Triangle Area

Ostomy

Association

Happy Spring!!!! I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful

weather we have been having. I know the girls and I look

forward to our daily walks with the cool breezes, birds

chirping, and warm sunlight.

This message will be short, because my computer has a bad virus. Have

to get this printed quickly before we reload everything. This is so not a

fun task but happy that my husband is taking care of it for us.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday for one of our most fun

meetings. If you‟ve never had the pleasure of listening to Terri speak,

you don‟t want to miss this one.

Jennifer Higdon, President

President’s Message:

Triangle Ostomy Association Membership Application

Name __________________________________ Today‟s Date: ___________

Spouse‟s Name _______________________________________________________

Mailing Address _____________________________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________________

[ ] I would like to receive the newsletter by email

I have a Colostomy _____ Ileostomy _____ Urostomy (Ileal conduit) _____

Other _____ Year of Surgery __________

I am not an Ostomate, but would like to be a member and support the organization ____

I cannot afford the dues but would like to be a member ____ (Confidential)

We welcome for membership ostomates and other persons interested in the in this group

and its activities and appreciate the help they can provide as members. To join, complete

the above form and send it with a check or money order for $20.00 made out to Raleigh

Chapter of UOA and mail to Mrs. Ruth Rhodes, 8703 Cypress Club Drive, Raleigh, NC

27615. Dues cover membership in the local chapter, including a subscription to the local

By-Pass publication and help support the mission of our organization.

April 2011

8703 Cypress Club Drive

Raleigh, NC 27615

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, April 5 , 7:30 pm Rex

SPEAKER: Terri Kuczynski – Family counselor at Rex Cancer Center

MEETING INFO:

Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month

(except July and August) at 7:30 PM in the Rex Sur-

gical Center Waiting Room, 4420 Lake Boone

Trail, Raleigh, NC. Enter through the Rex Hospital

Main Entrance, which is near the Parking Garage.

REMINDER:

In the event of inclement weather on the day of a

scheduled meeting, please contact Rex Healthcare at

919-784-3100. If Wake County schools are closed

due to weather, then we will not meet.

GROUP OFFICERS AND CONTACT INFO:

President/Editor: Jennifer Higdon 919-333-4923

VP: Jeff Burcham 919-847-9669

Secretary: Bonnie Sessums 919-403-7804

Treasurer Ruth Rhodes 919-782-3460

Past President: Dan Wiley 919-477-8363

Webmaster: Ed Withers 919-553-9083

Member Support: Susie Peterson 919-851-8957

Alison Cleary 919-387-3367

Member Support: Shirley Peeler 919-787-6036

Donald Meyers 919-781-0221

Website: www.RaleighUOA.org

Email: TriangleUOAA@EmbarqMail.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

Reno Page 3

Air Travel Page 4-5

Travel Card Page 6-7

Food Chard Page 8

Tips and CCFA Page 9

Minutes Page 11

DISCLAIMER

Articles and information printed in this

newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the

Triangle Ostomy Association and may not be

applicable to everybody. Please consult your

physician or WOC Nurse for medical advice

that is best for you.

MISSION of the Triangle Area Ostomy Association:

The mission of our organization is to assist people who have or will have intestinal or urinary diversions:

including a colostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, and continent diversions including j-pouches. We provide

psychological support, educational services, family support, advocacy and promote our services to the

public and professional communities.

2

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

April 1 April Fool’s Day

April 17 Palm Sunday

April 18 Passover

April 22 Good Friday

April 22 Earth Day

April 24 Easter

CCFA SUPPORT GROUP

Date: Third Monday of every month

Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Place: Rex Healthcare

Contact: Reuben Gradsky

reuben513@yahoo.com

MINUTES OF THE March 1, 2011 MEETING OF THE TRIANGLE AREA OSTOMY ASSOCIATION

After enjoying delicious refreshments brought by Sam Bundy, Jeff

Burcham, Vice President, opened the meeting at 7:40 PM by welcoming 23+

members and guests, including our President, Jennifer Higdon, and special

guests, Ella and Emma! Ella and Emma are now four months old and

absolutely precious! We all enjoyed being able to see them and watch them

interact with all of us. Jennifer and the girls had to leave at 8:00 for bed time

at 8:30! Thank you so much, Jennifer, for sharing them with us! Jeff welcomed six visitors and everyone introduced themselves and, if

they had an ostomy, said which kind and how long they had had one. He then

turned the meeting over to Stephanie Yates and she introduced the other WOC

nurses and everyone divided into groups by ostomy type. Stephanie and Jane

Fellows, WOC nurse from Duke, visited with members with ileostomies;

Angela Richardson, WOC nurse from Duke, visited with members with

urostomies; and Joanna Burgess, WOC nurse from Wake Med, Cary, visited

with members with colostomies. Caregivers joined in the groups with their

partners or children. After wonderful group sessions, Stephanie announced that Terri

Kuczynski, Family Counselor at Rex Cancer Center, will be the speaker at

the April meeting. Jeff thanked everyone for coming and Sam Bundy for the

delicious refreshments. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM. The April meeting will be at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, April 5 with

Blanche Bahamonde providing refreshments.

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie Sessums

11

WOC Nurses

3

Wake Med

Leigh Ammons 919-350-5171

Melanie Johnson 919-350-5171

Wake Med, Cary

Joanna Burgess 919-350-5231

UNC Hospital

Michael Kalos 919-843-9234

Barbara Koruda 919-843-9234

Lara Leininger 919-843-9234

John Worsham 919-843-9234

Durham Regional

Tom Hobbs 919-470-4000

Felicia Street 919-471-4561

Duke Jane Fellows 919-681-7743

Michelle Rice 919-681-2436

Angela Richardson 919-681-2425

Leanne Richbourg 919-681-6694

Stephanie Yates (wound) 919-668-0124

Duke Health Raleigh Hospital

Krys Dixon 919-954-3446

Maria Parham Hosp.

Kathy Thomas 919-431-3700

Durham VA Center

Mary Garrett 919-286-0411

Reba Giles 919-286-0411

Rex Hospital

Ann Woodruff 919-784-2048

Susan Beyer 919-784-2048

JOIN US in

RENO

August 7—11, 2011

John Ascuaga’s

NUGGET

www.janugget.com

Rooms start at US$79 - Single/double + tax. Free shuttle from Reno airport (RNO)

For Hotel Reservations:

o Telephone 800-648-1177 and mention “GOSTOMY”

o On-line at www.januggetsecure.com/jump/1052/

For Conference Registration: (for more info E-mail UOAA at oa@uoaa.org

o Fee before June 15 ... $90 single, $50 spouse; after June 15 ... $110 single

and $70 spouse

o Use the form in the Spring Issue of The Phoenix magazine, or

o On-line at www.UOAA.org

Featured Events Include,

o 8th – First Timers Orientation and Coloplast sponsored Reception; First

Night Ceremonies and Hollister sponsored Fashion Show and Welcoming

Social

o 9th thru11th,- FREE Stoma Clinic consultations with WOCNurse (by

appointment)

and Hospitality Room

o 9th - Awards and Keynote speaker; Edgepark Sponsored “Ostomy Basics”

workshops; Exhibition Hall; Spouses Chat; ConvaTec sponsored GALA

Evening

o 10th – Traditional Nu-Hope sponsored “Fun Run”; Hollister sponsored

medical presentation; Free Box Lunch in the Exhibition Hall; Visitor

Training Program

o 10th thru11th - Educational Workshops of special interest to:

All attendees; 30+; Young Adults; those with Continent Diversions; gay and

lesbian ostomates; ostomy support group leaders

o 11th – Closing Ceremony with motivational send-off and Conference

photographic wrap-up; Reception followed by Dining and Dancing with live

music at the closing Banquet

10

2011 Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis

Raleigh, NC

Walk Date and Time: June 18, 2011

Registration Start: 4:00 PM

Walk Start: 5:00 PM

Walk Location: Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Local Contact: Nicole Pielech

npielech@ccfa.org

Call: 646.300.2906

TIPS FOR HEALTHY COMFORTABLE AIR TRAVEL www.asma.org

PLAN AHEAD:

BE SURE YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS ARE CURRENT.

DELAY YOUR TRIP IF YOU ARE NOT WELL.

RESERVE A SEAT BY THE WING IF YOU ARE PRONE TO AIR SICKNESS.

SEEK THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION.

ALLOW AMPLE TIME TO CHECK IN AND REACH YOUR DEPARTURE GATE.

CARRY YOUR MEDICATION WITH YOU.

WEAR LOOSE, COMFORTABLE CLOTHING AND COMFORTABLE SHOES

THAT HAVE BEEN WORN PREVIOUSLY.

INFLIGHT

EAT LIGHTLY.

DRINK WATER AND FRUIT JUICES.

DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING UNDER THE SEAT IN FRONT OF YOU SO YOU

CAN STRETCH AND EXERCISE YOUR LEGS.

STAND AND WALK ABOUT THE CABIN PERIODICALLY.

RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT.

EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE

Although aircraft cabins are pressurized, that pressure (called barometric pressure) is less than

that on the ground. For most flights the cabin pressure is the same as that at 5,000 - 8,000 feet

above sea level. In other words, when you are flying, the atmosphere within the aircraft is like

that on the 5,000 - 8,000 feet peak of a small mountain. This has two effects: there is less oxygen

available because the pressure of oxygen becomes lower; and, gas within our body cavities

expands. Both of these phenomena are usually well tolerated by healthy passengers.

A) Oxygen

There is less oxygen absorbed into the blood and circulated throughout the body during flight as

compared to ground level due to a decrease in oxygen with an increased cabin altitude. As long

as you are in reasonably good health, your body has physiological mechanisms that compensate

for this decreased quantity of oxygen. On the other hand, passengers with significant heart, lung,

and blood diseases may not well tolerate lower amounts of oxygen. Therefore, they should

consult their physician before air travel to evaluate their capability to travel and to determine if

there is a need for medical oxygen or other special assistance. Medical oxygen can be

Continued on page 5 4 9

1. Drinking tomato juice will help eliminate odor and is

a tool to retard dehydration and keep electrolytes in

balance.

2. Some Antiperspirants can be used underneath an ostomy barrier. Many

antiperspirants dry after application and leave little residue that would

affect the adherence of a pouch.

3. The stoma should have the same color all over. If you have a log of color

changes, have your stoma examined by your medical professional.

OSTOMATES

FOOD

REFERENCE

CHART

For individuals who

have had ostomy

surgery, it is important

to know the effects of

various foods on ileal

output. The effects may

varywith the remaining

portion of functioning

bowel. Listed below are

some general guidelines

of the effects of foods

after ostomy surgery.

Use trial and error to

determine your

individual tolerance. Do

not be afraid to try foods

that you like, just try

small amounts.

Diarrhea Control

Applesauce

Bananas

Boiled rice

Peanut butter

Pectin supplement

(fiber)

Tapioca

Toast

Stoma

Obstructive

Apple peels

Cabbage, raw

Celery

Chinese vegetables

Corn, whole kernel

Coconuts

Dried fruit

Mushrooms

Oranges

Nuts

Pineapple

Popcorn

Seeds

Gas Producing

Alcoholic bev.

Beans

Soy

Cabbage

Carbonated bev.

Cauliflower

Cucumbers

Dairy products

Chewing gum

Milk

Nuts

Onions

Radishes

Odor Producing

Asparagus

Baked Beans

Broccoli

Cabbage

Cod liver oil

Eggs

Fish

Garlic

Onions

Peanut butter

Some vitamins

Strong cheese

Increased Stools

Alcoholic bev.

Whole grains

Bran cereals

Cooked cabbage

Fresh fruits

Greens, leafy

Milk

Prunes

Raisins

Raw vegetables

Spices

Color Changes

Asparagus

Beets

Food colors

Iron pills

Licorice

Red

Jello®

Strawberries

Tomato sauces

Constipation Relief

Coffee, warm/hot

Cooked fruits

Cooked

vegetables

Fresh fruits

Fruit juices

Water

Any warm or

hot beverage

Odor Control

Buttermilk

Cranberry juice

Orange juice

Parsley

Tomato juice

Yogurt

8

Comfortable Air Travel, cont’d from page 4

arranged with most airlines and it is

important to check with your carrier several

days in advance of the flight. Furthermore,

the combination of low oxygen, alcohol,

inactivity and sleep can generate unpleasant

side effects like dizziness and/or fainting if

one stands up too fast after awakening. Arm

and leg exercises before standing up will

usually prevent this.

B) Gas Expansion

The body contains air in the middle ear

(inside of the ear drum) and sinuses. As the

aircraft ascends, the air in these cavities will

expand to the outside via tubes connecting

them to the nose. On descent the reverse

occurs with air flowing from outside to these

cavities via the same tubes. This is well

tolerated as long as the air can flow into and

out of these cavities freely. To facilitate the

free flow of air, particularly on descent, it is

helpful to periodically swallow, chew, or

yawn. (This is why it is important that passengers stay awake during descent.) Give something

to drink to young children or a pacifier to infants. Individuals with ear, nose and sinus

infections should avoid flying because the congestion prevents the air from flowing freely in

and out of these cavities which could result in pain, bleeding, and possibly a ruptured ear drum.

Also, avoid gas forming foods or liquids before flight.

More travel tips will be

listed next month, so stay

tuned!

5

7

Note from Jennifer Higdon: The “restroom access” portion of the card below

should come in very handy. On several flights, my pouch has filled up with so

much air, that I have had to go to the restroom on the plane sometimes when the

seatbelt sign is still on. One flight attendant told me that I had to sit down, and

when I told her it was an emergency, it did not phase her. I‟m so happy to have a

card now in the event of a full pouch. I‟ll try to print some of these out and bring

to the next meeting.

6

TRAVEL COMMUNICATION CARD

COMPLIMENTS OF THE UNITED OSTOMY ASSOCIATIONS OF AMERICA, INC.

This is provided to travelers in order to simplify communication with Federal

Transportation Security personnel and airline flight attendants, at those times when

you wish or need to communicate in a non-verbal way, as is your legal right.

This is not a “certificate” and it is not a “pass” to help you avoid screening.

Please print out on any weight of paper you wish, trim to „wallet‟ size and laminate

if desired. The blue color is important, as it is a card developed by the TSA so their

own officers will recognize it and be guided to treat the traveler with discretion and

sensitivity.

If laminated in a double-side manner, it can be used blue side out during security

screening, and the white side out when communicating with airline personnel.

JUST PRINT, CUT OUT, FOLD THE TRAVEL CARD ON PAGE 7, AND PUT

WITH TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.

For more information contact our Customer Interaction Center at

1-800-422-8811 Monday – Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., ET

Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., ET www.ConvaTec.com