Charlotte County Ostomy Support Group
A 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, (tax deductible donations)
Officers
President: Jerry Downs……. 629-7568…………..email:fldowns@embarqmail.com
Vice Pres…Bonnie Coker 423-8542 Directors
Janice Creutzman;941-639-2370
Secretary: Lovelle Meester….637-8167 David Sandora…..941.828-1076
Treasurer: Karen Chalfant:…623-0088 Joan Huber………941.575-8708
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,
Marie Michel RN,CWCA, CHRN,OMS, 941-626-2607
Visitation: Nancy Frank BSN,CWOCN
Library: Karen Chalfant
Professional Advisors:
John P. Rioux, MD, F.A.C.S. Nancy Frank, RN,BSN,CWOCN;
Marie Michel,RN,CWCA,CHRN,OMS
Next Meeting
Tuesday MAY 8, 2018, 2:00 pm
South Port Square
23023 Westchester Blvd Port Charlotte Fl
Gables East 2nd floor alcove
SPEAKER
Bonnie Coker
From C&S Ostomy Pouch Cover
Election of officers
Chance Drawings
$25 Long Horn
$10 Dairy Queen
Pizza Hut Port Charlotte: Free Pizza
$20 Red Lobster
MARCH NEWSLETTER
Our April meeting was just wonderful. We had four new people, and many of our regulars to up to thirty in attendance. Many brought supplies for our first swap meet. It was highly
successful! Whatever was left was brought to our supply closet in Fawcett’s wound care center the Promenades mall (behind Winn-Dixie in Port Charlotte). Supplies you are no longer using
for a variety of reasons can be put to good use by someone else. Your stoma might have gotten, as it will, as time passes after surgery. You might have gained weight, as happens with
an ileostomate who is finally getting the nutrition from food. It’s important to have an accurate, and hopefully you are accomplishing this as you bring in products that are no longer right for
you. Accurate and secure fit is essential. You may have brought products you were using that just unnecessary. Skin prep isn’t always needed. Some products will adhere and stay in
place just as they are. Spring is the right time for cleaning out closets, and hopefully you have that.
Our speaker this month was Beth Peters of Safe and Simple Ostomy Products. Beth a variety pack for everyone attending of their non-sting skin barrier film, the colloidal
strips, peri-stoma Cleanser and adhesive remover, skin barrier powder, skin barrier ring, seal, skin barrier arc, Xtra wide skin barrier arc, skin barrier 4×4 sheet, skin barrier
paste, no-sting skin barrier paste, ostomy pouch deodorant, Assure C odor eliminator.
Beth talked about their stoma cap. It is a one-piece light weight flexible system that is easy to . It is a temporary option to assist with showering, swimming, or moments of intimacy.
It is latex free. And there is an option of tape or colloidal collar.
Medicare Allowables for a 30 day supply of ostomy products:
PeriStoma Cleanser and Adhesive Remover…………………………………………………………….50
Adhesive Remover:………………………………………………………………………………………………… 50
No-sting barrier film………………………………………………………………………………………………..25
No Sting barrier spray……………………………………………………………………………………………2 oz.
Skin barrier film……………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
Ostomy skin barrier Powder…………………………………………………………………………………5 oz.
Skin Barrier Ring Conforming Seal…………………………………………………………………………….10
Skin Barrier Arcs………………………………………………………………………………………………………..30
Skin barrier sheet……………………………………………………………………………………………………….20
Skin barrier paste………………………………………………………………………………………………………4 oz
No sting skin barrier paste………………………………………………………………………………………..4 oz.
Ostomy Appliance Deoderant……………………………………………………………….as necessary
Assure C Odor eliminator ………………………………………………………………………as necessary
Pouches-Drainable……………………………………………………………………………….20
Stoma Cap……………………………………………………………………………………………31
Quote from the catalog
“ SafeN Simple has provided the above information as a guideline of Medicare policies and no responsibility for inconsistencies. All medical and claims determinations will be
made by Medicare and your insurance plan.”
Beth brought samples of products and of their support belts. She spoke on the extra support added wear time when using the 4×4 sheet and then the rest of the appliance. It is a very
versatile product. Just cut your opening circle in the center of the 4×4 sheet.
She also reminded everyone that cleansing your skin with plain water rather than using soap is . She also reminded you Medicare recipients, that having a prescription from your
doctor will help in getting reimbursement for your supplies.
Of great interest were the hernia belts that Safe and Simple now supply. They are a two waymaterial, light in weight and have steels to keep them in place. They come in 6”, 8”, and
10”. Medicare will not completely cover the cost. Safe and Simple Security Hernia/Ostomy Belts have been approved by Medicare for partial reimbursement. You can find a
downloadable version of the Medicare form you will need on their website.
Questions? Please call 844-767-6334
They also have a mesh support belt that can be custom made. A side pocket helps in applying belt. Support belts can be made with or without an opening for the pouch.
A support belt can be helpful in preventing a hernia, as well as dealing with one that is already. Our President told of the many he has had due to not understanding he must not do
everything he did prior to his surgery.
President Downs is a pilot and often flies the air ambulance. Getting patients into the plane rolling the stretcher up the ramp and puts him at risk. He has had several hernia
repairs and is trying to keep out of trouble at this point.
Marie Michel RN, CWCA,CHRN,OMS is now using her cell phone for you to more easily contact . 941-626-2607
Our May meeting will be the last until September. Hopefully we will all have a good summer. If run into ostomy problems call Nancy or Marie for answers. They will still be available.
From my collections:
“Kidney Stones and the Ileostomate” by Jill Conwell RNET Corpus Christi TexasStones are fairly common medical problems. They occur in about 5% of the population.
They are more common in men with sedentary lifestyles and in families with a history of kidney. The average age of first occurrence is about 40, but they can occur at any age. For
ulcerative colitis patients the incidence of developing kidney stones is about double that of theof the population. For ileostomates the incidence is 20 times greater.
There are two basic types of kidney stones: uric acid and calcium. Both may occur in since the underlying cause is dehydration. Uric acid stones are more frequent.
One reason for this is the chronic loss of electrolytes, producing acid urine. The stones may varysize and shape, some being as small as a grain of sand and others entirely fill the renal pelvis.
They also vary in color, composition and texture.
Symptoms during the passage of a kidney stone include bleeding due to irritation, cramping, pain, vomiting, and frequent cessation of ileostomy flow. When ileostomy flow
stops, distinguishing between an obstruction versus a kidney stone may be difficult since the are similar.
Treatment of most kidney stones is symptomatic and in most cases the stone passes through the urinary tract. Medication for the spasms is usually administered.
The urine should be strained in order to collect the stones for analysis. Once the composition of stones is determined steps should be taken to prevent recurrence of an attack. The
physician will prescribe medication or dietary modifications depending on the type of stone. best preventative measure is to drink plenty of fluids (8 glasses) daily. If the urine appears
to be concentrated, increase fluids and use a sports drink that is rich in electrolytes to replace loss.
Adjusting to your stoma
There is a difference in attitudes and personalities among all of us. If you are a person that has dealt well with adversities in your life, you accepted your ostomy as just something else
to deal with, and learned what ever you needed to know, and then were able to get on with life.
Unfortunately however, there are circumstances that prevent even the most well adjusted from being able to do this. Sometimes the stoma has been placed in a spot where you
are unable to see it. It may have been created flush to the skin and is difficult to maintain a seal. This can work okay for a controlled colostomate, but not for an ileostomate or
urostomate. The ideal placement of a stoma is when the surgeon calls in the ostomy nurse to the spot for him. She will choose a spot supported by a muscle, away from scars, and one
that will be hopefully visible to the patient.
Great Newsletter sorry I can’t attend as often as I used to Always thinking of the group
My regards to all…Tony Ferlazzo