENCE ST. LOUIS September 1st 6th at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch

Registration

Name:_______________________________ Nickname: ______________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City: __________________________ State: ___________ Zip Code: ____________

Phone: ( )___________________ Email:__________________________________

I require special accommodations: Yes ___ No ___

Please indicate special accommodations required:________________________________________________________

I am a member of a UOAA Affiliated Support Group (ASG): Yes ___ No ___

ASG Name: __________________________ I am a virtual UOAA member: Yes ___ No ___

I am an ASG Leader: Yes ___ Title: ___________________

I will attend the ASG Leadership Academy (Wed 9/2/15 9am to 5pm): Yes ___ No ___

I have attended a UOAA National Conference in the past: Yes ___ No ___

I have a: __ Colostomy __ Ileostomy __ Urostomy __ Continent Diversion I had my present ostomy surgery in (year) _______

I am a Medical Professional ___ Family member ___ Other ________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Please list the names of any spouse/companions or children attending

Please indicate registration selections below:

Individual: ___ X $125 = _____ Children 5 - 17: ___ X $25 = _____ Spouse/Companion: ___ X $75 = _____

Children under 5: ___ X FREE

Medical Professional: ___ X $125 = _____ One Day Only: ___ X $75 = _____

Fee Total = $ ______

Make check or money order payable to: UOAA or complete the credit card information below:

I hereby authorize UOAA to charge my credit card in the amount of $ _______ as payment for registration for the 2015 National Conference.

Credit Card # __________________________________ Exp Date: ___________

_____ VISA _____ MASTERCARD ____ DISCOVER _____ AMERICAN EXPRESS

Name on Card: _______________________________________________________

Current Date: ___________ Signature_______________________________ (Cardholder Signature)

Mail completed registration form and payment to:

82$$32%R[1RUWKILHOG01 Or register on-line at: www.ostomy.org

Questions? Call the UOAA office at 1.800.826.0826 or email: oa@ostomy.org

June 2015 The Rambling Rosebud

7

YOU CAN HIDE YOUR OSTOMY Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Via the Visitor, Portland Maine, and Inside Out Winnipeg, Manitoba To you, the ostomy bag attached to you is painfully obvious. When you look in the mirror, you notice the bag under your clothes. You might think every gurgle and noise coming from your stoma is loud and heard by everyone in the room.

Most people wont notice your ostomy unless you tell them about it. As you get used to your ostomy, youll figure out tips and tricks to keep the bag hidden and the noises to a minimum. Here are some ideas to get you started: Empty your ostomy bag when it gets to be one-third full. That way it wont bulge under clothes. Work with your ostomy nurse to find the ostomy pouching system that works best for you. If youre worried about the odor when emptying your ostomy bag, ask your ostomy nurse or visit your medical supply store for pouch deodorants or air sprays to minimize odor. Ask a close friend or loved one whose opinion you trust whether your ostomy bag is visible under your clothes or if the sounds your ostomy makes are as loud as you think they are. Everyones body makes noises and produces odors from time to time. While it can be embarrassing, dont let a fear of what could go wrong keep you from going about your day.

I can 't choose how I feel , but I can choose what I do about it .

STRESS AND INTESTINAL GAS From the GI Series Newsletters, via the Mission Ostomy Assn of Tuscon AZ & Snohomish County Insights

Stress is the cause of one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints. Flatulence occurs in people during stressful situations. While under

stress, breathing is deeper and one sighs more, encouraging a greater than normal intake of air. Dr. Richter, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, states that the average person belches about fourteen times a day. The person with a flatulence problem does not belch more often. However, they may experience the sensation of needing to belch and get little relief from doing so. Here are some ways to relieve gas:

Avoid heavy fatty meals, especially during stressful situations.

Reduce the quantity of food consumed at one sitting. Eat smaller low-fat meals about every three hours. Avoid drinking beverages out of cans or bottles and avoid drinking through a straw. Avoid foods and beverages you personally cannot tolerate. Avoid any practice that causes intake of air, such as chewing gum, smoking or eating blended foods that may contain a lot of air.

Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. With the advice of your doctor or ostomy nurse, experiment with foods in your diet to achieve adequate bowel regularity.

Avoid eating too many fiber foods in one meal. Gradually add fiber foods into your diet to prevent excessive intestinal gas. Avoid skipping meals; an empty bowel encourages small and gassy stool. Poor digestion can often exaggerate the symptoms associated with flatulence. Digestion enzymes aid in food assimilation and chemical digestion. Enzyme supplements should always be taken immediately before or after eating. Food coats the stomach and helps prevent gastric juices and acids from destroying the enzyme action. According to a recent survey, men say the first thing they notice about a woman are their eyes. And women say the first thing they notice about men is they're a bunch of liars.