OFFICERS President: Stan Baker 410-672-5219 958 Fall Ridge Way Gambrills, MD 21054

Vice President Paul Rossi Secretary Mary Keller Treasurer Lyn Rowell 410-672-6983

Webmaster: Verity Larson BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sandi Burnett Bob Keller OSTOMY ADVISERS: Joyce Onken BSN, RN, CWOCN Lead Inpatient Wound Ostomy Nurse AAMC

Website: www.annearundelostomy.com Volume 46 Number 11 August 2019

NEXT MEETING September 5th, 2019

Product Fair

Please note there will NOT be a meeting in August. Happy summer!

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

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

City State ZipCodePhone:()DateofBirth:Gender:

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Reasonforsurgery:____Crohn’s____UlcerativeColitis_____Cancer_____Other__________________________

Emergencycontactifweareunabletoreachyou:______________________________________________________________________Whattypeofsurgeryhaveyouhad?

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“Living in the past or worrying about the future is what spoils the NOW for us adults. Either one keeps us from giving our full attention to the present.” – Catherine Marshall

2018-2019

Here are some friendly reminder travel tips from one of your fellow

ostomy friends! Enjoy the rest of the summer!

Traveling with OstomyContact the airline you are traveling with. If you would like preferred seating that is close to a washroom or in an aisle, you’ll have to contact the airline and inquire about medical allowances. I’d suggest doing this in advance as you may require signatures from your surgeon/doctor/specialist to get approval.

Contact your supplier. Contact your supplier and inform you are traveling and inquire if there was anything I would need extra for your ostomy. They may send samples with things that would help wearing a bag in hotter climates along with a travel card and pouch to store the supplies. Perhaps helpful when going through TSA (security).

Print a TSA disability notification card. This card basically informs the TSA agent that you require medical supplies in your carry on, that may not be allowed on a plane.

Expect a Pat-Down- TSA has recently consolidated pat-down procedures into one standardized procedure. You may also undergo a standard pat-down of areas that will not include the ostomy pouch.

Pack for a change every day, plus one. It’s better to be over prepared than under. Feel at ease changing it more often with being in the ocean, the pool, sweating and showering daily.

Pack for every scenario. Especially having an ileostomy means that your output can change depending on what you eat. Because of that, maybe pack Imodium (for high output), Gastrolyte (for dehydration) and Vitamin Water (for dehydration).

Purchase Travel Insurance. Recommended with or without an ostomy. Most credit cards and medical insurance have travel insurance covered, but it’s important to check before traveling. If you don’t have travel insurance, just contact any bank. Most banks have a package that is affordable and it’s definitely worth the cost for peace of mind.

*Pack things for your ostomy a few days prior, we tend to forget about little things last minute.

*Pre-cut your wafers.

*ALWAYS, ALWAYS take your ostomy supplies as carry-on and keep pair of sweatpants and T-shirt just in case of a leak.

*Download Ostomy Advisor on your phone

Relax & Have Fun

Jearlean Taylor

TOWSON 6729 York Road

Baltimore, MD 21212 Phone: 410-377-5300 Fax: 410-377-5302

Toll Free: 1-855-AUSTMED

M-F 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sat 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

HUNT VALLEY 10757 York Road

Cockeysville, MD 21030 Phone: 410-773-0300 Fax: 410-773-0301

August 2019 The Rambling Rosebud

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE One of the more pleasant responsibilities I have as president of our Association comes when someone contacts me asking for help in disposing of unneeded ostomy supplies. Although that usually occurs when a loved one has died, that they reach out is a bit inspiring. Even in their sorrow they realize that they can help others. (In the last several months, at least five people have contacted me for this kind of help.)

In the past I used to tell them to bring the material to a meeting, where we would let our members select whatever they wanted. Any unwanted but useful item would then be shipped to FOW-USA. With the change in our meeting schedule that choice is no longer practical.

Now I recommend that they send their supplies directly to FOW-USA. Make sure that your spouse or significant other knows how to dispose of your excess supplies. The address is FOW-USA, 4108 Bishop Lane, Louisville, KY 40218-4539. When shipping material to them, include an invoice so you can receive a tax deduction if you itemize your taxes. FOW will not establish a price. They will let you decide an appropriate value.

Have a splendid, safe summer. See you in September.

Stan

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

UPCOMING MEETINGS September 5th 6 PM - Product Fair December - Holiday Party

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

Jenn Davis, RN, BS, CWON Anne Fischer, RN, BS, CWON Joyce Onken, RN, BS, CWON

Sarah McClain, RN, BS, CWON Email ostomyRN@aahs.org

443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177 Private Consultants

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

The Ostomy Nurses at Austin Pharmacy 410-773-0300

No referral necessary ($40 consultative fee)

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: AARON SACCO Phone: (410) 254 2055 x260 Fax: (443) 740 9297 woc@northernpharmacy.com

August 2019 The Rambling Rosebud

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DON’T FORGET!!!! SEPTEMBER 5th

OSTOMY PRODUCT FAIR Representatives from:

Hollister Convatec Coloplast

Light refreshments

swap your unused and unwanted ostomy supplies*

6pm - 7:30pm PLEASE try to attend. If we don’t have a good turnout, this will never happen again. Remember this is the chance to speak to a product rep, pick up samples of new products to try and share your thoughts about their particular products.

******

Two bachelors sat talking, their conversation drifted from politics to cooking." I got a cookbook once," said one, "but I could never do anything with it." "Too much fancy work in it, eh?" asked the other. "You said it. Every one of the recipes began the same way -- 'Take a clean dish...'”

*****

UROSTOMY CARE UOAA July 2013, via The Triangle

The urostomate should keep in mind that the stoma may shrink for several months following surgery. It is important that your appliance fits well so that the skin around the stoma does not become thick and white due to contact with urine. This crust may rub against the stoma, causing bleeding.

To cleanse the pouch of crystals, soak it in a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water. Several glasses of cranberry juice each day will help restore the acid level in your body and there is less crystallization. The urinary pouch should be emptied often.

There is no odor when the pouch I kept clean. The portion of the intestine (the ileum) that is used to form the “conduit” is mucous forming, so it is not unusual or abnormal to see some mucous in the urine.

Before attaching the night drain, leave sufficient urine in the pouch to fill the entire length of the tube. This eliminates air bubbles which prevent the flow through the tube and causes “backup” problems.

Please remember that for best results, you will want to change your appliance first thing in the morning before you eat or drink anything. This may give you some breathing room for a few minutes (when your stoma will not be active) to get the skin dried off and the new appliance in place.

If you bend over and try to be sure all stored liquid is forced out before you begin the change, it may also help give you a few minutes of inactivity to complete the change.

August 2019 The Rambling Rosebud

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TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH MEDICATIONS AND/OR OSTOMY SUPPLIES

Keep your medicines (and emergency pouches) with you—not in the checked luggage.

Bring more than enough medicine and/or ostomy supplies for your trip.

Keep a list of all your medicines and/or ostomy supplies with you.

Do not store ostomy supplies in your car, especially under the hot summer sun.

*****

HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Lyn Rowell

As temperatures climb into the upper 90s and the humidity makes it feel even hotter outside, activities can trigger heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, becoming lightheaded or muscle cramps.

Sweat cools the body and then evaporates from the skin. Excess sweating leads to dehydration if fluids are not replaced. Unchecked it can lead to heat stroke. While victims of heat exhaustion sweat profusely, people suffering from heat stroke stop sweating and have dry skin. This is a warning sign of impending heat stroke.

The symptoms include confusion, lethargy, and seizure. This is a life-threatening emergency and needs immediate medical help.

Ostomates who have had significant amounts of large intestine removed are particularly at risk for heat exhaustion because they may become dehydrated faster than most adults. Generally speaking someone with significant amounts of their colon removed, need 2-4 cups of additional fluid and summer conditions can increase that amount.

If you suspect you are developing heat exhaustion, move to a cooler environment and begin fluids. Drinking a lot of fluid quickly may actually worsen symptoms by pushing remaining salt from the body so drink small quantities regularly. Popsicles are a good way to slowly rehydrate. If you feel significantly dehydrated you might need to go to the ER for IV fluids.

Prevention is always better than a cure so (1) be aware of your environment on hot, humid days, (2) wear light clothes, (3) drink lots of fluids and (4) pay attention to your body.

No rewards are offered for finding fault

Miscellaneous facts from here and there…. Drinking a lot of carbonated drinks or beer may “blow up” your pouch with gas. While your body may be slowly absorbing the fluid, the gas may move through much faster and you end up with an instant flotation device. Food dyes, especially in drinks, and certain “colorful” foods will cause your output to change drastically in color. Beets can make it very red, while blue food dyes may make it look green. Red velvet cake also produces some interesting colors. Don’t assume medical personnel are familiar with ostomies. Many may never have seen one and will need a little education about how it affects medication you might be prescribed.

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