Chicago's North Suburban Chapter
United Ostomy Association
Highlights from The New Outlook
The New Outlook
November, 2001
Last Month's
Meeting:
Even the high winds
and rain could not stop over 100 people from attending our Annual Product
Fair. We had a wonderful turn out with
UOA members from surrounding chapters including the DuPage Chapter
attending. The raffle with the
many fine donated prizes was also a big hit. We sincerely want to thank all the vendors and manufacturers participating.
We had many companies displaying their current, new and innovative
products and services. Hollister
brought an interactive presentation featuring a video internet library from ostomyworld.com
. Coloplast featured new
ostomy appliances along with Sween Cream, which when used with an ostomy system
will relieve red and sore skin under the barrier. The Cook company presented non-adhesive systems featuring a
plastic ring that fits around the stoma. KEM Enterprises demonstrated the Osto-EZ-Vent
including the new deodorant disc that may be inserted into the vented
spout. ConvaTec had a popular
booth featuring their new closed pouching systems for colostomates as well as
ileostomates. Our loyal local
suppliers, Mark Drug Home Heath as well as Walgreen's displayed an entire array
of products and services to enhance the quality of life for ostomates. We also thank Cymed, Parthenon Company,
New Hope and others for sending product samples for our members to try. We truly appreciate the quality of the
presentations and the personal sacrifices made by our vendors by being away
from their families to participate in our fair.
Dave Lebovitz from Walgreen's won the 50/50. The consolation prize was awarded to Sue Sieger. Entertainment books were on sale at a
special price of $25 from Roger, and Carson Days coupons were on sale for only
$5.00 from Dave. Our Hospitality
table was deliciously supplies by Joan Loyd, Mike Moneysmith, Linda Narcaroti,
Gail Olson, George Rasof and Sally Schinberg.
We hope to see all of you at our Gala Holiday Party in December. We're going to have a great time. See you there,
Joan Boden
Gala
Holiday Party!
Please join us on Wednesday, December 12th
at 6:30 p.m. at Lutheran General Hospital in the East Dining Room for our Gala
Holiday Party! Many activities are
planned, including dinner, Santa’s Gift Bag (bring a $10 unisex gift and take
one home), holiday music, games, and fun.
We are also in need of people who will
bring food to the Gala Holiday Party, whether it is a special holiday recipe
that everyone raves about or something you enjoy shopping for. The following types of food are needed:
Appetizers Salads Side Dishes Main Dishes Desserts
Each dish should have about 8 – 12
servings, although more is always welcome. Please Note: heating facilities are limited, so if you are
bringing a hot dish, please bring it already heated and in an insulated container. Also, don’t forget to bring serving
utensils.
If you would like to bring something to
share, please contact Sally Schinberg at 847-364-0690 or aagrmgshow@aol.com ,
or Mike Moneysmith at 847-566-9132 or MikeMoneysmith@compuserve.com , and give
us your name, telephone number, and what food item you would like to bring.
This is a great time for us to celebrate
the season with dinner, songs, and friends. We look forward to seeing you at the Gala Holiday Party.
Friends
of Ostomates Worldwide
Needs
a Home and Few Good People!
FOW-USA Project SHARE needs a new home. Headquarters for receiving donations of ostomy products,
sorting and re-packing them for shipment overseas has been in the Cleveland,
Ohio area since 1986. In October
their donated warehouse was leased to Toys-R-Us. We need:
- A group of 8 to 10 dedicated
volunteers who will come at least twice a month to open boxes of
donations, sort, and re-pack them.
- A location in a port city, like the
Chicago Metropolitan Area.
- 1,500 to 1,800 square feet of space for
working and storage.
- A receiving department that will
accept daily UPS, freight and postal shipments for us.
- The ability to secure the storage
area.
- A truck loading dock that can handle
pallets.
Now we face the chicken or the egg question. Does the warehouse come first, then
look for volunteers to staff it?
Or do the volunteers come first, then try to find warehouse space?
The Board of Directors decided the people are the most important part of
this project. They are asking
chapters in Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis and Minneapolis if
they would be willing to sponsor Project SHARE by looking for volunteers. If volunteers are found, then a
warehouse will be searched out.
Our Chapter has agreed to look for volunteers. If a warehouse can be found in an area near Chicago's north
suburbs, would you be a volunteer for a day or two a month?
If you have a day or two a month and would be willing to work with this
worthwhile, all volunteer effort please phone Joan Loyd at 847-724-7453 or
e-mail at rjloyd@nwu.edu. Joan will try to answer any
questions you have about this project.
A list will be started and we will let you know if we succeed in earning
the opportunity of winning Project SHARE for Chicago.
President's Message
Last month our Chapter had a special event
that focused on one of the most important, significant and vital contributions
that we as ostomates may do for others … visit someone who is about to have or
who has just had ostomy surgery.
On November 3, our Chapter sponsored a visitor training session at
Lutheran General Hospital. It was
very refreshing to see many people from other chapters participate as well as
our members. This education leads
to certification as a UOA visitor.
It
is one of our missions to work with people who are about to have or have had
ostomy surgery by sharing our joy in having a new life. A visit is probably the first time a
person facing life with an ostomy has an opportunity to intimately discuss his/her
issues, fears or concerns with someone who has actually had surgery and is
optimistic about living life with an ostomy. This action transforms the idea of living with an ostomy
from something nebulous, just an imaginary idea, to something very real that
one may actually visualize.
I would like to extend my thanks to three
of the people who made this training session a success with the participation
of over 25 attendees … Peggy Christ, Sue Neu and Jeri Zaslavsky.
Peggy is an experienced ET nurse who
writes, lectures, trains and supports UOA nationally. Her list of credentials alone would fill a newsletter. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska, and
traveled here specially just so she may be with us to assist in this
educational program. She added her
knowledge along with a great sense of humor.
Sue is one of the ET nurses who donates
her time regularly to our Chapter.
She has made interesting and informed presentations on many occasions. We especially appreciate Sue once again
taking time from her family to come on a Saturday morning to share her
knowledge and wisdom with us.
Jeri is a member of our Chapter and serves
as our Visiting Chairperson. It is
through Jeri's team that most of our visits are coordinated. She tries to match the demographic
profile of a patient with a visitor so there is the most in common between them
and a rapport may be easily established.
She tackles this task with fervor and with determination. We want to thank you Jeri for the
donation you have made to our Chapter of your talent, time and caring . We are especially grateful for
sponsoring this marvelous educational experience.
It is primarily due to the work of these
generous women that our visitor training session was so beneficial and
successful. Thank you for helping
us toward our goal of fulfilling our mission of ostomy education by teaching us
proven methods of offering others the enthusiastic emotional support needed
when facing life with an ostomy.
Dave Rudzin
Encouragement
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man
was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the
fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time
flat on his back. The men talked
for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their
jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on
vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he
would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see
outside the window. The man in the
other bed began to live for those one-hour period where his world would be
broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water
while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst
flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the
distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man
on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque
scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's
eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed. One
morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the
lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the
other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to
make the switch, and after making
sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first
look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the
window beside the bed. It faced a
blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased
roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse
responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted
to encourage you."
Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite
our own situations.
Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared,
is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that
money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the
present."
Contributed by Jane Michnik
THE CRACKED POT
A water bearer in
Israel had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried
across his neck. One of the
pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream
to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the
bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's
house. Of course, the perfect pot
was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was
made. But the poor cracked pot was
ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish
only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of
what the cracked pot perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water
bearer one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of? "I have been able, for these past
two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes
water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all
of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot
said.
The water bearer felt
sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we
return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along
the path."
Indeed,
as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming
the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it
some. But at the end of the trail,
it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it
apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to
the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your
path, but not on the other pot's side?
That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage
of it. I planted flower seeds on
your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've
watered them. For two years I have
been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are,
he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Moral: Each of us has our own unique
flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each
have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for
what they are, and look for the good in them. There is a lot of good out there. There is a lot of good in you!
Blessed are the flexible,
for they shall not be bent out of shape.
Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life! Or as I like to think of it--if it
hadn't been for the crackpots in my life, it would have been pretty boring and
not so interesting.
Thank you all my crackpot friends and family.
Contributed
by Geri Eiseman
********************
October, 2001
Last Month's
Meeting:
We would like to
report that despite the acts of terror against our great nation the day before,
our September General Meeting met as always striving toward achievement of our
important mission.
An exceptional speaker, Dr. Theodore J. Saclarides, M.D. , professor of
colon-rectal surgery at Rush University, presented state-of-the art information
on cancer screening focusing on ostomy issues. Of special interest were the groups of potential patients
developing colon cancer:
High risk are those with hereditary pre-dispositions, multiple first
degree family members with colon cancer before the age of 60, who usually
develop the cancer earlier in life, at about age 45; Those with familial
polyposis, who have a virtual 100% chance of developing cancer by age 40; Other high-risk patients are those with
ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease with risks as high as 40% for long term
disease; included also are those who upon screening have polyps larger than one
cm. Average risk include 80% of
the population who through environment, eating habits or other conditions could
contract colon cancer usually after age 65.
About 140,000 cases of colon cancer are diagnosed annually, and it is
the second highest cancer killer in the U.S. preceded only by lung cancer. Colon cancer has a high probability of
being diagnosed if one is regularly screened. Colon cancer patients may have an excellent chance of
obtaining a total recovery if the disease is given effective treatment in
time.
Many tools are used for diagnosing colon cancer including occult blood
screening; colonoscopy; sigmoidoscopy; lower GI's. A new tool is now being used called a virtual colonoscopy
which is a non-invasive 20-second computer reconstructed colonoscopy.
People that had surgery one
year ago should schedule a colon examination. If no adverse condition is found,
the next exam should be done in another two years. If results are again normal, an exam should be made in
another three years and every five years thereafter. Individuals in this group who are diagnosed with a
re-occurring cancer have a better than 85% survival rate. People who are
considered at average risk should, beginning at age 50, have a fecal occult
blood test during annual physical exams, a sigmoidoscopy every five years and a
colonoscopy every 10 years. Men
who have had prostrate cancer radiation treatment or pelvic radiation, women
with breast or uterine cancer, or anyone with perianal disease are also
predisposed to having a higher risk of colon cancer. Diverticulitis does not increase ones risk.
Jeri
Zavlasky encouraged everyone to
attend our Visitors Training Education Session to be held on Saturday, the 3rd
of November. An invitation to
reserve a seat is included in this edition of The New Outlook. Also, see the article under the Visitor's Corner. This education is
valuable to anyone with an interest in ostomy surgery. Welcome also are health care
professionals and all our friends at other chapters. We have a world
renown speaker, Peggy Christ, presenting.
We welcome new member Bob Cigrang to our Chapter. He found us through our Internet
site. Frank Giorno was the lucky
winner of our 50/50 Drawing. The
winner of our consolation prize was Dan Sullivan.
Frank Giorno
announced that our Chapter has 287 members. Everyone who renews his/her membership in A-Quarter, the
fall, is requested to please mail
it in early. Our Hospitality table
was deliciously supplied by Karen Budnik, Joan Loyd, Mike Moneysmith, Linda
Narcaroti and Joe Pollelo.
Roger Lotnick
President's Message,
My Dear Fellow Members,
As is my nature in most of my
columns, I dwell on a topic and add some light touches and even humorous
tidbits sprinkled about. However, this is a time when current affairs should
not be taken lightly. I
would like to dedicate this column to the thousands who perished in New York
City, Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11.
They were people who were innocent victims
of an absolute madman and who must be remembered by us. Whether any of us knew these people or not is not the issue.
What is important is that they will be
remembered. How twisted is the
world, when people thousands of miles from our home can impose their maniacal will upon us? It just shows that we as a people have
a very long way to go to earn the right to be called truly human.
I have already
made contact with a few of the UOA people who live in and just outside New York
City and have verified their safety.
One of the terms used to describe many of us in UOA is survivors. Survivors of disease, accident, birth
defect or cancer. It is that fighting spirit and that tenacity that we know
exists in all of us, from New York City to Washington to Pennsylvania and
throughout the rest of our country. We Americans are survivors. Never Again.
Dave Rudzin
Prayer For Hope...
God, we have not
lost faith in you.
We suffered a great tragedy
in the United States on September 11,
a crime against all humanity,
and we know that this attack
could never have been
wrought by your loving hand.
And we are saddened that such
hate and anger lives in
the hearts of men.
Now, more than ever,
we depend on your wisdom,
and we hope for world peace.
We look to you for guidance
during this difficult time,
and ask that you ease
the suffering of every soul
that was touched
by the tragedy.
Please continue to give
us the strength and tenacity
to get through this crisis.
Send your angels to calm
and comfort those
who lost someone they love,
and keep those who perished
safe in your keeping.
Reserve a special place in heaven
for every heroic soul
who lost their life
while trying to save others,
and send your love and healing power
to every person who was wounded.
But most of all, God,
keep the spark of hope
for better days to come
alive in every heart.
Amen
Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW-USA)
Joan Loyd, FOW
representative
FOW-USA has lost the donated warehouse space in Magadore, Ohio where
volunteers did the sorting, packing and shipping. When these volunteers were given only three-weeks notice that
the warehouse had to be vacated, they prepared three tons of donations for
shipping. They packed and
processed supplies urgently needed to:
Uzbekistan 3 pallets Argentina 2
pallets
Bolivia 1
pallet Peru 1
pallet
Nepal 1
pallet Russia 1
pallet
Rumania 1
pallet
Only unmatched flanges or pouches and a pallet of literature were left
to be moved. Please contact one of the officers of our
Chapter (listed on page 2) to arrange for pick up of your donation, or just
have them brought to any General Meeting until a new location is found.
We need new warehouse space donated for this worthy cause. Please contact Joan Loyd at
847-724-7453. The warehouse needs
to be in the area of a major air shipping hub.
Thank you, all of you, for your contributions and your
co-operation. Donations of ostomy
supplies to those in need are just one more of the small people-to-people
efforts that lets the world know the USA is concerned for the welfare of
everyone … everywhere.
Fit For Life: Constant Craving
Eating the occasional chocolate bar really isn't a sin, but if your food
cravings seem to be out of control the following information may come in very
useful: Chocolate is the single
most craved food in this country, especially among women. Strict dieting can intensify cravings
and experts recommend we satisfy them by eating the desired food. Despite this and contrary to popular
belief, it's unlikely our body needs the food we crave.
Think of a craving as a wave, they appear quickly and disappear just as
soon. Clamp down and switch your
focus for fifteen minutes and you'll usually find it disappears. Try playing one of your favorite CDs or
reading a few pages from a book.
Anything will do as long as it keeps your mind off scoffing loads of
chocs! Sometimes even will power
isn't enough and if you're really pining compromising becomes virtually
impossible.
Help Our Chapter!
Entertainment 2002 Books
Books for 2002 are now being offered
to raise funds for our Chapter.
Entertainment Books are on sale now for only $30 (S&H included) and
provide 50% off and two for one offers at the greatest places around. Order yours for any one of over 150
cities. Great for gifts. Just ask Roger Lotnick or go to our
Chapter Internet site to order directly at: uoachicago.org
Carson's Community Day Sale
This is a special event that takes
place on November 17. The packet
contains five $10 savings certificates redeemable on this Saturday only. You
may purchase an event packet for $5 from Dave Rudzin.
Hollister Focus Group
Hollister
International is going to hold a focus group on Tuesday, October 23rd
at their corporate headquarters in Libertyville. They want to talk to people who use closed one-piece systems
… only. They request you arrive at
5:30 when they will hold three different topic discussions. Dinner will be at 7:30 and each
participant will be given a $50 honorarium. It is important that we participate in these sessions. We want the very best products, and
this is our chance to tell a major manufacturer what we want. Please contact Tammy at 847-918-5817 to
make a reservation.
Difference Makers
Can you answer these questions?:
1. Name the five
wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last
five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last
five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten
people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last
half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last
decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none
of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-rate
achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their
owners. Here's another quiz. See
how you do on this one:
1. List a
teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name a friend
who has helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name a person
who has taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of five
people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five
people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name five
heroes whose stories have inspired you.
Easier? The lesson? The people who
make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the
most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Pass this on to
those people who have made a difference in your life.
Capsule Camera
Imagine swallowing a camera in a capsule the size of a
vitamin pill to help doctors identify gastrointestinal problems that might
otherwise go undiagnosed. That's exactly what patients at the Mayo Clinic are
doing. The capsule includes a
miniature color video camera, a light, a battery, and a transmitter. The video
camera transmits images to sensors attached to the patient's torso, and a
Walkman-like device the patient wears around his waist records them digitally.
It takes about 8 hours for the camera to make its way through the digestive
tract. The device can help doctors evaluate intestinal bleeding and conditions
that cause pain, diarrhea, or weight loss, such as Crohn's disease. David
Fleischer, M.D., calls the procedure "the medical equivalent of space
exploration of the moon."
********************
September, 2001
Last Month's Meeting:
We appreciate all the brave souls that attended last month's meeting and
battled the miserable rainstorm getting here. We had almost 50 participate!
Susan Neu, RN was our
ET for the month. She spoke about
the need to re-evaluate our ostomy system with an ET on a regular basis in
order to have the best quality of life.
Afterwards, she hosted a stimulating question and answer session. Sue told us that if we wear an
appliance with a more aggressive
barrier for less than three days, we need to review our use of the prosthetic
and our ostomy procedures. Each
time we change our system a thin layer of skin is removed. This is normal. Too many changes will not give the skin
a chance to heal and may cause irritation problems. Of course, there are barriers made to be changed every few
hours like those on one piece closed systems. Colostomates who irrigate and travel should only irrigate
with water that is safe to drink.
Additionally, if your doctor or local pharmacist does not have an answer
to your medication questions, it was suggested to contact a pharmacy school at
a university.
We welcome our new
visitors Libby Brewer and Bill Konopacz who both had their surgeries just six
weeks ago. Amazing! The lucky winner of our 50/50 was Dan
Sullivan. The consolation prize
was awarded to Joe Peak, another first time visitor who had his surgery five
years ago.
Frank Giorno
announced that our Chapter has 287 members. Jeri Zavlasky reported over five visits for August. We are attempting to become more
supportive of patients from the University of Chicago Hospitals. Our Hospitality table was deliciously
supplied by Karen Budnik, Joan Loyd, Mike Moneysmith, Linda Narcaroti and Clif
Southerington.
We had many of our
Chapter members go to the 2001 UOA
Conference. Over 500 people from
around the country attended. There
were many fascinating sessions on all types of subjects every day; the largest
ostomy product fair in the world; a free stoma clinic with experienced ET's;
new product focus groups, and social events till late at night. On a personal note, I met a gentleman
at the conference who has had his ostomy for 35 years. He exclaimed that he made the most
steadfast friends at these conferences.
He then questioned why. I
answered that we already know the most intimate detail about each other. So there is no need to put on
airs. Our friendships can grow
from then on. Next year's
conference will be held from August 14-17 in Philadelphia. We hope to see you there.
We are proud to
announce that our Chapter President, Dave Rudzin, was elected and sworn in on the
National UOA Board of Directors.
We value his friendship and appreciate his dedication performing the
important work of our organization.
Joan Boden
Dave Rudzin
UOA Board of
Directors
We are very proud to announce that our
Chapter President, Dave Rudzin, has been elected to the United Ostomy
Association-USA Board of Directors.
Dave will be working on specially assigned committees representing the
needs of tens of thousands of
ostomates. The last person to be
elected to the Board from our Chapter was Marilyn Mau, who went on to become
UOA-USA President and then a Regional President of UOA-International.
We sincerely appreciates all the sacrifice
and unswerving dedication Dave has repeatedly contributed to our Chapter. We affectionately congratulate him for
attaining this honor, and continuing the tradition of leadership emanating from
Chicago.
President's Letter:
Here is an article that we hope
you find as inspiring as we did titled The
Music Maker: Itzhak Perlman,
the violinist, came on stage to give a concert at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln
Center in New York City. If you have ever been to a Perlman concert, you know
that getting on stage is no small achievement for him. He was stricken with
polio as a child, so he has braces on both legs and walks with two crutches. To
see him walk across the stage one step at a time, painfully and slowly, is an
unforgettable sight. He walks painfully, yet majestically, until he reaches his
chair. Then he sits down, slowly, puts his crutches on the floor, undoes the
clasps on his legs, tucks one foot back and extends the other foot forward.
Then he bends down, picks up his violin, puts it under his chin, nods to the
conductor and proceeds to play. By
now, the audience is used to this ritual. They sit quietly while he makes his
way across the stage to his chair. They remain reverently silent while he
undoes the clasps on his legs. They wait until he is ready to play.
But this time, something went wrong. Just
as he finished the first few bars, one of the violin strings broke. You could
hear it snap – it went off like
gunfire across the room. There was no mistaking what that sound meant. There
was no mistaking what he had to do.
People who were there that night thought to themselves, "We figured
that he would have to get up, put on the clasps again, pick up the crutches and
limp his way off stage either to
find another violin or to find another string for this one."
But he didn't. Instead, he waited a
moment, closed his eyes and then signaled the conductor to begin again. The
orchestra began, and he played from where he had left off. And he played with
such passion, such power and such purity as they had never heard before.
Of course, everyone knows it is
impossible to play a symphonic work with just three strings. I know that, and
you know that, but that night Itzhak Perlman refused to know that.
You could see him modulating, changing,
recomposing the piece in his head. At one point, it sounded like he was de-tuning
the strings to get new sounds from them that they had never made before. When
he finished, there was an awed silence in the room. And then people rose and
cheered. There was an extraordinary outburst of applause from every corner of
the auditorium. We were all on our feet, screaming and cheering, doing
everything we could to show how much we appreciated what he had done. He smiled, wiped the sweat from his
brow, raised his bow to quiet us, and then he said, not boastfully, but in a
quiet, pensive, reverent tone, "You know, sometimes it is the artist's
task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have
left."
What a powerful line that is. It has
stayed in my mind ever since I heard it. And who knows? Perhaps that is the
true goal of life – not just for artists but for all of us. So, perhaps our task in this shaky,
fast-changing, bewildering world in which we live is to make music, at first
with all that we have, and then, when that is no longer possible, to make music
with what we have left. Jack Riemer, Houston Chronicle
A Fruit's Hue Colors Its Nutritional
Value
The next time you walk down the produce aisle, let color be
your guide: the more intense the pigment of a fruit or
vegetable, the richer it is in health-promoting compounds.
blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries pack the
highest nutritional wallop, says Dr. Luke Howard, professor
of food science. They owe their vivid colors to
generous portions of cancer-fighting pigments. As a bonus,
blackberries and strawberries also contain vitamin C.
Deep green vegetables like spinach and broccoli also score
high in the nutrition game, but even pale vegetables like onions contain
pigments that protect against heart disease. They've also been shown to lower
cholesterol and maintain a healthy immune system. Here again though, color
counts: red and yellow onions have more nutrients than white ones. The same
holds true for tomatoes: they get their scarlet color from lycopene, which may
protect against prostate cancer, and the redder they are, the more lycopene
they have.
Tea Maintains Healthy Arteries
Black tea consumption has been associated with maintaining
healthy arteries in people with a history of heart disease, say the authors of
a study published by the American Heart Association. They found that black tea
promotes activity of the endothelium, or inner lining of the blood vessels. A
healthy endothelium allows blood vessels to expand or contract in response to
minute-by-minute changes in the need for blood flow, and it inhibits the
formation of blood clots and the development of inflammation in the vessel
wall, all of which are often impaired in people with arteriosclerosis. In this
study, researchers compared the immediate and longer-term effects of black tea
to water consumption on the arteries of 50people with coronary artery disease,
and found that
only the tea improved arterial function. Senior author Dr.
Joseph Vita says these findings suggest that black tea may help reverse
arterial dysfunction and could reduce the risk of heart attacks.
High on HDL
When it
comes to cholesterol, having enough of the good stuff could be an important
risk reducer for stroke. According
to recent research, having HDL (good) cholesterol levels above 35 mg/dl may
reduce your risk of stroke by as much as 50%. To help keep your HDL levels
high, engage regularly in cardiovascular exercise and choose mono unsaturated
fats instead of saturated fats in your diet. Real age Benefit: Reducing your total cholesterol to 160
mg/dl or lower can make your "real age" as much as one year younger.
|
Foods That Help Fight Cancer
by Beth Gilbert
"Eat your vegetables – they're good for you!" How many times
did we hear that when we were growing up? Could it be that our mothers were
actually on to something? Most definitely, yes, researchers say.
And if your mom also pushed you to eat fruit, legumes (dried peas and beans),
whole grains, nuts and seeds, she was a true cancer prevention visionary.
Medical experts now say these plant-based foods contain chemicals that may
help protect us from getting cancer. They believe the vitamins, minerals,
phytochemicals and antioxidants these foods contain may protect our cells
from damage caused by cancer-causing substances. "Quite simply, what we put in our
mouths can give us an edge in protecting ourselves from developing
cancer," says Cindy Moore, M.S., a spokesperson for the American
Dietetic Association. "The most important thing – as a means to
preventing cancer – is to eat a variety of healthy foods. I know that idea is
old hat, but it's still true. Being well-nourished enhances our body's immune
system and energy stores. It also keeps tissues from breaking down and helps
to rebuild them. "Different foods also provide the
different nutrients our bodies need for good health," she says.
"And while it's important to incorporate proteins – meat, fish, poultry,
eggs and soybeans – as a key component in our diet, there's strong evidence
that a diet that's rich in a variety of plant-based foods can help protect us
against cancer. In fact, in a recent report, researchers
determined if the only positive change we make is to eat five servings of
fruits and vegetables each day, we may be able to lower our risk for cancer
by 20 percent. In addition, if we eat those fruits and vegetables, exercise
regularly and maintain a healthy weight, we may lower that risk by 40
percent. Seven Simple Tips to Help Lower Your Risk for
Cancer The American Institute for
Cancer Research offers the following guidelines and ammunition in our
on-going battle to prevent cancer: · Choose
a diet that's rich in a variety of plant-based foods. · Eat
plenty of fruits and vegetables. · Maintain
a healthy weight and be physically active. · Drink
alcohol in moderation – if at all. They recommend a maximum of two
alcoholic drinks per day for men and one for women. · Eat
foods low in fat and salt. · Prepare
and store food safely. · Do
not use tobacco in any form. For more information about diet,
nutrition and cancer prevention, log on to the Web site of the American
Institute for Cancer Research at www.aicr.org. |
New Site Explains Lab Test Results
If
you've ever been stumped by all those numbers on a lab printout, you'll want to
check out www.labtestonline.org,
a site designed to provide consumers with news and easy-to-understand
information on a comprehensive array of lab tests and topics. Larry Kricka,
president of the
American
Association for Clinical Chemistry, says it will provide the public with
reliable information "about the tests ordered by their doctors to
diagnose, treat, or prevent disease." Upon choosing a lab test from the comprehensive list
provided, the viewer will receive understandable explanations about the test,
the testing process, and the meaning of their own lab results. The site is
reviewed by experts and has been produced through a collaboration among six of
the most prestigious societies in the field of clinical chemistry. Dr. David
Sundwall, president of the American Clinical Laboratory Association, described
Lab Tests Online as "one-stop shopping for consumers who want to better
understand the many clinical lab tests that are part of routine health
care."
********************
August, 2001
Last Month's Meeting: For July, we welcomed our new visitors and our loyal regular
members to the 289th meeting of CNSC UOA. Karen wanted to expand our program offering, increase the
depth of subject and provide stimulating information about the current state of
ostomy products. Along with one of
our new members, Michael Cherry, an engineer in product development at
Hollister International, Jeff Bark, the Global Ostomy Product Development
Manager came to talk with us. They
made an exciting presentation dramatizing the commitment Hollister is
continuing to make in manufacturing excellence; research and development;
distribution; customer service; education, and accessibility. Jeff also brought colorful brochures
and a film telling a brief history of Hollister. Jeff reaffirmed the continuing mission in which Hollister is
dedicated so ostomates may have a better quality of life. An interesting fact Jeff shared was
that the U.S. ostomy market continues to expand although the increase seems to
be in temporary ostomies and fortunately not permanent ones. They want us to know that
"Together we make a difference".
Frank Giorno
announced that our Chapter has 285 active members. Jeri Zavlasky, by proxy, reported over six visits for the
past month. We are getting more
requests for visits each month.
Special approbation was given to Gerry Eiseman. Her article published in The Ostomy Quarterly is a big
sensation across the country.
Thank you Gerry for generously sharing your thoughts and feelings with
us.
The winner of our 50/50 was
Roger Lotnick with the consolation prize awarded to one of our regulars, Clif
Southerington. We had a tasty
Hospitality table generously supplied by Karen Budnik, Helen Lande, Joan Loyd,
Jane Michnik, Linda Narcaroti, George Rasof and Clif Southerington.
We have an exciting
calendar for the second half of the year.
A lot of caring and dedication is being expended to have the very best
and the most interesting programs and events for you to attend. Our programs are provided at no charge,
although they are not free. We
have world class presenters who generously give the insight and knowledge
gained over a career so that we may have a better life. They take time away from their families
to visit us. We can say with
confidence, they truly have the best of intentions and pure intent. See you in August,
Renard
Calendar
Meetings for 2001:
The fourth Wednesday of every month.
(except where
highlighted)
August 22
Kim
Kirchherr, MS, RD, LD, CDE a registered dietician from Alexian Brothers Medical
Center will be our featured speaker discussing healthy eating for a long,
active life. Special attention
will be focused upon ostomates. In
addition, Susan Neu, RN will be our ET of the month. Highlights from the UOA Convention will also be featured.
September
12 (Special Date)
Theodore
J. Saclarides, M.D., Associate Professor of Surgery, Head – Section of Colon
& Rectal Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian –St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago
will be presenting State-of-the-Art information on surgical options. A Q&A session will follow. Helena DeMoss from Mercy Center in
Aurora will be our ET this evening.
October 24 (Ostomy Product Fair)
This
year we will again be featuring exhibits from leading ostomy manufactures and
suppliers. This is one our biggest
events with over 100 in attendance.
November
4 (Visitor's Training)
This
event is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the 10th floor
Dining Room at Lutheran General with speakers from around the country. Because of the incredible amount of planning
and preparation associated with the workshop it is only offered every few
years. We invite neighboring
Chapters to attend.
November
17 (CCFA Conference)
The 7th
annual Patient and Family conference will again be held starting at 9:00 a.m.
at the Stephens Convention Center,
Rosemont. We sponsor a booth and
give a presentation on living with an ostomy.
December
12 (Gala
Holiday Party)
This is
a great time for us to celebrate the season with dinner, songs and friends.
********************
July, 2001
Last
Month’s Meeting: We had the biggest turnout out the year,
about 70 people for our June General Meeting. Our featured speaker was Barabra Saltzman, M.A., L.C.P.C., a
psychotherapist. She has a private
practice in Lincolnwood, and has been associated with the Kenneth Young Center
in Elk Grove Village. Her topic
was “Coping with Chronic Illness”.
She went through the different stages of loss, and the changes that we
can make to finally achieve acceptance.
She amplified the importance we are all lovable even though we are going
through major changes in our lives.
Support groups like ours are very helpful to people in working through
these issues in order to live a happier life. The one phrase she repeated was, “We cannot control change
but we can control our response to it." Many of our members enjoyed her speech, and we hope to have
Dr. Saltzman return. Bari Stiehr,
ET, recently attended an ostomy nursing seminar, and brought in some of the new
appliances. One of them, a
drainable pouch, did not use a separate clip. It had one integrated in the pouch thus making it impossible
for the clip to fall off.
Frank Giorno stated we have 297
active members. Tim Traznik
reported that we raised $3,363 in donations from our annual fundraiser. Jeri Zaslavsky told us about a male
patient who just a few weeks ago was fitted with a urostomy appliance by floor
nurses after having ileostomy surgery.
The regular ET for the hospital was out of town. Fortunately, his daughter retrieved the
phone number for our Chapter Visiting Team. Jeri took the call and recommended another ET nurse from a
different hospital. The ET was
called, and then immediately made a house call to manage this issue. The
patient is now doing quite well.
The point of all this, and the important thing to remember is that an
ostomate may use any ET nurse he/she prefers. We are not required to stay with the ET nurse where we had
our surgery. We have a
choice. Don't settle.
The winner of the 50/50 was Jeri
Zaslavsky. Jeri has been here four
years, and won for the very first time. The consolation prize went to Debra
Dion, who was a first time visitor.
Our Hospitality Table was filled with all kinds of delicious treats
supplied by Diane Breckenridge, Joan Loyd, Jim Madsen, Mike Moneysmith, Linda Narcaroti and Lutheran
General Hospital. A special note
recognizing Jane Michnik, who celebrated her 25th wedding
anniversary tonight, and to Fred Shulak, who commemorates the 45th
anniversary of his surgery.
Our Internet site has been visited
4137 times in 2001. Half by new
visitors and half by repeat visitors. Can I wear
blue jeans after surgery? is the most popular subject. Our next General Meeting will be on
Wednesday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. Hope
to see you there,
Joan Boden
President's
Letter:
Dear Members,
Our National Convention will begin on August
8. I strongly urge each and every
one of you to seriously consider attending this year's Conference to be held at
the Radisson in St. Paul, MN. In
Chicago, we are fortunate, the last two Conferences have been located
relatively close to us. The previous one in St. Louis and this one in St. Paul. We learn about cutting edge
technologies in ostomy management, as well as hear many excellent presentations
from top medical professionals, and besides, we have lots of smiles. Chicago
has a fun group that goes. This is
a personal invitation to everyone in our Chapter to join us.
As you know, there have been many changes this
year in UOA , e.g. the way decisions are made at national UOA; the Legacy
fundraising programs; challenges in maintaining growth; the success of an
advocacy program to increase the Medicare allowance on supplies. We have a dedicated group of individuals
working tirelessly to achieve the goals we set. We want to continue to bring all the various groups, like
colostomates and ileostomates, together under one umbrella. We want to continue to band together
and stand tall as a strong organization ready to lend emotional support,
education and advocacy for all people going through any of the various ostomy
or continent procedures.
I will not be at the July General Meeting. In my
place, Vice President Karen Budnik will do what I am sure is a fabulous job in
putting on an excellent program. I will be at the 2001Youth Rally in San Diego,
hopefully gaining knowledge into the needs of today's young ostomate. For example, we have found that some do
not to stay active within UOA after 19 years old, the age limit on Youth Rally
attendees. My goal is to bridge
the gap with the teenagers, and make them aware that we in UOA need their
continued participation. We are
evolving groups like 20/40 to
address the special needs and concerns of these adults. Upon my return, I will give you all a
full report of the events from the Youth Rally, and present my assessment of
the success of UOA programs and communications in attending to the needs our
young ostomates.
Dave Rudzin
What's behind a Belly Button
An age old question has finally been
revealed. Dr. Peter Marcello, a
colon and rectal surgeon, indicated that there is mostly nothing but a few
stringy things attached to the inside of a belly button. However, at the last Northwest Medical
Group meeting, a much more interesting theory was put forward. Dr. Carl Stephens indicated that the
belly button was connected to the butt.
Furthermore, if the belly button was unbuttoned, the butt would fall
off.
via
Niagara Frontier Ostomy Association
Carrots Lower Cholesterol
Certain vegetable fibers have the ability to
bind bile and thus lower cholesterol.
Bile acids, which are made from cholesterol, are normally absorbed by
the body, yet not completely. Any
unabsorbed residuals are used by the body to make more cholesterol. Carrots contain calcium pectate, which
is a binding agent for the bile acids.
Its binding action prevents the body from manufacturing additional
cholesterol, thus lowering the cholesterol level. We are being told that two carrots a day may lower cholesterol
10-20 percent. Broccoli and
cabbage may have similar characteristics.
via
South Nevada Town Karaya
********************
June, 2001
Last Month's Meeting:
On a beautiful spring day in Chicago, we began our 27th year
as a Chapter. We were fortunate to
have Ginny Kasten, a Director for UOA, and a resident of Glen Ellyn, install
our Officers for 2001. Ginny also
presented an overview of the key issues and current projects being implemented
at UOA. She was enthusiastic
about reviewing the benefits of
belonging to UOA, such as the advocacy program that effectively lead to the
doubling of the allotment of supplies reimbursed by Medicare in 2000; the
education programs being updated and developed to include cutting edge
technological changes and prevailing sociological trends; the updated, new and
improved, Internet site, etc.
Frank Giorno reported that we continue to have about 300 members on our
Chapter roster. Jeri Zaslavsky
expressed her thanks to all the new volunteers for our visitors program. We have a very active program, and when
we see the generosity of people willing to share their own private and personal
feelings and experiences through that difficult period surrounding surgery, it
is an inspiration to us all. Jeri
told us that she is arranging a Certified Visitors Training Program on
Saturday, November 3. It has been
two years since we had this session, and Jeri is looking forward to putting
this next one together. CCFA is
holding their annual Chicago Convention on Saturday, November 17 in
Rosemont. Over 600 people
attend. This will be our Chapter's
third year as an active participant.
We'll have details about this and our visitors training as these dates
approach.
The lucky winner of
our 50/50 drawing was first timer, Jim Kruger. Jim just had surgery a few weeks earlier, and he looked
great. Our consolation prize was
presented to one of our familiar members, Helen Lande. As always, we had many generous
donations to our Hospitality Table.
A special thank you to Diane Breckenridge, Lois Knaack, Helen Lande,
Mike Moneysmith and Linda Narcaroti for providing treats for us to share.
We have a new
Internet address which makes our Chapter easier to find. It is www.uoachicago.org. The old two addresses we have been
using will still work as well as all current links from other sites. We actually now have three ways to come
to our site.
Renard
President's
Letter:
Dear Members,
Now that the new
board has been installed, I would like to state that we are here for you, our
Chapter's members. We want to present programs that you find interesting,
entertaining and educational.
Please help us by letting us know if there are any specific programs or issues
that you would like addressed, or resources that you may have available for us.
I would also like
to extend the thanks of the Chapter to Ginnie Kasten for donating her time and
talent to perform our Installation Ceremony. Ginnie, we thank you and
appreciate your participation and your inspirational speech.
Now, I would like to
extend a huge thank you to everyone out there, our members, and others on our
mailing list for participating in our Annual Fundraiser. Due to your efforts, we have been able
to raise in excess of $ 3,000, which will go a long way to fund various Chapter
programs. I applaud all of you who contributed, in whatever capacity. All of your efforts are appreciated. I also want to take this opportunity to
thank each and every one of you who have stepped forward in the past to help
our Chapter both financially or as a volunteer. We should tell you more often how much you are appreciated.
Summer is almost upon us, and
our National Conference is only a few weeks away. For information regarding the Conference, please check the
UOA website at www.uoa.org, or call one of the Chapter officers for details. We
encourage all who are able to attend. It will be an educational, enjoyable and
enlightening time, both for those who have attended previously, and for first
timers. This year's Conference is being held in St. Paul, Minnesota. So, for those of you who like shopping,
there is a tour planned for Mall of
the Americas.
As you can see, the UOA Convention wants to
provide something of interest for everyone, which is exactly what we hope to do
in our Chapter. We try to appeal to all ostomates, and discuss openly issues
that effect us. We hope to present the most interesting and relevant. We will continually strive to achieve
higher levels of performance.
Thank you for the support of our good work.
Dave Rudzin
************************
May, 2001
Last Month's Meeting:
Today we celebrated the 26th anniversary of the birth of our
Chapter. Our program included a
presentation by Jennifer Dore, ET, and an ostomy trivia contest hosted by Karen
Budnik. Included were reports by
Frank Giorno that stated we have over 300 dues paying members in the Chapter,
while Jeri Zaslavsky told us about the continued success of our ostomy visitors
program. The Albert C. Sarno award
was presented. Article included
separately.
Jennifer talked about
issues relating to appliance seal.
The three biggest challenges may involve irregularities in the skin contour
around the stoma, the actual design of the manufactured stoma by the surgeon
and the site of the stoma. The
irregularities, like scars, folds or indentations on your skin, may
successfully be managed by using a paste or one of the newer seals, e.g. Eakin
or Hollister seals, to obtain a
smooth, even surface on which to apply the barrier. A smooth surface will translate into a more effective seal
on the pouch. In addition, she
gave us hints on how to achieve excellent wear time, avoid leakage problems and
obtain satisfactory results from our ostomy system by: Only placing the wafer
on dry, clean skin; Emptying the pouch when 1/3 full; Being careful about
aggressively rinsing out a pouch while it is attached to our skin; Changing our
system at least once per week. She
mentioned how perspiration due to summer heat or strenuous exercise may shorten
wear time. Convex wafers may be an
option for those having leakage issues, but this decision should be made
jointly with an ET upon physical examination of the stoma site. As always, Jennifer was available
afterwards for personal consultations.
Karen put together a
little game of ostomy trivia so we may learn about different issues while we
participate as a group. For
instance, one question with an answer provided by Hollister was, "How many
ostomates are in the Chicago Metropolitan area?" Answer: ~ 10,000.
She had prizes for everyone answering questions.
The winner of our
50/50 drawing was Helen Lande with the consolation prize awarded to Mike
Moneysmith. As part of our
celebration, the Chapter provides
a special anniversary cake along with coffee for all to enjoy. In addition, other items for our
Hospitality Table were provided by Frank Giorno, Ron Gould, Gerry Kuntz, Helen
Laude, Mike Moneysmith and Clif Southerington. Next month's meeting begins our 27th year
as a Chapter, and it will include the installation of our officers for
2001.
Renard
Albert C. Sarno Award
By: Renard Narcaroti
Every April, at our Anniversary Celebration,
our Chapter presents the Albert C. Sarno award for outstanding service. This year, I am fortunate to have been
selected for this honor.
Two year's ago, I attended my first
meeting, it was my birthday. I had
been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
Like a candle lit at both ends, the UC and drug therapy were burning me up. Surgery was the only viable option.
My wife Linda and I came here to learn
about life with an ileostomy. We
met wonderful, normal, beautiful people, who were all very positive about
having a new life after surgery.
We sat with Dave who carefully demonstrated the use of the
prosthetic. It was smaller than I
had imagined. I scheduled surgery,
had it performed at Rush in June, with relatively minor difficulties and
complications.
The Chapter became an important resource
to me. Of course, there was the
ability to share successes and experiences with others like myself, the outstanding
speakers who share their insights, the ETs etc., but there was more. I always felt better after going to an
event. There was an opportunity to
join the Board; manage our Internet site, travel to St. Louis with a group of
friends and attend a UOA convention; participate in Gladbagger's events; visit
manufacturers; attend focus groups, and represent UOA at CCFA. It has all been great fun.
I am very grateful and surprised to be
presented this award. Two years
ago, I was pretty sure the best of my life was behind me. Today, it has never been better, and I
expect the best yet to come. Thank
you, all my friends, for your support, and the privilege you have granted me to
share an active role in the important work of UOA.
********************
April, 2001
Last Month's Meeting:
Spring is here. Well, a
Chicago spring anyway with temperatures around 15°, cloudy and wet. Our meeting featured encore presentations by Bernie Bailey,
ET, and Earl Sternfeld, RPh.
Bernie discussed the importance of a pre-surgical assessment by an ET in
order to have the optimal
placement for your stoma. She
dramatized a case where a patient had a poorly located stoma resulting in
constant leakage from the prosthetic.
In addition, she had many other complications including issues resulting
from a large weight loss.
Finally, the stoma was
surgically revised, and the management problems stopped. Bernie stated clearly that we are not
to settle for mediocre ostomy quality.
If we have issues, we need to see our doctor and ET for alternatives and
solutions. Our concerns are
important. Expect the best from
your new life.
Earl made an
informative presentation on the benefits of vitamins and herbal remedies. He explained how all people having
ostomy surgery should be on a program of nutritional supplements. As with all medicines, it is important
to avoid self medication. Our
doctors can advise us as to our particular needs. They use blood tests and scientific evaluation to determine
the best vitamins for us, and the methods for taking them. e.g. Some people
with Crohn's disease or with parts of the terminal ileum removed must receive
certain vitamins, like B12, through injection in order to avoid a
deficiency. Earl and Bernie stayed
after the meeting to talk to us and address personal concerns. It is inspiring to think that medical
professionals take time from their personal lives and volunteer to speak at our meetings. Our Chapter is fortunate to have
them. They are a valuable
resource.
The winner of our
50/50 drawing was first timer John Bzdusek. He had surgery six months ago and had just discovered our
Chapter. The consolation prize
went to Karen Budnik. Our
Hospitality table was once again well supplied. A thank you to Joan Loyd, Mike Moneysmith, Linda Narcaroti,
Hank Schneider, Dan Sullivan and Jeri Zaslavsky for their thoughtfulness. We are having a Gladbagger's event on
April 20, and our 26th Anniversary celebration April 25. I hope to see you there.
Renard
..................................
Watch your mail
box! Our annual fund raising
letter will be arriving soon. Of
the $30.00 annual dues each of us pays, $17.50 goes to the National UOA. They publish the Ostomy Quarterly (OQ),
maintain the national office, pay the national staff, and conduct the annual
convention. The remaining $12.50
is used by our chapter.
Our major expense
is the New Outlook which costs over $6000 per year to print and mail. (The news gathering is all
volunteer.) We pay Lutheran
General for the coffee for our meetings.
(They provide the room and the microphone free of charge.) The dues will not cover all our
expenses and let us send delegates to the National Convention and maintain our
quality visiting program.
Each year we ask
each member for an extra donation to our chapter to help us maintain the
quality programs we have undertaken for the benefit of ostomates in our
area. Please give as freely as you
are able.
If you have
friends, neighbors, family members who would like to help sponsor our program,
send their name and address to our president, David Rudzin. He will send them a fund raising
letter.
Our mailing list
is private. These names (your
name) will not end up on any other mailing list as a result of participation in
our chapter and its activities.
Hollister Party on March 24
Hollister hosted a
terrific day for us. Over 150
people attended. Over 30 of our
Chapter members came and the rest were from Wisconsin Chapters. We toured the headquarters building,
got to visit their new Web site, saw machinery that stamps and molds new
products, got free samples of Hollister Ostomy supplies and had an excellent
lunch. Next time they invite us,
be sure you are on the list of those attending!
Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW-USA)
by Joan Loyd, FOW
representative
Do you have unused
ostomy products that are surplus to your needs? Other ostomates can use them. We have a table of supplies at each meeting that are free
for the taking. The remainder are
shipped to Friends of Ostomates Worldwide
(FOW ) where they
are collected and shipped to ostomates in countries with developing economies.
If you live in the
Chicago area, contact Joan Loyd (847-724-7453) and she will try to arrange pick
up of your supplies. If you live
outside the Chicago area, you may send your supplies directly to:
FOW-USA Project
SHARE
[COMMENT1]% Gilchrist
Polymer Center, BLDG. # 3
Mogadore, Ohio
44260-1245
Include your name
and address. You will receive a
Thank You letter which can be used for tax deduction purposes.
Your donated
ostomy supplies are greatly appreciated, regardless of which donation route you
choose.
This month we got
a large donation from Patrick at Mark Drug. Thank you, Patrick!
................................
A Guide to Hospitalization for the Ostomate
Dr. Lindsay Bard,
Chicago, IL, via The Courier (Mission Ostomy Chapter of Tucson) and the GLO
Contact
It is important
that you as an ostomate know you should be handled differently as a
hospitalized patient than non-ostomates.
It's up to you and very important to communicate to medical personnel
who take care of you (including every physician who treats you) that you have
an ostomy and what type. Here are
some rules to help you cover the details.
Rule 1: The
Cardinal Rule
If you feel
something is being done to you that might be harmful, refuse the
procedure. Then explain your
special situation to the personnel, especially the physician.
Rule 2: Supplies
Bring your own
supplies to the hospital. Never
assume the hospital will have the exact pouches of the irrigation systems you
use.
Rule 3: Laxatives
and Irrigations
