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
Treasurer
Lyn Rowell
Webmaster: Janice Winters

410-987-0094
410-672-6983

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.

Were on the Web! www.annearundelostomy.com

Volume 43

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

Number 9

JUNE 2016

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
June Hollister Rep
July - Group Discussion

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.

No rewards are offered for finding fault

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

2015-2016

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: ____ Crohns ____Ulcerative Colitis _____ Cancer _____ Other__________________________
Emergency contact if we are unable to reach you: ______________________________________________________________________
What type of surgery have you had?
Colostomy
Ileostomy

Urostomy
Parent of child with

Spouse/Family Member
Other (please specify)

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

Finance
Program

Membership
Sunshine

Newsletter
Visiting

How did you hear about us?

Internet Search
Hospital

Other

Hospitality
Refreshments
ET/WOCN Nurse
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.

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 physicians
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

Colleen Simpson, BSN, RN, CWON

Founder of GBMCs Outpatient Ostomy Clinic

Joan Selekof, BSN, RN, CWOCN

Founder of UMMC WOCN Department

Sue Currence, BSN, RN, CWON

Founder of St. Josephs Outpatient Wound & Ostomy Clinic

EXPERTS PROVIDING
SOLUTIONS
Im having issues with

ADVICE
It would be great to know

REASSURANCE
Frequently asked questions

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

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?

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?

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

410-773-0300
Austin Pharmacy & Medical Supplies
10757 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030

Consultative Hours: Monday - Friday 9-4 pm

$40.00 Fee

If you are having concerns or havent been to an ostomy clinic recently, come see us.
We provide the guidance and reassurance needed to keep you on the road to wellness.

June 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

EDITORS MESSAGE
Newer members to our group and newsletter may not be aware that we are affiliated with the
United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA). This organization exists to help improve the
quality of life of people who have, or will have, an intestinal or urinary diversion. The
organization gets most of its funding from subscriptions to their magazine, The Phoenix which
is published four times a year. The UOAA has asked us to urge our members to subscribe to the
Phoenix. The cost is $29.95 for the four quarterly issues they are packed full of information
from skin care to nutrition to intimacy. Their in-depth articles are written by medical
professionals, authors and ostomates and provide inspiration as well as information. You can
contact them and request a free issue to check it out by going to https://phoenixuoaa.org/.

On a similar note, please support our advertisers. While the internet is a wonderful thing
allowing us to access information in seconds, nothing can replace a person that you can talk to
and get advice from as you navigate the wide variety of ostomy produces.

Lyn
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the
closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Helen Keller

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.

OSTOMY ADVISORS FOR STOMA HELP

To consult with one of the ETs below, a

physicians 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
Items from this newsletter may be reprinted in
other ostomy newsletters, provided proper credit
is given as to source of material

Joan M. Sullivan, MAS, RN, CNA, CWOCN

410-932-7312

The greatest discovery of any generation is that human beings can alter
their lives by altering the attitudes of their minds.
Albert Schweitzer

THE MID-ATLANTICS 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

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

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

June 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

MEASURE YOUR STOMA

By Alice Bowman & Bob Baumel, Stillwater OK,
via Orange Oasis & Evansville Indiana ReRoute

One of us recently visited a patient with a

two-year old colostomy. The patient was
suffering from severe skin irritation caused
by using appliances with pre-cut stoma
openings of the same size as originally
measured in the hospital.
Immediately after surgery, the stoma is
quite swollen; it then shrinks for about the
next six months sometimes for a year or
longer. During this initial period, it is best to
use a cut-to-fit appliance and measure your
stoma every time you change the barrier.
Once your stoma size has stabilized, you
may switch to a pre-cut appliance if you
wish; however, you should continue to
measure your stoma occasionally, to see if
you should switch to a different size
appliance.

If you fail to adjust your appliance size as
your stoma shrinks, youll eventually be
using an appliance with an opening much
bigger than your stoma. This leaves a large
area of unprotected skin around your stoma
making you a prime candidate for skin
irritation.

If youve had an ostomy for many years,
perhaps youve forgotten that initial period
while your stoma was shrinking. However,
if you find yourself visiting a new ostomate,
this is a topic you may wish to discuss if you
have the chance.
How big is the optimal appliance opening?
For most types of barriers/faceplates, the
opening should provide clearance of a
millimeter or two all around the stoma. One
the one hand, you should minimize the area
of unprotected skin around the stoma; on
the other hand, some clearance is usually
necessary because many barriers contain
hard materials (including plastic films) that

can damage the stoma if they come in direct

contact. Please note however, that some of
the newer barrier materials, such as
Hollisters Flextend and ConvaTec
Durahesive, are more protective and contain
no hard materials so they dont require any
clearance.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
By: Ellicee Feiverson, via Metro MD

Trust me, every ostomate has had or will have

an ostomy accident. By accident, I mean a pouch
leak of some kind. The question is, Are you
prepared in case an accident occurs away from
home? Not so much prepared, as far as having
a change of clothes and extra pouches, but
prepared emotionally to deal with the
unexpected mishap. The reality of it is every
ostomate must think of what he/she would do if
his/her pouch leaked at a party, in a restaurant,
at work.or anywhere else. Your appliance may
leak because it is not put on securely, the clip
falls off because it was put on wrong, a
manufacturers defectwhatever, and all of (or
some of ) the contents come spilling out.

Embarrassing things happen to everyone at any
time. I think you must feel confident when you
venture out, and not constantly worry that
something will happen. Stay calm. Go to the
nearest bathroom and take care of business.
Most likely, your companions are continuing a
conversation in the restaurant or workplace,
and no one knew you were even missing. When
I encountered an accident while I was in a group
situation, I just removed myself and took my
time in freshening up and then rejoined my
friends. No explanation was necessary.

The more outings you take, and the more public
situations you are in, the more confident you
will be as time goes on. Most normal people
have more accidents with stool in their pants
and gas emissions that we could ever have with
an ostomy.

June 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

Obtain a reliable ostomy system, then go out and

live life as you like. If you have an accident,
never let that deter you from picking up and
going on once again.

SOOOOHOW DO I CLEAN THIS

POUCH?
Via: Hemet-San Jacinto, CA & Evansville Ostomy
News

it will be ready for use the next day. The inside

doesnt have to be bone dry for use, but the
outside and ring should be. A lot of products
have a thin fabric covering on themnice
against the skin when dry but very
uncomfortable if damp. Make sure that part is
dry before putting it back on.

Editors Note this applies to those using a two

piece pouch.
If you are cleaning a drainable two-piece
pouch for reuse, use warm, rather than hot or
cold water. Cold water doesnt lift stool or
urine as readily from the plastic and the pouch
is less pliable. Hot water will cause the pouch
to wear out faster and may increase the
likelihood of odor. If you want to rinse the
pouch while youre still wearing it, use a small
squirt bottle to get the water in it, slosh it
around by holding the end and let things
empty into the toilet. Unless you have no
option, its best to remove the pouch entirely
for cleaning. A bit of ordinary dish detergent
with warm water, or, if bacteria is a concern, a
bit of white vinegar mixed with water will do
the trick. Fill the pouch with the warm
water/soap/vinegar solution and slosh it by
hand over the toilet, drain and repeat as
necessary. Its not recommended that you
wash these things in the sink- - the drains are
usually too small to handle this sort of waste
and the result will not be hygienic.
Once you have things reasonably clean, you
can hold the pouch under the bathtub faucet
and let it rinse. Tub drains are larger and so
long as you let a good flush of water follow,
and scrub the bathtub on a regular basis
(which you do anyway, right?) your bathroom
will not smell. Baking soda in the wash water
and down the drain is an excellent deodorizer.
You can hang the wet pouch by the ring on a
hook to dry or just leave it flat on a towel and

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic

responded to the call. The house was very dark.
The paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old girl, to
hold a flashlight high over her Mommy so he could
see while he helped deliver the baby. Very
diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked.
Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while,
Connor was born. The paramedic lifted him by his
little feet and spanked him on his bottom.
Connor began to cry.
The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help
and asked the wide-eyed 3-year- old what she
thought about what she had just witnessed.
Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have
crawled in there in the first place... smack him
again!"

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