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 42

If you can't say

something nice,
don't say nothing at
all ...
Thumpers Dad in
Bambi

Number 2

November 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
November 5th, 2105 Group Discussion
December 4th, 2105 Holiday Party

Note: The November 2015 meeting will be held at 7:30pm in the Rotary Room
(next to the Garden Cafeteria) in the Clatanoff Pavilion at Anne Arundel
Medical Center in Annapolis.
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

2015-2016

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.

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

Monday March 21st, 7:30pm
Belcher Pavilion

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

Happy Fall to All .

Looking beyond ostomy, wellness on a day to day basis is a
challenge for most people. Small steps towards a healthier
lifestyle can be simple and make a big difference over time.
Better food choices, adding healthier foods to just one meal each
day, or adding incremental amounts of daily exercise will provide
long term health and wellness benefits.

As we age joint and leg support, whatever the activity level, is a

necessity. A reduction in swelling or amount of improper joint
movement can prevent injury and more serious complications.
Come by Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supplies to see our line of
warming joint support, trendy compression socks, copper
sportswear and leg-healthy stockings for everyday use. We even
have devices to make donning these garments.
Lastly, dont forget to schedule time with friends, loved ones and
your local support group. Best of health!
The Austin Pharmacy Team

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

November 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Id like to thank Sandi for arranging for Dr. Carol Tweed of Annapolis Oncology to speak to us last month
it was well attended and it was a very informative session. We dont have a speaker for this month so
we will just have a group discussion.
For this month again, go to the Rotary Room (next to the Garden Cafeteria) in the Clatanoff Pavilion. Park
in GARAGE C. This is effective for this month only. Next month will be our Holiday Party and as part
of that we have come up with a way to do something for others in our ostomy family. If you have any
unopened supplies that you no longer need (maybe youve switched brands or have some samples you
never used) please bring them to the December meeting. We will have a box to place them in that will
then be sent to the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW). If you dont have any supplies to donate and
you would like to participate, we can also collect checks made out to FOW that we can forward. FOW
does amazing work to ship ostomy products to countries that dont have the advantages that we do.
We also voted in our recent board meeting to have just two board meetings a year as we have little
business to conduct and two ought to be sufficient. And if there are only two meetings perhaps some of
you might be available to come and share your ideas.

Paul
DEALING WITH SOCIAL SITUATIONS
Dr. Craig White, Monterey County, via Metro MD.

Social anxiety usually occurs when you believe that something will go wrong in a social situation. You may worry
that your ostomy will make a noise or that you will smell. You may imagine that your bag will leak all over your
clothes in the middle of the supermarket or that noises might erupt from the bag during prayers at church.
Accidents and unplanned incidents do happen. Instead of stopping your thought process after you have
considered the worst possibility, take it forward and construct a coping plan. Remember, even if your worst fears
do come true, there is always something you can do to cope. Most likely you will never have to use your coping
plan, but a least you know it is there if you need it. Most people say they find it easier to put a plan into action
that theyve already thought about, rather than having to improvise when something happens. .

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

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

THE MID-ATLANTICS 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
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

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

November 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

SOME THOUGHTS ON A SUPPORT

GROUP
Lyn Rowell

I once talked to a young ostomate who had

required the surgery for severe illness and was
very grateful for the surgery since it had
significantly improved her ability to live her life.
Since not everyone feels that way I was happy to
see that they saw this as something positive in
their life. However, they declined my invitation
to attend a support group because, in their words,
they were extremely happy with their ostomy
which seemed to indicate in their opinion that
only unhappy people go to support groups.
While they honestly didnt have any concerns at
the time, I think another reason they declined to
join a group was I was significantly older than
they were and they probably thought support
groups were full of old people we had nothing
in common. Frequently we focus on differences
instead of focusing on commonalities. While our
age when we undergo ostomy surgery may
significantly impact how quickly we recover, at
the end of the day our experiences often overlap.
As I write this I am getting ready for an
appointment with Dr. Proshan as I have a very
painful pelvic abscess. I am blessed with a wide
circle of friends who have all been comforting
and desire to help out. But the young couple
from my church congregation were the most
helpful as I waited for diagnosis (it took 10
days). Despite the fact their children are younger
than some of my grandchildren, we share a
common experience since the husband (who has
had surgery for Crohns disease) has had a pelvic
abscess. So we talk a common language that my
other friends dont understand. Our age
difference is immaterial what is shared is our
common experience.
Have you ever considered what normal is if
you take all the people in your neighborhood, the
majority will not have an ostomy so therefore it
wont be normal. However in a gathering of
our group, an ostomy is entirely normal. And

while we all hope everything will function year

in and year out as it should, there might be times
when something odd happens and then it is
comforting to talk to someone else who has
been there and done that.
The dictionary defines support as providing
approval, comfort or encouragement, which
again implies (to me) that you go because you
have a problem. While that may be true I believe
our group also provides opportunities for new
friendships and a place to share our common
experience. In the spirit of this thanksgiving
season, I would like to express thanks to all I
have associated with during the 19 years that I
have been coming and who have provided me a
network of normal ostomates.

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 purplishblue.
For severe watery discharge lasting more
than five or six hours.
If there is strong odor lasting more than a
week.
6

November 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

For any other unusual occurrence regarding

the stoma.

A man in Florida, in his 80s, calls his son in New York one
November day. The father says to the son, I hate to tell
you, but weve got some troubles here in the house. Your
mother and I cant stand each other anymore, and were
getting a divorce. Im telling you now, so you and your
sister shouldnt go into shock later when I move out.
He hangs up, and the son immediately calls his sister in the
Hamptons and tells her the news. The sister says, Ill
handle this. She calls Florida and says to her father,
Dont do ANYTHING till we get there! Well be there
Wednesday night.

and scrub the bathtub on a regular basis (which

you do anyway, right?) your bathroom will not
smell. Baking soda in the wash water and down
the drain is an excellent deodorizer. You can
hang the wet pouch by the ring on a hook to dry
or just leave it flat on a towel and it will be ready
for use the next day. The inside doesnt have to
be bone dry for use, but the outside and ring
should be. A lot of products have a thin fabric
covering on themnice against the skin when
dry but very uncomfortable if damp. Make sure
that part is dry before putting it back on..

The father agrees, All right. The old man hangs up the
phone and hollers to his wife, Okay, theyre coming for
Thanksgiving. Now, what are we going to tell them for
Christmas?
SOOOOHOW DO I CLEAN THIS
POUCH?
Via: Hemet-San Jacinto, CA
If you are cleaning a drainable two-piece pouch
for reuse, use warm, rather than hot or cold
water. Cold water doesnt lift stool or urine as
readily from the plastic and the pouch is less
pliable. Hot water will cause the pouch to wear
out faster and may increase the likelihood of
odor. If you want to rinse the pouch while youre
still wearing it, use a small squirt bottle to get the
water in it, slosh it around by holding the end
and let things empty into the toilet. Unless you
have no option, its best to remove the pouch
entirely for cleaning. A bit of ordinary dish
detergent with warm water, or, if bacteria is a
concern, a bit of white vinegar mixed with water
will do the trick. Fill the pouch with the warm
water/soap/vinegar solution and slosh it by hand
over the toilet, drain and repeat as necessary. Its
not recommended that you wash these things in
the sink- - the drains are usually too small to
handle this sort of waste and the result will not
be hygienic. Once you have things reasonably
clean, you can hold the pouch under the bathtub
faucet and let it rinse. Tub drains are larger and
so long as you let a good flush of water follow,

SAVE THE DATE!

UOAA Mid-Atlantic Regional
Conference
April 29th May 1st 2016

To e held at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles

International Airport, Sterling, Virginia 20166
Events include speakers, workshops, exhibits,
Stoma clinic, Reception, Breakfast and lunch
buffets.
Registration begins 4PM Friday April 29 and
conference begins at 6:30 PM Friday and ends at
noon on Sunday, May 1
HOSTED BY:
Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia,
LLC (OSGNV, LLC)
and its satellite
Ostomy Connections Support Group,
Fredericksburg, VA

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