Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group
Website www.ccosg.org
A 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, (tax deductible donations)
Officers
President: Jerry Downs……. 629-7568………….email:fldowns@embarqmail.com
Vice Pres…Karen Chalfant….623-0088 Directors: Richard Greenstein………743-7720
Secretary: Lovelle Meester…637-8167 Bonnie Coker…..………… 423-8542
Treasurer: Roger Wilson……743-7285 Joan Huber………………….575-8708
Committees
Newsletter: Gloria Patmore & Karen Chalfant
Programs & Education: Jerry Downs, Penny Maki, RNET,CWS, 205-2620 Gloria Patmore, 627-9077
Nancy Frank RN,BSN,CWOCN, 629-5118,
Jill Lindsay, RN,BSN,CWOCN,629-1181
Visitation: Penny Maki RNET, CWS & Nancy Frank BSN,CWOCN
Library: Karen Chalfant
Products Bonnie Coker
50/50: Robert Tousignant
Sunshine: Mary Rockvam
Hospitality (Greeter): Joan Huber and Karen Chalfant
Website: Roger Wilson:
941-743-7285 email:ccosg1@centurylink.net
Professional Advisors:
John P. Rioux, MD, F.A.C.S.
Penny Maki, RN,ET.CWS. Jill Lindsay, RN,BSN,CWOCN
Nancy Frank, RN,BSN,CWOCN;
Next Meeting:
Tuesday January 13, 2015 2PM
Town Hall. South Port Square
23023 Westchester Blvd. Port Charlotte
Program: Gail Hopkins, RT MHA
What makes various medical imaging procedures more appropriate than others, & if time remains, Primary forces changing healthcare models.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
January Newsletter for the Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group
Here it is already! 2015 is here. I just hope our group is intact after the hectic holidays, and
that your clothes still fit, and your ostomy appliance hasn’t leaked because your weight
gain changed the configuration of your abdomen.
Such is life. Good things always seem to have consequences if you don’t keep them in check.
Our December party at the Golden Corral was great. The food was really outstanding, and
the service was superb. They were really good to us in every way. Joan Huber did a great
job with the gift exchange, and all gifts were wonderful. We had decorations on every table,
and Linda Downs (Jerry’s wife) brought a Christmas favor for everyone.
Because of illness our Treasurer, Roger Wilson, was unable to attend and Karen Chalfant
took care of collecting and paying our bill. She also saw to it that each person received a
chance ticket for the massage. This was won by Loralie Godbout. Loralie has been
exceptionally lucky these last few drawings. She is most appreciative of the existence of our
support group, and doesn’t hesitate to show her support, by buying chance tickets. When
you come in to our January meeting increase your chance of winning by buying extra
tickets for our chance drawings of $25 at Portofino, $20 at Carraba’s, a large Pizza at
Luigi’s or a Hungry Howie’s pizza.
Our President, Jerry Downs, read a very meaningful letter written by a Jewish man, about
his feelings about “Merry Christmas”. As he lists the feelings and good will that “Merry
Christmas” conjures up, he never feels offended. Jerry wished us all a “Merry Christmas”,
and a healthy. Happy, New Year.
I am happy to report that Mary Rockvam is doing much better after a visit to Mayo Clinic
in Jacksonville. We missed her and her significant other, Robert Tousignant, at the party.
They take good care of each other.
Roger Wilson has had an extended visit in the hospital with two surgeries for “blockages”
and hernia problems followed by respiratory difficulties. His daughter and son joined his
wife at Christmas spending much time at his bedside. Since this is being written before
New Year’s Day and his status changes continually, you will get an updated report at our
January meeting. He has been in the hospital since December 3rd and has had an extended
stay in the ICU unit. At this time (Dec 30) he is responding to treatment, but still in the
hospital.
With several of our members experiencing health problems at this time, we are all praying
for Good Health in the New Year.
Our speaker for January will be able to answer many of your questions on Medical Imaging
exams. Gail Hopkins, R.T., MHA, is Director of Health Care
Technology with Presidio Healthcare Division. Her bio is most impressive. Gail joined
Presidio’s healthcare division as Director of Clinical Technology following over 30 years
of clinical healthcare experience. Gail’s previous responsibilities include directing and
administrative functions of Medical Imaging in acute care multi hospital systems. In
addition to administrative and operational functions Gail has provided consulting to
numerous hospitals performing workflow and RIS PACS readiness assessments, improving
operational efficiencies through deployment of new technologies and work flow re-design.
In addition, during the past nine years, Gail has been an adjunct professor with a Florida
State College Radiology program teaching cellular biology and radiation safety. Gail holds
a Masters degree in Health Administration, is a registered radiographer with the AART, and
a certified Radiology Administrator with the AHRA. She has been featured in numerous
speaking engagements and vendor presentations. Her work has taken her throughout the
US and internationally. Gail’s unique perspective acquired from years in the direct
healthcare business provides the conduit between Presidio’s solution teams and health
care clients who face the challenge of today’s rapidly changing environment.
She has prepared a power point program for us and critiqued by Joan Huber that I’m
certain you will find interesting, informative, and well worth your time. So be sure to make
this meeting!!!
Colostomy Hints
From UOAA update 2010
Diet: There is no such thing as a colostomy diet. A colostomy is not an illness, so try to eat
the same foods you have eaten and enjoyed in the past. If you are on a diet for a condition
such as diabetes or high blood pressure, of course you should stay on this diet. Foods can be
acidic or alkaline, bland or spicy, laxative like or constipating. Individuals react differently
to food. Try to return to your former normal diet. Those foods that disagreed with you in
the past may still do so. Chew well and see the effect of each food on your colostomy output.
To maintain good health the body requires carbohydrates, proteins, fat, minerals and
vitamins. Water is not nutritious but is absolutely necessary. Having a balanced diet is a
fitting way for people to maintain good nutrition and keep boel activity normal. Every day
your body needs meats or fish, dairy foods, vegetables and fruits, cereals, and bread, and
liquids.
If you wear a pouch all the time, you will suffer no embarrassment if something you eat
produces an unexpected discharge. You will soon learn what foods cause gas or odor, cause
diarrhea, and which are constipating,. With this knowledge you can regulate the bowel’s
behavior to a certain extent. You cannot prevent intestinal activity by not eating. An empty
intestine produces gas. No matter what your plans might be, eat regularly, several times a
day, with perhaps a small meal before going to bed at night. Your colostomy will function
better for it.
Daily Life
Once you have recovered your health, you may continue a normal day’s routine as you did
before surgery. A colostomy is not an impediment to most activity. When its care has been
properly determined, it will not interfere with your daily schedule.
Work
Colostomates can do most jobs; however lifting can cause the stoma to herniate or prolapse,
especially soon after surgery. A sudden blow in the stoma area could cause a faceplate to
shift and cut the stoma. Still there are some colostomates who do heavy lifting, such as
firefighters, mechanics, and truck drivers. Check with your doctor about your type of work.
As with all surgery, it will take time to regain your strength after the operation. A letter
from your doctor to your employer may be helpful should your employer have doubts about
what you can do.
Sometimes colostomates find that their employers think that the colostomy will keep them
from doing their jobs. This also happens to some colostomates who are applying for new jobs.
You should know your right to work is protected by parts of the US Rehabilitation Act of
1973 and the American Disabilities Act of 1990 as well as sections of your state laws. If you
feel you are being unfairly treated because of your colostomy, call the UOAA office at
800-826-0826.
So you think you’re overweight.
Your ideal weight isn’t necessarily what the weight charts tell you. Your ideal weight is
what you weigh when you feel your best, and like the way you look. A Dietitian from many
years ago gave a great description of the food pyramid. That little area at the top that
allows fats and sweets was called the attic. That’s the place you visit only occasionally. I got
thinking about this holiday season. I think I was living in the attic. How about you? It’s
time to come down from there so we can feel good about ourselves again! On the ground
floor of the pyramid, where you should spend your time, is the grains and pasta area. The
five fruits and vegetables is in the middle along with your dairy foods and your proteins.
Portion sizes are very important. Reading labels will show you the size portion that is
considered when it says 100 calories.
Obesity is a high risk factor for many diseases including diabetes and cancer as well as
heart disease.
Although it is important to limit the amount of fat that you eat for prevention of high
cholesterol, heart disease, and cancer, removing all fat is unwise as well. Vitamins A,E,
and D are present in fat and are important to you. They help the body absorb calcium
that prevents osteoporosis, and Vitamin K the clotting Vitamin.
Too much salt in the diet can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. Leave
the shaker off the table. Read labels on the foods you buy. Be aware restaurant meals and
prepared frozen dinners will be high in salt. An ileostomate has a higher need for salt,
especially when working outside and perspiring, but the rest of us need to be mindful of
what we are taking in.
Your Editor,
Gloria Patmore RNET
