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THE RIGHT CONNECTION
OSTOMY ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO, INC
PMB 48 ~ 2650 Jamacha Rd Ste 147~ El Cajon, CA 92019-4819~ Phone (619) 223-2966
VOLUME 58 ~ NUMBER 11
December 2014
Published Monthly Except August
Mission Statement
UOAA is a volunteer-based health organization dedicated to providing education, support
and advocacy for people who have had or will have intestinal or urinary diversions.
Reasons to Quit Smoking
NEXT MEETING
Sunday
January 11,
2015
Board Meeting
12:30pm
Regular Meeting
2:00pm
TBA
Next Meeting
Sunday
March 8,
2015
No Meetings in
December or
February
UOAA UPDATE 2/10
Dr. Donald Hensrud, director of the Mayo Clinic Executive
Health Program, says that most smokers know how harmful smoking is. It’s just hard for them to quit, but it can be done.
Aside from preventing heart disease, stroke, lung disease
and a host of other disasters, Dr. Hensrud, writing in Fortune,
gives 50 other reasons to quit. Some are scientifically based and
some are just his opinions, but these reasons to quit smoking
could inspire you to save yourself:
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You’ll have fewer wrinkles.
Your breath will smell better.
You’ll be around long enough to see your grandchildren.
You won’t have to go outside between courses at a restaurant.
You won’t have to hide the habit from your children.
You’ll be able to taste and smell food again.
Your kids will have fewer respiratory infections.
Your house and car won’t reek and neither will your clothes.
You won’t have to look for a smoking area everywhere you
go.
After the first year, you’ll save enough for a Caribbean
cruise.
You’ll cough less.
You won’t have to listen to talk about what it’s like to kiss an
ashtray.
Your baby will have a lower risk for sudden infant death
syndrome.
You won’t have nicotine fits on airplanes or in nonsmoking
areas.
You won’t have to look forward to receiving oxygen through
a tube in your nose.
Your spouse will be less likely to develop heart disease and
cancer,
You won’t have holes burned in your clothes and your furniture.
Ostomy Nurse Clinics
CHAPTER NOTES
Donations
When to call the
Dr. or Ostomy Nurse
Thank you so much
for your generosity:
Balboa Naval Medical Center
34800 Bob Wilson Dr.
San Diego, CA 92134
Plastic Surgery/Wound Clinic
(619) 532-6950
Kaiser Permanente
4647 Zion Ave.
San Diego, CA 92120
(619) 662-1222 (for appts)
Scripps Green Hospital
La Jolla
General Surgery
10666 North Torrey Pines Rd
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 554-9184 (for appts)
(for Scripps Clinic Patients only)
Scripps-Mercy Hospital
Outpatient Clinic
4020 Fifth Avenue – Level 3
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 260-7244 (for appts)
Sharp Coronado Hospital
250 Prospect PL. 3rd floor
Coronado, CA 92118
(619) 522-3729 (for appts)
Sharp Grossmont Hospital
5555 Grossmont Center Dr.,
Level A
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 740-4160 (for appts)
Palomar-Pomerado Wound CareMon-Fri 8:30 am--4:30 pm
858-613-4755
Tri-City Medical Center
Mon-Fri 8 am--4:30 pm
760-940-5600 and 760-802-9447
Updated 03/2012
Ostomates, doctors, nurses,
social workers, and other
interested persons are invited to
attend our meetings. Colostomy,
alternative procedures, ileostomy,
and urostomy discussion groups
are available at the end of each
meeting.
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
Robert Asbaugh
RitaGeldert
If cramps last more than two
or three hours.
If you get a deep cut in the
stoma.
Excessive bleeding from the
stoma opening or a moderate
amount in the pouch after
several emptyings.
Bleeding at the juncture of
the skin and stoma.
Severe skin irritation or deep
ulcers.
Unusual change in size or
appearance of stoma.
Arthur Martinez
Carlos Mazon
Lee Mosteller
Michelle Olejnik
Richard Palmer
Charles Rhea
Joseph Tobie
Severe watery discharge lasting
more than five or six hours.
Strong odor lasting more than a
week.
Any other unusual
occurrence regarding the
stoma.
???Got Questions???
If your local supplier cannot
answer your questions or if
you want a free sample of their
products, call or click the
manufacturer directly. Ask for
the customer service dept.
Coloplast.com
1-800-533-0464
Convatec.com
1-800-422-8811
Dansac.com
1-800-538-0890
Hollister.com
1-800-323-4060
Cymedostomy.com 1-800-582-0707
Nu-Hope.com
1-800-899-5017
2
NEW
MEMBER
Betty Burke
The Four Phases of Surgical Recovery
By Albert G. Wagoner, MD, Edited by B. Brewer, UOAA Update May 2012
Each patient, along with the family, usually goes through four phases of recovery, following an accident or illness that results in loss of function of an important part of the body. Only the time required for
each phase varies. Knowledge of the four phases of recovery is essential.
They are as follows:
The Shock Phase—The period of psychological impact. Probably, you remember nothing of this phase
after your operation. Nevertheless, it is a phase that requires a lot of support.
The Defensive Retreat Phase—The period in which you defend yourself against the implication of the
crisis. You avoid reality. Characteristic in this period is wishful thinking or denial, or repression of your
actual condition. For example, an ostomate believes that his/her entire colon is still there and will be connected later.
The Phase of Acknowledgment—In this period, you face reality. As you give up the existing old structure, you may enter into a period, at least temporarily, of depression, apathy, agitation, or bitterness and
of high anxiety. You hate your stoma, yourself, you cry a lot, pity or condemn yourself. You may not eat,
be unable to sleep or want to be left to die. In this phase you need all the support that can be mustered.
The Phase of Adaptation—Now, you actively cope with the situation in a constructive manner. You
adapt, during a shorter or longer period, to the adjustments that are necessary. You begin to establish
new structures and develop a new sense of worth, with the aid of an ostomy nurse and an ostomy visitor,
you can learn about living with an ostomy. Aided by your physician, social workers, ostomy association
and family, you go about rebuilding and altering the life that brought about the condition. Sound familiar?
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
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The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
4
YEARLY DUES SECOND RENEWAL NOTICE
$10 DUES ARE DUE January 1, 2015 AND DELINQUENT March 1, 2015
Please check your checkbook to be sure that you haven’t already paid your dues.
Your cancelled check is your receipt!
Yes! I want to continue to receive this newsletter, support the regular meetings, visitor program, Youth Rally and FOW and help new ostomates in the community.
$10.00 Annual Dues
$______Additional donation to support programs and projects of OASD
$______Total amount enclosed
______ I need assistance with dues
Please complete the information below and mail with your check payable to Ostomy
Association of San Diego, Inc. to:
Ostomy Association of San Diego, Inc.
PLEASE Confirm
PMB 48
current email and phone
2650 Jamacha Rd Ste 147
El Cajon CA 92019-4819
EMAIL:____________________________
Name:_____________________________________ Phone#___________________________
5
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
Common Skin Problems
UOAA UPDATE 2/10
UNEVEN SKIN EXCORIATION is caused by contact with stool or
urine. This is often uneven in appearance. Excoriation may occur on one
side, especially where leaks occur. Skin barrier/wafer may be used below
the faceplate to absorb moisture and protect the skin. A thin coating of
Maalox or calamine (for itching) will protect the skin. These can be dried
with a cool hair dryer. Nothing will stick to wet skin.
ALLERGIES occur with contact and may be indicated by a ring around
the stoma where paste is used or tape make contact with your skin. This
can be treated like excoriation. It may be necessary to switch products.
Pouches without tape are available. Pouch covers can aid in allergies to
plastic (and are a good idea when it is hot). If you use soap on the skin
around your stoma, be sure to rinse well.
MONILA is a yeast infection. The skin will peel and may look purple.
Monila often occurs after treatment with antibiotics or a yeast infection
elsewhere. Treatment includes washing and drying the skin thoroughly
and applying micostatin powder, (not ointment or oil) which is available
over the counter. Yogurt in your diet helps fight yeast infections.
FOLLICULITIS is infected hair follicles, and is usually seen in men
who shave around their stoma. Using Skin Prep to protect and coat the
skin will help.
CHEMOTHERAPY may cause a cycle of skin irritation. Using skin
barrier/wafer under your pouch helps to keep the skin dry and protect it.
CRYSTAL FORMATION can occur for those with urinary diversions.
Washing the skin and soaking it with a vinegar and water solution each
time the pouch is changed can prevent crystal formation. Vinegar is a
mild acid that breaks down the crystal.
PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM seems to be connected to ulcerative
colitis and Crohn’s Disease. This entails ulceration of the peristomal skin.
Prednisone injections have been used and new ointments are proving effective results. Skin breakdown due to Crohn’s can occur anywhere on
the body.
6
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
POUCH STUFF
Edited by B. Brewer, UOAA UPDATE 10/2011
Paste...
•
A skin barrier paste is used to “caulk” around the stoma or to fill in uneven skin surfaces. Not everyone needs to use it.
•
A little dab will do you. Use only a small bead of paste (not toothpaste size).
 When using paste around the stoma, apply to pouch rather than skin and allow it to dry for
one minute before touching, so it will not stick to your finger.

Pouch Security...
•
If you use a two-piece system, the pouch may not be totally secured when you snap it on
and could fall off when half full. Make sure the pouch is snapped to the flange securely. Start
snapping it together at the bottom and work your way to the top. Give a little tug on the pouch
to test its lock, but make sure you held the wafer so you don’t break the seal.
•
Don’t be afraid to take a shower without your pouch. Soap cannot hurt the stoma; however, rinse well (and rinse again). After bathing with the pouch off, pat dry and allow a few
seconds to close the pores before changing.
 Wear your pouch inside your underwear for support. For Men: try jockey-type shorts. For
Women: try full brief panties with some lycra (light stretch) to the material.

Miscellaneous...
•
If you are staying overnight, consider carry a “chuck pad” (plastic backing) for your
piece of mind. No need to worry!
•
Always carry an extra replacement pouching system if case you spring a leak while
away from home. And carry extra clips in case you drop one into the toilet!
•
Carry an extra pouch closure in your pocket or purse... just in case you drop one. Or
keep a few rubber bands in your wallet (could be lifesavers).
•
Some men with excessive hair find it painful to remove the wafers/barriers. Shaving
with an electric razor or trimming hairs with scissors is helpful.
•
If you do not use pre-cut wafers... .try using a small seam ripper (for fabric) for cutting
the size you need for barriers/wafers.
•
Put Skin Prep (spray or wipe) around the inner edge or cut edge of the wafer to help prevent the wafer from “melting” away so quickly.
•
Don’t expect to get the same pouch wear time in the summer months.
•
Sew or purchase a pouch cover if the plastic pouch against your skin is uncomfortable.
•
If you participate in very active sports, use a 10 inch strip of 2 inch tape to secure the
pouch and barrier/wafer to your abdomen. (as a picture frame)
Ziploc sandwich bags are useful and odor-proof for disposing of used ostomy pouches.
7
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
RELAXATION EXERCISE
UOAA UPDATE 12/09
Practicing deep relaxation exercises may help relieve pain or reduce stress. This exercise may not be right for everyone. Ask your doctor or nurse if this exercise can help you.
Practice slowly at first so you can get used to deep breathing and muscle relaxation.

Find a quiet place where you can rest undisturbed for 20 minutes. Let others
know you need this time for yourself. Make sure the setting is relaxing. For example,
dim the lights if you like, and find a comfortable chair or couch.

Get into a comfortable position where you can relax your muscles. Close your
eyes and clear your mind of distractions.

Breathe deeply, at a slow and relaxing pace. People usually breathe shallowly,
high in their chests. Concentrate on breathing deeply and slowly, raising your belly,
rather than just your chest, with each breath.

Next, go through each of your major muscle groups, tensing (squeezing) them for
10 seconds and then relaxing. If tensing any particular muscle group is painful, skip
the tensing step and concentrate just on relaxing. Focus completely on releasing all
the tension from your muscles and notice the differences you feel when they are relaxed. Focus on the pleasant feeling of relaxation. You may find that your mind wanders. When you notice yourself thinking of something else, gently direct your attention back to your deepening relaxation. Be sure to maintain your deep breathing.
Review the parts of your body again, and release any tension that remains. Be
Sure to maintain your deep breathing.
Now that you are relaxed, imagine a calming scene. Choose a spot that is particularly
pleasant to you. It may be a favorite comfortable room, a sandy beach, a chair in front of a
fireplace or any other relaxing place. Concentrate on the details. What can you see/ hear/
smell/ feel around you? Continue to breathe deeply, as you imagine yourself relaxing in
your safe, comfortable place.
When you are ready, start gently moving your hands and feet and bringing yourself
back to reality. Open your eyes, and spend a few minutes becoming more alert. Notice how
you feel now that you have completed the relaxation exercise, and try to carry these feelings
with you into the rest of your day.
8
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
Our Advertisers
When you are browsing though our newsletter, be sure to read the advertisements, as
well as the articles. These businesses offer
a variety of quality products and services.
By advertising in our newsletter, they hope
to reach more potential customers, but they
also help cover our cost of publishing The
Right Connection. So please consider them
for your healthcare needs. When you contact them, we remind you to mention that
you saw their ad in our newsletter.
9
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
MEETING
DIRECTIONS
Scripps Mende Well Being Center, La Jolla
4305 La Jolla Village Drive Suite L-5
San Diego, CA 92122
Remember this is your group; please try to
schedule some time in your busy lives to
contribute to its success. Help is needed to help
set up tables and chairs before the meeting and,
of course, taking them down after the meeting.
You can find us in the Northwest corner of the
Westfield University Town Center Shopping
Center, in the Scripps Mende Well Being Center.
Park in front of the Mexican restaurant. Take the
elevator or stairs to the next level. The Well Being
Center is to the left.
The web address shown below will take you to
a Google map that you can enlarge and use to
get directions from anywhere to our Scripps
Mende meeting site.. Or just search “Scripps
Mende.”
http://maps.google.com/maps?
q=scripps%20mende
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
410
The Right Connection~ Oct 2004
Board Members
Jim Neizmik
858-271-7028
[email protected]
Secretary
Sarah Biggart
619-504-0823
[email protected]
Treasurer
Marilyn Deitrich
619-660-5619
[email protected]
Kathleen Odom
RN,CWOCN
619-461-3087
Julia Ringhofer
RN,BSN,WOCN
619-260-7244
Star Harrison
RN,BSN,CWOCN
760-633-6640
Jessica Schroeder
BSN,RN,CWOCN
858-939-3342
Sally F. Rumpf MBH
[email protected]
619-259-3814
Board meetings
are always open to
anyone who is interested in the
business of our
chapter.
Committee Chairs
Visting Coordinator
Julia Ringhofer RN/BSN/WOCN
619-260-7244
Colostomy
Jim Neizmik
858-271-7028
Ileostomy
Sarah Biggart
619-504-0823
Urostomy
Diane Watson
619-262-6226
Continent Diversions
Delene St. Clair
760-751-1876
UOAA For Youth
*Ages 0-18*
Teresa Hilleary
858-693-7966
RC Editor
Jim Neizmik
Membership
Marilyn Deitrich
619-660-5619
Greeters
Larry & Joyce Wurm
Founder & Friend
The Late Richard H. Tullis, MD
*Medical Professionals*
OSTOMY
ANNIVERSARY
CORNER
Bette LeVine
24 years
This corner is devoted to those
who wish to commemorate
their ostomy surgery date by
giving a donation to the group
on its anniversary.
____________________
Ostomy Anniversary
Donation Corner
In celebration of my return to
GOOD HEALTH!!
___I am contributing the sum of:
$ _________
You will be recognized in the newsletter “The Right Connection” unless
you want to remain anonymous.
Name _______________________
Phone _______________________
Please Note: One of the chapter’s major functions is to provide, when Years _______________________
required, ostomate and spouse visitors,
Send this form with your check,
trained in accordance with guidelines
payable to:
laid down by the UOAA, and instructed
by our own WOCN’s. If you have a paOstomy Assoc of San Diego, Inc.
tient who has, or will have, an ostomy
PMB 48
procedure, please call our phone at 619
2650 Jamacha Rd Ste 147
-223-2966 and leave a message. We
El Cajon CA 92019-4819
give support to both patient and family
we DO NOT give medical advice, nor do
we actively assist in the physical care of
the stoma.
Articles and information printed
in the newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the OASD and may not be
applicable to everybody. Please consult
your own medical professional for the
advice best for you.
11
Medical Advisor
Cherie Sheehan
RN,BSN,WOCN
The Right Connection ~ Dec 2014
Reminder:
The Right Connection
Ostomy Assoc. of San Diego
PMB 48
2650 Jamacha Rd Ste 147
El Cajon, California 92019-4819
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Scheduled Meetings are in
January, March, June,
September & November
San Diego, CA
Permit #464
The Right Connection—December 2014
Return Service Requested
Ostomy Assoc of San
Diego, Inc.
Web Page
http://ostomysocal.org
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR OSTOMY ASSOC. OF SAN DIEGO, INC.
NEW MEMBERSHIP is open to all ostomates, family members, medical professionals, and other interested persons
NEW Membership Includes:




“THE RIGHT CONNECTION”, our chapter’s monthly newsletter containing helpful hints on how to live with an ostomy.
Regular meetings to exchange ideas, answer questions, and listen to interesting presentations.
One-on-one visits, as needed, to prospective ostomates by qualified visitors.
Affiliation with our national organization, United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA).
Tax-deductible dues are $10 per year----
DO NOT USE THIS APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL
Name _______________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed $____________
Address ___________________________________________________ City ___________________________
State ____ Zip__________ Phone Number (_____)______________ Email___________________________
Date of Birth ___________________
Date of Ostomy Surgery ___________
Reason for Surgery: __ Crohn’s
__ Ulcerative Colitis __ Cancer
__ Birth Defects ___Other
Type of procedure: __ Colostomy
__ Ileostomy __ Continent Ileostomy
__ Urinary Diversion __ Continent Urostomy
If you are not an ostomate:
You are a:
__ Physician __ Nurse
Please make checks payable to:
Ostomy Assoc. of San Diego, Inc.
__ Spouse
__ Parent of a child w/procedure
__ Family member
Mail to:
Ostomy Assoc. of San Diego, Inc.
PMB 48
2650 Jamacha Rd Ste 147
El Cajon, CA 92019-4819