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 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 44 Number 11 August 2017

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

Note:Meetingsareheldat7:30pm,thefirstThursdayofeachmonthattheBelcherPavilionatAnneArundelMedicalCenterinAnnapolis.Fromthe2ndflooroftheparkinggaragetaketheentranceintotheBelcherPavilionandonceinsidetaketheelevatortothe7thfloorandcheckwiththedeskfortheroomnumber.

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

UPCOMINGMEETINGS

August3,2017GroupDiscussion&Dessert

September–Dr.Kahan,PainSpecialist

“The way we use adversity is strictly our own choice.” Helen Steiner Rice

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) Howdidyouhearaboutus?

☐InternetSearch ☐ET/WOCNNurse ☐Other ☐Hospital ☐Physician

2016-2017

Nutritional Guidelines for the Ostomate

If you’ve undergone colostomy or ileostomy surgery, you will generally be able to eat a standard diet that includes a variety of food. If you’ve had urostomy surgery, the emphasis is not on food concerns but the importance of taking in plenty of liquids. For the first six to eight weeks after surgery, your doctor may instruct you to follow a “low residue” diet to give the GI tract enough time to rest and adjust. Although everyone is different, you may have to experiment to learn which foods you can tolerate or not. To improve digestion and maintain GI regularity, try the following:

• eat at regular times • avoid foods that you suspect may cause excessive gas or output • chew food thoroughly and slowly • drink fluids during your meals, not afterward all at once • add new foods one at a time to learn which may be problem-some

The following high residue/fiber foods may be problematic for many people with ileostomy, and should be avoided or eaten in small amounts infrequently:

seeds, corn, celery, popcorn, nuts, coleslaw, stir fried or other partially-cooked vegetables, citrus fruits (membranes), raisins, pineapple, mushrooms and apple skins. For more information about your dietary concerns (such as gas, odor, diarrhea), please call one of the ostomy nurses at Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supply. We are here to help guide you! Colleen, Joan and Sue

Schedule Your Ostomy Consultation Today!

p. 410-773-0300 (x3) f. 410-773-0302

Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supplies Baltimore

6729 York Rd Towson

901 Dulaney Valley Rd Hunt Valley

10757 York Rd

August 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

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EDITOR’SMESSAGE The Anne Arundel County MD Ostomy Association is officially recognized by the IRS and organized in accordance with the requirements of the state of MD. The organization depends on volunteers to keep it going as a viable group. Its purpose is to be a resource for new ostomates, potential ostomates, family members, friends. Our by-laws stipulate a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and other board members serve for TWO year terms. Because no one else has come forward, Paul has been president for more than a decade but due to health problems, he has not been able to attend since last year. If we are to remain an officially recognized group then we need people to fill vacancies. The dynamics of our group have changed – we recognize we’re getting older and have competing priorities. Sadly many of our members have moved and others have passed away.

So we need help. Urgently. Paul would really like to relinquish his role. What does the President do? He is the official point of contact listed with the UOAA, he gets occasional phone calls for information about the group, chairs the board and regular meetings. We’ve reduced board meetings to two per year. Obviously the Vice President is the back up for the president. The secretary is to take notes of the two board meetings. That’s it. Membership is ably handled by Sandi Burnett who upon joining the group, immediately went to work. I take care of the newsletter and banking which includes the annual reports to the state and IRS. Those reports require us to list the names of the officers and board members – it’s pitifully small at the moment and we can’t continue without elected officers. Being the President, VP or secretary isn’t a great investment of time and two people could even share a role – there is nothing that says that can’t be done. The internet is a wonderful thing connecting ostomates and providing valuable information but I don’t think it will ever replace our local support group. I hope it doesn’t become necessary for us to find out by experience.

Lyn Rowell

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

Jenn Davis, RN, BS, CWON Anne Fischer, RN, BS, CWON Joyce Onken, RN, BS, CWON

Sarah McClain, RN, BS, CWON Email ostomyRN@aahs.org

443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177 Private Consultants

Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN 410-932-7312

UPCOMING MEETINGS AUGUST Group Discussion and bring a dessert to share (fruit is an easy option to bring). SEPTEMBER Dr. Kahan – Pain Specialist OCTOBER Colleen Simpson – Austin Pharmacy NOVEMBER Dr. Carol Tweed DECEMBER Holiday Party

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

August 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

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COLOSTOMY Via Metro MD , Snohomish County Insights & The Journal, Philadelphia Most often, constipation is due to improper diet, lack of exercise, and low fluid intake. It is easily remedied by selecting the proper foods, getting regular exercise and including an adequate amount of fluids in your daily diet. Other potential and more serious complications causing blockage of the intestine are stomal complications such as constriction or hernia of the stoma and/or surrounding tissue or twisting of the bowel due to adhesions from previous surgery. Medications can also play a role. Pain killers with codeine and iron are examples.

Symptoms that indicate the need for medical attention are:

(1) Distention or puffiness of the abdomen. (2) Abdominal pain and/or cramping. (3) No passage of air or stool through the stoma

for 3 – 4 days. (4) Nausea and/or vomiting. (5) Inability to eat. (6) Change in stoma (sudden enlargement or

constriction), abnormal bleeding, discoloration (usually dark red or light pink) or discomfort. Check with your ostomy nurse or doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Some preventative measures you can take at home are:

(1) Establish a daily exercise routine (2) Have a fluid intake of approximately 6 – 8

glasses each day (preferably water). (3) Take dietary measures and chew food well.

Foods that have a tendency to constipate include corn, nuts, coconut, popcorn, raw vegetables, whole grains, and dried fruit. Chinese food and wild rice should be eaten in very small quantities and chewed well. With these foods, especially popcorn, increase your daily fluid intake above 6 – 8 glasses a day.

Editors Note: Summer heat can cause anyone to become dehydrated and lose essential minerals. An ostomate who has high fluid output is even more at risk. Constant diarrhea (or extremely fluid stools for an ostomate) to become dehydrated and lose potassium. The following article is a good reminder that there are other options besides Gatorade (which in addition to sodium and potassium has a lot of sugar in it) to increase our potassium levels.

Potassium Has Its Ups And Downs (via Loraine County OH & Snohomish County Insights) The body leans heavily on potassium. It is a busy mineral. It is essential for a normal heartbeat. Without it, nerves cannot send messages to muscles. People who take a diuretic over a period of time may show a low potassium count. Other conditions that deplete potassium are adrenal gland problems, kidney diseases, and diarrhea. Once the body has depleted its potassium reserves, the doctor almost always has to prescribe a potassium supplement. It’s nearly impossible for potassium rich foods to restore body potassium levels. Once potassium levels are replenished, then foods help keep the levels in the normal range.

Bananas, extolled as a potassium goldmine are good but not a great source of the mineral. A baked potato tops the list, and other foods are dried figs, yogurt, avocados, watermelon, oranges, cantaloupes, soybeans, peas, squash, spinach, tea, bouillon/broth, molasses, raisins, dates, fish and apricots.

August 2017 The Rambling Rosebud

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Things Not To Do If You're An Ostomate (Edited) via Chicago North Suburban and Halifax (NS) News • Drop a clip in the toilet. It is a prudent idea to always carry a spare clip. • Stand up too quickly when the clip is caught on the edge of the toilet seat. Most of us have gotten up too quickly and ended up stopped instantly in mid-air because the clip caught on the inside edge of the toilet seat. The clip will lift the seat and you feel like a fish caught on the end of a line. Quite a bad visual, but we only do it once, or maybe twice; no, we'll make this goof our whole lives and it will surprise us every time. This is especially a problem for a woman. Imagine being at someone's home and dropping the toilet seat loudly just before you leave the bathroom. Everyone just looks and wonders why a woman would be dropping a toilet seat. • When drying your appliance with a hair dryer, use the cool setting only. Plastic melts! • Drink Power Ade Mountain Blast or Gatorade Blue Bolt before a doctor visit. It turns your output bright green. This is especially true if you have an ileostomy. All food dye turns your stool the color of the dye, temporarily. It will surprise you the first time it happens. This includes Blue Hawaiians or red beets. Beets make you look like you are bleeding to death. • For men only: You may want to angle the pouch toward your leg. This warning is especially true if you use a drainable pouch. This will keep the clip away from your private parts. Sorry if this is a wee bit graphic for the faint of heart, but it will make you more comfortable.

• For women only: The clip may bother you also. You have the same option. Also, keep the clip away from a sanitary napkin. If the clip gets caught on the pad's adhesive, the clip could be pulled off. • Beer may blow up your pouch with gas. This may be helpful when you need a flotation device. SUMMER HEAT CONCERNS Adapted from an article by Eileen Carter, RN/ET; via Worcester (MA) New Diversions As temperatures soar into the upper 90s and higher, an ostomate needs to be aware of their fluid intake. Remember that if you have an ileostomy or a colostomy where a lot of the colon was removed, your regular output contains fluids that in the non ostomate are absorbed into the bloodstream. In general a person with an ileostomy needs 2 – 4 cups of extra fluid every day. In the summer, the stress of additional heat combined with being out in the sun, or being very active, can cause you to perspire more losing salt and water from your body. When we get very hot, our body brings the circulation nearer the skin to cool it off, but those fluids are also needed for your vital organs. To prevent dehydration (which can kill) drink plenty of fluids regularly (and always take some with you when you are outside), wear loose clothing so your body can stay cooler, try to stay in the shade and keep your shirt on.

Early signs that you might be dehydrated are dark, odorous urine, profuse sweating and difficulty in concentrating. However the following signs indicate you may be in serious condition and should quickly cool yourself down (remove excess clothing, use wet towels etc.) laying down with your feet up to help circulation to vital organs:

Trembling/vomiting Headache and/or rapid breathing Pale, hot and/or dry skin Confusion and/or dizziness Loss of appetite

If symptoms are not relieved within a few minutes, call a doctor.

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