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ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

OSTO~
~~~,.~
I MARYLAND
ASSOCIAll0N,INC.
P.O.BOX 847
, GAMBRILLS, MD 21054
Rosebud
A Chapter of the United Ostomy Association, Inc.
_.~

OFFICERS " BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President:---. ~~~si Dennis Fila Joan Gardner
Ginny Gross Lyn Rowell
Janice Winters

Vice President Stan Novack OSTOMY ADVISERS:

Secretary Wilamae Day I" Irene Repka, RN, BS, CWOCN
Treasurer Stan Baker Michelle Perkins, RN, BS.
Youth Rally Coordinator Melissa Blood
Immediate Past President Webmaster: Janice Winters
J
DIRECTOR EMIRITUS . M~ry Lou Thomas, RN, BA, CWOCN
Volume 36 Number 12 October 2010
Membership 110 Circulation: 325

CURRENT MEETIING
October 7,2010 * ErinM O'Neill, Lifeline
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-v- .......
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FUTURE MEETINGS
"'r ,...,.....
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November 4,2010 * to be announced ~ ,-y-~

CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR OCTOBER MEETING

For this.month only, we will be meeting in the 2nd floor Conference
Rooms A&:8in the SAlAKbuilding
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 proce-dure. The goal of the AACOA is to provide moral support, information, and education to
people with ostomies and their families and friends.

A WORD OF THANKS for their constant COMMITTEE CHAIRS

supportl of our Chapter to: The American Cancer
Society, especially the office in Gambrills, for Visiting
essential help with our newsletter; and Anne Hospitality
Refreshments
Anindel
I Medical Center for providing rooms for /'
Program
our regular meetings and special events. We Sunshine Alice Scarborough
appreciate their support and assistance. Newsletter Lyn Rowell, Stan Bak~r
NOTICES -Membership
Library
Finance Stan Baker
The display,description,demonstr<ition
or distributionof
productsat our meetings,or in the newsletter,or by the
recommendation of a memberof ourAssociation, doesnot
constitute
anendorsement ofthatproductbytheAACOA.
MEDICALADVISORS

OSTOMYADVISORS WilliamA. Cassidy,MD

CONSULTYOUR DOCTORor ET FORSTOMAHELP John E. Danneberger.MD
Nursebeforeusing any productsor We are fortunateto have availablethe L. Dean Hoover,MD
methods published in thel MCO servicesof EnterostomalTherapyNurses J. Stephenlattimer, MD
a
newsletteror-suaaestedby' member~ servingourlocal-area: David E. Malteson,Mo-
oftheMCOA. Yourowndoctoror ET StephenProshan,MD
nurseprovidesmedicaladvicethat is To consultwith one of -them,a physician's DavidStrobel,MD
bestforyou. referral is necessaryand a fee will be RobinM. Ullanow,MD
charged.Callforan appointment. DouglasDykman,MD
Gina MassogliaMD
BALTIMOREWASHINGTON HOSPITAL EdwardZagula,MD
Itemsfrom this newslettermay be
CarolCanadaRN,BSN,CWOCN
reprintedin otherostomynewsletters, 410-787
-4578
providedpropercreditis givenas to
sourceof material. ANNEARUNDELMEDICALCENTER ATTENTION
IreneB. RepkaRN,BS,CWOCN
If you do not wish to receiveour MichellePerkins,RN,BS Statements, articles
newsletter,pleaseinitial and return KellyHeffron,BSN,CWOCN and comments
the mailingcover with the address 443-481-5508 printed in this
attached. newsletter are
Private Consultants generlliinfonnation
If you need a ride to one of our JoanM.Sullivan,
MAS,RN,CNA,CWOCN and not printed
meetings,call one of the officers 410.932-7312 with any particular
individual as the
listedon thefrontpage. We will do focus.
MaryLouThomas,RN,BA,CWOCN
ourbesttoarrangea ride. 410-255-1149

Pleaseadviseus,in advanceif possible,of anyaddresschanges.Thiswill helpkeepourmailinglist

currentandsavethechapterreturnpostageandaddresscorrectioncosts
/

CWishin§ cqooua: O1Jaftc.& "'-,

aJeapppda:!! OfJeason
.. Autumn 5onus Special
..
1 0% Oft An~ Furchase*
*Not applicable on yems billed through insurance. Applicable to Out ot F ocket purchases ani.:!,

SERVING ALL OF YOUR OSTOMY AND MEDICAL SUPPLY NEEDS

Carrying Ostomy, Fistula and Wound Supplies By The Following Manufacturers

Bard * Blairex * BSN Jobst * Colo-Majic * Coloplast * Convatec * Cymed * Hollister
Marlen * Medline * Molnlycke Wound Care * Montreal Ostomy * Nu-Hope * Osto-Fresh
Perma Type * Smith & Nephew * Safe N'Simple * StomaCare Laboratories * Torbot * 3M

.AlISlin ~harmaop &' clfcdical O1JupplitfS

6723 gpork 0(oad
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r---~-. -

October 2010 The Rambling Rosebud 36.12.4

-
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Although I mentioned it last month, it is worth repeating - October 15, 16, and 17th, (Friday,
Saturday, Sunday) are the dates ofthe United Ostomy Association of America's Mid-Atlantic
Regional Conference at the Holiday Inn, Dulles Airport, Virginia. This is a great opportunity to
(

learn about ostomies, the latest appliances and supplies (and get some samples), and meet and
share
I with other ostomates. You can attend one day or all three. Most of the activities are on
Sgturday. The Holiday Inn offers a special rate if you make reservations by September 22. Our
board will be discussing the possibility of reimbursing AACOAmembers the conference
, reservation fee. Check our web site http://annearundelostomy.com/ for detailed
information and the registration from. It is a worthwhile event.

At our September meeting, one of our members expressed their appreciation of this newsletter.
Most of the thanks go to our newsletter editor, Lyn Rowell. She faithfully puts together the
newsletter every month, on time to be mailed to reach you before the monthly meeting, in spite
of the lateness of my message. On behalf of all of us, THANKYOU,Lyn. I'll try to be on time from
now on.
Paul

ANNAPOL.l8
EMPIRE
!HeaJt4Q81e' Supplies PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY
.formerly, \(/llms ,\Jet/icrt!
EMPIRE MEDICAL BUILDING
RENTAL. SALES. SERVICE 200 Hospital Drive
Glen Burnie, MD 21061
W alkers- Mobility Devices 410-787 -0030
Ostomy- Incontinence Supplies
Bathroom Safety Aids .:. 10% discount on ostomy supplies and
Nebulizers- Blood Pressure Equipment prescriptions for members of AA. Co.
Hospital Beds Ostomy Association
.:. We bill Medicare and Blue Cross for you
... ... .. ... ......... .. ... ..... ......... .......... .
.. WE BILL MEDICARE FOR YOU! ..
~ ~
NATURA OSTOMY DEALER
. .
HOLLISTER. BARD
SWEENCREAM SKINBOND
Members of the Anne Arundel Co. Ostomy PERICARE SKINPREP
Association Receive 10% OFF! SURGI-KLEEN BANISHII
SHUR-CLEANS STOMASEAL
HIBICLENS HYPO-ALLERGENIC
TAPE
SCISSORSCurved& Straight
410-295-7300 ~~AJ MondaythroughFriday8:30amto6pm
117 Gibralter Ave Annapolis, MD 21401 OpenSaturdays 9amtoNoon
www.annaQolishealthcare.com
BillingDepartment
MondaythroughFriday9amto4:30pm

Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak.
 0'

October 2010 The Rambling Rosebud 36.12.5

"-------
.....

FUTURE MEETINGS Alternate to 1-97 from CroftonlOdenton area -

Monthly Meetings are held on the 7th floor of the Take 178 South through Crownsville towards
Health Science Building. Annapolis. Turn left on Bestgate Road and then
Parkinglis available behind the Health right on Medical Parkway.
Science building and can be accessed via REMEMBER!!! The entrance to the medical
Jenpifer Road or Medical Parkway. The center is FROM THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE
Build)ng is right next door to the Sajak PARKING GARAGE. Once inside the building
Building. you will be on its second floor - take the elevators
inside up to the ih floor. When leaving, take the
October 7, November 4, December 2 elevator the second floor and go through the doors
onto the 2nd floor of the parking garage.
Directions to AA Medical Center
",,~i
From Annapolis and the Eastern Shore: Take
Route 50 West to Jennifer Road exit (Exit 23A).
Go through the traffic light onto Medical
Parkway.
From Baltimore: Take 1-97 South to Route 50
East, to Parole exit (Exit 23). Turn right onto
West Street then right onto Jennifer Road. Go
approximately one mile, and turn left at traffic
light onto Medical Parkway;
«1
From Washington DC: Take Route 50 East to i
\

Parole exit (Exit 23). Turn right onto West Street

then right onto Jennifer Road. Go approximately
one mile, and turn left at traffic light onto
Medical Parkway.
BOARD MEETINGS - 7:30pm
For those serving on the board, the board meetings will be on:
September 20, and November 15.

Head Off Headache Pain (Via FirstCare Connection, S""mmer 2002)

The next time you have a splitting headache, try a natural remedy. Medications may require taking greater
amounts to remain effective, but natural methods can work as long as you use them and can offer positive side
effects as well. To treat and prevent headaches:
Cool off. Cold restricts swollen blood vessels and dulls sensitive nerve endings. If you feel a headache
coming on, try drinking three glasses of cold water, apply a cold compress to your head and lie down in a dark
room.
Heat things up. Heat can reduce tension for some people in the head and neck muscles by increasing blood
flow. Put a heating pad in your neck, or try taking a hot shower or bath.
Get a massage. Have a professional, spouse, or friend give you a massage to relieve tension and improve
circulation, or learn techniques for giving yourself one.
Soothe your scalp. Rub your scalp in circles with your fingertips, or brush your hair starting from your
temple backward in slow circles.
Get enough sleep. Many tension nliif!;;daches
that emerge later in the day are the result of stress and poor
sleeping habits. Get plenty of rest. .,
Eat regular meals. Skipping meal~ leads to low blood sugar, which can trigger headaches. Ask your doctor
for a glucose-tolerance test if you think 'Youmay have hypoglycemia.
October 2010 The Rambling Rosebud 36.12.6

doctor or wac nurse to arrange an ostomy visitor.

The Overactive Ileostomy
from So. NV Town Karaya; via Oklahoma City (OK) It is your ostomy; learn to manage it and do not let
Ostomy News your ostomy manage you. In the beginning, it is
normal for your ostomy care to be the center of
An oveActive ileostomy can result from a variety your existence; however, with time and practice
of problems. If the small bowel is inflamed due to your ostomy and its care will become just a
Crohn's disease, radiation injury, or bacterial/viral normal part of your life.
ent~ritis, the output will be profuse. If there is Basic management skills can be learned and like
narrowing of the small bowel close to the stoma, any new experiences take a bit of time to
where the ileostomy goes through the abdominal accomplish.
wall, a pressure backup can lead to explosive high
output. Any problems that develop must be met and
.

managed as they occur. With time and experience,

Any food that has a laxative effect should be you will become comfortable with your ostomy
eliminated or, at best, kept to a minimum. People care.
with lactose intolerance will have high output if You are alive! You will get better and stronger.
they use any kind of milk product, including Give yourself time to get over ostomy surgery and
powdered milk, which is found in many prepared to adjust to this body change and adapt to your
foods. ostomy. Be happy, you have been given a new
life.
Excessive drinking of fluids will also increase the
ileostomy output. An ostomate who has had a gall **************
bladder removed may Iiave increased output.
Medicines to counteract bile salts can be used if
Susie'shusbandhadbeenslippingin andoutof a coma
the problem is related to gall bladder removal. for severalmonths.Thingslookedgrim,butshewas by
Many prescriptions and OTC drugs list diarrhea as his bedsideeverysingleday.Onedayas he slipped
a side effect.
backintoconsciousness,he motionedfor herto come
closeto him.Shepulledthe chaircloseto the bedand
The ostomate should work with his physician to leanedher ear closeto be ableto hearhim.
evaluate the problem. Once disease can be ruled
out, therapeutic emphasis can be placed on diet, "Youknow"he whispered,his eyesfillingwithtears,
utilizing foods that decrease output. Bulk laxatives "youhavebeenwithmethroughall the badtimes.
can be used with each meal to absorb and solidify
WhenI got fired,youstuckrightbesideme.Whenmy
some of the liquid output. businesswent under,thereyouwere.Whenwe lostthe
house,youwerethere.WhenI got shot,youstuckwith
Pointers with a New Ostomy me.Whenmy healthstartedfailing,youwerestill by my
The Big Sky Informer side. Andyou knowwhat?"
There is no answer for "Why me?" but it is normal
to ask the question, and you do need to work "What,dear?"she askedgently,smilingto herself.
through the answer to this.
"I thinkyou'rebad luck."
Each person's ostomy is different, even as our http://www.iokesclean.com/
fmgerprints are different.
Support and information received from someone
who has an ostomy can be helpful. Ask your

-.
~

October 2010 The Rambling Rosebud 36.12.7

THOUGHTS-eN OSTOMY SURGERY Yes there were new things to get used to -
By Lyn Rowell, Anne Arundel Ostomy Association changing the pouch, knowing how to care for the
stoma, how it may affect medication etc. But I
So your doctor says you have to have an ostomy. met and learned about ostomates living regular
Often this information is imparted with apologetic lives, participating in sports and all kinds of
tones, a~ thought it's the worst thing that can recreational activities. Some made adaptations to
happen to you. But many in the medical their personal situation but they were doing what
pro~ession don't have an ostomy, so talking to they wanted to do.
someone who's "been there and done that" is far
more useful. Contact a support group to learn "the I've also learned that if you believe it's the worst
rest of the story!" thing to ever happen to you, you can make it be.
Your mental attitude and that of those around you
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in my teens makes a huge difference. I found it was
and although I was regularly informed I would surprisingly easy to adapt once I enjoyed the
eventually need ostomy surgery, I was sure it benefits of life without the disease. And that, as
wouldn't happen. But there came a point when I they say, is priceless.
knew that I couldn't put it off any longer. The
attacks Were coming more frequently with ***************
incredible pain and I was tired of missing family
activities and life in general. I went into the We never really grow up, we only
surgery as a last resort because I didn't know learn how to act in public.
anyone with an ostomy (we were overseas on a
military base) and everyoye implied it was the ***************
worst thing that could happen.
Health Care Personnel and Ostopties
As the surgery can be quite drastic, it takes time to
by Peggy Christ, CWOCN and Ed Gambreft. via
heal and recuperate. Your digestive tract shuts
Northern Virginia The Pouch and Green Bay (WI)
down and has to wake back up. During this time News Review
you are put on IV fluids to make sure you don't
dehydrate but it's common to lose quite a bit of What do health care personnel need to know
weight and then you have to get yourself used to about ostomy surgery? Communication is the
eating again. Have something to look forward to key.
post recovery (but remember each persons Now that you have an ostomy or an internal
recovery time is different). For me it was my diversion, some changes have occurred in the
friend's wedding in England. Less than six normal routines of life. This is especially true of
months after surgery, I travelled back to England, medical treatment and hospitalization.
took American friends around the sights in
London, went with my husband on a tour of Rome Some medical and hospital assumptions and
and spent a long weekend in Corfu (including routines applicable to non-ostomates may no
wearing a bathing suit!). The operation truly gave longer apply to you. For your comfort, well-
me back my life. I was left wondering why I had being and, in some instances, your health and
waited so long. Family members in England, personal safety, it is important that you know
used to seeing me sick, remarked that I looked how you need to be treated differently. You
healthier than I had done in years. It's amazing need to communicate this information
the difference it can make. appropriately to doctors and medical
attendants who need to know.
 October 2010 The Rambling Rosebud 36.12.8
---.-.
Your doctor,-'ostomy nurse and others who ostomy require variations in care and
normally attend your ostomy are no doubt treatment. Ostomies vary greatly in nature just
well-informed of the differences in treatment as individuals vary.
you require and will help you communicate Irrigations and enemas: Those with urostomies
with medical
J personnel uninformed about should never be given an irrigation or enema
ostomy matters.
through the stoma. An irrigation could cause
serious kidney infection and damage.
Th, fact that some health care personnel may
be unjnformed is quite understandable. The
Those with ileostomies should never be given
staffs /of the thousands of hospitals in North an irrigation unless a doctor, ostomy nurse or
Kmerica see relatively few ostomy patients.
other expert gives one to break up a blockage,
Few nurses and other hospital attendants have or for other compelling reasons. An irrigation
ever cared for an ostomy patient. And many of or enema of the small intestine may cause the
those who have are not aware of the different
ileostomate ill effects. However, a colostomate
types of ostomies and the special may require irrigations; this poses no danger if
considerations each requires.
it is done properly.
Doctors have become highly specialized to A stoma is not an anus. Some medical
bring more expert care to patients. Therefore, attendants do not realize the difference
many rarely have the occasion or the time to
between a stoma and an anus. They may treat a
develop expertise in ostomy, which is very
stoma as roughly as they treat an anus. If an
much a specialty in itself.
enema or irrigation with a catheter is involved,
So don't be shy about; communicating your care must be taken to avoid bowel injury. Some
condition and its special requirements to all catheters, though streamlined on the end, are
who attend you for non-ostomy ailments. This stiff and should not be inserted into a stoma
is for their benefit as well as your own. If strong unless performed by a physician or ostomy
insistence should fail to bring about nurse. A cone is much safer, easier to use and
understanding, you have the right to refuse any does a better job than a catheter.
procedure you consider harmful to yourself.
Dr. Marshall Sparberg, author of the excellent
book Ileostomy Care and a frequent writer on
ileostomy matters, has this to say: lilt is within You do not need a parachute to
the individual patient's right to refuse any skydive. You only need a
hospital procedure, and no amount of
insistence from an uninformed individual parachute to skydive twice.
should change this decision.
Ostomies are different. One of the most serious
misunderstandings is that all stomas represent
colostomies, and that all colostomies are the ",
same.
This can be disastrous for the patient who has
. an ileostomy or urostomy. It can cause trouble
, for the person with a transverse colostomy
~
when treated as a sigmoid colostomy. In
.
addition, even those with the same type of
 ---,
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April 2010 V H',~ .. "';. The Rambling Rosebud
36.6.9
(II I.'"
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..~' ", ~.. 'I
You Have-Adjusted to Ymir Ostomy When...
via Hemet-Sanjacinto rCA) Stoma-Life
You stop spending all of your spare time in the bathroom waiting for your stoma to work
so you can empty the pouch right away.
. I You can move about freely, without holding your appliance as though it might fall off any
minute,
. You make that first trip to the mailbox without taking along your ostomy supplies.
1 You stop grabbing your abdomen when the grocery clerk asks if you need help to the car
wit!1your bag.
You go out for the evening and realize too late that you left your emergency kit at home.
You begin to think how lucky you are to be alive instead of how unlucky you are to have an
ostomy.
. You attend the monthly support group meetings with an expectation oflearning more
about your ostomy rather than staying at home worrying about it all.
*********************************************

Join the Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Ostomy Association, Inc.

The Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Ostomy Association, Inc. (AACOA) is a volunteer-based
association dedicated to providing education, information, support, and advocacy to people who have
had or will have intestinal or urinary diversions. Members receive The Rambling Rosebud monthly.

Complete the form and 'end it with your check for $15.00 made payable to
AACOA
c/o Stan Baker
958 Fall Ridge Way
Gambrills, MD 21054-1454
Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Ostomy Association - Membership - Please Print

Last name First name Initial

Address

City State ZIP

Telephone Age Gender

E-mail

Kind of ostomy: - colostomy - ileostomy - urostomy - other (please identify)

I would like to help with the following committee(s) or activities:

( ) finance () hospitality () library () membership () newsletter
( ) program (Y refreshments ( ) sunshine () visiting
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