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

Sooner or later a
man reaches the
B years of life
Baldness,
Bridgework,
Bifocals and Bulges.

Number 11

August 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
August 6th 2015 Group Discussions
September 3, 2105 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.

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

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

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 September 21st at 7:30pm

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

Welcome to Warmer Weather!

When summer heats up, cool down with Austin Pharmacy.
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 your bag works
effectively. Check more frequently for inadvertent leaks and
ensure your skin is completely dry before applying your barrier.
Limit time exposed to excessive heat from saunas or hot tubs.
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.
Finally, make sure you pack extra supplies when on the go and
in separate pieces of luggage. Know that smaller, travel-sized
ostmy accessories are available. Call Austin Pharmacy today
for samples. Celebrate 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

August 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
At a suggestion from one of our board members, we are proposing changing the number of board
meetings that we hold. Currently we have five held in January, March, May, September, and November.
With such a small group and few board members, there is little business to conduct. So we propose
changing the board meetings to two per year one in March to coordinate speakers and review the
Associations budgets and finances and the other in September to analyze the expenditures of the year and
establish the budget for the forth coming year, and work on the membership drive and plan for the Holiday
social. We hope that with fewer meetings more individuals might be willing to serve on the board. Please
contact a board member to express your thoughts about the proposed changes to our board meeting
schedule.
Paul
Understanding Ostomy Terms

Lyn Rowell
adapted from an article in the Ostonoma News

Most people have no idea of what an ostomy is

and if you tell someone you have a stoma, you
are often met with a blank look. Individuals may
have heard of people having a bag but that is
the extent of their knowledge. Even amongst
those who have heard of stomas they assume all
are the same when actually there are basically
three different types and the output through the
stoma differs.
An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the
body to allow the discharge of body wastes. This
can be due to disease (as was mine), accident or
injury or due to a birth defect. When I first had
my ostomy (stationed on an overseas military
base) I had a neighbor whose son had undergone
ostomy surgery a few days after birth. She was a
wealth of knowledge and comfort.
Most people have heard of a colostomy, which is
created from a section of the colon or large
intestine. A person with a colostomy may still
have much of their large intestine left, or they
may have just a little of it. The thickness and
frequency of the output will depend on how
much large intestine is remaining.
An ileostomy is created from a section of the
small intestine. Most often the large intestine is
removed completely although in some cases it
may be left to rest and heal and the ileostomy be
a temporary condition that is later reversed.
Since the large intestine primarily absorbs fluid
from the body, the output through an ileostomy

contains more liquid and can resemble a thick

paste. If a lot of the small intestine has been
removed then the output will be more watery.
An ileostomy usually needs emptying more
frequently throughout the day.
A urostomy is a diversion to remove urine from
the body. As such it will need frequent emptying
just as an individual empties their bladder
frequently.
The stoma is the actual end of the intestine that
can be seen protruding through the abdominal
wall and through the skin through which feces or
urine is discharged. The ideal stoma is round,
dark pink and moist. The skin around the stoma
(known as the peristomal skin) is intact with no
breaks or cuts and no irritation. Not every stoma
is ideal, though. A stoma may be retracted, flush
or prolapsed and may require additional attention
to manage properly.
A retracted stoma pulls in and creates a concave
effect, so that the stoma is below the surface of
the skin. This may result in increased skin
irritation. There are products to help amend that.
A flush stoma is at the same height, or flush
with the surface of the skin which can result in
increased skin irritation.
With a prolapsed stoma the intestine is being
pulled out of the abdominal opening, so that the
stoma sticks our further than desirable. This can
be uncomfortable and may cause the stoma to not
work as effectively.
Your WOCN can help with any of these issues.

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

August 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

UROSTOMY CARE
UOAA July 2013, via The Triangle

The urostomate should keep in mind that the

stoma may shrink for several months following
surgery. It is important that your appliance fits
well so that the skin around the stoma does not
become thick and white due to contact with
urine. This crust may rub against the stoma,
causing bleeding.
To cleanse the pouch of crystals, soak it in a
solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water.
Several glasses of cranberry juice each day will
help restore the acid level in your body and there
is less crystallization. The urinary pouch should
be emptied often.
There is no odor when the pouch I kept clean.
The portion of the intestine (the ileum) that is
used to form the conduit is mucous forming, so
it is not unusual or abnormal to see some mucous
in the urine.
Before attaching the night drain, leave sufficient
urine in the pouch to fill the entire length of the
tube. This eliminates air bubbles which prevent
the flow through the tube and causes backup
problems.
Please remember that for best results, you will
want to change your appliance first thing in the
morning before you eat or drink anything. This
may give you some breathing room for a few
minutes (when your stoma will not be active) to
get the skin dried off and the new appliance in
place.
If you bend over and try to be sure all stored
liquid is forced out before you begin the change,
it may also help give you a few minutes of
inactivity to complete the change.
************

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

POTASSIUM HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS

Via Loraine County Ohio Ostomy News

The body leans heavily on potassium. Its a busy

mineral. Potassium is essential for a normal
heartbeat.
Without it, nerves cannot send
messages to muscles. Low potassium levels
weakens muscles. People who take a diuretic
over a period of time may show a low potassium
count. Other conditions that deplete potassium
are adrenal gland problems, kidney disease and
diarrhea.
Once the body has depleted its
potassium reserves, the doctor almost always has
to prescribe a potassium supplement. Its nearly
impossible for potassium rich foods to restore
body potassium levels. Once potassium levels
are replenished then foods help keep the levels in
the normal range. Bananas, extolled as a
potassium goldmine are good, but not a great
source of the mineral. A baked potato tops the
list. Other food sources are dried figs, yogurt,
avocados, watermelon, oranges, cantaloupes,
soybeans, peas, squash, spinach, teach,
bouillon/broth, molasses, raisins, dates, fish and
apricots.
POTASSIUM LOSS
The above article warns about the dangers of low
potassium - so what can cause this to happen?
1. Excessive fluid loss. This can be through
vomiting, diarrhea or even excessive sweating
due to strenuous physical activity, heat
exhaustion or fever. Potassium and sodium are
both lost this way and need to be replaced.
2. Medications. Some medications act as
diuretics which help rid the body of excess
fluid such as those that treat high blood pressure
and heart or kidney disease. Even excess use of
laxatives can force too much fluid out of the
body taking with it sodium and potassium.
3. Chronic medical conditions may mean that
the body cannot properly absorb the potassium it
needs through normal diet.
4. Surgical conditions, such as bariatric surgery
or large amounts of intestinal tract removed due
to disease, can affect the ability to absorb
6

August 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

potassium from food. A high volume of stool

output because of surgery may also result in a
diarrhea type condition.
How will you know if you have low potassium
levels? While only a blood test can accurately
tell your potassium levels, the following are
possible symptoms of low potassium.

Weakness, tiredness, cramping in the arms or

legs.
Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs.
Heart palpitations, and fainting due to low
blood pressure.

If you suspect low potassium is a problem for

you, contact your doctor and have the situation
investigated. As stated in the earlier article, it
may be necessary for you to be treated with a
supplement and not just adding more potassium
rich foods.
If you have an ileostomy and require a diuretic
remind your doctor that with your ostomy
condition where sodium and potassium are lost
naturally due to lack of bowel, common diuretics
might produce excessive potassium loss. They
can prescribe an alternate medication that may
not adversely affect potassium levels.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady
tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your
entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the
guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have
had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit
close by and nuzzle them gently.
************

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

There are hundreds of languages in the

world but a smile speaks all of them.
************

If A Dog Were The Teacher

(via email)

If a dog were the teacher, you would learn stuff

like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet
them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your
face to be pure ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Disposal bag ideas for your used ostomy

appliance:

The plastic bag your newspaper comes in.

A bread loaf bag.
The produce bag from the grocery store.
A diaper disposal bag (you have to buy those
though!).

Place your used appliance in the bag, tie well and

dispose.
7

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