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 Secretary Jamie Darr 410-987-0094 Treasurer Lyn Rowell 410-672-6983 Webmaster: Janice Winters

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.

We’re on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com Volume 43 Number 8 MAY 2016

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

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.

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

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MAY – NO MEETING

JUNE - Hollister Rep

Your mind is a powerful thing – when you fill it with positive thoughts your life will start to change.

The Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Ostomy Association, Inc. (AACOA) is a non-profit, volunteer-basedorganizationdedicatedtoprovidingreassuranceandemotionalsupportforpeoplewhohavehadorwillhavesomekindofostomysurgery,suchasacolostomy,ileostomy,urostomy(urinarydiversion)oracontinentprocedure.ThegoaloftheAACOAistoprovidemoralsupport,information,andeducationtopeoplewithostomiesandtheirfamiliesandfriends.MembersreceiveTheRamblingRosebudnewslettermonthly.DUESare$15pleasemakecheckouttoAACOAandmailtoAACOA,POBox847,GambrillsMD21054-1454

MembershipApplicationPleasePrint

FullName_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last FirstM.I.Address:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________StreetAddress Apartment/Unit#_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City State ZipCodePhone:()DateofBirth:Gender:

EmailAddress_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Reasonforsurgery:____Crohn’s____UlcerativeColitis_____Cancer_____Other__________________________

Emergencycontactifweareunabletoreachyou:______________________________________________________________________Whattypeofsurgeryhaveyouhad?

☐Colostomy ☐Urostomy ☐Spouse/FamilyMember☐Ileostomy ☐Parentofchildwith ☐Other(pleasespecify) Iwouldliketohelpwiththefollowingcommittee(s)oractivities:

☐Finance ☐Hospitality ☐Membership ☐Newsletter☐Program ☐Refreshments ☐Sunshine ☐VisitingHowdidyouhearaboutus?

☐InternetSearch ☐ET/WOCNNurse ☐Other ☐Hospital ☐PhysicianA 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.

THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH

7:30pm at the Belcher Pavilion

OSTOMY ADVISORS FOR STOMA HELP To consult with one of the ETs below, a physician’s 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

2015-2016

Colleen Simpson, BSN, RN, CWON Joan Selekof, BSN, RN, CWOCN Sue Currence, BSN, RN, CWON Founder of GBMC’s Outpatient Ostomy Clinic Founder of UMMC WOCN Department Founder of St. Joseph’s Outpatient Wound & Ostomy Clinic

We have time and would love to see you! Give us a call or just stop by ...

410-773-0300Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supplies

10757 York RoadCockeysville, MD 21030

Consultative Hours: Monday - Friday 9-4 pm $40.00 Fee

If you are having concerns or haven’t been to an ostomy clinic recently, come see us.We provide the guidance and reassurance needed to keep you on the road to wellness.

EXPERTS PROVIDINGSOLUTIONS

I’m having issues with …

Leakage Burning Redness & Irritation Ulceration Appliance Adhesion Adequate Wear Time Odor Hernia Support

ADVICEIt would be great to know …

Am I using too many products? Are there better products out there? How should I use these products? Is there an easier way to do this? Should I avoid certain clothing? What can I do if I have a hernia? Best method for swimming and exercise? What to expect when traveling?

REASSURANCEFrequently asked questions …

Is this ‘normal’? Should this be happening? Things have changed, what should I do? Am I doing this correctly? What do others do? Could this happen? Can I become pregnant? Is intimacy still possible?

May 2016 The Rambling Rosebud

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE We had an interesting presentation from Dr. Kahan last month on the proposed use of medical marijuana in Maryland, how it affects the pain receptors and how it has been working in other states where it has been legalized.

DON’T FORGET because of a scheduling conflict at the hospital there will NOT be a meeting in May but our meetings will resume as normal in June.

Paul

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 physician’s 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

“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. Dennis Kimbro

THE MID-ATLANTIC’S 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

“We’ve 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: x� Delivery anywhere in the United States x� Free delivery available x� Next day delivery is available x� Large inventory of ostomy & wound care

supplies in stock (we stock an inventory of over 5,000 boxes of supplies)

x� Customized hospital and clinic service plans available

x� In-house Medicare and insurance billing specialists

x� Personalized pharmacy/medical supply specialist available

x� Easy ordering by fax, phone, online, or in-person.

x� Toll Free 24 hour hotline x� Acceptance of all major credit cards

Northern Pharmacy and Medical Equipment 6701 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21234 Harford Rd & Northern Parkway www.NorthernPharmacy.com

SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR OSTOMY SUPPLY MANAGER: AARON SACCO Phone: (410) 254 2055 x260 Fax: (443) 740 9297 woc@northernpharmacy.com

May 2016 The Rambling Rosebud

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Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist About a New Prescription Via The Triangle, Pittsburg, via UOAA

Prescription drugs are life savers but only if they’re used correctly. In my US nearly half of all medications aren’t taken as directed. 14% of prescriptions never get filled; 13% are filled but never used and 29% are filled but not finished. 1. What’s the name of the drug you’re prescribing? 2. Is a less-expensive generic version of this drug

available? 3. How much will I be taking and how many times a

day? 4. What time of day is best to take the medication?

Should it be taken with food or without? 5. Does the medication need refrigeration? 6. What side effects, if any, might I experience?

What should I do if they occur? 7. Is it safe to take this drug with other drugs or

supplements? Can I drink alcohol while I am on this medication?

8. What do I do if I miss a dose? 9. How long will I be taking the drug? 10. Do I need to finish the entire dosage you’re

prescribing for me? What do I do if I feel better before that?

AND FOR THOSE WITH AN ILEOSTOMY OR CONTINENT OSTOMIES: 1. Is the medicine easily digestible? Will it dissolve

in approximately two hours? 2. Is it time release? Most ileostomates will pass

medicine too soon for it to work well so medicine taken through the day work best.

************************** TIPS FOR DEALING WITH OSTOMY BLOCKAGES Via Ostonoma News via UOAA Blockages may occur in the digestive tract of those of us with ostomies, just as extreme constipation can occur for those without.

The causes can be apparent (such as too much high fiber food for colostomates) or not, but in all cases, the blockage will result in minimal or no output. Often that which is produced will have a foul odor and there is abdominal pain near the stoma or cramping in general. The pain can be quite intense. If you think you have a blockage and you are not nauseated or vomiting, cut back on solid food and only consume liquids such a Coke, sports drink or tea. Try a warm bath to relax abdominal muscles. Try several different body positions, such as knee-chest position, as it might move the blockage forward. You might also try massaging the area around the stoma, especially since that is often where the blockage occurs. If there is no change or relief in several hours and/or if there has been no stomal output, call your doctor or WOC/ET and report what is happening and what you did to try and resolve the problem. If you can’t reach your doctor or nurse and there has been no output from the stoma, go to the Emergency Room immediately. If it necessary to go to the Emergency room , take a goodly amount of pouch supplies with you (for example pouches, tail closure, skin barrier spray, etc.). It is probably worth mentioning that , anecdotally, those who have experienced blockages report that there is no real ambiguity about the fact that indeed, something is not working correctly when one occurs. Even more important, the fact that blockages can happen underscores the importance of talking with your doctor about the eventuality and the various levels of support available for you individually. As they say, an ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure! AIR TRAVEL TIPS FOR OSTOMATES Lyn Rowell

Sometimes traveling with an ostomy can seem a bit daunting, particularly for the new ostomate. Less than a month after my surgery I flew from Washington DC to southern Italy which involved three flights, and a long layover in Rome. Since then I’ve had several flights of 8 hours or longer. If you are stressed about the thought of flying, here are some things I’ve found to be helpful.

May 2016 The Rambling Rosebud

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BEFORE YOUR TRIP 1. Pack more than supplies than you could possibly

need – just in case! Make sure you include bags to dispose of used pouches – I like dark black pet waste bags or diaper disposal bags when I am traveling. I find the solid color is more discreet when its placed in a more public trash or in the trash at someone else’s home.

2. If you have frequent output consider anti-diarrhea medication for at least 24 hours before your trip to help slow things down. Consult your doctor if this is a concern for you.

3. Change your pouch 24 hours before departure. This way you can be sure that your pouch is fresh and well adhered before you leave. I’ve had to change a pouch in a public restroom when one failed and while possible it’s not fun!

4. Even with bringing extra supplies, get information on where to buy supplies at your destination. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

5. Pack a change of clothes in your carry on luggage and a precut pouch and changing supplies just in case. While I’ve read that round tipped scissors may be allowed in carry on luggage, check with the airline. I prefer to just cut a pouch ready for use and pack my scissors in my checked luggage.

6. Make sure you have your UOAA Travel card that can alert airline staff to your need to use a bathroom urgently. If you need to print one, go online to www.ostomy.org and search for “travel card” in the search box. They have a printable pdf file.

7. When checking in, I prefer to sit near the bathrooms because I have a high output ostomy. But that comes with more movement around where I sit and if it’s an overnight flight you might find that more disturbing.

8. If you have to empty your pouch every few hours and your travel time is quite extensive, try to get an aisle seat so you don’t have to keep asking people to let you out. AT THE AIRPORT

1. If possible empty your pouch before going through

airport security. While not necessary for screening, it just helps me to be more comfortable as I am being screened.

2. At security let them know you have an ostomy – you will still be screened but I have always found that they were very courteous. I just mention it quietly to the staff as I approach the body scanner.

3. Empty your pouch before boarding – it may be a little while before you can use the bathroom on the flight.

4. While it is important to stay well hydrated, avoid carbonated drinks on the plane to reduce the chance of gas in the pouch.

5. Relax and enjoy your journey! **************************

From Reader’s Digest on line: IsupervisedanemployeewhohadanegativeviewofeverythingIdid.IfItookavacationday,Iwas“neverthere.”IfIpraisedsomeone’swork,itwas“toolittle,toolate.”

Heeventuallytookanotherjobbutwasfiredsixmonthslater.Shortlythereafter,hecontactedme,hopingtoreturntohisoldjob.

“Haveyoulearnedanythingfromthisexperience?”Iasked.

“Yes,Ishouldhavestayedhere,”headmitted.“You’retooindecisivetohaveeverfiredme.”

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

Adefendantwasn’thappywithhowthingsaregoingincourt,sohegavethejudgeahardtime.

Judge:“Wheredoyouwork?”

Defendant:“Hereandthere.”

Judge:“Whatdoyoudoforaliving?”

Defendant:“Thisandthat.”

Judge:“Takehimaway.”

Defendant:“Wait;whenwillIgetout?”

Judge:“Soonerorlater.”

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