Los Ostomy News. Ostomy Association of Los Angeles! Hotline #

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O S T O M Y A S S O C I A T I O N O F L O S A N G E L E S Los Ostomy News Ostomy Association of Los Angeles www.oa-la.

1 O S T O M Y A S S O C I A T I O N O F L O S A N G E L E S Los Ostomy News Ostomy Association of Los Angeles Hotline # Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 2 March 2014 Presidents Column A message from our new President, Doug Yakich Page 2 Meeting Locations NEW Location for our Valley meetings Also dates for 2014 are secured Page 3 News Updates Commandments for New Ostomates and The Most Powerful Prescription Page 4 More News Updates Tips for Traveling with Medications and What to Drink with Drugs Page 5 Ostomy Nurses Corner Renew Your Diet and the Ostomate Membership Page 8-9 Time to renew your membership for 2014 and consider an end of the year donation to the OALA. Page 10 Spring is in the Air We should all feel very lucky that we live in Southern California and not the frozen tundra of the Midwest and Northeast of the United States. Spring is finally here, although judging by our recent warm weather, you might not have noticed winter even coming Here at the OALA, we are doing a little spring cleaning and if you have not yet sent in your membership renewal, this might be you last newsletter So send your membership form (Page 10) so you can continue to receive this newsletter every other month. Speaking of spring, we are happy to announce that Doug Yakich has been appointed President of the OALA by the Board of Directors. See his first message on Page 2 See you at the next meeting

P R E S I D E N T S C O L U M N March 2013 I would like to start out by thanking the Board of Directors and all of the OALA members for their support and nomination to become the next President of

My vision is simple, raise awareness in the community and help educate patients, nurses, and doctors about our great organization.

2 P R E S I D E N T S C O L U M N March 2013 I would like to start out by thanking the Board of Directors and all of the OALA members for their support and nomination to become the next President of the Ostomy Association of Los Angeles. I hope that with my leadership, we can help to continue to grow the OALA and reach ostomates throughout the Los Angeles area. My vision is simple, raise awareness in the community and help educate patients, nurses, and doctors about our great organization. Last year, I was elected to the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) National Board of Directors. I began my term this past January and I happy to report that I am taking on the lead to redesign the UOAA website, build the social media presence and plan events surrounding Ostomy Awareness Day, October 4, 2014 The UOAA held a strategic meeting in Chicago this past January. It will continue to be a top priority of the UOAA to continue to grow and expand the affiliated support groups throughout the country. In addition, they are making an effort to reach more ostomates through social media. Webinars are being planned and other exciting online programs will be beginning soon all in an effort to educate. Lastly, the UOAA will be continuing its efforts in advocacy, with two legislative efforts already in process. Please visit for all the updated information at the national level and like the UOAA on Facebook at Locally, we want to once again remind everyone that the OALA holds two different support groups. The Valley location has moved once again, so please see page 3 for the new location information. Please note the dates of both our Valley and West L.A. Meetings and put them on your calendar. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at our next meeting and I look forward to leading the OALA in Be well, travel safe, and know that friends are just a meeting away. Douglas Yakich President OALA Board of Directors Any product mentioned, discussed, displayed, demonstrated, or distributed by sample at meetings, in this newsletter, or on the OALA website does not constitute an endorsement of said product by the Ostomy Association of Los Angeles " 2 Los Ostomy News, March 2014

S U P P O R T G R O U P M E E T I N G S West San Fernando Valley Location: Sherman Oaks Adult Center 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 Auditorium 7 pm to 9 pm.

3 S U P P O R T G R O U P M E E T I N G S West San Fernando Valley Location: Sherman Oaks Adult Center 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA Auditorium 7 pm to 9 pm. NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014 Future Dates May 28 September 17 (3rd Wed) July 23 November 19 (3rd Wed) West Los Angeles Meetings Location: Veterans Memorial Complex 4117 Overland Ave. Culver City, CA Room : Uruapan 1 pm to 3 pm. NEXT MEETING SATURDAY, April Future Dates June 7 October 11 (2nd Sat) August 2 December 6 Upcoming Guests and Topics: March/April We will be presenting a refresher on visitor training, as well as, discussing member issues in both the Valley and West L.A. We hope to see everyone In 2014 we are hoping to continue to bring in representatives from the major manufacturers of ostomy supplies, as well as, members of our medical community. We will share these as soon as we confirm Do you have a topic you would like discussed? Perhaps a guest you would like us to invite to present? Let us know Los Ostomy News, March 2014 "3

4 N E W S F R O M T H E U O A A U P D A T E Commandments for New Ostomates By Ron Bartlett 2/2014 UOAA UPDATE Thou shalt not take out thy feelings of anger and frustration on thy spouse/ significant other or family. Thou shalt not demand special consideration. Thy ostomy doth not make thee an invalid or render thy disabled. Thou shalt remember to use deodorizer in the bathroom after thou has emptied thy pouch. Remember thy family needs thy love and affection just as thee needs theirs. Honor thy WOCN-she/he is your friend in need. Thou shalt not be ashamed of thy ostomy; it may have saved thy life. Thou shalt be ready at all times to help others as others have helped thee. Thou shalt not feel sorry for thy self, instead thou shalt give thanks for a new lease on life. Thou shalt remember at all time that thy partner in life suffers with thee and thou shalt not add to his/her suffering. Above all thou shalt give thanks for a new life and freedom from pain. The Most Powerful Prescription 2/2014 UOAA UPDATE A positive attitude toward negative situations is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It not only affects how we respond to hardships and difficulties, it can actually help to change the outcome. This can be seen first hand in many ostomates and other people who have overcome potentially devastating diseases and gone on to lead full, productive, happy lives. The physical aspect of life may be compromised greatly by illness or surgery, but with a positive mental attitude and a willingness to let go of self-pity and bitterness, life goes on and can even be enriched by a painful traumatic experience. " 4 Los Ostomy News, March 2014

5 Tips For Traveling with Medications 2/2014 UOAA UPDATE N E W S F R O M T H E U O A A U P D A T E C O N T. KEEP your medicine with you-not in checked luggage. BRING more than enough medicine for your trip. REVIEW your dosage schedule with your doctor or pharmacist before you leave and discuss whether you should make allowances for changes in time zones. KEEP a list of all your medicines and dietary supplements. What to Drink with Drugs 2/2014 UOAA UPDATE How many times have you received a prescription with the instruction to "take as needed" or "take before meals"? Pretty vague, but many people do not stop to question further, assuming the medication will work, no matter with what they swallow it. Acidic drinks, such as fruit juice or soda pop, may chemically destroy certain kinds of antibiotics, including penicillin, ampicillin, or erythromycin. Citrus fruit juices may reduce the effect of antidepressants, antihistamines or major tranquilizers by speeding their urinary excretion. Milk can interfere with a number of medicines. The laxative Ducolax, for example, has a coating designed to ensure that the drug will dissolve slowly within the intestine. But if the medication is taken with milk, which is alkaline, it may dissolve prematurely within the stomach, lose its cathartic action and irritate the sensitive stomach lining. Milk can also block the action of tetracycline. If a doctor fails to warn his/her patient not to take this antibiotic within an hour of any dairy product, he/she might be puzzled to hear the infection being treating has not disappeared. Even something as simple as tea, hot or cold, may cause problems. A woman given a mineral supplement to treat iron-deficiency anemia would probably be surprised to learn that the tannin in tea can undo the benefits of her iron pills. To play it safe, you can always rely on GOOD OLD WATER Water will not interact with drugs or reduce their effectiveness. Los Ostomy News, March 2014 "5

T H E P H O E N I X M A G A Z I N E Providing Answers for Ostomy Questions Topics addressed in each issue of The Phoenix Magazine include: * Advice from medical professionals * New ostomy products *

6 T H E P H O E N I X M A G A Z I N E Providing Answers for Ostomy Questions Topics addressed in each issue of The Phoenix Magazine include: * Advice from medical professionals * New ostomy products * Skin care and treatment * Odor control * Sex and intimacy * Emotional and psychological issues * Diet and exercise * Surgery techniques and advancements * Personal stories of recovery The Phoenix is printed 4 times a year for one year subscription for $ The Premier Online Version of The Phoenix magazine allows instant access to an electronic version at a discounted rate of $19.95 for a one-year subscription. Plus, a back issue is included at no additional charge. Click here for more information. The Phoenix is the official publication of the United Ostomy Associations of America. Subscriptions are a major source of funding for the UOAA to help improve the quality of life of people who have, or will have, an intestinal or urinary diversion. Los Ostomy News, March

T R A V L I N G W I T H A N O S T O M Y TRAVEL COMMUNICATION CARD COMPLIMENTS OF THE UNITED OSTOMY ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA, INC.

non-verbal way, as is your legal right. This is not a certificate and it is not a pass to help you avoid screening.

The blue color is important, as it is a flash-card developed by the TSA so their own officers will recognize it and be guided to treat the traveler with discretion and sensitivity.

7 T R A V L I N G W I T H A N O S T O M Y TRAVEL COMMUNICATION CARD COMPLIMENTS OF THE UNITED OSTOMY ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA, INC. This is provided to travelers in order to simplify communication with federal Transportation Security personnel and airline flight attendants, at those times when you wish or need to communicate in a non-verbal way, as is your legal right. This is not a certificate and it is not a pass to help you avoid screening. Please print out on any weight of paper you wish, trim to wallet-size and laminate if desired. The blue color is important, as it is a flash-card developed by the TSA so their own officers will recognize it and be guided to treat the traveler with discretion and sensitivity. If laminated in a double-side manner, it can be used blue side out during security screening, and the white side out when communicating non-verbally with airline personnel. JUST PRINT, CUT OUT, FOLD, AND PUT WITH TRAVEL DOCUMENTS NEWS: OUTSIDE LEFT for use during screening before boarding. Intended for the passenger to show the TSO at the beginning of personal screening - before being patted-down or entering a full-body scanner. The TSO may not take it from you to read, since the distinctive blue color makes it like a flash card. OUTSIDE RIGHT ~ ~ GOTTA GO NOW ~ ~ RESTROOM ACCESS The cardholder contains body waste in an OSTOMY POUCH (stool/urine) and/or carries pouches and related supplies and/or a catheter to manage personal hygiene. S/he needs access to the restroom now in order to empty the pouch this is critical for the cardholder s well-being and for public sanitation. TRAVELER S COMMUNICATION CARD Provided by the UOAA, a volunteer-based health organization dedicated to providing education, support and advocacy for people who have or will have intestinal or urinary diversion United Ostomy Associations of America INSIDE LEFT - this is designed to show in the event it is needed while in flight and the pilot has chosen to limit restroom access or when passengers are supposed to be belted in during turbulence. You might wish to show it to a flight attendant during boarding and/or getting settled, so he or she will be mindful of your situation. Before laminating, you may wish to rotate the bottom half so all text is in one direction when it is folded/unfolded. INSIDE RIGHT Los Ostomy News, March 2014 "7

8 O S T O M Y N U R S E C O R N E R Diet and the Ostomate Glenda Hamburg RN, CWON Diet can influence many of the most common concerns for people with stomas: gas, constipation and diarrhea. To reduce gas: - Eat regularly. Skipping meals may actually produce gas. - Avoid swallowing air by eating slowly and don t talk with your mouth full. Don t use straws, especially with carbonated beverages. - Avoid foods that may cause excessive gas such as apples, asparagus, bananas, broccoli and other cabbage like vegetables, carbonated beverages, corn, cucumbers, dairy foods, dried peas and beans, grapes eggs, fatty foods, fish, green peppers, juices, melons, mushrooms, nuts, onion, prunes, radishes, raisins, concentrated sweets, turnips. - Yogurt or buttermilk may help to control gas. Their live bacterial cultures help the digestive process. To reduce constipation eat foods that will increase fiber, add bulk and moisture to the stool as well a stimulate peristalsis. - Increase the amount of fluids you drink. - High fiber foods include: bran cereals, fresh fruit, vegetables, whole wheat breads and cereals. - Coffee, chocolate, lemon juice, licorice or prune juice may help to relieve constipation. - Commercially available fiber products added to foods or drink may also help. Make sure to drink adequate fluids with these products. Diarrhea is multiple loose stools or for ileostomates, large volumes of liquid or even watery stools. - Diarrhea may be caused by beans, hot beverages, broccoli, chocolate, large meals, spicy foods, beer, licorice, prunes and prune juice, red wine, raw fruit, tomatoes, and bran cereals. - Foods that may help reduce watery stools are apple sauce, peanut butter, bananas, cream of rice cereal, boiled milk, tapioca, rice, weak tea, soda crackers. " 8 Los Ostomy News, March 2014

9 N E W S Y O U C A N U S E Los Ostomy News, March 2014 "9

10 M E M B E R S H I P " 10 Los Ostomy News, March 2014

Suite D Box # 140 Burbank, CA 91505 Website: www.oa-la.

11 I N F O R M A T I O N C C O N T A C T U S Phone Number: Our Hotline is Mailing Address: Ostomy Association of Los Angeles 4000 Magnolia, Suite D Box # 140 Burbank, CA Website: Did you miss a newsletter? Our past newsletters are online, check them out Los Ostomy News, March 2014 "11

12 OALA 4000 Magnolia, Suite D Box # 140 Burbank, CA 91505

Los Ostomy News. Ostomy Association of Los Angeles

Los Ostomy News. Ostomy Association of Los Angeles O S T O M Y A S S O C I A T I O N O F L O S A N G E L E S Los Ostomy News Ostomy Association of Los Angeles www.oa-la.com Hotline # 818-337-8416 Bi-Monthly Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 5 September 2013