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 41 Number 2 November 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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Piogiam Refieshments Sunshine visiting
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Bospital 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.
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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 Novembei 17th at 7:Supm
BC>DEBC>?

Live Well
!
Live Independent
!
Live Active

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With the advent of the holidays, 'tis the season of food!
While each individual, ostomy or not, responds to different
foods in different ways, there are general rules to consider.
First and foremost, unless you have a fluid restriction, aim to
drink, at minimum, 8 glasses of fluids per day and preferably
non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages. This will not
only curb hunger, but satisfy your hydration needs.
Completely avoid foods that are on the no list especially if
you have an ileostomy. Foods such as coconut, nuts, seeds
and raw fruits and vegetables with casings can cause food
blockages. A good defense is chewing your food thoroughly.
Be aware of foods that cause gas and plan accordingly with
anti-flatulence products like Beano and commercial
deodorizers in the bags.
Chewing gum and drinking through straws can increase gas,
so skip on both of those as well. For any specifics, dont forget
to ask your WOCN.
Happy Fall,
Colleen



November 2014 The Rambling Rosebud

4
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
It does not seem possible that we are approaching the end of 2014. Where has the year gone? We are
very grateful for all those who have come to be our speakers this year. We greatly appreciate their
willingness to give up an evening usually after a long work day to come and meet with us. This month
we have our last speaker for the year and then in December we will have our Holiday Social. We will
have more details about the Holiday Social in our next newsletter.
Paul

DID YOU KNOW?
Beer may blow up your pouch with gas. This
may be helpful when you need a flotation
device! Soda will also have a similar effect.
Some drinks with artificial coloring (like
Gatorade Blue Bolt) will give you an
interesting colored output. All food dye turns
stool the color of the dye, temporarily. It will
surprise you the first time it happens. This
includes Blue Hawaiians or red beets. Beets
make you look like you are bleeding to death.
Dont panic!
People cant tell you have an ostomy a new
ostomate is always sure everyone can tell but
they cant.
Some medications wont be properly absorbed
depending on how much of the intestine was
removed. You should check with your doctor
and pharmacist to ensure your medications are
being properly absorbed.

************


TIPS FOR EXERCISING IN COLD
WEATHER
Lyn Rowell
The autumn weather gives us plenty of
opportunities to be outside in pleasant
temperatures and seasonal yard work is a great
way to exercise. However, as the winter
weather approaches, it is time to begin planning
how to stay fit when those colder temperatures
come. Our best intentions to go out and walk
can quickly fade in the face of a bitter cold
wind! But exercise is a vital part of overall
health, so what do you do? There are options
and among them are:
Walk at the mall many malls open early to
allow individuals or groups to walk before the
stores open. This allows you to exercise at your
own pace in a comfortable and safe
environment. And best of all, its free!
However, do it before the stores open! Firstly
because when there are patrons at the mall you
cant keep up a good pace, but secondly, it can
be more expensive if the stores are open!!
Another option is to join a health club some
even have a pool offering water aerobics, an
ideal form of exercise that supports the body as
you work out. Most health clubs or gyms offer
classes such as Zumba, or step classes that can
be more fun than just using exercise equipment
alone.
Working out at home you dont need
expensive bulky exercise equipment to stay fit.
There are smaller pieces of exercise equipment
that are inexpensive and easy to use. Using a
video game system (like the Wii) for a work out
can be a lot of fun and they have many different
games so you dont get bored by the same
routine. Many fitness programs, like Zumba, are
also available for game consoles.
DVDs are also available to work out to and your
local library has some that you can check out
and thus vary your work out routine.
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:
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 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
November 2009 The Rambling Rosebud 36.1.6

6
Now that I've recently gotten older, Ive
thought about and discovered that . . .
If walking is good for your health, the postman
would be immortal.
A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks
water, but is still fat.
A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years,
while a tortoise doesn't run and does mostly
nothing, yet it lives for 150 years.
I only ask that I am granted the senility to
forget the people I never liked, the good
fortune to remember the ones I do, and the
eyesight good enough to be able to tell the
difference.
I started out with nothing, and I still have most
of it.
Now-a-days, my wild oats are mostly enjoyed
with prunes and all-bran.
I finally got my head together and now my
body is falling apart.
If all is not lost, then where the heck is it ?
It is a whole lot easier to get older, than it is to
get wiser.
Some days, you're the top dog; then some days
you're the hydrant.
I wish the buck really did stop here; I sure
could use a few of them.
Kids in the back seat cause
accidents. accidents in the back seat cause
kids.
It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't
been anywhere.
The world only beats a path to your door when
you're in the bathroom.
If God wanted me to touch my toes, he'd have
put them on my knees.
It always seems that when I'm finally holding
all the right cards, everyone wants to play
chess.
It's not hard to meet expenses . . . they're
everywhere.
The only difference between a rut and a grave
is the depth.
These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about
the hereafter . . . I go somewhere to get
something and then wonder what I'm "here
after".
Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
HAVE I TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE??????
(author unknown via email)
***************

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A STROKE

Recently I have seen emails advising of simple
to determine if someone might be having a
stroke. However, many hospital websites point
out that not every person having a stroke may
have those particular symptoms. So while it
doesnt come in a easy to remember list, the
following are the recommendations for
identifying a potential stroke victim:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face,
arm or leg, especially on one side of the
body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or
understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of
balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known
cause
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any reason
to believe that someone is having a stroke
even if only one of these symptoms is present.
WHEN IN DOUBT CALL 9-1-1.
(www.oregon.providence.org)





November 2009 The Rambling Rosebud 36.1.7

7
BLUE JEANS AND THE OSTOMATE
excerpted & modified & via New Outloo, Green Bay
Area & GB Ostomy Support Group.

Most ostomates can wear blue jeans just as
normal people do. We have some concerns
about wearing tight fitting clothes around the
stoma and this is legitimate. But, if your jeans
are tight around your stoma, they will also be
tight around your waste.

We have members coming to our meetings
wearing jeans all the time. Most do not wear
the waistband across the stoma. This might
restrict to normal operation. There are many
brands of blue jeans that are comfortable for a
person with a stoma. Some jeans dont have a
very high rise, and the belt line hits right across
the stoma.

This is a problem. It is better not to wear any
type of pants that have a waistband across the
stoma. Khakis and most other pants have a
high enough rise that this isnt a problem.
Some pants are pleated and allow room for
expansion of the pouch as it fills which isnt
the case with some jeans.

Wearing clothes is very much a personal
preference, just like it is for the non ostomate.

Editors Note: - I included this in a newsletter
in 2009, unsure of its original publication. At
that time I noted that many styles of womens
pants were now low rise waists that sat
across the stoma. I was fortunate to have my
stoma positioned at a place that was
comfortable for me but that was in 1992 when
clothing styles were very different. Now even
more, I find it increasingly challenging to find
pants that fit me comfortably and not be across
my stoma.
Your stoma is remarkable but it may seem odd
that an internal body part is functioning outside
of your body. This can take some getting used
to and until some time passes, you dont know
what is normal or when something might be
wrong. Remember you can consult with your
ET if you are ever concerned. Worrying rarely
makes things better. So here is some
information on when you ought to be
concerned.

WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR OR
WOC NURSE
Via Stoma-Life CA & Baltimore Ostomy Assn

If cramps last more than two or three hours.

If you get a deep cut in the stoma.

If there is excessive bleeding from the
stoma opening or a moderate amount of
blood in the pouch after several emptyings.
If there is bleeding at the juncture of the
skin and the stoma.

If there is severe irritation or deep ulcers in
the peristomal skin.

If there is unusual change in size or
appearance of the stoma.

If the color of the stoma changes to
purplish-blue.

For severe watery discharge lasting more
than five or six hours.

If there is strong odor lasting more than a
week.

For any other unusual occurrence regarding
the stoma.