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 8

May 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
May 7th 2015 Dr. Kahan, Pain Management Center Anne Arundel Medical Center
June 4th 2015 Will Meade, 3M representative

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.

There are two kinds of pedestrians..

the quick and the dead.

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

When summer heats up, cool down with Austin

Pharmacy. Ask an ostomy nurse and consider moisture
wicking bag covers, swimmer belts, waterproof tape,
extra barrier arches or medical adhesives. We have a
variety of brands and products to meet your needs.

Colleen Simpson
BSN, RN, CWON

Dont forget to stay prepared by keeping ostomy

appliances at room temperature and in a dry
environment so that your bags work effectively.
Consider checking the bag more frequently for
inadvertent leaks and applying the bag when you are not
sweating. Limit time exposed to excessive heat from a
sauna or hot tub.
We also have non-ostomy related cooling products such
as aloe vera burn relief creams and other burn products.
Cooling slippers and a variety of soft conforming ice
packs will help ailing joints or swollen feet.
So celebrate the beginning of summer, and if life heats
up, let us cool you down!

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

May 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
As you can see from our front cover, we have speakers for the next two months and I hope you
will find their presentations informative. My thanks to those who helped arrange this and for
the speakers for giving up their time. Also we promised to include the registration form for the
conference that will be in the NEXT issue. Sorry we couldnt fit it in this month.
Paul

Frequently Asked Questions

Via Green Bay Area Ostomy

Q. I have successfully used the same product for

years. Is there any reason I should change?
A. There have been many advances in ostomy
technology and features that make the products more
comfortable, convenient and discreet. Also, if you
have not seen your WOC (ET) Nurse in a while, this
may be the time to get a check up and check out new
products.
Q. I havent made any changes, but for some reason
my pouch is not lasting as long as it used to. Am I
doing something wrong?
A. Not necessarily. One common explanation is that
your body may have changed. As we age, our skin
becomes less firm and the pouching system may not
fit the same way to the skin. You may also have
developed a hernia around the base of the stoma,
which could change the way your product fits and
decrease wear time.
Q. The nurse gave me some powder to use on the
skin around my stoma. Should I keep using it?
A. Usually the powder treats a specific skin problem.
Once your skin is healed and intact, stop using the
powder. If you have any questions, contact your
healthcare professional.

GO ON SMILE!!
What Do Fish Say When They Hit a Concrete
Wall? Dam.

What Do Eskimos Get From Sitting On The Ice
too Long? Polaroid's

What Do You Call a Boomerang That Doesn't
work? A Stick

What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours?
Nacho Cheese.

What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In
Quicksand? Quattro Sinko.

What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?
Spoiled Milk.

Hints, Suggestions, and Tips from the By-Pass,
Raleigh NC
To keep up with your fluid intake, have an 8 ounce
glass of water, juice or soda each time you empty your
pouch. This will help you to avoid dehydration. Jane
Fellows
If you use a 2 piece pouching system, before snapping
the pouch on the flange, apply a little bit of baby oil to
the ring of the flange; this will allow the two pieces to
snap together with ease. Leanne Richbourg
Keep Charmin wipes, cut in half, to clean out the
bottom of the pouch. I travel with a box and keep a
box in the bathroom. Bonnie Sessums
Eat Mexican salsa BEFORE 4:00pm!!!!!!! Frank
Ricciutti
If you have an ileostomy, check with your doctor
before taking timed release or extended release
medications. Since you don't have a large intestine,
these meds may not be absorbed fully, and therefore
may not take full effect. Jennifer Higdon

One of the secrets of life is to make

stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.

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

May 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

YOUR URINARY OSTOMY

From Philadelphia (PA) Ostomy Association, via S.
Alameda County (CA) Newsletter & S. Brevard (FL)
Ostomy Newsletter.

The urinary ostomy requires three kinds of preventive

attention: care of the stoma; care of the skin around it;
and care of the kidneys.
Your routine care of kidney function includes:
1. Drinking, at the very least, one quart of liquids
daily, such as tea, coffee, juice, soup, colas,
water, beer, etc. These should be decaffeinated
preferably.
2. Getting your urine tested every six months.
3. Having an Xray taken (IVP intravenous
pyelogram) of the kidneys once every two years.
Observations to be made:
1. Stoma changes in size. After initial healing is
complete (about six months), measure with paper
measuring gauge every six months; change to
equipment with correct opening, Appearance of
stoma: does it appear different from usual (color,
shape, little white r red spots, etc.?). Look for this
at each change of appliance, show to surgeon or
ET nurse.
2. Skin signs of irritation: Are there pink spots, tiny
pimples, reactions to adhesive etc.? Look for this
at each change of appliance; learn methods of
dealing with routine minor irritations. Soreness,
raw or infected area: do not delay see doctor or
ET nurse right away. White deposits or whitish
appearance of skin around base of stoma; look for
this at each change of appliance; drink at least
8oz of cranberry juice daily. Soak appliance in
water/vinegar solution (3 parts water to 1 part
vinegar). If no improvement in two weeks, call
your urologist or GU clinic.
3. Kidneys nature of urine. Look at it every day. Is
it dark? Drink more liquids. Is it gritty? Tell your
urologist. Is there some mucus? This is normal.
Is there a persistent unpleasant odor? This is a
sign of infection and must be treated by your
urologist.
The greater the obstacle, the more glory
in overcoming it. Moliere

Is it Always Necessary to Use Sealant On My

Skin?
Via Inside Out & GB News Review

You should try applying your pouch without this

product a few times to see if you really need it.
Some people get excellent wear time without
using sealant. Others may find it improves skin
health and pouch adhesion. Skin sealants such as
Skin Prep by Smith & Nephew Skin Gel Wipes
by Hollister, Allkare by Convatec and Bard
Skincare Protective Film are available in
different forms, such as small wipes, sprays or
applicator bottles. These products contain a
plastering agent as their main ingredient and are
used to provide a think protective film on the
skin during appliance removal. It also acts as
moisture barrier. For people with dry skin, the
film actually improves appliance adhesion. Skin
sealants also contain variable amounts of
isopropyl alcohol.
Because of the alcohol
content of the sealant, burning and stinging often
occur when the sealant is applied to damaged
skin. Therefore, skin barrier powder should be
used rather than a skin sealant on irritated skin.
It is also important to know that skin sealants
may not be recommended for use under certain
skin barriers. The protective film may reduce the
adherence of the barrier.
****************
WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED
via email
Men are just happier - what do you expect from such
simple creatures? Their last name stays put. The
garage is all theirs. Wedding plans take care of
themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. They can
be President. They can never be pregnant. They can
wear a white T-shirt to a water park. They can wear
NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell them the
truth. The world is their urinal. They never have to
drive to another gas station restroom because this one
is just too icky. They don't have to stop and think of
which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more
pay.
Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux
rental-$100. People never stare at their chest when
they're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or
6

May 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

mangle their feet. One mood all the time. Phone

conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. They know
stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only
one suitcase. They can open all your own jars. They
get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite them, he or she can still
be their friend.
Their underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs
of shoes are more than enough. They are unable to
see wrinkles in their clothes. Everything on their face
stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for
years, maybe decades. They only have to shave their
face and neck.
They can play with toys all their life. One wallet and
one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. They
can wear shorts no matter how their legs look. They
can 'do' their nails with a pocket knife. They have
freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
They can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on
December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
SWIMMING WITH AN OSTOMY
Via: Chicago North Suburban Chapter

Ostomates swim. We put together a few little

items we have gathered to help make you feel
more secure. First, allow some time after
changing a barrier before swimming so that the
seal is secure. Overnight is best, but even taking
that extra minute to let the barrier seal should be
fine. The newer barriers actually melt to obtain
adherence. You have to make sure this chemical
action has taken place. To be extra secure, it may
be best to picture frame the barrier with a
waterproof tape. There is a "pink tape" available
through most suppliers that works well to assure
the appliance stays on your body. Hollister's new
skin like tapes as well as other similar types may
be made more waterproof by covering them with
a skin prep after they are in place. Cloth belts
stretch in water. If you wear a belt, it may be
preferred to substitute a rubber one while you are
swimming.

Swimsuits, with busy patterns camouflage the

appliance better than solid colored suits. Wearing
solid colors will reveal the appliance more easily.
Skirts, bows, sashes, ties, drapes on a swimsuit
may also help camouflage the appliance. Boxerstyle trunks work well for men.
A tight garment under your swimsuit can help
hold the appliance in place. Depending on how
active you are and the level of comfort you desire
some of the following are good suggestions: A
lightweight two-way stretch panty girdle; the top
part of old panty hose; biking shorts; or sewing a
pocket in the lining of your swimsuit to support
the pouch. These are unisex ideas. Men can also
try a pair of jockey shorts for similar support.
Mini, non-drainable pouches are an alternative to
people who use two-piece systems. They may be
more comfortable and have a lower profile under
swimsuits than your usual pouch. They may be
used over and over if you rinse them out and air
dry after every use. Avoid pouches with built-in
filters for swimming. Water can get in, and
make a real mess.
Try and plan ahead for swimming. Even nonostomates should wait two hours after eating
before going swimming. Try to roughly calculate
your transit time, how long it takes food to get
from mouth to pouch, and eat your meals at a
time that will allow you to have the least amount
of output when you plan to swim. For most
people, the first few hours after getting up in the
morning will be the time of least output. The
conclusion to all of this, the main reason for
writing this article is so that you go swimming.
An ostomy does not stop you, or even slow you
down from swimming and enjoying all the
different type of water activities like hot tubs,
beaches, pools, scuba diving, snorkeling, diving,
swimming, etc. Enjoy ityou have been given a
new life.
Fear knocked at the door. Faith
answered. No one was there.

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