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: Penny Maki, RNET,CWS, 205-2620 Gloria Patmore, 627-9077
Gloria Anderson,RN,BS,CWOCN, Nancy Frank RN,BSN,CWOCN, 629-5118,
Jill Lindsay, RN,BSN,CWOCN,629-1181
Visitation: Penny Maki RNET, CWS & Nancy Frank BSN,CWOCN
Library: Bonnie Coker
Products Bonnie Coker
50/50: Robert Tousignant,
Sunshine: Mary Rockvam
Hospitality (Greeter): Lucille Leonard
Website: Roger Wilson:941-743-7285 email:ccosg1@centurylink.net
Professional Advisors:
John P. Rioux, MD, F.A.C.S. Gloria Anderson, RN.BS,CWOCN
Penny Maki, RN,ET.CWS. Jill Lindsay, RN,BSN,CWOCN
Nancy Frank, RN,BSN,CWOCN; DeAnn Smith RN,BSN,CWOCN
Next Meeting:
Tuesday Sept 9, 2 – 4PM,
Town Hall. South Port Square
23023 Westchester Blvd. Port Charlotte
It’s time to get together again with a new season. Hopefully everyone is ready to share their summertime tales of joy, or woe, as the case may be.
Your president, Jerry Downs, and his wife Linda, had a blessed event when their daughter brought their new grandchild into the world. He stays busy (as young people do,) but has made plans for our new year. The new web site has been made with help from a guru that Bonnie Coker had used before, so be sure to check it out.
Our supporters are all stepping up to continue their ads. There have been some changes, so be sure to look them over.
We have been most fortunate in lining up interesting speakers for the season. We are starting with a “Rap” session since there is always so much to share after our 3 month break, and we probably will have some ostomates attending their first meeting. Experienced ostomates always have tips for the newcomers.
Planned for the upcoming season is a speaker from Hospice, Suzanne Barksdale, suggested by Joan Huber who had the opportunity to hear her when she spoke to another group that Joan also attends. She will be an eye opener.
We have an infection control nurse from Fawcett Hospital, Melanie McCall RN, BS, BIC recommended by Nancy Frank who will speak in November. Nancy tells us she can speak on many subjects, so don’t be afraid to bring questions.
In December we will return to the Golden Corral for our annual Holiday Party. Good food, good friends, and plans still in the making.
In January Gail Hopkins,RT,MHA will present various medical technologies such as MRI,PET,CT. ,what differentiates imaging tests, and why certain procedures are more appropriate. Gail’s career spans 40 years in Medical Imaging Management and consulting roles. She is currently the Director of Clinical Technology for a national technology company.
Plans are being made for an Ostomy Fair this winter. Bonnie Coker is already working on it. Site and date have not yet been firmed up.
In February Bradley Strack, a pharmacist with Walgreen’s who has a doctorate in Pharmacy, will return to speak with us again. Two years ago he was our speaker and we all learned so much, and he has agreed to come again. He works and lives in Cape Coral , but is willing to make the ride here for an appreciative group.
We hope to have the Hollister Rep for a meeting in March or April, and wrap up the 2014-2015 season with a surgeon or urologist. We look forward to an active season, and hope you are planning on joining us. Our restaurants and businesses are pitching in as usual with gift certificates for chance drawings at each meeting. We have gift certificates from the following:
- $65 1 hour massage by Pete
- $17 Luigi’s 2 topping pizza
- Pizza Hut Large 1 topping Pizza
- $25 @ Dub’s Subs
- $10 @ Dub’s Subs
- 1 hour massage by Joan
- $20 Phil’s Restaurant
- $25 Elena’s
- 2 Buffets @Golden Corral
- $10 Whiskey Creek
- $20 Red Lobster
- $25 Carraba’s
- $25 Publix
- $20 Perkins
- $25 Portofino’s
- $25 Jack’s
- $10 certificates from Beef ‘o’ Brady’s Punta Gorda
- $50-60 King Fisher Fleet: 2 Free passes
- $10 Olympia
- $5 Hungry Howie’s certificates
- $20 Beef-O-Brady P.C
- $15 Olive Garden
- $10 each (3) certificates for a free 12”sub with drink and chips from Subway @41 and Harbor Blvd PC
- $30 Shampoo/haircut/style by Sheila Barnett at Glamour Puss Salon
- $10 gift card Bob Evans PC
and promises from Winn Dixie, the restaurant at Four Points, and possibly a few others, so your chances of being a winner are good. The money raised from the drawings keeps our group solvent.
Be sure to thank our benefactors when you use their place of business.
Transportation Security Administration: What to expect when traveling:
TSA Cares: is a toll free helpline (1-855-787-2227) which is available from 8AM-11PM Monday-Friday, and 9AM-8PM weekends and holidays for passengers with disabilities to get the latest information on screening. Passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing may use Federal relay 711.
TSA Cares can also prepare airports to expect a traveler’s arrival, and facilitate a positive screening experience. It is preferred that the passenger contact TSA Cares 72 hours in advance of arriving at the airport(and earlier if traveling on the weekend or a holiday, to allow enough time for TSA Cares to work with the airport and/or arrange for a Passenger Support Specialist to assist the passenger at the airport.
More information is available at TSA.gov.
Travelers may request the assistance of a Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) through TSA Cares, or at the airport.
The PSS is a specially trained staff member who provides travelers with disabilities and medical conditions on the spot assistance at security checkpoints.
For more information about securing a PSS for your travel go to TSA.gov
Ostomy Food Reference Chart (from UOAA,www.uoaa.org)
Can cause stoma obstruction (Ileostomate):
Apple Peels, Raw Cabbage, Celery, Chinese vegetables, Whole or kernel corn, Coconut,Dried fruit, Mushrooms, Oranges , Nuts, pineapple, popcorn, seeds.
Obstruction/constipation relief
Warm or hot coffee, cooked fruits, cooked vegetables, fresh fruits, fruit juices, water, any warm or hot beverage
Causes gas
Alcoholic beverages, Beans, Soy, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Dairy Products, Chewing gum, milk, onions, radishes.
Causes Odor:
Asparagus, Baked Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, CodLiver Oil, Eggs, Fish, Garlic, Onions, Peanut butter, Some Vitamins, Strong Cheese.
Odor Control
Buttermilk, Cranberry Juice, Parsley, Tomato Juice, Yogurt
Causes color changes
Asparagus, Beets, Food Colors, iron pills, licorice, red jello, Strawberries, Tomato sauces
Causes Increased stool
Alcoholic beverages, whole grains, bran cereals, cooked cabbage, fresh fruits, leafy greens, milk, prunes, raisins, raw vegetables, spices
Diarrhea Control
Apple Sauce, Bananas, boiled rice, peanut butter, pectin supplement, fiber, tapioca, toast
How to Treat Ileostomy Blockage
Symptoms: Thin clear liquid output with foul odor; cramping abdominal pain near the stoma; decrease in the amount of, or dark colored urine, abdominal and stomal swelling.
STEP ONE : At Home
- Cut the opening in your pouch a little larger than normal because the stoma might swell.
- If there is stoma output and you are not nauseated or vomiting, only consume clear liquids such as coke, tea, or sports drinks.
- Take a warm bath to relax the abdominal muscles.
- Try different body positions, such as knee chest position, as it might move the blockage forward.
- Massage the abdomen around the stoma as this might increase the pressure behind the blockage and help it to “pop out”. Most food blockage occur just below the stoma.
Step Two: If you are still blocked, vomiting, or have no stomal output for several hours
- Call your doctor or WOC /ET nurse and report what is happening and what you have tried at home to alleviate the problem. Your doctor or WOC /ET nurse will give you instructions (ex: meet at the emergency room, come to the office) If you are told to go to the emergency room the doctor or nurse will call in orders for your care there.
- If you cannot reach your WOC /ET nurse or surgeon and there is no output from the stoma, go to the emergency room immediately.
Important: Take all of your supplies with you to the emergency room.(eg. Pouch, wafer, tail closure, barrier wipe or spray, etc.)
