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 8

MAY 2016

Thank you Anne Arundel Medical Center for printing our newsletter.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
MAY NO MEETING
JUNE - Hollister Rep
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.

Your mind is a powerful thing when you fill it with

positive thoughts your life will start to change.

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.

May 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
We had an interesting presentation from Dr. Kahan last month on the proposed use of medical marijuana
in Maryland, how it affects the pain receptors and how it has been working in other states where it has
been legalized.
DONT FORGET because of a scheduling conflict at the hospital there will NOT be a meeting in May but
our meetings will resume as normal in June.

Paul
People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

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

Items from this newsletter may be reprinted in

other ostomy newsletters, provided proper credit
is given as to source of material

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

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.

Dennis Kimbro

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

May 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist

About a New Prescription
Via The Triangle, Pittsburg, via UOAA

Prescription drugs are life savers but only if theyre

used correctly. In my US nearly half of all medications
arent taken as directed. 14% of prescriptions never
get filled; 13% are filled but never used and 29% are
filled but not finished.
1. Whats the name of the drug youre prescribing?
2. Is a less-expensive generic version of this drug
available?
3. How much will I be taking and how many times a
day?
4. What time of day is best to take the medication?
Should it be taken with food or without?
5. Does the medication need refrigeration?
6. What side effects, if any, might I experience?
What should I do if they occur?
7. Is it safe to take this drug with other drugs or
supplements? Can I drink alcohol while I am on
this medication?
8. What do I do if I miss a dose?
9. How long will I be taking the drug?
10. Do I need to finish the entire dosage youre
prescribing for me? What do I do if I feel better
before that?
AND FOR THOSE WITH AN ILEOSTOMY OR
CONTINENT OSTOMIES:
1. Is the medicine easily digestible? Will it dissolve
in approximately two hours?
2. Is it time release? Most ileostomates will pass
medicine too soon for it to work well so medicine
taken through the day work best.
**************************

TIPS FOR
BLOCKAGES

DEALING

WITH

The causes can be apparent (such as too much high

fiber food for colostomates) or not, but in all cases, the
blockage will result in minimal or no output. Often that
which is produced will have a foul odor and there is
abdominal pain near the stoma or cramping in general.
The pain can be quite intense.
If you think you have a blockage and you are not
nauseated or vomiting, cut back on solid food and only
consume liquids such a Coke, sports drink or tea. Try
a warm bath to relax abdominal muscles. Try several
different body positions, such as knee-chest position,
as it might move the blockage forward. You might also
try massaging the area around the stoma, especially
since that is often where the blockage occurs.
If there is no change or relief in several hours and/or if
there has been no stomal output, call your doctor or
WOC/ET and report what is happening and what you
did to try and resolve the problem. If you cant reach
your doctor or nurse and there has been no output from
the stoma, go to the Emergency Room immediately.
If it necessary to go to the Emergency room , take a
goodly amount of pouch supplies with you (for example
pouches, tail closure, skin barrier spray, etc.).
It is probably worth mentioning that , anecdotally, those
who have experienced blockages report that there is no
real ambiguity about the fact that indeed, something is
not working correctly when one occurs. Even more
important, the fact that blockages can happen
underscores the importance of talking with your doctor
about the eventuality and the various levels of support
available for you individually. As they say, an ounce of
caution is worth a pound of cure!

AIR TRAVEL TIPS FOR OSTOMATES

Lyn Rowell

OSTOMY

Via Ostonoma News via UOAA

Blockages may occur in the digestive tract of those of

us with ostomies, just as extreme constipation can
occur for those without.

Sometimes traveling with an ostomy can seem a bit

daunting, particularly for the new ostomate. Less than
a month after my surgery I flew from Washington DC to
southern Italy which involved three flights, and a long
layover in Rome. Since then Ive had several flights of
8 hours or longer. If you are stressed about the thought
of flying, here are some things Ive found to be helpful.

May 2016

The Rambling Rosebud

BEFORE YOUR TRIP

1. Pack more than supplies than you could possibly
need just in case! Make sure you include bags to
dispose of used pouches I like dark black pet
waste bags or diaper disposal bags when I am
traveling. I find the solid color is more discreet
when its placed in a more public trash or in the
trash at someone elses home.
2. If you have frequent output consider anti-diarrhea
medication for at least 24 hours before your trip to
help slow things down. Consult your doctor if this
is a concern for you.
3. Change your pouch 24 hours before departure.
This way you can be sure that your pouch is fresh
and well adhered before you leave. Ive had to
change a pouch in a public restroom when one
failed and while possible its not fun!
4. Even with bringing extra supplies, get information
on where to buy supplies at your destination. An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
5. Pack a change of clothes in your carry on luggage
and a precut pouch and changing supplies just in
case. While Ive read that round tipped scissors
may be allowed in carry on luggage, check with the
airline. I prefer to just cut a pouch ready for use
and pack my scissors in my checked luggage.
6. Make sure you have your UOAA Travel card that
can alert airline staff to your need to use a
bathroom urgently. If you need to print one, go
online to www.ostomy.org and search for travel
card in the search box. They have a printable pdf
file.
7. When checking in, I prefer to sit near the
bathrooms because I have a high output ostomy.
But that comes with more movement around where
I sit and if its an overnight flight you might find that
more disturbing.
8. If you have to empty your pouch every few hours
and your travel time is quite extensive, try to get an
aisle seat so you dont have to keep asking people
to let you out.

2.

3.

4.

5.

airport security. While not necessary for screening,

it just helps me to be more comfortable as I am
being screened.
At security let them know you have an ostomy
you will still be screened but I have always found
that they were very courteous. I just mention it
quietly to the staff as I approach the body scanner.
Empty your pouch before boarding it may be a
little while before you can use the bathroom on the
flight.
While it is important to stay well hydrated, avoid
carbonated drinks on the plane to reduce the
chance of gas in the pouch.
Relax and enjoy your journey!
**************************
From Readers Digest on line:

I supervised an employee who had a negative

view of everything I did. If I took a vacation
day, I was never there. If I praised someones
work, it was too little, too late.
He eventually took another job but was fired
six months later. Shortly thereafter, he
contacted me, hoping to return to his old job.
Have you learned anything from this
experience? I asked.
Yes, I should have stayed here, he admitted.
Youre too indecisive to have ever fired me.
********************
A defendant wasnt happy withhow things are
going in court, so he gave the judge a hard time.
Judge: Where do you work?
Defendant: Here and there.
Judge: What do you do for a living?
Defendant: This and that.
Judge: Take him away.

AT THE AIRPORT
1. If possible empty your pouch before going through

Defendant: Wait; when will I get out?

Judge: Sooner or later.
7

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