Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group
A 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, (tax deductible donations) Website www.ccosg. org
Officers: President: Jerry Downs………….941-629-7568…….fldowns@embarqmail,com Vice President: Ken Aukett……609-315-8115
Secretary: Lovelle Meester….612-240-2175 Treasurer: Lorelie Godbout….. 603-474-9063
Directors: Janice Creutzmann….910-382-2509 David Sandora….941-828-1076
Committees:
Newsletter: Lorelie Godbout
Programs & Education: Jerry Downs, Gloria Patmore, RNET (retired)……..941-627-3077 Nancy Frank, RN, BSN, CWOCN ……………….941-629-5118
Marie Michel, RN, CWCA, CHRN, OMS………941-626-2607
Visitation: Nancy Frank, RN, BSN, CWOCN Library: Lorelie Godbout, RN (retired)
Professional Advisors:
John P. Rioux, MD, F.A.C.S. Nancy Frank, RN, BSN, CWOCN Marie Michel, RN, CWCA, CHRN, OMS
Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group Newsletter for May 11, 2021
Happy Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day in June
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. If all goes well we may be able to get together again in September. Spring is finally
here and the weather has been nice, but up north and in the west there have been plenty of spring snow storms and still cold weather,
even though the flowers are blooming. I hope everyone has a great Mother’s day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day.
These articles are from the UOAA newsletter and the Hollister Newsletter I receive and may be of interest to some.
VERNON PAYNE’S STORY
I want to tell my story concerning my ileostomy in order for people to understand how it is living with one and how a person can live a normal life and more.
I had my original ostomy surgery 49 years ago in 1972 – you can imagine how surgeries, techniques and medicines have progressed since then. Twenty-five years old at the time, I spent several weeks in the hospital recovering. At age 24, I experienced my most serious bout of ulcerative colitis, and after several months with a tremendous amount of blood loss, it was determined that I would be better off having my colon removed, living with an ileostomy and staying alive, period.
Needless to say, it was a difficult transition from a “normal” body to one with a bag/pouch attached to my abdomen forever. Discharged from the Navy a couple of years before my surgery, I had been enrolled at the Ohio State University, and so decided to finish school and get my teaching degree. After the original colectomy procedure, a few more surgeries were required to correct a protruding ileum, but finally things settled down to where I could get back to a normal life.
Trying to live life to the fullest, I appreciate every day that I’m alive.
Admittedly, life was a little rough for a couple of years after my surgery, especially when it came to dating. I was embarrassed to mention my ileostomy and even today, am reluctant to tell people. it’s probably a personality trait, but I feel I need to get to know people before I tell them about me. However, the day I met my wife-to-be, I told her about my ileostomy and we have been together ever since; go figure.
In the past 49 years, I have graduated from college, gotten married, had a son, worked for the government, taught high school, coached football and tennis, and traveled extensively. I played tennis for many years, as well as golf. I’ve camped in the Rockies, the Grand Canyon and the Grand Tetons, traveled throughout the United States, hiked the Camino di Santiago in Spain and spent many vacations in Italy. I’ve hiked parts of the Appalachian trail and still love hiking to this day. An avid speed walker for the last 10 years, I qualified for the Senior Olympics two years ago and this year.
Working as a personal trainer for 15 years has been a satisfying retirement job. I still play golf and walk four to five miles almost every day. I wrote an exercise manual a few years ago, The Hotel Motel Workout, and have filmed and posted exercise videos on the internet.
Trying to live life to the fullest, I appreciate every day that I’m alive. One further surgery was necessary for a revision to my ileostomy a few years ago, but I feel blessed that the doctors talked me into having the original ostomy surgery 49 years ago. Life is good.
How to Use Barrier Rings
Cut, mold, stretch or shape a barrier ring to fit your needs
No two people or stomas are alike, so if you want to fill in a gap between the stoma and the skin barrier opening on your
pouch…then use flat barrier rings to create a custom fit, help protect your skin, and fill in uneven skin areas.
Easy to apply and remove
Stretch for an improved fit.
Flat barrier rings can be stretched to fit the stoma size. They can be cut, stacked or rolled to better customize and secure the fit of your skin barrier.
Is there any exposed skin in between your skin barrier opening and the stoma itself? Simply stretch and shape the barrier ring to your exact stoma size to cover the gaps before placing the skin barrier on top.
Shape ring for custom fit
Do you tend to have leakage in the same areas each time toward a crease in your skin or any uneven contours? Maybe your belly button fits under your skin barrier? Assess
the skin around your stoma when in an upright position to search for these uneven areas.
Stack for an improved fit
You can cut or pull apart a piece (or pieces) of the barrier ring and mold it into the uneven skin to create a flatter surface to help prevent stoma
drainage from getting under the skin barrier.
As an alternative to paste, barrier rings are alcohol-free and contain adhesive properties. Try Adapt CeraRing™ barrier rings, infused with ceramide and designed to help prevent leakage, and support healthy skin around the stoma.
For more product guidance or options, call your Secure Start services team at 1.888.808.7456 or email HollisterTeam@hollister.com.
Please share this article with someone you know who could benefit from knowledge about barrier rings.
