United Ostomy Association, Inc.
Evansville, Indiana Chapter
Re-Route

 
Contents:

WHAT DOES PARTICIPATING IN AN OSTOMY GROUP REALLY MEAN?
FOR UROSTOMATES
TAKE TIME TO ENJOY
I LEARNED THE HARD WAY
FOLLOW-UP EVALUATION
GOOD NEWS FOR GUYS
CONTROLLING ODORS
CAN'T GET YOUR POUCH OFF?
CARTOONSVILLE

Re-Route Archive

Volume 27, Number 5  February, 2000

WHAT DOES PARTICIPATING IN AN OSTOMY GROUP REALLY MEAN?
Via: Metro MD, & S. Brevard FL OSTOMY NEWSLETTER
It means Sacrifice of your own time and sometimes money, when called upon to visit a patient who might be in the hospital miles away, even though you've worked hard all day and would rather relax. It means Courage to stand up before medical and health care professionals and convince them that they need your help to rehabilitate ostomy patients. It means Love of other people who are going through the same miseries, anxieties and fears you once experienced. It means Understanding patient's fears and problems so that you can help them to get on with life after ostomy surgery.  It means Hard Work, mailing lists, coordinating programs, making phone calls, writing articles and generally helping to keep the chapter running.

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FOR UROSTOMATES
Via: Semi-Colon, San Mateo, CA
Urostomates should be seen by their Urologist at least once a year for follow-up urine tests. Appliances should be changed first thing in the morning before eating or drinking. Most cement is waterproof, so if drops of urine "dribble" on newly cemented skin, blot it away using something other than a tissue. Stand up and bend over before removing your appliance, so that the bladder will empty and prevent dribbling long enough to install a new appliance. Empty the pouch before it passes the half-full level. If the bag becomes full, there is a chance that urine "back-up" will occur, risking infection within the kidneys.

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TAKE TIME TO ENJOY
By Dr. Dale E. Turner, Hope Healthletter Via: Ostomatic News, Dallas TX
Many people fail to enjoy life because they take on more than they can reasonably handle, leaving little time to pause, reflect and enjoy. Ghandi reminded us that there is more to life than increasing its speed. No good point is served in running all the way to the grave. The art of living is not merely to look, but to see; not merely to listen, but to hear; not merely to experience, but to enjoy. Few of us have many great days in life. Most of our days are commonplace and routine. It's not by the great thrill of an occasional triumph that we live most, but by the appreciation and enjoyment of the little joys that come and go almost unnoticed. Little joys like the fragrance of pastry baking, a brilliant sunset, a swiftly moving cloud, the hug of a child, or an unexpected call or letter from a loved one. Henry David Thoreau once wrote a deliberately shocking letter to a friend, advising him not to worry about his health. "For, he wrote, "you may be dead already". Thoreau's bold remark was simply a conviction that many people aren't really alive, because they do not sense the joy of each passing moment. Take time to enjoy.

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I LEARNED THE HARD WAY
Anonymous, Via: Marshfield, WI & The 0stonoma News, Sonoma, CA
In my experience with the people I have met through the UOA, I have repeatedly heard, "There are so many things they didn't tell me, or, " If  I had only known....'Well, there are a few things I've learned through trial and error (mostly error) that I can pass on to other ileostomates to maybe save them a little embarrassment. If you use a two-piece system, give that pouch a tug after you snap it on. It may not be totally secured and it is really awful to have the thing slide down your pants leg when it's half full. Making a graceful exit is particularly challenging. If you shower without your pouch, put your clean one on before you do anything else when you step out of the shower, unless you have a leopard print bathroom rug. Never answer the phone before putting on your pouch. Also, be careful with that hot water temperature! On a weekend trip, I actually scalded my stoma because I didn't check the "hotness" of the hot water. (I keep the water heater setting fairly low at home). Unless you doubled up on your chlorophyll tablets, don't empty your pouch in a public restroom after consuming soup made with garlic, onion, cabbage, or broccoli.

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FOLLOW-UP EVALUATION
From American Soc. Of Colon & Rectal Surgeons, Via: Northern Virginia, The Pouch & S, Brevard FL Ostomy Newsletter
Why should there be a postoperative follow-up program?
Surgery is the most effective treatment for colorectal cancer. Even when all visible cancer has been removed, it is possible for cancer cells to be present in other areas of the body. These cancer deposits, when very small, are undetectable at the time of surgery, but they can begin to grow at a later time. The chance of recurrence depends on the characteristics of the original cancer and the effectiveness of chemotherapy, if needed or other follow-up treatment. Patients with recurring cancers - if diagnosed early - may benefit or be cured by further surgery or other treatment.
How long will my follow-up program last?
Most recurring cancers are detected within the first two years after surgery. Therefore, follow-up is most frequent during this period of time. After five years, nearly all cancers that are going to recur will have done so. Follow-up after five years is primarily to detect new polyps and can therefore be less frequent but advisable for life.
What might I expect at my follow-up visit?
Your doctor will examine you approximately every two or three months for the first two years, and discuss your progress. A CEA blood test can be done as a method of trying to detect recurrence of cancer. Because this test is not totally reliable, other follow-up examinations may include flexible sigmoidascope (an examination of the entire colon with a long flexible instrument), chest X-rays, and sometimes CT scans or ultrasound tests.
 What about my family?
Close relatives of patients with colon and rectal cancer (parents, brother, sister, children) are at increased risk for disease. Because of this, periodic examinations of the lining of the colon using a colon scope to detect small polyps is advised. If polyps are promptly detected and removed, cancers cannot develop. Other factors which increase the risk of developing polyps or cancer include; cancer occurring at an early age, and a personal history of breast or female genital cancer.

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GOOD NEWS FOR GUYS
Via: The Continent Connection
Mentor has a new absorbent pouch for men which works for minor incontinence. Made from a soft super-absorbent material, the Mentor Absorbent Pouch fits comfortably and adheres firmly to undergarments. Once in place, the pouch is virtually undetectable under clothing. The "Standard Cut" pouch can hold 4 ounces. Urine passes immediately through the inner lining and is trapped within the absorbent layer, leaving skin dry and comfortable. You may obtain free samples by calling Mentor at: 1-800-328-3863.

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CONTROLING ODORS
Via Coos Bay Beacon & 0stomatic News, Dallas, TX
An important part of a new ostomate's rehabilitation is learning to control odor; it is important to feel good about oneself and be secure in relationships with others. The ostomate can be extremely sensitive to odors and the reactions of those around him or her, especially family and friends. 
Colostomies tend to emit more odor than ileostomies because of the bacterial abundance in the colon. Most sigmoid and descending colostomies are routinely irrigated, so persistent odor is less of a problem than with a transverse colostomy where semi-liquid drainage tends to be rather malodorous.
Ileostomates experience almost continual peristaltic waves which sweep the ileum and prevent stagnation of the intestinal contents, thereby eliminating the major cause of odor, ie. bacterial growth. Extreme and persistent odor from an ileostomy could be an indication of a secondary problem, such as a stricture or blockage. Urine has a characteristic odor, but a foul odor could be a sign of infection due to overgrowth of bacteria. Certain foods will affect the odor of both feces and urine. Avoiding such odor-producing foods will help. External and internal deodorants are available, but two important aspects of odor control are good personal hygiene and appliance care. For fecal ostomies, use odor proof pouches. Change the pouch immediately if a leakage occurs. Eliminate from your diet such odor producers as cabbage, onions, fish, spicy foods and eggs; do eat parsley and yogurt. Internal deodorants that can be taken by mouth include bismuth subgallate tablets which help control odors by absorbing toxins. Ostomates should consult their physician before taking these tablets.
Urinary ostomates should clean their pouches periodically with such agents as Uri Kleen, etc. Vinegar solutions have fallen into disfavor because they tend to damage certain manufacturer's pouches. Avoid eating asparagus and onions; do eat parsley and drink cranberry juice. Deodorants are not used because they would mask the odor which could signify the presence of an infection. With proper care of the appliance, personal hygiene and dietary precautions, odor should not be a problem for ostomates.

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CAN'T GET YOUR POUCH OFF?
Via: Ostomatic News, Dallas, TX
You are ready to change your pouch, but there's a problem. Your stoma has swollen. Don't panic. Fill the pouch with ice water and swirl it around the top of the pouch. If it is a closed-end pouch, hold an ice cube over the stoma on the outside of the pouch. Either way should reduce the swelling, which is usually caused by too tight a fit.

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