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 AA County
Schools are closed
due to inclement
weather, there will
be NO MEETING.

Number 3

December 2015

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
December 4th, 2105 Holiday Party
Bring a finger food to share, gift exchange for those who would like to
participate.

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 desk for the room number.
And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas
well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said
of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us,
Every One! - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

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

Dietary Considerations for Ileostomy and Colostomy

People who have undergone ileostomy or colostomy surgery need a nutritious diet that normally includes
protein, carbohydrate, and fats. Immediately after surgery, the physician may prescribe a low residue/low
fiber diet to assist the bowel to heal. Things like popcorn, large seeds, nuts, fibrous vegetables and fruits
should be avoided. After 6-8 weeks of recovery, a regular diet is usually resumed.
Its important to eat at regular intervals while in an upright position. Small frequent meals every few hours
are generally preferred over 3 large ones each day. Take small sips of fluid after every few bites of food to
aid the digestive process.

Avoid not eating or skipping food in hopes of reducing stoma activity, as this will usually lead to increased
gas production, and/or more fluid output. If youre not hungry, try a few crackers or pretzels to give the GI
tract something to digest.
Add new foods, or ones that have bothered you in the past (ie. gas producers) gradually, and one at a
time. For instance, eating baked beans and sausage together will not let you identify the actual culprit if
problems occur later.
Be sure to keep up with your oral fluid levels (70-80 ounces/day) to prevent constipation for colostomates,
and to prevent dehydration for ileostomates. Signs of dehydration include increased thirst, fatigue, dry
mouth and skin, headache and dizziness. Fluids to consider are water, broth/soups, fruit/vegetable juices,
tea, jello, sherbet, popsicles.
If you experience difficulty with your ostomy at any time, or have questions related to your diet, do not
hesitate to contact your physician or WOC/ET nurse.
Sue Currence, BSN, RN, CWON

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

December 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Dont forget that this month we are back in our usual area in the Belcher Building. It is also our holiday
social. Please bring a finger food to share and IF you would like to participate there will be a gift
exchange. Please note this is OPTIONAL. We are also going to have a box to give back to others who
are less fortunate in the ostomate world. Many in third world countries lack the supplies or resources to
purchase supplies that we may take for granted. So if you have any unopened supplies that you no longer
need please bring them so we can forward them to the Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW). We will
also collect checks made out to FOW-USA that we will pass on to them which would help them with
shipping expenses.

Paul
A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby
discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager
came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why? they asked, as they
moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

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

A happy person is not a person in a set

of circumstances, but rather a person
with a certain set of attitudes.
Hugh Downs
4

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: AARON SACCO
Phone: (410) 254 2055 x260 Fax: (443) 740 9297
woc@northernpharmacy.com

December 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

FRIENDS OF OSTOMATES WORLDWIDE

From the Spring 2015 FOW-USA newsletter:

Lyn Rowell

As Paul has stated, in our December meeting we

will be collecting supplies and/or monetary
donations for Friends of Ostomates WorldwideUSA (FOW). FOW is a non-profit organization
that collects donated ostomy supplies from
individuals and organizations in the United
States and sends them to those in need
worldwide. Since 1986 they have sent $15
million worth of supplies to over 72 countries.
We are so blessed to have a wide variety of
products available, to be able to pick and choose
which products work best for us. We have
access to specially trained nurses who can advise
and assist when we have a problem. We have
support groups and ways to educate the public
about living with an ostomy. We have positive
role models and continue to make progress in
helping non ostomates understand how this
surgery is life saving.
However, it can be quite a different story in other
developing countries. Supplies may be be non
existent or beyond their ability to purchase. We
cannot imagine having to use plastic bags, metal
cans, rubber gloves, rags or towels in place of
proper supplies. What would your life be like if
that was all you had? You might be confined to
your home, afraid to ever go out. For many
individuals in poorer countries they dont have to
imagine those conditions, they live them.
Ostomy surgery for them often results in a poor
quality of life and constant difficulties. Lack of
supplies and education about ostomy surgery can
result in isolation and lack of opportunities
overall.

To continue to meet the need of people around

the world who are without products to manage
their ostomies, we need the following:
Product donations: pouches, flanges and
accessory items. We have a huge need for
pouches & flanges that are 2 or larger.
When you are sending products, keep in mind
that you can remove the products from the boxes
to lessen the size and weight of the products that
you send. Tear off the Manufacturers box top
with the info and drop that into a plastic baggie
with the supplies. At the warehouse we can sort
the products into bins that we have with each
product size and type.
Financial donations: we use our financial
donations to pay for shipping around the world
and for the running of our warehouse (rent,
utilities). Our entire staff (board members as well
as warehouse volunteers) is not paid; we all
volunteer our time and energies.
How else can you help?
FOW-USA is registered with Amazon Smile if
you shop at Amazon.com log in at:
www.smile.amazon.com.
Once you do that you will see a list of charities
on the right hand side of the site enter FOWUSA and they will receive 0.5% of approved
purchases that you make when shopping on their
site. BUT remember you must log in at
smile.amazon.com.
After you do this once it should be part of your
profile and the next time you log onto
smile.amazon.com it should remember the FOWUSA charity.

December 2015

The Rambling Rosebud

SAVE THE DATE!

UOAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
April 29th May 1st 2016
To be 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
**********
One thing about the holidays is that with all that
delicious food and parties and family get
togethers, there will be many opportunities to over
indulge. That can lead to problems, including
indigestion and gas. What causes gas? Eating too
fast, swallowing air (more likely if you are
eating/drinking while attempting to keep up a
conversation), drinking through a straw, drinking
carbonated beverages (or a lot of alcohol) or spicy
foods.
Gas pain can be so severe it can actually feel like
a heart attack. All that gas has got to be released
though. Any gas not expelled through the mouth
will eventually pass through the digestive tract
into the stoma. If you are aware its about to
pass and are concerned about the noise, placing
you arm across your abdomen may help muffle
the sound. Some pouches come with gas-relief
valves, usually manufactured with charcoal
filters to help eliminate the odor, but pouches
without such valves will need to have the gas
released. It doesnt take long for a pouch to
suddenly inflate like a balloon!

If gas is a frequent problem, you may have an

imbalance in your digestive tract. Eating yogurt
and taking a probiotic may help.
POUCH CHANGES - HOW OFTEN
Via: GB News Review, Green Bay, Wi. & So. NV
Town Karaya

This question is among those most frequently asked,

particularly by Ileostomates and urostomy patients.
Like any other question, there is no one answer that
applies to all ostomates.
An informal survey revealed that people change their
appliances as much as 3 times a day, and as
infrequently as every 2 to 4 weeks. Obviously, there
must be reasons for this great variation. After pointing
out that the great majority of ileostomy and urostomy
patients change in the range of once daily to once a
week. Let us explore some of the reasons. People on
either side of this spectrum can have a skin problem
or skin which is nearly indestructible. Some of the
reasons for the variation in time between changes
include:
Stoma length: A short stoma exposes the adhesive
material to moisture which decreases wearing time.
Amount or consistency of effluent: Profuse effluent
tends to loosen the seal.
Skin Type: Moist or oily skin tends to decrease
adhesion time.
Skin Irritation: Decreases adhesion. The appliance
should be changed more frequently to evaluate the
success of your attempts to heal the skin.
Experience: Good technique, such as allowing glue
(adhesive) to dry well, increases adhesion.
Personal Experience: Preferences, convenience, and
odor control.

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