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

Secretary
Jamie Darr
Treasurer
Lyn Rowell
Webmaster: Janice Winters

410-255-6802
410-987-0094
410-672-6983

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.

Were on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com

Volume 43

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

Number 4

January 2016

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
January 7, 2016 Group Discussion

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 desk for the room number.

Marriage is the only union that cant be organized.

Both sides think they are management.

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 21054-1454

2015-2016

Membership Application Please Print

Full Name
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Last




First M.I.
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address





Apartment/Unit #
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City







State Zip Code
Phone: ( ) Date of Birth: Gender:


Email Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reason for surgery: ____ Crohns ____Ulcerative Colitis _____ Cancer _____ Other__________________________
Emergency contact if we are unable to reach you: ______________________________________________________________________
What type of surgery have you had?
Colostomy
Ileostomy

Urostomy
Parent of child with

Spouse/Family Member
Other (please specify)

I would like to help with the following committee(s) or activities:

Finance
Program

Membership
Sunshine

Newsletter
Visiting

How did you hear about us?

Internet Search
Hospital

Other

Hospitality
Refreshments
ET/WOCN Nurse
Physician

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.

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

Monday March 21st, 7:30pm
Belcher Pavilion

OSTOMY ADVISORS FOR STOMA HELP
To consult with one of the ETs below, a physicians
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: mperkins@aahs.org

Laura Alberico-Klug, RN, BSN, CWON

Email: lalbericok@aahs.org
443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177
Fax: 443-481-5198

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

Live Well Live Independent Live Active

Happy New Year!

Thinking of a new you? Maybe its time to evaluate your appliances and products. Ask
yourself these questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Am I getting less wearing time than I did a year or more ago?

Are my appliances leaking or causing skin irritation and odor?
Are any of my supplies outdated or expired?
Are appliance changes more burdensome?
Am I still engaged in social events or living in fear of appliance failure?

If this is you, time for adjustment! Ostomy appliance (pouching) systems are designed to
collect waste and protect your skin. They can either be in one or two piece configurations
and include a skin barrier, wafer or faceplate that adheres to the skin around your stoma.
Pouches can be either transparent or opaque, open end (drainable) or closed end. All are
made from odor resistant material and most have built in gas filters.
Many ostomy accessories on the market today are designed to improve wearing time,
comfort and skin care. Many of the manufacturers are making updates and changes to
their product lines on adhesive rings, wipes and sprays, belts, and protective cleansing
wipes. There are a multitude of other helpful products such as pastes to fill in the gaps,
waterproof tapes, gelling agents, hernia belts and garments to hide the ostomy.
So in the new year, be sure to take time for a new you. Give the CWONs at Austin
Pharmacy a call so we can help!
All the best, Sue Currence BSN, RN, CWON

TOWSON

HUNT VALLEY

6729 York Road

Baltimore, MD 21212

Toll Free: 1-855-AUSTMED

Phone: 410-377-5300
Fax: 410-377-5302

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

Sat 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

10757 York Road

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

January 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Many thanks to everyone who came to our Holiday Party and for all the delicious treats you brought. As
mentioned last month, we collected donations for FOW-USA and a few mentioned that they had supplies
to donate but forgot to bring them. So feel free to bring them this month for inclusion in our package. We
are lining up speakers for next year so check your newsletter.
I received a notice from the TSA regarding potential longer times for screening at the airport you can
find that on page 6. Also there is a letter from the young lady that we sponsored for last years UOAA
Youth Rally. This five night event is for children and youth who live with bowel or bladder conditions.
Dont forget as we head into the winter months that if Anne Arundel County schools are closed or cancel
their evening activities due to inclement weather, then we will NOT have our meeting. Hopefully that
wont happen! But if you are not sure, you can check the county school website at www.aacps.org. They
post any closings at the top of the main page.

Paul
Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say
more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.
Swedish Proverb

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

OSTOMY ADVISORS FOR STOMA HELP

To consult with one of the ETs below, a

physicians 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: mperkins@aahs.org
Laura Alberico-Klug, RN, BSN, CWON
Email: lalbericok@aahs.org
443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177
Fax: 443-481-5198

Private Consultants
Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN

410-932-7312

Of all the things you wear,

your expression is the most
important.
Janet Lane

A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken

to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned
to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

THE MID-ATLANTICS 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

Weve 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
Northern Pharmacy and Medical Equipment
6701 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234
Harford Rd & Northern Parkway
www.NorthernPharmacy.com

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

SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR OSTOMY SUPPLY

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

January 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

TSA Announcement

In light of recent terror attacks, many airports are on

heightened security status. The TSA sent the
following statements to support groups around the
country:
Office of Civil Rights & Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler
Engagement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598
Dear Coalition Members:
On behalf of the Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), I want to take a moment to share some important
tips to help you better prepare for security screening at our
Nation's airport screening checkpoints. In light of
Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector
General covert testing of TSA security checkpoint
operations announced in the media earlier this year, and
given TSA's continuing mission to protect the Nation's
transportation systems, you will likely see slightly longer
lines resulting from modified screening procedures.
For these reasons, I encourage you to arrive at least two
hours early for domestic and three hours early for
international flights, to give yourself plenty of time to get
through security screening. For general information about
what to expect during security screening, you may contact
the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or email at TSAContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov. The TSA Contact Center has
representatives available on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to
11:00 p.m. Eastern Time and on weekends/holidays from
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Automated
information is available in 12 languages. Travelers who are
deaf or hard of hearing may use a relay service to contact
the TSA Contact Center (Federal Relay 711).
TSA also offers the TSA Cares helpline. I encourage
anyone who may need additional assistance during the
security screening process, travelers with disabilities
or medical conditions, and travelers who have
concerns about the screening process to contact TSA
Cares at least 72 hours before travel.
TSA Cares agents have received training to provide callers
with specific information about the specialized screening
needs in a variety of circumstances. In addition, you may
provide a TSA Cares agent with your flight itinerary, and
they will coordinate assistance to be specifically available
for you with a Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) and/or
customer service manager at the airport. Even if you do not

provide your itinerary beforehand, you may ask for a PSS

or supervisor at the checkpoint.
The PSS program was created to assist travelers at the
checkpoint, and Passenger Support Specialists receive
specialized training, including how to assist and
communicate with individuals with disabilities as well as
best practices on interactions with travelers from various
cultures and communities. While TSA recommends
contacting TSA Cares to set up PSS assistance in
advance, our goal is to have a PSS in the vicinity of every
checkpoint to provide assistance as needed and resolve
traveler-related screening concerns on the ground, as
quickly as possible.
Any traveler who needs assistance or is concerned about
his or her screening may ask for a Supervisory
Transportation Security Officer or a PSS at any time.
Travelers or their companions may call TSA Cares toll
free at (855) 787-2227. The hours of operation for the
TSA Cares helpline are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern
Time from Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on weekends/holidays. Travelers who are
deaf or hard of hearing may e-mail TSAContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov or may use a relay service
to contact TSA Cares (Federal Relay 711).
You may also download a Notification Card from
www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures, which allows
you to discreetly notify the Transportation Security
Officer of your disability, medical condition, or other
circumstance that requires assistance. This card,
however, does not exempt you from screening.
TSA works hard every day to ensure that you and your
loved ones arrive at your destinations safely. I assure you
that TSA remains committed to ensuring that all travelers
are treated with respect and courtesy, and we emphasize
that screening must be conducted without regard to a
person's race, color, national origin, religion, disability,
sexual orientation, or gender identity in order to ensure
your safety.
Sincerely,
Kimberly A. Walton
Assistant Administrator
Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman, and
Traveler Engagement

Nothing is often a good thing

to do and always a good thing
to say.
Will Durrant

January 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

2015 Youth Rally

Our group was able to sponsor a young person to
attend the 2015 Youth Rally which was held in Boulder
Colorado. 140 young people gathered from 37 states
and two other countries to have fun and support from
being with others in similar medical situations. The
following is the letter we received from Diamond, a
young girl from Baltimore, who was able to go
because of our sponsorship:
Thank you for sponsoring me. Youth Rally is like the
best thing that ever happened to me in my life. It feels
really nice to meet people that have the same medical
problems I have. I met my best friend here. Her name
is Talie. She is caring, funny, enthusiastic and
extremely friendly. I am so blessed to have some like
her based on being bullied for so many years. With
her, I have a shoulder to cry on. Thanks to you, I
made a total of 13 friends this week with the same
problems as me, from you sponsporing me. Thank
you!
Love Diamond.
*************

ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN

Even the best doctors cant read minds. Thats why
its important for you to ask questions about your
health. To get started, try these:

What is my condition? Whats the cause?

Do I need tests? Why?
What are the possible treatments?
How
effective are they?
Will I need to go on medication? What are the
side effects?

If you have difficulty understanding your doctor, take a

friend of family member to the appointment with you.
For additional tips on communicating with your
physical, visit aarp.org and click on Health and
Wellness then Checkups and Prevention.

KEEP IN SHAPE
By C.J. Ray MD

Ostomates should pay particular attention to their

physical fitness. As you know, an ostomy is a piece of
intestine that comes through the abdominal wall. It
pierces the lining of the abdominal cavity, two or three
muscle layers and also the fascia, which is the
separation between the layers of the muscles.
Some of you have a bulge around your ostomy, and
maybe some have a defect through which a loop of
small intestine protrudes. This is a true hernia, and
placement of the ostomy to another site is always an
unpleasant procedure.
On the other hand, bulging of the abdomen around the
ostomy is nothing but a weakness and requires only
some form of elastic support. Because the muscles of
the abdomen have been pierced, it behoves each of
every one of you to do exercises, which strengthen the
abdominal muscles. And, by all means, keep as little
fat on the abdominal wall as possible. A weight
increase always makes it difficult for an ostomy to be
cared for. My parting thought keep the tummy flat
and the muscles tight!

SAVE THE DATE!

UOAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
April 29th May 1st 2016
To be held at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles
International Airport, Sterling, Virginia 20166
Events include speakers, workshops, exhibits, Stoma
clinic, Reception, Breakfast and lunch buffets.
Registration begins 4PM Friday April 29 and
conference begins at 6:30 PM Friday and ends at
noon on Sunday, May 1.
HOSTED BY:
Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC (OSGNV,
LLC) and its satellite
Ostomy Connections Support Group,
Fredericksburg, VA

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