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 41

Number 7

April 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

Next meeting is April 1st 2015 To Be Announced.

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 7th floor desk
for the room number.
If AA County Schools are closed due to inclement weather, there will be no
meeting.
Start by doing whats necessary; then do whats possible, and
suddenly you are doing the impossible.
Attributed to Francis of Assisi

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 Stan Baker, 958 Fall Ridge Way, Gambrills MD 21054-1454

2014-2015

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

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

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
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 7th floor.
When leaving, take the elevator the second floor and go
through the doors onto the 2nd floor of the parking garage.

For those serving on the board, the next

board meeting is May 18th at 7:30pm

Fax: 443-481-5198

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

Live Well Live Independent Live Active

Think Spring!
Time to get out of the cold and do some tidying
up. Clear out the dust and make room for the new.
Discard anything appearing old and check for expired
ostomy products that can be donated to your local
support group, nurse, or our center here at Austin
Pharmacy to help those in a pinch.
Colleen Simpson
BSN, RN, CWON

As you clear out old items be sure to refresh

supplies kept in your purse, car, or spare closet. It is a
good idea to have extra supplies on hand for
unexpected situations. If traveling, dont forget to
inventory for time away. You may want to consider
travel sized items that may be available.
Lastly, if ordering a new product, dont forget to give
ample time of at least a couple days. Looking forward
to your call, and to warmer temperatures!

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

April 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
At our recent board meeting we discussed potential speakers for the year and a suggestion was
made that when have group discussions, we pick a starting topic to get a discussion going. Of
course it doesnt mean we have to stay on that topic. So if you can think of a topic that would be
good to discuss please let us know.
The UOAA annual conference this year will be in St. Louis, Missouri in September. Below are
details to whet your appetite.
Paul
1st Timers Orientation and Reception sponsored by Coloplast for those attending their 1st UOAA
National Conference this session will explain the Conferences What, Where, When and How. At
the reception meet other 1st Timers and the UOAA Board members in a social setting.
Ice Cream Social sponsored by Hollister Incorporated and served by the UOAA National Leaders.
Stoma Clinic a free opportunity for those who would like to meet one on one with a WOC Nurse,
have their ostomy examined and have guidance regarding their pouching system and skin care issues
appointment times can be obtained when registering on-site.
Exhibition Hall a kick the tires opportunity to meet with representatives from our major ostomy
pouching system manufacturers, suppliers and retailers, specialty manufacturers, related non-profit
associations and many others. They will be on hand to talk about their services, answer your questions,
demonstrate their latest products and, of course, provide samples.
Educational Workshops including Basic Ileostomy, Colostomy, Urostomy and Continent
Diversion; Intimacy and Dating; Ask the Doctors and Ask the WOC Nurses; Social Media
Update; Advocacy Update and Medicare and Private Insurance Reimbursement Issues; Spouses
Meetings and Caretakers Boot-camp; Basic Ostomy Nutrition and Nutrition and Short Bowel
Syndrome; Anxiety and Other Ostomy Related Psychological Issues.
Conference Speakers include Joanna Burgess, a WOC Nurse who was diagnosed with a rare type of
bladder cancer at age 3, and later underwent many surgeries and medical challenges; Dr. Katherine
Jeter will share some of the insights about her 3,100 mile cross country bike ride at age 73; Bo Parish
was diagnosed with Crohns Disease when 12 years old but resisted surgery for 13 years. He
completed his first triathlon 5 months after his ostomy surgery.
Next month well include a registration form for those interested in going.

Continuing your Social Life with an Ostomy

From Stillwater-Ponca City (OK) Ostomy Outlook via
Tacoma (WA) and Green Bay (WI) News Review

Your social life can be as active as it was before

surgery. You can enjoy all activities: meeting
people, attending concerts, sporting events, civic
and social club meetings, parties, religious
occasions or whatever you enjoyed before. The
first time you go out of the house after surgery,

you may feel as if everyone is staring at your

appliance, even though it is not visible under
your clothing. You can feel your appliance on
your body, but no one can see it. Keep these
questions in mind: Did you know what an
ostomy was or where a stoma was located, or
what it looked like before you had surgery?
continued on page 6

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:
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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
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: KEITH CAPPS
Phone: (410) 254 2055 x249 Fax: (443) 740 9297
kcapps@northernpharmacy.com

April 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

You may also worry about your pouch filling

with gas and sticking out under your clothing. A
quick trip to the restroom can take care of this
problem. If you are worried about your pouch
filling up immediately after eating at a social
event, remember, people without ostomies often
need to go to the restroom after eating and
nobody will think it is unusual if you do the
same! You will probably find that you need to
empty your pouch less often than you need to
urinate.
Friendship and Love: You may be wondering
about your relationships with others. Now that
you have an ostomy, you may feel that it will
change your present relationships and decrease
new opportunities for friendship and love. True
friendships and deep relationships on any level
are built on trust and mutual understanding.
These qualities depend on you and other persons.
You have the same qualities you had before
surgery and your ability to develop friendships is
unchanged. If you care about yourself, others
will feel your strength and will not be deterred. If
your ostomy does cause a break in friendship, a
sexual alliance or even marriage, this relationship
was not built upon trust and mutual respect and
probably would have crumbled some time in the
future anyway.
*******************
DO WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS?
Bad weather canceled our March meeting
schools were closed during the day which meant
we canceled our meeting. However, if you
would like to be included on any email reminders
or notifications, please supply us with your email
address.
********************

UROSTOMY HINTS & IDEAS

Via Green Bay Ostomy & BOA Friends Together

The stoma will shrink in the first few months
after surgery and should be re-measured as

needed during that time. The appliance opening

should then be made smaller to fit the new
smaller sized stoma. You will find a measuring
device and instructions in every box of pouches.
If you gain or lose weight, you may also need to
recheck equipment fit.
If you develop itching or a rash or become
sensitive to your adhesive, talk to your doctor or
ET to help you clear up your skin irritation
problem. Individual body chemistry differs, so
do manufacturers formulas for skin barrier
adhesives. If your adhesive is not giving you a
good seal, ask for help in finding one that does.
A poor seal may let urine leak onto the skin. If
your pouch begins to leak, change it
immediately.
Some urostomates may have a high incidence of
complications, some occurring after 10 to 12
years. Most complications are gradual, the most
common is caused by an ill fitting pouch, urine
that accumulates on the skin around the base of
the stoma may become reddish brown, with
raised, thick leather like areas. It is important to
have a faceplate or pouch opening that fits to an
eight of an inch of the stoma to prevent this and
other long-term complications. If the reddish
brown growth is extremely bad, it may be treated
with soaks of white vinegar three times a day for
three or four days. Vitamin C, taken according
to the directions on the bottle, may also be
helpful to acidify the urine. Alkaline urine on
the skin is irritating. If these measures are not
successful, a revision of the stoma is an
alternative.
NOTE: At each pouch change, check your stoma
for color, shape and function. Watch for any
stoma problems such as swelling, retraction,
stenosis (narrowing of the outlet) or prolapse
(displacement of the stoma).
Any stomal
complications should be reported to your ET
nurse.
************
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose
weight, because by then your body and your fat
have become really good friends.

April 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

ILEOSTOMY AND SALT

STOMAS

Via: UOA Resource Library & Ostomy Support

Assoc. of Ft. Worth, TX. New Directions & Evansville
Ostomy News

via Semi-Colon and Cheers & Tears;

The salt output from an ileostomy is very high,

around one teaspoon per day, as opposed to
almost none in the feces of a person with an
intact colon. Therefore, the proper intake of salt
by the person who has an ileostomy is very
important. The body, however, seems to
compensate for the salt and water loss by
discharging less salt than normal through the
urinary tract and through perspiration. The intake
of too much salt is avoided, in that it increases
ileal output. Urine output is generally less with
an ileostomy. Therefore, it would be advisable
for the person with an ileostomy to increase their
water intake above normal so as to increase urine
output. In this way, the possibility of kidney
stone development can be kept to a minimum.

I think that I shall never see

a stoma well-behaved like me.
A stoma that will understand
when restrooms aren't near at hand.
A stoma that will quiet be
when the room is full of company.
A stoma that will really rest
when I change at a time I think is best.
But let's not dream and let's not pray;
a stoma is not built that way.
A stoma is built to work, not to play;
and work it does, both night and day.
A stoma has a head, but not a mind;
it sometimes can be so unkind.
Yet thankful we must always be
that surgeons work so skillfully.
Sure, God can make an anus perk,
but only man can make a stoma work!
COLOSTOMY QUESTION
Via Snohomish County Insights & Metro Maryland
Ostomy Newsletter

Q. When a colostomate who wears a pouch gets

a blockage from eating improper or too much
food, should a laxative such as prune juice be
taken? Should heat be applied?

A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren

to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed
past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was
a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing
the dog's duties.
"They use him to keep crowds back," said one
child.
"No," said another. "He's just for good luck."
A third child brought the argument to a close.
"They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the
fire hydrants."

A. When a colostomate gets a blockage in most

cases it is due to constipation. There are a
number of things that could lead to a person
becoming suddenly constipated such as eating
constipating foods, lack of physical activity,
using pain medications, etc.
It is quite
satisfactory for a colostomate to take a mild
laxative. The use of prune juice is an excellent
suggestion. Foods with fiber like bran make the
stool less constipating. For a person who does
not irrigate, these methods should be tried first.
If the pain is such that it is intolerable, seek
medical attention at once even if you have to go
to the emergency room in the middle of the
night.

SAVE THE EARTH

- its the only planet with chocolate!
7

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