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September 2003 Newsletter
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Our Next Meeting
We've all had a nice summer break and it's time to regroup! We ask that all members be present for the kick-off meeting as there is much to discuss and your input is required. Please mark your calendars!
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| Date | • | Thurs. Sept. 18, 2003 |
| Time | • | 7:00 pm |
| Place | • | Middlesex-London Health Unit 50 King Street, London |
| Guest Speaker | • | Judy Croden will speak about exercise for ostomates. Let's all get the lead out and lift those knees!! Click here to read Judy's uplifting speech she gave at the meeting. |
| ET Advisor | • | Lina Martins London Health Sciences Centre |
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| October's Meeting • Thurs. Oct. 16th – 7:00 pm | ||
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Meeting Attendance
LDOA holds monthly meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm (19:00 hours) unless noted otherwise in the newsletter and on the web site. Meetings are held at Middlesex-London Health Unit, Lower Level, 50 King Street, London.
- Middlesex-London Health Unit is wheelchair accessible.
- Coffee and refreshments are provided.
- Parking is free if you ask for a token at the meeting.
You do not have to be a member to attend. Anyone with or without an ostomy is welcome to participate at our meetings, whether you are a caregiver, family member, supportive friend or a member of the medical community. We encour- age all to attend.
Getting together at the meetings gives members and guests an opportunity to meet and exchange useful information, obtain or offer support, and share experiences with other persons having an ileostomy, colostomy or urinary diversion. It is a chance to see and learn about different appliances and obtain and exchange advice about ostomy care. And you may even make a new friend who already has something very much in common with you!
Return to Top LDOA Launches Web Site
We are pleased to announce that LDOA finally has a web site it can call its own. We thank Nancy Parr, Edith Scheliga’s daughter, for
donating the fees required for LDOA’s domain name registration and first year of web hosting. This truly is a gift that will keep on giving. Thus far, the site contains the following information and features.
Meetings • When? Where? Who? and Why? Includes meeting schedule up to April 2004 and map to Middlesex-London Health Unit so that new members can easily find us.
Membership • A membership renewal application form can be printed directly from your computer. We encourage you to use this form when renewing your membership.
ET Advisors • Directory of all ET advisors in London and the health organizations they are associated with.
Ostomy Suppliers • Directory of ostomy suppliers in London and the surrounding area, as well as web site and contact information for the leading ostomy manufacturers. Also contact info for suppliers of ostomate apparel.
Resource Centre • This is where you will find informative, well-written articles concerning all aspects of ostomies and life as an ostomate.
Links • This is where you will find links to many ostomy-related web sites. Thus far, we have a comprehensive collection of links to online newsgroups, message boards, e-mail lists, and chat rooms throughout the world, as well as links to UOAC and ostomy chapters throughout Canada and United States; related links of interest, education, instruction and support for ostomy organizations worldwide.
Donations • Information about how to make monetary and non-monetary donations to the LDOA chapter. Also contains a web page dedicated to individuals and companies who are recognized by LDOA as a way of showing thanks for their contribution or donation.
Newsletter • Beginning with this issue, the most current, as well as past issues of newsletters will be available on the site.
Contact Info • If you misplace the hard copy of your newsletter and have access to a computer, then you will always be able to contact the Executive Committee.
Discussion Forum • Discuss any ostomy-related problem in a supportive environment or connect with fellow ostomates and share. You do not have to be an ostomate to participate in the Forum. Anyone who has a genuine interest in ostomy-related matters may join. Our focus is to cultivate a supportive, friendly community. In the weeks to come, we will be spreading the word about LDOA’s Discussion Forum, and we encourage you to do the same.
Guestbook • Let us know you paid us a visit by signing the Guestbook. We encourage you to share your personal experience or perhaps an uplifting, humourous story, or offer encouragement and support.
In addition to the above, the site also has the following features.
An excellent site search feature whereby visitors can find exactly the information they need in a matter of seconds.
E-mail pages of the web site or recommend the site to an interested friend, fellow ostomate or yourself for future reference.
All of this and more is presented in an easy to understand, easy to navigate format in a pleasing burgundy and gold colour scheme.
The site will be in a constant state of growth with new information, articles, links, and site features continually being added. But it won't grow by itself. We need your input and feedback to help keep the site fresh, informative and interesting. In this regard, if you would like to contribute your favourite links, articles or a personal story to the site that you feel would be of interest to ostomates, their families or caregivers, please e-mail LDOA's Webmaster, Deanna Sterling, at
From the President's Desk
Welcome back everyone! Hope you had a good summer. My name is Caroline Chiasson and I have been an ostomate for 29 years. As your new president, I would like to welcome everyone to our meeting on Sept. 18th. Hope- fully, throughout the next year, we can have an educational and fulfilling time together.
I am hearing many voices about the cost of being an ostomate. Perhaps we can lobby for some type of funding that covers all ostomy supplies. We sure can't live without them! I would also like your input as to what you would like to get from our meetings.
Please join us on Thursday, September 18th and let’s put our ideas together. Thank you.
Return to Top Positions Available on Executive Committee
Two positions on the Executive Committee are available to interested members – that of Vice President and Secretary. These are volunteer positions, as are all of the positions on the Executive Committee.
Vice President • Duties and responsibilities include assisting the President in arranging guest speakers and ETs for the meetings; conducting the monthly meeting if the President is unable to attend; other general matters which the President may require assistance with.
Secretary • Duties and responsibilities include taking down the "minutes" of the meetings – which basically means writing a synopsis of what was discussed and noting the number of members and guests in attendance; compiling the minutes into a readable format for inclusion in the newsletter for the benefit of those members who were unable to attend; and keeping said minutes in an organized system.
Please contact Caroline Chiasson at 643-0124 if you are interested in either of these positions.
Return to Top Newsletter on the Web
In an effort to help offset the costs of printing and mailing LDOA’s newsletter, beginning with this issue and all subsequent issues, the newsletter will be available at LDOA’s web site. In this regard, we ask those of you with computers and access to the Internet if you would not mind foregoing the printed version in favour of the online version.
If so, would you please send an e-mail to Deanna Sterling, LDOA’s Webmaster and Newsletter Editor, at indicating your willingness to read the newsletter on the web, and also provide your full name as it is sometimes impossible to discern a person's name from an e-mail address.
We realize John Jory made this request in the last newsletter, but with the changing of the guards and the long summer break, we are unsure as to how many of you provided him with the requested information. If you did send John your info, would you please resend it to Deanna? Your co-operation in this regard is very much appreciated. Thank you.
As well, if you have written articles, know of any articles, or have information that you would like to see included in future news- letters or in the web site, please do not hesitate to mention this to Deanna. The newsletter and web site do not write themselves and any contributions or suggestions are well-appreciated.
Return to Top Suggested Reading
Living Well With an Ostomy
Canadian Author • Elizabeth Rayson
Published • April 2003
Publisher • Tafford Publishing
ISBN • 1412000815
Available at Chapters-Indigo Books • $22.95
From the Publisher • If you've been told you are going to need an ostomy, you are about to make some dramatic changes in your life. And while there is no doubt that getting an ostomy is a life-changing experience, it doesn’t have to define your life. In Living Well With an Ostomy, Elizabeth Rayson explains that, ultimately, your ostomy is only a small part of the essential person that is you. And that essential person hasn’t changed or become less active, adventurous, stylish or romantic just because she or he now has an ostomy. On the contrary, many people who’ve had ostomy surgery will tell you that their surgery marked the start of a new, more expansive phase in their lives.
This comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide covers the practical aspects of ostomy care. You will also learn how to cope with the significant changes to your body that affect everything from traveling, dressing, playing sports, eating favorite foods and enjoying romantic and sexual relationships. And you will also easily relate to the personal narratives throughout that illuminate many of the challenges people with ostomies face.
Living Well With an Ostomy covers basic information about the various types of ostomies, what to expect from ostomy surgery, as well as psycho/social issues that may surface as a result of ostomy surgery, including those unique to certain groups, such as children, young adults and seniors. The book also includes new information on homeopathic and natural remedies for dealing with the ongoing care of an ostomy, and a substantial Resources section that contains a host of references to additional sources.
Return to Top Where Does the Help Begin?
LDOA Needs Volunteer Visitors for Patient Care Program
Help begins with the volunteer visitor – an experienced, certified individual calling on a new or about-to-be osto- mate patient. Visitors are men and women of all ages and backgrounds. They may be business people, retirees or homemakers; but they all have the common bond of having undergone intestinal or urinary diversions – or their partner or a family member has.
The volunteer visitor is one member of the rehabilitation team, including the physician and ET nurse. As a result of personal experience, the visitor is uniquely qualified to share non-medical information and, through supportive concern, assist in the psychological and social rehabilitation of the patient.
Despite assurances from doctors, nurses, and others concerned with the patient's complete recovery, there is for the patient, no substitute for the visual proof provided by a well-adjusted individual – the visitor. In most instances, the visitor is the first ostomate that the patient meets and can talk candidly with.
Purpose of the Patient Care Program
The purpose of the Patient Care Program is to train and qualify interested members for certification as ostomy or continent procedure visitors. This is accomplished through a course conducted by volunteers in our medical community. It is the program's ultimate goal to make available to every patient, no matter where the patient lives, a qualified visitor who is capable of
- Offering reassurance, understanding, and practical information
- Bolstering the patient's morale
- Helping the patient and family in their emotional and social rehabilitation
- Helping increase self-confidence
- Providing educational information
Visitor Qualifications
- Generally, the visitor must have undergone surgery longer than one year prior to attending a Visitor Training Session
- Possess active listening skills
- Have a caring attitude for others
LDOA’s Visitor Co-Ordinator is Brenda Turner. She receives the request from the patient, a family member, or health care profes- sional and follows-up on the initial contact within 24 hours. The patient and/or family have the option of a telephone or face-to-face visit by a qualified visitor. The patient or family member may request pre- and/or post-operative visiting and a 4-6 week follow-up visit.
LDOA needs volunteers for its Patient Care Program. Think back to how you felt when you were first told you would require an ostomy. And think back to those first few months after you had your surgery. If you are interested in becoming a certified visitor, please contact Brenda Turner at 681-5973 or LDOA’s President, Caroline Chiasson at 643-0124. Thank you.
Return to Top Ostomy Supplies Grant
This article discusses the grant provided by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for ostomates with permanent ostomies. The article, which appeared in the printed version of LDOA's newsletter, was taken directly from this site's Articles Library. Click here to read the article. Click your browser's back button to return to this page.
Return to Top Annual Barbecue Report
Contributed by Joy Ibsen • LDOA Social Co-Ordinator
This year we tried something different. Rather than have the annual summer get-together at a member's house, we reserved a picnic shelter overlooking the lake at Fanshawe Conservation Area.
June 21, 2003 turned out to be a lovely day – no rain, pleasant breezes, not too hot. A massive beach volleyball contest adjacent to our site meant LOTS of cars and some confusion for LDOA members seeking our more sedate group.
As ET and member Jill Allen of Ilderton said, "If I couldn’t find you people, I would have gone and played volleyball."
A big thank you to Louise Cummings for standing in the middle of the access road and waving at cars that looked familiar – and some that didn't!
Thanks to all who brought the delicious salads and deserts, and especially to Willard Cummings, Mark Smith and Norm Ibsen who expertly cooked hamburgers and hot dogs on two charcoal drums. A little girl walking by with her parents was wide-eyed at the flaming charcoal and asked, "What is it?" Seems the younger generation only knows of gas-fired barbecues!
Members and their guests, including Anne Michalson’s border collie, Cleo, and Heather and Mark Smith's collie, enjoyed visiting in a relaxed setting with lots of good food. There weren't many members in attendance but, fortunately, those who did attend brought friends and family, so all the great food wasn’t wasted.
Again, thanks to everyone for making this venture a fun day.
Return to Top 
Excerpts from the
UOA Evansville
Re-Route Newsletter
For those members who have not yet discovered the wit and wisdom of UOA Evansville Chapter's 
newsletter, The
Helpful Hints From Here and There
Some people find that a large teaspoonful of bulk gelatin dissolved in water or lemon juice once a day will firm up a loose stool.
Butternut squash will soothe an irritated digestive tract and will not cause diarrhea or constipation.
The application of a couple of capsules of vitamin E oil broken down and rubbed on sore and irritated skin around the stoma promotes overnight healing.
Drinking tomato juice will help eliminate odour and is a tool to retard dehydration and keep the electrolytes in balance.
Excessively oily skin can affect adhesion of your wafer. Wiping the skin around the stoma with alcohol is helpful, but be sure the alcohol does not contain glycerin, as this kind of alcohol will hinder adhesion.
Wonders of Milk of Magnesia
Because of its alkaline properties, Milk of Magnesia (MM) is beneficial to skin which has been burned by hydrochloric acids and enzymes from intestinal secretions. Hygienic care of the skin for all types of ostomies is very important. Use glycerin-free alcohol to remove all soap film after washing the adhesive solvent off. Also, MM will kill any latent intestinal bacteria which can multiply under the faceplate.
It is possible for enzymes to penetrate so deeply into the skin that neither soap nor alcohol can remove them, but MM will neutralize them. Rub it gently into the skin. If the enzymes are there, MM will curdle like cottage cheese. In that case, rinse it off with warm water, pat the skin dry and apply a new film of MM. Let this dry completely and apply Skin Prep, Tincture of Benzoin Plain, Karaya Powder or whatever you use and proceed as usual.
Products like Digel, Amphogel and similar products can be used instead of MM. A paste made of MM and Karaya Powder is healing to the skin. After the paste is dry, the faceplate can be applied.
Return to Top Common Ostomy Problems and Possible Solutions
Food Blockages
Symptoms may include no output from the stoma for more than 4 hours, cramping in the abdomen, nausea or vomiting, and high watery output.
Solution • Drink hot tea and increase your fluid input. Take a bath or shower and massage your abdomen. Drink a glass of wine – this will help relax your abdominal muscles. Get down on all fours with your backside in the air. An undignified position, but it does help some people move a blockage. If the blockage persists for more than a few hours, seek medical advice from your nearest hospital.
Mucous and Bleeding From Rectum
This is completely normal if your rectum is still intact, although annoying, since the mucosal lining of the rectum is still working.
Solution • Try wearing a sanitary napkin to save soiling your underwear. If the bleeding is profuse, see your doctor.
Phantom Rectal Pain
By this we mean you get the urge to go to the toilet in the "old way", even though you know you can't.
Solution • This pain is because your body needs time to adjust to its new plumbing and still thinks it needs to go to the toilet in the old way. Try going and sitting on the toilet anyway, even though you know it’s pointless. Many ostomates find this alleviates the pain. The good news is that over time, phantom rectal pains become less frequent and will eventually disappear altogether.
Bleeding
Solution • First, determine if the bleeding is coming from the surface of the stoma or internally. If it is internally, then it's wise to seek medical advice. If the bleeding is from the surface of the stoma, it should stop quite quickly. Stomas are made from the same type of skin as the inside of your cheeks and you know how easily they bleed. Even the slightest little nick can cause it to bleed. If bleeding is profuse or doesn't stop quickly, seek medical help. Cuts to the stoma can also be caused by the wafer riding off center. Try "picture framing" the wafer with some tape to stop it from moving.
Odour
Solution • Simple solutions that work for some ostomates are to place mint Tic Tacs or mint mouthwash into the pouch. Deodorants, either taken orally or placed in the pouch, are available from your ostomy supplier. DO NOT place aspirin in your pouch in an attempt to eliminate odour – doing so can cause damage to your stoma.
Stoma is On or Above Belt Line
Solution • This is more common in men than women. DO NOT let them site your stoma on or above the belt line, if possible. Belts will stop the stool from flowing into the pouch so try wearing trousers a size bigger than you would normally wear and wear braces or suspenders to keep them up rather than a belt.
Seatbelts
Car seatbelts can ride over the stoma site and be uncomfortable.
Solution • Try using a clothes peg at the top of the seatbelt where it slides into the door. This will enable you to wear the seatbelt looser than normal but still pro- tect you in case of an accident. Use a small cushion or pillow between you and the seatbelt. Remember, an injured stoma is much easier to put back together than a whole person!
Itching Under Appliance
Itching under an appliance can be a sign of dehydration.
Solution • Drink several glasses of water within a short time. It may prevent an appliance change and keep you healthy to boot. Tomato juice is good for dehydration and helps restore electro- lytes. Read the label – it is rich in potassium and sodium. Also, be sure your skin is dry and clean before applying cement.
Stoma Shows Through Tight Dress
Solution • Try wearing bike pants or similar lycra pants under your outfit that will smooth out the line of the pouch. Control top pantyhose may also do the trick. And empty your pouch frequently.
Return to Top Ostomy Procedures That Can Backfire
There are times when we think we are doing the right thing or taking a "logical" shortcut, but inadvertently get ourselves into trouble. Here are some instances to think about.
Wrapping the drainable pouch tail around and around the clamp before closing it • This will not make the clamp work better. All it will do is spring the clamp out of shape, which will ensure that the clamp will be less likely to work for future applications.
Snapping the pouch off the faceplate ring to expel gas • This procedure does not do much for odour control. It is better to hold the tail of the pouch beyond the clamp with a tissue with deodorant on it. Then hold the pouch up so that only the gas is at the clamp, open the clamp and push the gas out through the tissue. Then use the tissue to clean out the end of the pouch and replace the clamp.
Washing pouches in the washing machine and using the same pouch for months • Eventually, the plastic of the pouch is saturated with the odour of the chemicals and no amount of washing will get rid of it. Throw the pouch away when throwing the faceplate away.
Ignoring skin problems • All skin irritations and problems are easier to treat if they are found early.
Letting your pouch get full before emptying it • Excess weight will separate a two-piece system and will also put excess weight on the faceplate resulting in early failures. Empty the pouch when it is one-third full.
Not using seatbelts • A well-placed and adjusted seatbelt should not interfere with the stoma function or damage your stoma. True, in an accident, your stoma may be damaged, but it is a lot easier to repair a stoma than a crushed skull.
It is never a good idea to try to live with a condition you can't correct yourself, and there are no such things as stupid questions. When in doubt, ask your ET or doctor.
Return to Top Change of Address • Membership Renewal Form
The Change of Address • Membership Renewal Form found on the back page of the printed newsletter can be printed directly from your computer by clicking here.
On the Lighter Side
For a special season in my life, I had the pleasure of being a full-time "Mr. Mom." During that time, an acquaintance whom I hadn't seen for some time asked me what I did for a living. Sensitive to the question, I jokingly replied, "I'm the director of a residential unit, with primary responsibilities for the design and execution of lifestyle programs specifi- cally targeted to a model family of four." A week later, I received his resume in the mail.
The local bar was so sure that its bartender was the strongest man around that it offered a $1,000 bet that no one could squeeze a single drop more from a lemon the bartender had already squeezed. Men from all walks of life had tried and failed.
One day, a scrawny little man wearing thick glasses and a polyester suit walked into the bar. "I'd like to try the bet," he said. After the laughter died down, the bartender grabbed a lemon and squeezed the juice. Then he handed the wrinkled remains to the little man.
The crowd's laughter turned to silence as the man clenched his fist around the lemon. Six drops fell into the glass! The patrons erupted into cheers. As the bartender handed over the $1,000, he asked what the little man did for a living. "I work for Revenue Canada," he answered.
The lady in the hospital bed next to mine told me her doctor had such a strong accent that she continually had to ask him to repeat himself. "After the third visit," she continued, "he began to check my ears."
After having my ostomy and still in the hospital, my husband came up to visit and take me for my walk. This was in 1972 when we wore elastic belts to hold our bags on. My incision was still very sore and, before my husband arrived, I had unhooked the belt. We went for our walk and just as we entered my hospital room, my bag hit the floor! The nurse and I knew what happened, but my poor husband turned white and just stood there for a few seconds. Then he turned to the nurse and said, "Will this happen any time, any place?"
Final Thoughts
The advice your son rejected is now being given by him to your grandson.
Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life.
Parents talk about the younger generation as if they didn't have anything to do with it.
Disclaimer • This site and its contents are presented expressly for informational purposes only about London & District Ostomy Association (LDOA) and gastrointestinal and/or urinary diversions in general. In no way are any of the materials presented here meant to be a substitute for professional medical care or proper attention by a qualified physician, nor should they be construed as such. Always check with your doctor or ET if you have any questions or concerns about your condition or before starting a new program or treatment. The Webmaster and LDOA are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by this site.
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