ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MARYLAND

OSTOMY ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 847

GAMBRILLS, MD 21054

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: Janice Winters

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Allyn Mellits Joan Gardner Sandi Burnett Bob Keller

OSTOMY ADVISERS: Joyce Onken BSN, RN, CWOCNLead Inpatient Wound Ostomy Nurse AAMC

We’re on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com Volume 45 Number 4 January 2018

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

January4th–WOCNPresentationonSkinCareFebruary1st–Dr.Kahan,PainManagementMarch1st–Dr.CarolTweed,Hematologist&

Oncologist

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

2017-2018

Soft convex ostomy wafers are not new to the ostomy world, but have recently been added to

popular product lines such as Hollister, Convatec, Coloplast and Marlin. Their

delivery is a great alternative where rigid convexity has no place, but is still a need. Examples include but are not limited to

recessed stomas, peristomal hernias, and deep abdominal crevices where rigid convexity

“pops” off. These products tend to bend easily, feel and fit comfortably, and don’t usually

pose a risk for pressure ulcers. The reimbursement varies depending on your

insurance, however, if you find yourself in the need, ask yourWOCN or give us a call!

Give us a call to discuss more topics of interest or for consultation. Our best,

Colleen, Joan & Sue

Schedule Your Ostomy Consultation Today!

p. 410-773-0300 (x3) f. 410-773-0302

Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supplies Baltimore

6729 York Rd Towson

901 Dulaney Valley Hunt Valley

10757 York Rd

January 2018 The Rambling Rosebud

4

PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE The annual Holiday Party was a splendid success. The big winner (almost) was Peggy. For just a moment or two, it seemed as if she had won a car. However, the fob which offered such a grand prize actually belonged to WOCN Joyce who had inadvertently misplaced it. Gracious as always, Peggy relinquished her (almost) prize and accepted a much less expensive, gift. Before the gift exchange was the movable feast our members had brought. Because everyone had brought something to please almost anyone’s taste, there were hardly any leftovers. As I write this, winter has arrived in full force, even though the calendar says it’s a few weeks early. At present we have speakers for our Jauary, February and March meetings. Make sure to read the first page for the current list of speakers. In a separate mailing in November/December, Sandi had sent our a card soliciting suggestions for ways to improve our group. Thank you to those who have returned it already and please return it with your ideas if you haven’t done so yet. All volunteer groups like ours are having problems with membership and participation. If we continue on our present course, our survival as a positive group will gradually diminish and lead to our having to disband. Don’t let this happen. Pitch in. Be a force to help ostomates in the coming years. Have a good New Year’s celebration. Be safe.

StanBaker

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

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)

UPCOMING MEETINGS January: WOCN Presentation – Skin Management February: Dr. Kahan, Pain Management March – Dr. Carol Tweed, Hematology & Oncology 2017HolidayParty

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

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

December 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

6

BACTERIAANDYOURPOUCHFromCoquitlam(BC)Connection&S.Brevard(FL)OstomyNewsletter

Manypatientshavingostomysurgeryworryaboutbacteria. Thosewithcolostomiesand ileostomiesask if their stomaswill become infectedwith thedischarge of stool. This is amyth! The stoma isaccustomed to the normal bacteria in theintestine.Keeptheskinaroundtheareacleanandbecarefulofadjacentwounds. Youmaywant tokeepfecaldrainageawayfromtheincision.Don’tworry about the ostomy becoming infected fromnormaldischarge.Naturehasprovidedwell. Ourbodiesareaccustomedtocertainbacteria.

The urinary ostomy patient is more likely to besusceptible to infection than the other types ofostomies. Urine isusually sterile. It is importantto keep the urinary pouch very clean. On daysthat it isn’t changed, it should be rinsed with asolution of 1/3 white vinegar to 2/3 tap water.Thiscanbeallowedtorunupoverthestomaandwill also help prevent crystals. The vinegarproduces an acid environment in your pouch.Bacteria cannot multiply as readily in an acidcondition.

Your night drainage pouch should be cleanseddaily. White vinegar and water can be used forthis too. Perhaps some of you use a specialdisinfectant or diluted Lysol solution. When thedrainage bag has sediment that cannot beremovedbycleaning,itshouldbediscarded.

Drinking plenty of fluids is important for allostomates, but especially for the urostomypatient. ManyurologistsalsoprescribevitaminCtohelpkeeptheurineacidandlesssusceptibletoinfection. (Checkwith your doctor first, as somepersonshavereasonsthatwouldbeexceptionstothis). Cranberry juice helps to keep the urineacidic.

Ostomypatientsshouldstrivetoliveanormallife,keepfitnutritionally (thishelpsprevent infection)and drink sufficient fluids. Don’t live in fear ofinfection.

DIARRHEACONCERNSLynRowell

Aswell as colds and flu, it seems that thewinteroftenbringsitsshareofstomachissues.Whethercaused by a bug or virus, or just from overindulgence,diarrheacanaffectanostomatealittlemoreseriously.

For those with a colostomy that is irrigated it isusually wise to stop irrigating until the diarrheahas passed. You don’t want to increase youroutput. Otherwise just follow the usualtreatmentsofalightdietandincreasedfluid.

For the ileostomate diarrhea is a greater hazard.Excess diarrhea can lead to dehydration,particularly if there is also vomiting. It isimportant to try to replace lost fluids but whiledrinking more water is useful, increasing fluidsthat contain potassium and/or salt maybe morebeneficial than water alone. Tea, orange juice,cranberry juice, bouillon, tomato juice andGatorade are good choices. Food wise, crackersarehelpfulasisfollowingtheBRATdiet–bananas,rice, applesauce and toast. If thediarrhea and/orvomiting are severe and show no sign of slowingdown,callyourdoctororgototheERasyoumayneedIVfluids.

In the ileostomate, however, diarrhea andvomiting accompanied by acute abdominal painmaybeasymptomofapartialobstruction.Inthatcase,youshouldseekpromptmedicalattentionasthiswillnotgoawaybyitself.

For the urostomate be careful to keep yourselfwell hydrated using the suggestions above. Ifdehydration becomes an issue, seek medicalattention.

December 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

7

OSTOADESolanoOstomyNewsIf youdislikeGatorade and youwant to restore yourelectrolytes, you may find this brew more to yourliking:1tspsalt 1tspbakingsoda1TBSPWhiteKaroSyrup6ozcanfrozenorangejuiceconcentrateMix ingredients together and add enough water tomakeupto1quart.Sipthroughouttheday.

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CREATIVE PUNS FOR THE EDUCATED MIND!

She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of math disruption.

The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

Don't join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects.

ASKYOURPHYSICIANEven thebestdoctorscan’t readminds. That’swhy it’s important for you to ask questionsaboutyourhealth.Togetstarted,trythese:

• Whatismycondition?What’sthecause?• DoIneedtests?Why?• What are the possible treatments? How

effectivearethey?• WillIneedtogoonmedication?Whatare

thesideeffects?

Ifyouhavedifficultyunderstandingyourdoctor,takeafriendoffamilymembertotheappointmentwithyou.Foradditionaltipsoncommunicatingwithyourphysical,visitaarp.organdclickon“HealthandWellness”then“CheckupsandPrevention.”

KEEP IN SHAPE By C.J. Ray MD

Ostomatesshouldpayparticularattentiontotheirphysicalfitness.Asyouknow,anostomyisapieceofintestinethatcomesthroughtheabdominalwall.Itpiercestheliningoftheabdominalcavity,twoorthreemusclelayersandalsothefascia,whichistheseparationbetweenthelayersofthemuscles.Someofyouhaveabulgearoundyourostomy,andmaybesomehaveadefectthroughwhichaloopofsmallintestineprotrudes.Thisisatruehernia,andplacementoftheostomytoanothersiteisalwaysanunpleasantprocedure.Ontheotherhand,bulgingoftheabdomenaroundtheostomyisnothingbutaweaknessandrequiresonlysomeformofelasticsupport.Becausethemusclesoftheabdomenhavebeenpierced,itbehoveseachofeveryoneofyoutodoexercises,whichstrengthentheabdominalmuscles.And,byallmeans,keepaslittlefatontheabdominalwallaspossible.Aweightincreasealwaysmakesitdifficultforanostomytobecaredfor.Mypartingthought–keepthetummyflatandthemusclestight!

A blind man was out walking with his seeing-eye dog when suddenly the animal paused and wet the man's leg. Bending down, the blind man stretched out his hand and patted the dog's head.

Having watched what happened, a bystander said, "Why are you patting him? That dog just peed on your leg!" "I know," said the blind man, "but I gotta find his head before I can kick his butt."

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