September 2015 Newsletter

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.

We’re on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com Volume 41 Number 12 September 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

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 way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. Walt Disney

UPCOMING MEETINGS

September 3rd 2015 – Group Discussion – Ostomy Travels

October 1st, 2105 – Dr. Carol Tweed, Oncologist

NEW MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL

2015-‐2016 ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD OSTOMY ASSOCIATION, INC.

Annual dues are just $15.00

Please make $15.00 check payable to AACOA and mail to:

AACOA – Membership P.O. Box 847 Gambrills, MD 21054

Full Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________________Gender: ____________

Email Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Reason for surgery: _______Crohn’s ______Ulcerative Colitis _______Cancer _______ Other

Emergency Contact – If we are unable to reach you:_________________________________________________________________________________________

What type of Surgery have you had?

____Colostomy ____Urostomy ___Ileostomy ___Parent of child with ___Spouse/Family Member _______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 ___ET/WOCN Nurse ___Hospital ___Physician

___Other – Please specify___________________________________________________________________

_________ I PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE A PAPER COPY OF THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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.

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

Greetings!

With the influx of new products recently on the market, the ostomy world has increasingly become a new excitement of opportunity.

When sampling a new product, make a check list. Then when ready to order, you will have answers at hand. Consider questioning if the product is an adjunct or replacement to your current system, whether it is a potential solution to a problem, if it is covered by insurance and if so, how many are allowed each month.

Ask questions of your WOCN, the manufacturer and the ostomy and wound specialists at Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supplies.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

September 2015 The Rambling Rosebud

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE September is the month that we send out membership renewals and I really appreciate those who have already renewed and given their forms and payment to us at our last meeting. If you can, please complete the form on page 2 and bring it with your check to the September meeting. This saves us postage and saves you a stamp too. Postage is the main expense we face in the group, but we also pay for mailbox rental, web hosting and domain name fees, occasional banking expenses (such as checks) and miscellaneous expenses such as the sandwich tray at our annual holiday party. We also try to sponsor someone to attend the annual youth rally each year. So when you hand over your check, remember it does a lot of good and thank you.

Paul Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects. (Arnold Glasgow)

The grand essentials of happiness are:

• Something to do

• Something to love and

• Something to hope for

Patrick Chalmers

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 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: [email protected] Laura Alberico-Klug, RN, BSN, CWON

Email: [email protected] 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

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: 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 [email protected]


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Adhesions & Other Pains that Cramp Your Style Edited by B. Brewer, UOAA Update May 2012

Adhesions are tough, string-like fibrous bands, often in the small intestine. They may form spontaneously but are more common after surgery, where disturbances caused by tissue manipulation may lead to healing in the form of fibrous tissue, hence adhesions. Some people form them more easily than others.

Adhesions may grow to interfere with the normal motion of the intestine, causing a blockage or obstruction, with food, liquid or even air unable to pass the blocked area. Severe bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation are symptoms of blockage and present a serious situation requiring medical attention and possible immediate surgery to cut the obstructive adhesive bands. Abdominal pain, though, doesn‘t always mean adhesions are blocking the intestines. A frequent cause for such pain is a spasm of muscles responsible for peristalsis, the rhythmic muscular contractions that propel the bolus through the intestines. Muscle spasms in the calf are referred to as a charley horse; spasms in the intestines are essentially the same thing but assume the name irritable intestine or irritable bowel.

Even ostomates who function without colons are not immune from painful spasms in the small in-testine. An ileostomate may sometimes suffer from pain that can‘t be traced to blockage and may be told that adhesions are responsible; the actual cause may instead be a spasm.

************

Most of us hope for a long life, but hate to grow old to achieve it.

“Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles. What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other.” George Eliot TRUST YOURSELF By Robert Eisman, RN/ET via Metro Maryland Regardless of the type of ostomy you have, your prime concern must be placed on getting to know yourself. Any advice you are given should coincide with you as an individual. Life-‐style, activities, weight – all play an important part in determining which product will work best for you. Jumping from product to product without being truly aware of the differences, the advantages, or the disadvantages of each can be a costly and dangerous practice. Assuming that you have been taught how to are for your ostomy, how to use your appliance, and where to purchase your supplies, you should become thoroughly familiar with the recommended procedure and equipment before experimenting with a new product. After you’ve gained the confidence that comes with experience, thought can be given to exploring other products and procedures. Learning new and better ways to care for yourself can be fun and very rewarding, but guidelines should be set and observed with safety being the paramount concern. Remember, the ostomy has not changed you as an individual. You still have the same strengths and weaknesses, the same needs and desires as before. So walk slowly at first, but increase the steps and strides as you gain more confidence in your own ability and get back into the mainstream of life as quickly as possible.


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I WANT TO KNOW! Via: The Indianapolis, IN Chapter Where does the water go when it doesn’t return with my colostomy evacuation? It is absorbed into your body and then eliminated via urination some time afterwards. When will the stoma heal so that it isn’t red anymore? The red color will not go away. It’s actually a good indication that the stoma is healthy with a good blood supply. What is a simple way to control stoma noise? Two to three tablespoons of applesauce with breakfast seems to control stoma noise and to have a thickening effect on liquid discharge. What foods besides bananas are high in potassium? Bananas are frequently mentioned as a food high in potassium, but potatoes actually contain nearly twice as much. One large banana has 450 milligrams of potassium while a large baked potato with its skin contains 850 milligrams (the skin alone has 235 mg). How may I slow activity before changing my appliance? Some ostomates eat peanut butter or marshmallows before changing the appliance to slow activity before showering or taking a bath. Many urostomates change their appliance early in the morning of the “change” day at a time when urine discharge is less frequent.

We would never learn to be brave and patient if there was only joy in the world. Helen Keller

************* IF YOU ARE A NEW OSTOMATE Here are five suggestions on making life easier:

SMILE – you will find this costs nothing. It is perhaps the first pain-free motion you’ve made recently. It not only improves your face, it is contagious! THANK GOD you are alive! Count your blessings. You’re bound to resent your surgery – we all do – but we cannot be grateful and resentful at the same time. We cannot change past experience but we can make the future what we want it to be. OVERCOME YOUR FEAR of being different. It doesn’t show and everything else is normal. In no time at all, you will be back in the swing. If you don’t think so, come to a meeting and look around the room to try the guessing game - which ones have stomas! MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY – your show is over, the curtain has come down on your “starring” role. Consider those who have been waiting breathlessly in the wings – they need loving care too. ACCEPT YOUR NEW WAY OF LIFE – it is not really a change; it is just in a different place and it takes a little time to orient yourself. Don’t give up! There will come a day when you will have to agree that it is far more comfortable than the way it was right after surgery.

“Fifty years from now, it will not matter what kind of car you drove, what kind of house you lived in, how much you had in your bank account, or what your clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because you were important in the life of another.”

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

September 2015 Newsletter

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