UPCOMING MEETING. If AA County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be NO MEETING.

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1 ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY MARYLAND OSTOMY ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. BOX 847 GAMBRILLS, MD OFFICERS President: Stan Baker Fall Ridge Way Gambrills, MD Vice President Paul Rossi Secretary Mary Keller Treasurer Lyn Rowell Webmaster: Janice Winters BOARD OF DIRECTORS Allyn Mellits Joan Gardner Sandi Burnett Bob Keller OSTOMY ADVISERS: Joyce Onken BSN, RN, CWOCN Lead Inpatient Wound Ostomy Nurse AAMC We re on the Web! Volume 45 Number 11 August 2018 If AA County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be NO MEETING. Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter. Note: Meetings are held at 7:00pm, the first Thursday of each month at the Belcher Pavilion at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis. From the 2 nd 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 desk for the room number. UPCOMING MEETING August 2nd Tonnie Warfield Presentation on UOAA s Youth Rally DON T FORGET WE START AT 7PM

2 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 AACOA, PO Box 847, Gambrills MD Membership Application Please Print Full Name Last First M.I. Address: Street Address Apartment/Unit # City State Zip Code Phone: ( ) Date of Birth: Gender: 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 Spouse/Family Member Ileostomy Parent of child with Other (please specify) How did you hear about us? Internet Search ET/WOCN Nurse Other Hospital Physician

3 TRAVEL TIPS Traveling this year? Having an ostomy should not stop you from traveling to your favorite destination or exploring new ones. Here are a few helpful hints to make your trip a pleasurable experience: Carry a letter from your health care provider stating you have an ostomy. Go to the UOAA website at and download the Travel Communication Card. This is provided to travelers in order to simply communicate with TSA personnel and airlines attendants. Always OVERPACK ostomy supplies. Pack at least twice as much as you usually need. Place at least 2-3 days of your ostomy supplies in your carry-on just in case your checked luggage is delayed. If you use a cut to fit pouch, pre-cut all your pouches before you travel. When you fly within the US, you are allowed to carry small scissors in your carry on. However, other countries do not allow it. Place scissors in your checked luggage. If traveling by car, keep your ostomy supplies inside the car to prevent your supplies from overheating/freezing in the trunk. Keep a small bag with an extra pouch, accessories, wipes, water bottle and plastic bag for a quick change if needed along the way. Drink plenty of fluids - don t want to get dehydrated! Pack plenty of snacks. If traveling outside the US, drink bottle water, not tap water. Always pack an extra set of clean clothes in your carry-on luggage or in the trunk of your car. Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supply will ship anywhere in the US to meet your needs. Be sure to take our number with you, If traveling outside the US, we are more than happy to assist you in finding a distributor in the country you are planning to attend. Have a safe and fun trip! Joan, Colleen and Sue Schedule Your Ostomy Consultation Today! p (x3) f Austin Pharmacy and Medical Supplies Baltimore 6729 York Rd Towson 901 Dulaney Valley Rd Hunt Valley York Rd

4 August 2018 The Rambling Rosebud PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Over the years that I ve been a member of our Association, there is a question raised repeatedly: Why do we have meetings during the summer when almost everyone is off on vacation and we rarely have speakers? Our July meeting presented the best possible answer. Although there were only six people at the meeting, one of them was a woman asking for information about colostomies for her husband. At present he is scheduled to have surgery to create an ostomy at the end of July or the beginning of August. Had we not had a meeting, there is no other good place to go for the trove of ostomy information and insight our members can offer. From her reaction, I thought she was extremely pleased. This situation is exactly why we exist. We are a support organization. We exist to help others. I hope to see you at our next meeting. 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 WOCN Presentation October representative from AA County Department of Aging November Charlie Black, AquaFit Physical Therapy 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 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 ostomyrn@aahs.org / Private Consultants Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN The Ostomy Nurses at Austin Pharmacy No referral necessary ($40 consultative fee) 4

5 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 Harford Rd & Northern Parkway SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR OSTOMY SUPPLY MANAGER: AARON SACCO Phone: (410) x260 Fax: (443) woc@northernpharmacy.com

6 August 2018 The Rambling Rosebud Understanding Ostomy Terms Lyn Rowell adapted from an article in the Ostonoma News Most people have no idea of what an ostomy is and if you tell someone you have a stoma, you are often met with a blank look. Individuals may have heard of people having a bag but that is the extent of their knowledge. Even amongst those who have heard of stomas they assume all are the same when actually there are basically three different types and the output through the stoma differs. An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the body to allow the discharge of body wastes. This can be due to disease (as was mine), accident or injury or due to a birth defect. When I first had my ostomy (stationed on an overseas military base) I had a neighbor whose son had undergone ostomy surgery a few days after birth. She was a wealth of knowledge and comfort. Most people have heard of a colostomy, which is created from a section of the colon or large intestine. A person with a colostomy may still have much of their large intestine left, or they may have just a little of it. The thickness and frequency of the output will depend on how much large intestine is remaining. An ileostomy is created from a section of the small intestine. Most often the large intestine is removed completely although in some cases it may be left to rest and heal and the ileostomy be a temporary condition that is later reversed. Since the large intestine primarily absorbs fluid from the body, the output through an ileostomy contains more liquid and can resemble a thick paste. If a lot of the small intestine has been removed then the output will be more watery. An ileostomy usually needs emptying more frequently throughout the day. A urostomy is a diversion to remove urine from the body. As such it will need frequent emptying just as an individual empties their bladder frequently. The stoma is the actual end of the intestine that can be seen protruding through the abdominal wall and through the skin through which feces or urine is discharged. The ideal stoma is round, dark pink and moist. The skin around the stoma (known as the peristomal skin) is intact with no breaks or cuts and no irritation. Not every stoma is ideal, though. A stoma may be retracted, flush or prolapsed and may require additional attention to manage properly. A retracted stoma pulls in and creates a concave effect, so that the stoma is below the surface of the skin. This may result in increased skin irritation. There are products to help amend that. A flush stoma is at the same height, or flush with the surface of the skin which can result in increased skin irritation. With a prolapsed stoma the intestine is being pulled out of the abdominal opening, so that the stoma sticks our further than desirable. This can be uncomfortable and may cause the stoma to not work as effectively. Your WOCN can help with any of these issues. ************ SUMMER HEAT CONCERNS Adapted from an article by Eileen Carter, RN/ET; via Worcester (MA) New Diversions As temperatures soar into the upper 90s and higher, an ostomate needs to be aware of their fluid intake. Remember that if you have an ileostomy or a colostomy where a lot of the colon was removed, your regular output contains fluids that in the non ostomate are absorbed into the bloodstream. In general a person with an ileostomy needs 2 4 cups of extra fluid every day. In the summer, the stress of additional heat combined with being out in the sun, or being very active, can cause you to perspire more losing salt and water from your body. When we get very hot, our body brings the circulation nearer the skin to cool it off, but those fluids are also needed for your vital organs. To prevent dehydration (which can kill) drink plenty of fluids regularly (and always take some with you when you are outside), wear loose clothing so your body can stay cooler, try to stay in the shade and keep your shirt on. Early signs that you might be dehydrated are dark, odorous urine, profuse sweating and difficulty in 6

7 August 2018 The Rambling Rosebud concentrating. However the following signs indicate you may be in serious condition and should quickly cool yourself down (remove excess clothing, use wet towels etc) laying down with your feet up to help circulation to vital organs: Trembling/vomiting Headache and/or rapid breathing Pale, hot and/or dry skin Confusion and/or dizziness Loss of appetite If symptoms are not relieved within a few minutes, call a doctor. Summertime and the Living is Easy by Bobbie Brewer, Greater Atlanta Ostomy Assn., Summertime fun may include many outdoor activities and travel, but may also lead to some concerns about ostomy management. Let s review: Swimming is an excellent exercise and activity you can enjoy with family and friends. So, why are so many of us afraid to get back into the water? Check out these tips: Don t go swimming immediately after you have put on a new pouching system. Make sure your pouch is empty and has a secure seal. Picture framing your wafer with water-proof tape isn t necessary, but may give you the extra confidence you need. Take precautions against sunburn. Besides being bad for your skin; a bad sunburn can result in diarrhea and sometimes vomiting, thus depleting electrolytes. When sitting and soaking up the sun, protect/shade your pouching system by placing some covering across the outside area (e.g., hat, towel, magazine). Monilia is a common summer problem. This raised, itchy, red rash on the peristomal skin is uncomfortable and keeps the pouches from holding well. If you suspect a monilia rash, consult an ostomy nurse. Fluids and More Fluids are needed during the hot summer months. Review the following: Water is an essential nutrient needed by each and every body cell. Up to 75% of the body s mass is made up of water. Water controls body temperature, serves as building material and solvent, and transports nutrients. Thirst is a signal that the body needs fluids. Daily losses must be replaced. Encourage fluid intake of eight to ten (8 oz) glasses of liquids each day. Any liquid containing water (soda, milk, juice, etc.) helps to meet your daily requirement. You can also get water from the food you eat (e.g., tomatoes have a total of 94% water content). Water is an excellent natural beverage; however, over-consumption of water can wash away electrolytes in the body. Drink a combination of water and electrolyte beverages. The glucose ingredient in electrolyte drinks aids in the absorption of electrolytes. Summer Diets Remember the fiber content of those fresh fruits and vegetables enjoy but chew, chew [ileostomates, especially]. Add only one new food at a time to determine the effect (if any) on your output. 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. 7

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