February - Ostomy Halifax

Ostomy Halifax News
P.O. Box 8476, Halifax, NS, B3K 5M2
A Volunteer, Charitable, Tax Exempt, Rehabilitation
Organization. Registration # 11927 -7184-RP0001
Volume 40
Issue 2
February 2013
NO MORE EMBARRASSMENTS???
By Ruth Kenney
Whether she wanted it or not, Crystal Maher has become the darling of travelling ostomates everywhere.
The Ostomy Halifax member was embarrassed by security personnel at the Calgary airport last summer when lack of
understanding of an ostomy created a difficult situation for her.
Letters were sent to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) expressing concern for the was ostomates
were unduly, and at time with without dignity, checked at air security.
A response followed when Gilles Payant of CATSA’s head office suggested a meeting be held with Halifax chapter representatives to outline a trial program that should alleviate the problem.
Seven members of Ostomy Halifax met with Gilles and Mario Carbonneau of Halifax CATSA and had a tour of security
areas and demonstrations of patdowns and special needs lines.
A trial program in Halifax only was started February 11 and will continue for about three months, enabling travelers to
pre-arrange screening in a special needs line and hopefully avoid embarrassment.
Gilles explained Halifax was chosen because, while being an international airport, it is just the right size for such a trial.
In a prepared package for the Halifax members, Gilles released the following information:
Members of the Ostomy Halifax Society can contact CATSA ahead of time to make arrangements with their screening.
This trial is voluntary.
Passengers are invited to contact CATSA via telephone (1-888-294-2202) or email (Correspondence1@catsa.gc.ca) up
to 48 hours prior to flight departure. When calling, please let the officer know you are interested in the Advance Notification Trial.
Callers are greeted by an automated telemessage with a language selection. Select option #3 (complaints department)
and then option #1 (to speak to next available agent) between 09:00 and 17:00 AST, Monday to Friday.
For emergency only: Between 17:00 – 09:00 AST Monday to Friday and weekends and Statutory Holidays, contact 1888-294-2202. Select option #1 when In this case, your members will be speaking with a operator of the Operations
Centre.
Information needed in order to make the arrangements with our local CATSA management:
Full name (as appears on your boarding pass): Preferred language:
Emails or other points of contact (is appropriate):
Contact phone numbers:
-by providing an email, the passengers will receive an email confirmation of
the details provided. They may wish to present this document at the checkpoint
(although not necessary)
Next Meeting
March 3, 2013
Bethune Building
VGH Site
Time: 2:30 PM
Flight number: Date of travel: Approximate time at the checkpoint:
Guidelines:
Following their travel, the passengers will also be contacted at their convenient time
(unless otherwise specified) in order for CATSA to conduct a short survey regarding
their experience at the screening checkpoint.
Meeting topic:
Ostomy Supply Reps.
1
Ostomy Halifax News, February, 2013
Enterostomal Therapy Nurses
QE II Health Sciences Centre
Victoria General Hospital Site
Enterostomal Therapy
Services
Victoria General Hospital
ET Clinic (Self-referral
473-7503
IWK Health Centre
Locating 470-8888,
Pager # 1893 Office:470-6977
From The President:
To qualify for ET designation, a
candidate must attend a specifically
designed program, and successfully
complete it through very specialized exams.
Upcoming Events :
Apr.7/13, TBA
May 5/13 Exercise With Lynn Atton
June 2/13 Closing Pot Luck
In This Issue:
211 Nova Scotia
4
A Few Words of Inspiration
5
Reasons Why it’s Great to Have an
Ostomy
6
Helpful hints for Winter
6
The Anniversary countdown continues. Three
months to go until the anniversary pot luck dinner
on Sunday June 2; and less than six months to go
until the celebration banquet on Saturday August
17. Our 40th Anniversary Committee is working
hard to make sure that these events commemorate
the many achievements of our predecessors over
four decades of improving life for ostomates in
Nova Scotia. If you are interested in helping out in
any way, let us know. Many hands make light
work.
Our February meeting was attended by a handful of
hardy people who braved the winter storm. It is almost impossible to let everybody know
about a cancellation, so unless the roads are closed by the police, we like to make sure that
someone is there to greet you if you make the effort to come. I was grateful to have the
company. You can see from reading the minutes that we had a very interesting meeting. I
was also grateful for all of you who called and left messages on my phone to tell me you
would not be able to make it.
One of the interesting agenda items was our involvement in a pilot project to help streamline the screening process for air travelers with ostomies. Details are provided elsewhere,
but we were able to advise two of our attendees who were scheduled to fly from Halifax the
day after the trial began. We look forward to hearing of their experience at the next meeting.
Our upcoming meeting in March is a perennial favourite when we bring in the manufacturer's representatives to show us their lines of products and advances being made in appliance technology. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Ed Tummers
President, Ostomy Halifax
"Life is not about much you get, but how much you give."
The New Ostomate at Senior Age 7
Urostomy Problems
7
Medical Aspects of an Ileostomy
8
Executive Meetings
3rd Monday of each month
2 to 4 p.m.
5132 Dickson Centre, 5th floor,
Editor: Chapter Minutes are to be
submitted by the 15th of each
month, entries received after the
15th will not be included until the
following month. The newsletter
is sent to printers by the 20th of
Ostomy Halifax
Minutes of the General Meeting
February 3, 2013
will be re-scheduled before the next general
meeting.
Betty Woolridge reported membership stood
at 264.
Mike W reported on the Bridgewater satellite’s meeting January 18 at which five Halifax members attended along with 15 from
the Bridgewater group. They are very active
and interested and are exploring a newsletter. Their next two meetings are scheduled
for the third Sundays of March and May.
Mike W reported on a January 25 meeting
of eight Halifax members with staff of the
Canadian Air Transit Security Association
(CATSA) at the Halifax airport. The discussion stressed dignity and care in checking
The meeting was called following the embarrassment of a Halifax member in Calgary
during the summer.
CATSA has agreed to implement a pilot
project in Halifax for a 3 month period starting February 11.
The regular monthly meeting of Ostomy
Halifax was held on November 6, 2011 in
the Ballroom of the Bethune Building on the
VG Site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
President Ed Tummers called the meeting to
order at 2:30 p.m. with eight members in
attendance on a snowy day that kept most at
home.
Ed expressed Thanks to all who called with
regrets.
President Ed Tummers welcomed everyone
and led the Ostomy Prayer. He said Bette
Yetman was in the Dartmouth General Hospital in isolation but hoped to be out soon.
Minutes of the January 6 meeting were approved as circulated.
Joel made a brief report on the plans for the
40th anniversary but added little from the
January 6 meeting. A committee meeting
Continued on pg.3 Column 1
scheduled for this day was postponed and
2
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
Birthday Greetings for;
February
versary celebration on August 17.
Programs were reviewed: March – manufacturers’ representatives; April/May –
Shelly Weatherby, Raymond Cruikshank, one of Ask the ET or Transit Safety and
Wayne Domock, Elizabeth Henderson,
Air Travel; June: closing pot-luck banNadine Hyson, Linda Lefler, Guy Lortie,
quet; July-Strawberry picnic; August –
Beth MacDonnell, Bernard F. Miller, WilNational AGM and 40th anniversary and
liam Power, Anne Ray, Cecile Saulnier,
Helen E. Shiers, Paulette Vilvorder, Flor- CIS;
ence Whitby, Stewart Brown, Jacqueline Refreshments for March: same as FebruWhite, , Joan Abbott, Cecil Cruickshank, ary – Sandwiches: Jean Hiltz, Edith Morash and Bob Pembroke; Sweets: Audrey
Gertrude Schwarz
Cuvilier and Sheila Fraser.
Guest Michael Johnson presented the
In Memory
Stoma Stifler, a polyurethane cover for
the ostomy that attaches through a belt or
Elsie Currie
tape. It retails for $277 (no tax) and is
Member since July, 2009
available through Scotia Atlantic Hospital
Supply. The Stoma Stifler will mask noise
John Hunter
and odor and will help keep the appliance
attached while protecting the stoma. JohnMember since, May 2011
son said most insurance companies cover
the Stifler. Contact Michael through: 1866-496-5413, 902-482-3142 or go to the
website
Continued from. Pg. 2, Column 2
www.ScotiaAtlanticHospitalSupplies.com
Instructions for participating will be sent The meeting adjourned at 2:50 when the
out via e-mail and newsletter. All ostomy small crowd split into ostomy and SASO
travelers are encouraged to participate in discussion groups for about a half an hour
the trial and provide feedback to the chap- when the assembly devoured the one plate
ter.
of sandwiches (thanks, Jean Hiltz).
Ed reported on a national board meeting
held Saturday Feb 2 on line in a SkypeSubmitted by acting secretary Joel Jacobson
type set up. He also reported the Ostomy
Canada AGM will be held in Halifax August 18 after a CIS and Halifax 40th anni-
Welcome 20/40 Leader
Angie Schickerowski
Ostomy Canada has a new 20/40 leader.
Angie Schickerowski is 32 years old and a
member of the Calgary Ostomy chapter.
She has been an ostomate for almost four
years and has been a committed volunteer
at the Youth camp. She is currently expecting her second child. We welcome
Angie to her new position and look forward to expanding the 20/40 group in the
Atlantic region under her leadership and
guidance. We know that Krystal Maher,
who is our Halifax 20/40 leader, will be
helping Angie to ensure that this group of
ostomates receives the same high level of
support for which our organization is famous. You can contact Angie via e-mail
at angschick@gmail.com.
Welcome New Members
Allan Doucette
Christina (Chris) Plante
Members making a purchase of Ostomy
products must show their up-to-date
MEMBERSHIP CARD to receive the
Discount on their purchase from participating firms.
Carol Duncan
Mary A. MacKenzie
Lynn Corkum
Linda Cox, R.N.
If you have a change of address,
either mailing or e-mail,
PLEASE, inform us of the
Susan Ernst, R.N, E.T.
Albert Webber
Guest Michael Johnson presenter.
If you wish to be called, to be reminded of a meeting date, Please
contact: Paulette Vilvorder at
445-3832to have your name added to
the contact list.
Coming in 2013 - Our 40th Anniversary
Committee already had several meetings for our 40 th anniversary in 2013. If you
want to join us, approach any of the planners: Irene Stagg; Barbara Barrett; Gerald
Haggett; Florence Whitby; Alyson Walsh; Gail Creelman; Joel Jacobson; Florence
Farrell; Patrick Thompson.
3
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
Ostomy Halifax Society
Officers
President: Ed Tummers
425-0894
Treasurer: Theresa Mason
861-4917
Vice–President: Olive Jackson 463-5102
Rec. Secretary: Cynthia Gregg
Co. Secretary: Barbara Barrett 443-8274
Past Pres.: Patrick Thompson 444-0471
Committees:
Cards: Barbara Barrett
443-8574
Editor: Jean Hiltz
883-9679
Assist. Editor: Joel Jacobson 479-0442
Education: Gail Creelman, ET 470-6977
Newsletter Mailing: Mike Woolridge
883-2438
Finance: Mike Veres
852-4104
Hospitality: Betty Woolridge 883-2438
“
“
: Jean Hiltz
883-9679
Information: Anne Ray
443-0135
Library: Ann Dease
861-3268
Membership: Betty Woolridge 883-2438
Programs: Ruth Kenney
434-7521
“
: Charles Baird
865-9584
Refreshments: Alyson Walsh 435-2539
Scrapbook: Ann Dease
861-3268
Spouses & Significant Others:
Betty Woolridge
883-2438
Telephone: Paulette Vilvorder 445-3832
Visiting: Irene Stagg
462-0899
Awards: Joel Jacobson
479-0442
Camp: Mike Woolridge
883-2438
Charter Members
Bette Yetman
Ruth Kenney ET
464-9888
434-7521
Satellite Presidents
Annapolis Valley East
Paula McKenzie, ET
538-7900
South Shore Ostomy
Jane Berrigan
521-6117
e-mail: janeberrigan@me.com
“No Scent” Policy
The Metro Halifax chapter of UOAC
MUST abide by the NO SMOKING
and NO SCENT policy of the Capital
Health Authority which PROHIBITS
smoking and scents on its properties.
Please respect the authority’s policy and
your fellow members.
In addition to helping Nova Scotians find
services they need, 211 can also help organizations like yours to find related services across the Province. It can also help
streamline your operations by providing
you with a source to direct callers looking
for related services that you may not offer.
With 211, the people you can help will be
able to find you easier and you’ll receive fewer calls from those you can’t
Nova Scotia
help. One of our key messages to Nova
Helping you find the right commu- Scotians will be – if you can’t find what
you’re looking for, call 211 or do a quick
nity and social services
Starting February 11th, information on non search at ns.211.ca
Although the service will be Province
-profit organizations, community groups
wide starting on February 11th, advertising
and Government services in Nova Scotia
will be organized in a single 211 database. to the public through radio, social media
and print, will take place in phases, region
Until now, Nova Scotians have not had a
by region, starting with Cape Breton and
single referral source for community and
moving through Northern, South West and
social services across the Province.
As a valued partner in serving Nova Sco- Central (HRM) over an 8 week period.
tians, we wanted to give you an update on We recognize that 211 will be strongest
when we work together. We welcome
our roll out.
your feedback and invite you to visit our
First, we want to let you know the steps
at
we have taken to ensure that the database website, and check out the database,
th
www.ns.211.ca
on
February
11
.
is as comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate
and easy to search as possible. The staff at If at any time, you have questions about
211 or suggestions on how the service
211 have followed a rigorous process of
building the database through direct con- could be improved, please don’t hesitate to
contact me directly.
tact with non-profit organizations, community groups and government agencies
Mike
across the province. Through ongoing
daily contact with organizations like
Mike Myette
yours, the 211 team will ensure that the
Executive Director,
database is always accurate, timely and
complete. We invite you to call anytime.
211 Information & Referral Services Association
211 is not a counseling service. It is an
information and referral service that will
connect people with the most appropriate
services to meet their needs. Our call centre is staffed with information specialists
who are trained to deal with the most complex and sensitive challenges and they
know how to get to the real issue facing a
caller. It is free, confidential and available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Nova Scotia
Tel: 466-5721
mmyette@ns.211.ca
Stephanie Glover
Administrative Assistant
211 Information & Referral Services Association (211 Nova Scotia)
Box #1 Eric Spicer Memorial Building
Note To Readers
Products and methods mentioned in this
Newsletter are not endorsed by the
Ostomy Halifax Society and may not be
relevant to everyone. It is wise to consult your doctor or E.T. nurse before
deciding to use any of them.
4
Mount Hope Avenue
Dartmouth NS B2Y 4R4
Tel: (902) 466-5721
Fax: (902) 461-1955
Email: sglover@ns.211.ca
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
Recipe Corner
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
1 cup butter flavoured shortening
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
Filling:½ cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups Confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 to 6 tbsp milk
In a large bowl, cream the shortening,
peanut butter, and both sugars until light
and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla.
Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt;
add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches
apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten
to 3/8-inch thickness with a fork. Bake in
a preheated 375°F oven for 7 to 8 minutes, or until golden. Remove to wire
racks to cool. For filling:-in a large bowl,
beat the peanut butter, Confectioners’
sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to
achieve spreading consistency. Spread on
half of the cookies and top each with another cookie. Yields 44 sandwich cookies.
Submitted by: Cynthia Gregg
For all you people who enjoy wildlife.
Recent Report on Crow Kills.
Well, it is not a pretty story.... about
200 dead crows near Moncton, and
there was concern for Avian Flu. They
had a Bird Pathologist examine the
remains of all the crows, and he confirmed the problem was definitely NOT
Avian Flu, to everyone's relief.
However, he determined that 98% of
the crows had been killed by impact
with trucks, and only 2% were killed by
car impact. The Province then hired a
Ornithological Behaviorist to determine
the disproportionate percentages for
truck versus car kill.
The Ornithological Behaviorist determined the cause in short order. When
crows eat road kill, they always post a
"look-out Crow" in a nearby tree, to
warn of impending danger.
His conclusion was that the lookout
crow could say "Cah", but he could not
say "Truck."
Sorry, had to do it.
UOAC WINS COLOPLAST
AWARD
to do, and where you WANT to go. Now
you have the energy; now you are free
from pain. Now you have choices. You
have control over what path you want to
take. It is a time to stop isolating yourself
and connect with people again. Connect
with old friends, new friends, family and,
whenever possible, helping others benefit
from your experience.
Personally, managing my ileostomy has
become just another step in my personal
hygiene…like brushing my teeth. It is
nothing compared to what I had to deal
with when I was sick. Let’s be clear…it
was the illness that was limiting, not the
ostomy. The ostomy is the cure, the
ticket to living again. Understand how
lucky we are that there was a cure for our
disease, and remember how many crippling and painful illnesses there are that
have no cure.
I, for one, am extremely thankful for my
ostomy. I would not be here without it. It
does not define who I am or what I do.
There is so much more of who we are than
just how we go to the bathroom.
We are Survivors: of major surgery, of
cancer, of chronic pain and illness. Survivors are brave, committed, strong individuals who are able to get past a crisis situation with the vigor to enjoy what life has to
offer. We survived for a reason. We were
meant to have this second chance to make
a difference. How you make a difference is
your personal choice.
Coloplast has announced UOAC as the
winner of The Coloplast Merit Award
2012 for region The Americas.
In a letter to UOAC president Peter
Folk, Coloplast wrote: “Apart from a
diploma, we will dedicate a prize of USD by Barbara C. Thaler, via Metro Maryland;
Green Bay WI; Via; North Central OK Ostomy
3000 for your great efforts on World
Outlook
Ostomy Day in October 2012.”
Coloplast suggested presenting this award
at a UOAC gathering. That will probably
Visits for January 2013
be during the AGM weekend in Halifax
2 Urostomies
in August.
2 Ileostomies
1 Pre-op phone call
Thank you to visitors
Ruth Kenney
A Few Words of Inspiration
Ed Tummers
Whether you realize it or not, the day you
got your ostomy, you were given a gift, a
Irene Stagg
life saver, a quality of life saver. Now you
have opportunities and choices that you
Notice: If you know of any members
could not even dream of when you were
that are sick or in hospital, please notify
sick.
Now is the time to focus on what you CAN a member of the executive.
do, what you CAN eat, what you WANT
5
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
Helpful Hints For Winter
Keep your headlights clear with car wax! Just wipe ordinary
car wax on your headlights. It contains special water repellents
that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your
lights - lasts 6 weeks.
Squeak-proof your wipers with rubbing alcohol! Wipe the
wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or ammonia.
This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers
change to near perfect silence & clarity.
Ice-proof your windows with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just
fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water &
spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be
clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the
melting point of water---preventing water from freezing!
Prevent car doors from freezing shut with cooking spray!
Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it
in with a paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from
melting into the rubber
Fog-proof your windshield with shaving cream! Spray some
shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off
with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.
De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer! Just put
some hand sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems
solved!
Reasons Why It’s Great To Have An
Ostomy
1. You are alive and well.
2. No more pain.
3. No more diarrhea.
4. No more “special” diets.
5. No more running to the toilet and hoping you made
it on time.
6. No one can call you “anal retentive”.
7. Filthy public toilets?? No problems – you don’t
have to sit on the seat to empty anyway! You can
make some great “net’ friends via the ostomy
message boards and newsgroups.
8. You can’t get constipated (although blockages are
no fun!)
9. Good thing about having a colostomy is: not
having to sit in the bathroom hours on end being
bored out of your mind. And, no more of that
reading everything in site such as shampoo
ingredients!
10. Sometimes you can see what you ate 4-5 hours
beforehand (this is a good thing????)
Source: Shaz’s Ostomy Pages , Ostomy Humour, Jan. 2013, Island
Ostomy News, Victoria, BC, Jan./Feb. 2013
Note: Cell phones must be turned off during the meeting as a courtesy to members & guests.
6
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
LOOKING BACK TO
October 1979
Urostomy Hints
Urine will often attack Stomahesive washers, breaking
them down and carrying pieces into the appliance. This
causes the sides of the appliance to stick together. There
are two ways of handling this problem.
(a) Prevent migration of the Stomahesive adhesive by
cutting the stoma opening from the shiny side of the
washer downward using the Colly-Seal cutter. This
stretches the polyethylene layer down into the hole.
Then spray the sides of the hole with Skin Prep or
Rezifilm before you remove the release paper. This
prevents the ring from contacting the Stomahesive
adhesive layer.
(b) If the adhesive has migrated into the pouch, after removing, emptying and cleaning, refill it with ice water and let it stand overnight. The adhesive will flake
off from the inner walls of the pouch. Or try spraying
the inside of a clean appliance with silicone or Teflon
to prevent the sides from sticking.
Source: Phil Pressel, E.T., Greater Danbury Chapter Via Los
Ostomy News
ostomates in the senior category: allow your student
to learn one task well before proceeding to the next
one.
The New Ostomate at Senior Age
Because the population as a whole is living longer, greater
numbers of people are suffering illnesses that require ostomy
surgery. Problems the senior new ostomate may face
include:
• Fear of increasing dependence and nonacceptance
by family. Family acceptance and
support is essential for complete rehabilitation.
• Un-preparedness for a stoma. Surgery may often
be done as an emergency procedure, and there has
been little time for an older person to adjust to this
change in body image. Often the older persons
confused after surgery because the hospital routine
is foreign – side rails are up and he/she are confined
as though a child. It is in this condition that he/she
first gets acquainted with their ostomy.
• A hard-to-manage stoma. Particularly if created in
emergency surgery, the stoma may be adjacent to a
wound or poorly positioned. Experienced ostomates
and caregivers can and should work to teach the
senior or new ostomate acceptance and self-care. It
might take extra patience. Ability to learn does not
diminish with age, but speed of performance and
reaction time decline and it takes longer to learn new
tasks. A word of advice to those working with new
Source: Vancouver Ostomy HighLife Jan./Feb. 2013, Island Ostomy
News, Via; Victoria, BC, Jan./Feb. 2013
Urostomy problems
Severe skin problems
Large areas of skin that are red, sore, and weeping (always wet)
will keep you from getting a good seal around your stoma. It is
important to treat minor irritations right away. If you have a
large irritated area that does not go away in a few days, or crusty
skin around the stoma (called encrustation), contact your doctor
or ostomy nurse. They may prescribe medicine to help dry out
and heal your skin.
Remember that a well-fitted pouching system, drinking enough
fluids, and good skin care, can help prevent problems.
Urinary crystals
Urinary crystals on the stoma or skin are caused by alkaline
urine. The crystals look like white, gritty particles. They may
lead to stoma irritation or bleeding. Proper cleaning, keeping
your urine acidic, and careful fitting of the skin barrier will help
prevent urinary crystals.
Continued on pg. 9, Column 1
7
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AN ILEOSTOMY
The person with a new ileostomy may find it difficult
to believe that life without a colon can be
completely healthy. To understand this, one needs to
know the normal function of the colon, the large intestine,
which has been removed.
This organ is only found in land animals and its major
function is to absorb water and electrolytes from the food
residue. When animals first moved from the sea to the
land, they moved from a world where water was plentiful
to one where it might be very scarce. The ones that
adapted best were the animals that could store waste so
their body had time to absorb the remaining water and
salts to avoid dehydration. All the other nutrients that we
obtain from our food that we require for energy and
health are absorbed from the small intestine, which is
unaffected by the usual operations for ulcerative colitis,
FAP and sometimes even Crohn’s disease.
People with an ileostomy obtain just as much
nourishment, whether carbohydrates, fats or proteins, as
anyone else with a healthy normal digestive system.
Another function of the colon is to act as a reservoir for
the waste products of the body until there is a convenient
moment for disposing of them. This function is simply
taken over by the pouch for a person with an ileostomy,
whether external or internal. There is only a small section
of the intestine that absorbs vitamin B-12. It is located
near the joining point of the small and large intestine,
about the last three or four inches of the ileum. In
a person with an ileostomy, especially if there have been
revisions, too much of the small intestine may have been
used in the surgical process and the part of the ileum that
absorbs vitamin B-l2 may have been removed. A person
would not be able to absorb vitamin B-l2 from food or
even from supplements.
A solution to this challenge is usually to receive vitamin
B-l2 injections, usually l cc, from once a week to once
every four to six weeks, depending how the patient feels.
If the “worn—out” feeling that one has occasionally
develops into a continuous feeling, it may be a good
indication of vitamin B-12 deficiency.
In case of a suspected B-l2 deficiency. there are three
elements the doctor should check: vitamin B-12, folic
acid and potassium. The shortage of any one or all three
can keep us down and without any pep or ambition even
to do our daily chores. Vitamin B-12 and folic acid
interact to the point that a deficiency of any one might be
mistaken without complete tests for the deficiency of the
other. Each of us may need both, to make the other one
work correctly.
There is no danger of receiving too much vitamin B-l2;
the body eliminates anything that is not needed. Folic acid
should not be taken in large doses. Studies performed on
the amounts of potassium required by a person are not
definitive. It seems that the most a healthy person should
obtain is about 0.4 milligrams per day.
Continued on pg. 9, column 1
8
Ostomy Halifax News, February 2013
Continued from pg. 8, Column 1
One cannot be overdosed from potassium
in natural foods. The greatest source is
bananas and potatoes with orange juice
also being a very good source. However,
if one has a potassium deficiency, which
can lead to a run down feeling, one probably cannot obtain enough from foods
without gaining weight. A person with an
ileostomy, who cannot absorb enough
vitamin B-12 from food or from pills,
should consider taking injections. Folic
acid and potassium can usually be
absorbed in pill form, but a person with
an ileostomy should watch if the pills are
going through the digestive tract whole.
This means that they are not being absorbed by the body. If you are a person
with an ileostomy and feel tired all the
time. consult your physician.
Source; Regina Ostomy News Jan/Feb. 2913
When you should call the doctor
You should call the doctor or ostomy
nurse if you have:
A deep cut in the stoma
A lot of bleeding from the stoma
opening (or a moderate amount in the
pouch that you notice several times when
emptying it)
Bleeding where the stoma meets the
skin
Bad skin irritation or deep ulcers
(sores)
An unusual change in your stoma
size or color
Fever or strong urine odor (may be a sign
of a kidney infection)
Source: American Cancer Society Web Site.
THE MEDIUM
In a dark and hazy room, peering into a
crystal ball, the Mystic
To help reduce urinary crystals, you can
delivered grave news:
also make a vinegar compress and apply
"There's no easy way to tell you this, so
it to the stoma for a few minutes when the I'll just be blunt.
pouch is changed. To do this, soak a bath Prepare yourself to be a widow...
cloth or small towel in a mixture of equal Your husband will die a violent and horparts of water and white vinegar and hold rible death, this year."
the moist cloth on the stoma.
Visibly shaken, the woman looked at the
mystic's lined face, then at
Continued from pg. 7, Column 2
9
the single flickering candle, then down at
her hands.
She took a few deep breaths to compose
herself and to stop her mind racing.
She simply had to know...
She met the Fortune Teller's gaze, steadied her voice and asked,
"Will I be acquitted?"
>
Would you like to receive this
newsletter via email?
In an effort to reduce mailing costs, as
well as becoming environmentally
friendly, we would like to offer the
monthly newsletter to all of our members electronically. If you have access
to email, please send your request to:
jhiltz@eastlink.ca
The newsletter will be in PDF format.
Most computers come equipped with
the capability to read PDF files. If you
experience a problem opening the file,
go to: http://get.adobe.com/reader for a
free download of Adobe Reader.
Please consider this opportunity to do
your share to help our environment.
Editors Please Note
Ostomy Halifax Society
Items in this Newsletter may be copied
for use in others newsletters, providing
proper credit given concerning the
source of the material, as indicated in
“Source” at the end of some articles.
In Appreciation
Thank you, to Lawton’s Drug Stores
for providing space in the storeroom of
their Westphal Store for accepting and
storing supplies for FOWC until a
shipment is ready to be packed and
sent to the Collection Site in Montreal.
Bequests & Donations
We are a nonprofit association and
welcome bequests, donation and gifts.
Acknowledgment Cards are sent to
next-of-kin when memorial donations
are received. Donations should be
made payable and addressed to:
Ostomy Halifax Society,
PO Box 8476,
Halifax, NS B3K 5M2
Member of Ostomy Canada
Ostomy Canada
Suite 501,
344 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, Ont. M5S 3A7
Phone: 416-595-5452
Fax: 416-595-9924
Toll Free - 1-888-969-9698
(Courtesy of Hollister Limited)
E-mail:
uoacan@astral.magic.caWeb
Site: http:/www.ostomycanada.ca
Membership - $27.00 annually, which entitles a member to receive 9 issues of the
“Ostomy Halifax News” and 2 issues of UOA of Canada Inc. publication, “Ostomy Canada”. Must be a chapter member or member of a subscribing chapter to receive the
newsletter.
Donations - Receipts are issued promptly for income tax purposes.
Advertisers who give discounts on the purchase of Ostomy products:
Lawtons Home Health Care - Bayers Road Shopping Centre, Halifax 453-8847
Lawtons Home Health Care - 90 Main St., Westphal, Dartmouth - 462-7400
Lawtons Home Health Care - 5991 Spring Garden Road, Halifax - 423-9430
Lawtons Home Health Care - 6155 North Street, Halifax - 453-8852
Lawtons Home Health Care - 157 Cobequid Rd. Sackville - 864-3005
Shoppers Drugs Mart - 3430 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax - 443-6084
Shoppers Drug Mart - 5595 Fenwick St. Halifax - 421-1683
D.F. Kyte, Pharmacy Ltd.- 920 Cole Harbour Rd., Dartmouth, NS - 462-4187
Courtesy - New Ostomates visited in hospital by our certified visitors will receive 2
issues of this publication.
Editor
Jean Hiltz,
52 Hurshman Rd,
Dutch Settlement, NS
B2S 2K8
902-883-9679
Email; jhiltz65@eastlink.ca
Atlantic Provinces UOAC DSS
Representative
Judy Steeves
1095 Lincoln Road
Fredericton, NB, E3B 8J3
Phone: 506-459-4243
Membership Application - UOA of Canada Inc. - Ostomy Halifax Society
Membership includes annual subscription to chapter newsletter and the official UOAC publication, “Ostomy Canada”. The following information is kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. Membership is open to ostomates and non-ostomates.
 New Member
Renewal
Change of Address
Name ______________________________Address________________________________Apt.No._______________
City___________________________Province_______Postal Code________________Phone(s)___________________
Birth (day/mo/yr)
/
/
/ Occupation______________________Languages Spoken______________________
Colostomy
Continent Ileostomy
Other (Specify)_______________
Ileostomy
Urinary Diversion
Spouse/Family Member________________
Make cheque payable to Ostomy Halifax Society and mail to
Membership Chair, Betty Woolridge, 103 Alderney Drive, Enfield, NS B2T 1J9
NOTE - Other Maritime Chapters, send directly to your Treasurer.
10
M.D., E.T. Supplier, Etc.