OFFICERS

President: Paul Rossi 410-647-6171

268 Shakespeare Drive
Severna Park, MD 21146

Vice President Stan Novack 410-255-6802
Secretary Jamie Darr 410-987-0094
Treasurer Lyn Rowell 410-672-6983
Webmaster: Janice Winters

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dennis Fila Joan Gardner
Ginny Gross Stan Baker
Allyn Mellits

OSTOMY ADVISERS:
Irene Repka, RN, BS, CWOCN
Michelle Perkins, RN, BS.
Were on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com
Volume 40 Number 11 August 2014

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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
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 7
th
floor desk
for the room number.
If AA County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be no
meeting.

!"# %&&# %'(&)#* +,(&-./ 01'.*1&)/ 23-,4. %33,561-6,&/ 7&58 (AAC0A) is a non-piofit, volunteei-baseu
oiganization ueuicateu to pioviuing ieassuiance anu emotional suppoit foi people who have hau oi will have some
kinu of ostomy suigeiy, such as a colostomy, ileostomy, uiostomy (uiinaiy uiveision) oi a continent pioceuuie. The
goal of the AAC0A is to pioviue moial suppoit, infoimation, anu euucation to people with ostomies anu theii families
anu fiienus. Nembeis ieceive The Rambling Rosebuu newslettei monthly. 9:;< 1'# =>? please make check out to
AAC0A anu mail to Stan Bakei, 9S8 Fall Riuge Way, uambiills NB 21uS4-14S4
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Full Name
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Phone: ( ) Bate of Biith: uenuei:
Email Auuiess _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reason foi suigeiy: ____ Ciohn's ____0lceiative Colitis _____ Cancei _____ 0thei__________________________
Emeigency contact if we aie unable to ieach you: ______________________________________________________________________
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Colostomy 0iostomy SpouseFamily Nembei
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Bospital Physician

A WORD OF THANKS for their constant support of our
Chapter to: The American Cancer Society, especially the
office in Gambrills, for essential help with our newsletter; and
Anne Arundel Medical Center for providing rooms for our
regular meetings and special events. We appreciate their
support and assistance.
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REMEMBER!!! The entrance to the Belcher Pavilion is
FROM THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE PARKING
GARAGE. Once inside the building you will be on its
second floor take the elevators inside up to the 7
th
floor.
When leaving, take the elevator the second floor and go
through the doors onto the 2nd floor of the parking garage.

















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
Carol Canada RN, BSN, CWOCN
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 / 442-481-5187
Fax: 443-481-5198
Private Consultants
Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN
410-932-7312
Foi those seiving on the boaiu, the next
boaiu meeting is Septembei 1Sth at 7:Supm
BC>DEBC>F

Live Well
!
Live Independent
!
Live Active

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Hello Everyone,

Is the dry, summer heat doing a number on your
skin? Did you know that Austin Pharmacy &
Medical Supplies carries a superior line of barrier
creams, ointments, lotions and moisturizers to
address all of your skin heath needs?

From protective barrier pastes lined with Calamine,
Zinc, or Dimethecone to Ammonium Lactate
creams to hydrate severely flaking skin. In
addition, we have the right products to combat your
skin fold rashes and fungal rashes too.

If you have questions about skin care or would like
to obtain product samples, please call me at 410-
773-0300. Come by to see what's in store, we
have the products right for you!

Best of health,
Colleen


August 2014 The Rambling Rosebud

4
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
We have always been very grateful for the support of the American Cancer Society office in Crofton who allowed
us to use their copy machines and provided the paper for us to produce our newsletter. However we were sad to
learn that their Crofton office will be closing this summer. Printing the newsletter is a significant expense and we
are currently investigating other avenues to fund it other than our dues. Which reminds me, it is almost time for
our annual dues to be collected. We will be including a renewal notice in the near future so look out for that!
Paul

GENERAL STOMA HINTS
From the Anne Arundel County Ostomy Association
Publication, A Little Help from Our Friends.
Dont allow yourself to get caught short on
ostomy supplies. Always have some on hand
when you reorder. Keep a list of equipment you
use, with number, size, and manufacturer; let a
family member know where that list is.
If you happen to puncture your appliance, brown
plastic tape used for sealing boxes can provide a
quick patch job until you can change your
appliance.
To remove abdominal hair from the area around
the stoma, shave the area with an electric razor.
Rather than risk a cut with a safety razor, you
may be safer if you trimmed with scissors.
Again, never use commercial hair removers.
When first applying a skin barrier, gently rub the
barrier with a finger which will generate friction
and thereby help the ostomy barrier adhere more
quickly to the skin by melting in onto the skin.
Although alcohol is effective in removing soap
film from the skin, it is extremely drying to the
skin. Aging skin, which naturally contains less
moisture, is especially susceptible to the drying
affects of alcohol. Instead of alcohol, use a
greaseless soap to clean the area around the
stoma.
Polident and Efferdent are very effective for
soaking you're your pouch (if using a two piece
system). They deodorize, remove stains and
clean.
Never use a sun lamp to dry skin around the
stoma. The lamp produces ultraviolet light
which will burn the skin.
A hair dryer on LOW heat can help dry the skin
around the stoma IF necessary.
Do not expect the pouch wear times in the
summer to be as long as those you experience in
the fall, winter and spring. You may have to
change more frequently. IF the wear time is very
poor, discuss the possible problems with your
ET. The barrier may or may not be some of the
problem.
If you use a two piece system and participate
very actively in sports, use a belt designed for
your set up or use a 10 inch strip of 2 or 3 inch
tape to secure the pouch and the barrier to your
abdomen to prevent the pouch from popping
off the barrier.
To save money and give added comfort, make
your own appliance covers. Use an old T shirt or
slip.
To make a quick pouch cover to fit between
the pouch and your skin, simply cut a barrier
from one of the super absorbent paper towels
following the shape of your pouch.

It may be true that there are two sides to every
question, but it is also true that there are two
sides to a sheet of flypaper, and it makes a big
difference to the fly which side he chooses.
CMS Journal
THE MI D-ATLANTI CS LARGEST OSTOMY DEALER
We have a dedicated group of Ostomy Supply Consultants 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:
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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
CONSULTANT: KEITH CAPPS
Phone: (410) 254 2055 x249 Fax: (443) 740 9297
kcapps@northernpharmacy.com
August 2014 The Rambling Rosebud

6

B12 DEFICIENCY IN THE OSTOMATE
Lyn Rowell

Shortly after having ostomy surgery, I read a few
articles about the need for some ostomates to
have B12 supplements. Apparently B12 is
absorbed at the lower end of the small intestine,
so individuals who either have impaired small
bowel function or part of their small bowel
removed, will most likely have a deficiency.
So what is B12 and why do we need it?
According to the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep
the body's nerve and blood cells healthy and
helps prevent a type of anemia. B12 is found in
fish, meat, poultry, and dairy products which is
why vegetarians or vegans need to take B12
supplements. It is also found in some fortified
cereals.
Why is B12 so important?
A B12 deficiency can have some serious health
effects and so should not be ignored. From the
NIH website Vitamin B12 deficiency causes
tiredness, weakness, constipation, loss of
appetite, weight loss, and megaloblastic anemia.
Nerve problems, such as numbness and tingling
in the hands and feet, can also occur. Other
symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include
problems with balance, depression, confusion,
dementia, poor memory, and soreness of the
mouth or tongue. Vitamin B12 deficiency can
damage the nervous system even in people who
don't have anemia, so it is important to treat a
deficiency as soon as possible.
How will you know if you have a deficiency?
The only way to know for sure is to have your
doctor do a blood test. It may take a few months
before B12 levels drop so it should be checked a
year or so after ostomy surgery. However if you
feel tired and weak or have any of the symptoms
listed above, you should talk to your doctor about
whether or not you have a shortage of B12 in
your body.


How is it treated?
The good news is that it is easily corrected.
However, if your deficiency is caused by
absorption issues, then the over-the-counter B12
supplements will probably not be of any help.
Most often this is treated with a series of B12
shots, usually beginning with a few weekly shots
to bring the levels up and then maintained by
monthly shots. Most often these are
administered at the doctors office but some
individuals give the shots to themselves. The
aim is to keep the levels constant although I have
found that a few days before the next shot was
due, I began to feel tired until I got the next shot.
There is another way to take B12 though
recently there was a shortage of injectable B12
which led to my discovery of sublingual B12
drops and pills. These are dissolved under the
tongue and while the NIH website states that
there is no evidence that sublingual forms are
better absorbed than pills that are swallowed, I
have found that there is a difference. Another
bonus is that by taking a daily dose I am able to
keep the levels constant. Check with your doctor
about dosage.

INFECTION IN UROSTOMIES
Via: Johnstown UOA Newsletter

Germs are all over the world, but when they are
in the urinary tract, either in the conduit, the
urethras or the kidneys, theyre in an abnormal
location and that is what promotes an infection.
What causes the infection? The reasons are
sometimes unclear. Why do some people get
more colds than others? Infections can be caused
by an obstruction, kidney stones, tumors, cysts or
scar tissues. Almost synonymous with
obstructions is infection and then too often
comes stone formation. You cant get rid of the
infection. Its kind of a cycle that goes around
and around.
Everyone has a photographic memory.
Some just dont have film.
August 2014 The Rambling Rosebud

7

Infection can be caused by urine being forced
back to the kidneys through the conduit. This
could be done by falling asleep with the
appliance full of urine and accidentally rolling
over on the pouch, causing urine to be forced
back into the stoma, through the urinary tract
with tremendous pressure. Invariably the urine
in the appliance will be contaminated. In
general, to prevent and treat infections, you need
a good flow of urine much like a stream. This
means DRINK fluids (water is best)! Extra fluid
not only dilutes the bacteria in the urine, but also
helps wash out the bacteria. Two and one half
quarts of liquids daily is required for the average
adult.

FOOD CHALLENGES:
From ConvaTecs Health & Vitality, Fall 2003, Via:
Hemet-San Jacinto
If people living with an ostomy have
deficiencies, its because theyre afraid to eat,
and they impose too many restrictions on
themselves, says Claudia Mueller, RD, a
colorectal dietician at the Cleveland Clinic
Foundation in Ohio. Trying to help each other,
people with an ostomy often share war stories
about the foods that bother them, creating a do
not eat list of foods that can limit nutrient intake
and compromise health. But its important to try
out these foods for yourself, since each digestive
system reacts differently.


Keep a food diary, testing one suspected food
every 3 days. A registered dietician can help
expand your food choices. Following are the two
most common food concerns: Fear of Fiber Fear
of a fiber- clogging stoma is big. But fiber is
usually only an issue for people who dont chew
their food very well, Mueller contends, although
corn, popcorn, and nuts may always may always
be a problem for someone with an ileostomy.
The solution: Take your time, and chew, chew,
chewat least 25 times with each bite of food
you take.


Fear of Odor The challenge: Six to 12 months
out, most people with an ostomy have achieved a
good comfort level, says Leslie J. Bonci, RD,
author of the American Dietetic Association
Guide to Better Digestion, and theyre more
concerned with odor. Fish, coffee, onions,
garlic, chives, asparagus, and sometimes even
poultry are the culprits. The solution: Try
smaller portions, suggests Bonci, and include
buttermilk or yogurt at the same meal to counter
the odor-causing foods. Fresh parsley and
spearmint help tooa reason to eat your
garnishes.
*********************
It is very easy to become dehydrated in the
summer heat so make sure you drink plenty of
fluids. If you are involved in strenuous activity
in the heat, then it is important that you maintain
your electrolytes.
OSTOADE
Solano Ostomy News
If you dislike Gatorade and you want to restore
your electrolytes, you may find this brew more to
your liking:

1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 TBSP White Karo Syrup
6 oz can frozen orange juice concentrate

Mix ingredients together and add enough water
to make up to 1 quart. Sip throughout the day.


Adversity introduces you to
yourself.

U
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