Minutes of Meeting

April 15, 2004

Couldn't make it to the meeting and wondering what you missed? Learn about what we discussed and the guest speakers who enlightened us.


Executives in Attendance

• Caroline Chiasson – President
• Heather Smith – Vice President
• Edith Scheliga – Treasurer
• Deanna Sterling – Secretary, Webmaster and Newsletter Editor

Co-Ordinators in Attendance

• Brenda Turner – Visitor Co-Ordinator
• Joy Ibsen – Social Co-Ordinator

ET Advisor in Attendance

• Jill Allen of Saint Elizabeth Health Care was unable to attend

Guest Speaker

• Sarita Gupta, Dietitian, LHSC, University Campus

• 16 members, caregivers and guests attended
   (in addition to the above)

The meeting commenced at 7:10 p.m.

Caroline Chiasson opened the meeting by reading the Minutes of Meeting from March 18, 2004.

Caroline and Joy Ibsen made the following joint announcement regarding the  annual summer BBQ.

  • BBQ will be held on Sunday, June 27th at the home of Heather and Mark Smith in London.



  • The fun begins at 2:00 p.m. with eating planned for 4:00 p.m. Hamburgers and buns will be provided. All those attending should bring a "little something", such as a salad or dessert.



  • Bring your own lawn chairs!



  • Family and friends are welcome.



  • A map to Heather and Mark's house will be included in the next newsletter.



  • If you have questions, contact Joy Ibsen at  519-474-1312.

Caroline also announced that the Visitor Training Workshop would commence at 9:30 a.m. rather than 9:00 a.m. to accom- modate three people who are attending the workshop from the Windsor chapter. Volunteer visitors of varying ages are required. Refreshments will be provided.

Store Manager, Kevin Saunders, and ostomy consultant, Carrie Piper, of  Shoppers Home Health Care, made an announcement that, effective May 3, 2004, they will be relocating their retail store from 920 Commissioners Road East to 645 Commissioners Road East (Wellington and Commissioners, next to Shoppers Drug Mart) with new expanded hours. More details to follow in the next newsletter.

A discussion about support followed. Some people shared personal stories or related stories of other people’s situations and how support had been invaluable to them.

Guest speaker, Sarita Gupta, presented information concerning the dietary and nutritional needs of persons with ostomies. Her topics included:

  • Diets for ileostomates, colostomates and persons with IBD

  • Blockages – what foods cause them and how to prevent them

  • Output consistency – what foods cause loose versus firmer output

  • Which foods cause excess gas

  • Which foods change the colour of output

  • Importance of drinking 8-10 cups (not glasses) of water daily

  • Vitamin and nutrition supplements

Sarita answered questions and distributed printed material about much of what she spoke of to the group.

No 50/50 draw was held.

The meeting concluded at 9:00 p.m.


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