january 2016 newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
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 410-255-6802 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 4 January 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 January 7, 2016 – Group Discussion
“Marriage is the only union that can’t be organized. Both sides think they are management.”
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
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: ____ Crohn’s ____Ulcerative Colitis _____ Cancer _____ Other__________________________
Emergency contact if we are unable to reach you: ______________________________________________________________________ What type of surgery have you had?
☐ Colostomy ☐ Urostomy ☐ Spouse/Family Member ☐ Ileostomy ☐ Parent of child with ☐ Other (please specify) I would like to help with the following committee(s) or activities:
☐ Finance ☐ Hospitality ☐ Membership ☐ Newsletter ☐ Program ☐ Refreshments ☐ Sunshine ☐ Visiting How did you hear about us?
☐ Internet Search ☐ ET/WOCN Nurse ☐ Other ☐ Hospital ☐ 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 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: [email protected] Laura Alberico-Klug, RN, BSN, CWON
Email: [email protected] 443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177
Fax: 443-481-5198 Private Consultants
Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN 410-932-7312
2015-‐2016
Live Well ❖ Live Independent ❖ Live Active
TOWSON 6729 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212
Phone: 410-‐377-‐5300 Fax: 410-‐377-‐5302
HUNT VALLEY 10757 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
Phone: 410-‐773-‐0300 Fax: 410-‐773-‐0301
Toll Free: 1-‐855-‐AUSTMED
M-‐F 9:00 a.m. -‐ 6:00 p.m. Sat 9:00 a.m. -‐ 2:00 p.m.
Happy New Year! Thinking of a new you? Maybe it’s time to evaluate your appliances and products. Ask yourself these questions:
1. Am I getting less wearing time than I did a year or more ago? 2. Are my appliances leaking or causing skin irritation and odor? 3. Are any of my supplies outdated or expired? 4. Are appliance changes more burdensome? 5. Am I still engaged in social events or living in fear of appliance failure?
If this is you, time for adjustment! Ostomy appliance (pouching) systems are designed to collect waste and protect your skin. They can either be in one or two piece configurations and include a skin barrier, wafer or faceplate that adheres to the skin around your stoma. Pouches can be either transparent or opaque, open end (drainable) or closed end. All are made from odor resistant material and most have built in gas filters.
Many ostomy accessories on the market today are designed to improve wearing time, comfort and skin care. Many of the manufacturers are making updates and changes to their product lines on adhesive rings, wipes and sprays, belts, and protective cleansing wipes. There are a multitude of other helpful products such as pastes to fill in the gaps, waterproof tapes, gelling agents, hernia belts and garments to “hide” the ostomy.
So in the new year, be sure to take time for a new you. Give the CWONs at Austin Pharmacy a call so we can help!
All the best, Sue Currence BSN, RN, CWON
January 2016 The Rambling Rosebud
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Many thanks to everyone who came to our Holiday Party and for all the delicious treats you brought. As mentioned last month, we collected donations for FOW-USA and a few mentioned that they had supplies to donate but forgot to bring them. So feel free to bring them this month for inclusion in our package. We are lining up speakers for next year so check your newsletter. I received a notice from the TSA regarding potential longer times for screening at the airport – you can find that on page 6. Also there is a letter from the young lady that we sponsored for last year’s UOAA Youth Rally. This five night event is for children and youth who live with bowel or bladder conditions.
Don’t forget as we head into the winter months that if Anne Arundel County schools are closed or cancel their evening activities due to inclement weather, then we will NOT have our meeting. Hopefully that won’t happen! But if you are not sure, you can check the county school website at www.aacps.org. They post any closings at the top of the main page.
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: [email protected] Laura Alberico-Klug, RN, BSN, CWON
Email: [email protected] 443-481-5508 / 443-481-5177
Fax: 443-481-5198 Private Consultants
Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN 410-932-7312
Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. Swedish Proverb
A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. Janet Lane
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: 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
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
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 [email protected]
January 2016 The Rambling Rosebud
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TSA Announcement In light of recent terror attacks, many airports are on heightened security status. The TSA sent the following statements to support groups around the country:
Office of Civil Rights & Liberties, Ombudsman and Traveler Engagement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 601 South 12th Street Arlington, VA 20598
Dear Coalition Members:
On behalf of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), I want to take a moment to share some important tips to help you better prepare for security screening at our Nation's airport screening checkpoints. In light of Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General covert testing of TSA security checkpoint operations announced in the media earlier this year, and given TSA's continuing mission to protect the Nation's transportation systems, you will likely see slightly longer lines resulting from modified screening procedures.
For these reasons, I encourage you to arrive at least two hours early for domestic and three hours early for international flights, to give yourself plenty of time to get through security screening. For general information about what to expect during security screening, you may contact the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or email at [email protected]. The TSA Contact Center has representatives available on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time and on weekends/holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Automated information is available in 12 languages. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing may use a relay service to contact the TSA Contact Center (Federal Relay 711).
TSA also offers the TSA Cares helpline. I encourage anyone who may need additional assistance during the security screening process, travelers with disabilities or medical conditions, and travelers who have concerns about the screening process to contact TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travel. TSA Cares agents have received training to provide callers with specific information about the specialized screening needs in a variety of circumstances. In addition, you may provide a TSA Cares agent with your flight itinerary, and they will coordinate assistance to be specifically available for you with a Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) and/or customer service manager at the airport. Even if you do not
provide your itinerary beforehand, you may ask for a PSS or supervisor at the checkpoint.
The PSS program was created to assist travelers at the checkpoint, and Passenger Support Specialists receive specialized training, including how to assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities as well as best practices on interactions with travelers from various cultures and communities. While TSA recommends contacting TSA Cares to set up PSS assistance in advance, our goal is to have a PSS in the vicinity of every checkpoint to provide assistance as needed and resolve traveler-related screening concerns on the ground, as quickly as possible.
Any traveler who needs assistance or is concerned about his or her screening may ask for a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer or a PSS at any time.
Travelers or their companions may call TSA Cares toll free at (855) 787-2227. The hours of operation for the TSA Cares helpline are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time from Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on weekends/holidays. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing may e-mail [email protected] or may use a relay service to contact TSA Cares (Federal Relay 711). You may also download a Notification Card from www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures, which allows you to discreetly notify the Transportation Security Officer of your disability, medical condition, or other circumstance that requires assistance. This card, however, does not exempt you from screening. TSA works hard every day to ensure that you and your loved ones arrive at your destinations safely. I assure you that TSA remains committed to ensuring that all travelers are treated with respect and courtesy, and we emphasize that screening must be conducted without regard to a person's race, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity in order to ensure your safety.
Sincerely,
Kimberly A. Walton Assistant Administrator Office of Civil Rights and Liberties, Ombudsman, and Traveler Engagement
Nothing is often a good thing to do and always a good thing to say. Will Durrant
January 2016 The Rambling Rosebud
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2015 Youth Rally Our group was able to sponsor a young person to attend the 2015 Youth Rally which was held in Boulder Colorado. 140 young people gathered from 37 states and two other countries to have fun and support from being with others in similar medical situations. The following is the letter we received from Diamond, a young girl from Baltimore, who was able to go because of our sponsorship:
Thank you for sponsoring me. Youth Rally is like the best thing that ever happened to me in my life. It feels really nice to meet people that have the same medical problems I have. I met my best friend here. Her name is Talie. She is caring, funny, enthusiastic and extremely friendly. I am so blessed to have some like her based on being bullied for so many years. With her, I have a shoulder to cry on. Thanks to you, I made a total of 13 friends this week with the same problems as me, from you sponsporing me. Thank you!
Love Diamond.
*************
ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN Even the best doctors can’t read minds. That’s why it’s important for you to ask questions about your health. To get started, try these: • What is my condition? What’s the cause? • Do I need tests? Why? • What are the possible treatments? How
effective are they? • Will I need to go on medication? What are the
side effects? If you have difficulty understanding your doctor, take a friend of family member to the appointment with you. For additional tips on communicating with your physical, visit aarp.org and click on “Health and Wellness” then “Checkups and Prevention.”
KEEP IN SHAPE By C.J. Ray MD
Ostomates should pay particular attention to their physical fitness. As you know, an ostomy is a piece of intestine that comes through the abdominal wall. It pierces the lining of the abdominal cavity, two or three muscle layers and also the fascia, which is the separation between the layers of the muscles.
Some of you have a bulge around your ostomy, and maybe some have a defect through which a loop of small intestine protrudes. This is a true hernia, and placement of the ostomy to another site is always an unpleasant procedure.
On the other hand, bulging of the abdomen around the ostomy is nothing but a weakness and requires only some form of elastic support. Because the muscles of the abdomen have been pierced, it behoves each of every one of you to do exercises, which strengthen the abdominal muscles. And, by all means, keep as little fat on the abdominal wall as possible. A weight increase always makes it difficult for an ostomy to be cared for. My parting thought – keep the tummy flat and the muscles tight!
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
A.A.C.O.A. P.O. BOX 847 GAMBRILLS, MD 21054