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"OSTOMY NEWS"
The Official Newsletter of the Ostomy Association of Greater Orlando
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MARCH 15, 2020 MEETING!
AdventHealth-Winter Park
Conference Center/ Second Floor
Sunday 2:00 P.M
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ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
What's on your mind? This months meeting will give us an opportunity to ask questions, share information, and/or address any current issues of concern. The floor is yours! Take advantage of the experience and compassion of your fellow ostomates. Remember, there are no silly questions and no judgement. (If you are a little shy, there will even be a box where you can write your questions anonymously.)
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Hi Everyone,
My name is Krista Johnson and I am so excited to be your new president. I am a mother of 2 daughters and have been an ostomate since 2016. My journey to get here started when I was diagnosed in 2007, with UC, (ulcerative colitis). After 13 years and many failed biologics, I had my first Jpouch and ostomy surgery in 2016. Sadly, after 9 months I was diagnosed with Crohn's in my Jpouch.
Making the choice to go back to an ileostomy was the best decision I could have ever made. After searching the internet trying to look for support, I found you - OAGO, the Ostomy Association of Greater Orlando. At my first meeting everyone welcomed me and my sister with open arms. After a few meetings, and helping out, I was overjoyed to take on the vice president roll under Erica Michaels. Here's hoping 2020 will be a new beginning to what I am sure will be an informative and exciting time for us all. See you at the next meeting!
Krista Johnson
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Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
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Colon cancer is one leading of cancers affecting both men and women. And, although early diagnosis and better treatment protocols are improving outcomes, there is still much that needs to be done. For our fellow members who have made their ostomy journey through colon cancer, please know that our hearts are with you and we offer you our support.
Education (for all) is key!
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We've Been Invited and We Need Volunteers!
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We been invited to participate in the
Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA)'s Global Inaugural Colorectal Congress
April 15th-17th in Orlando Florida
(More details will be available soon!)
This congress will include world wide
organizations, physicians and colon cancer survivors.
GCCA is providing an space for us to distribute materials provided by UOAA and OAGO,
as well as an opportunity to network with other support groups and resources.
We need volunteers to work in shifts (a room will be reserved where we can meet and rest).
If you are interested, please let us know ([email protected]) and we'll keep you updated!
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Yearly membership dues are only $20.00!
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Our last "Pop-Up" luncheon took place at TooJay's.
There were just a few of us, but we certainly had fun, and the food was great!
For our next "Pop-Up" we're going Italian!
Please join us on Monday, March 30th, at 11:30 A.M.
5820 Red Bug Lake Rd, Winter Springs, FL
Everyone is responsible for his or her own check.
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NOTES FROM OUR LAST MEETING
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What a great meeting! Thank you Sally Matson, RN, MS, CWOCN for a wonderful and informative afternoon. In addition to hearing information on some of the latest changes and developments in the ostomy world, members had the opportunity to ask questions on a more personal level. Wound Care and Ostomy nurses play such an important role in our lives; it was so nice to be able to connect with a medical professional who cares so much about our welfare.
Our new officers are now in place! Our former officers are tagging along until April to make for an easier transition. Erica Michaels was officially voted in as a new Board Member.
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You definitely do not want to miss our April 19th meeting!
Guest Speaker, Dr. Daniel Galante, DO
Colorectal Surgeon
"Reversal Surgery"
(Look for more information and a full biography in our next newsletter!)
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Adapting to life with an ostomy can a challenge. But what’s with these new words! Appliance? Pancaking? Barbie Butt? Some terms come from medical terminology, but others are “insider” words (slang expressions) used by ostomates who “live” them first hand.
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Polyps (of the colon)
Polyps are small groups of cells that can grow in the mucous membrane of your colon (protruding into the "tube"). There are two kinds - pendunculated (like a little mushroom ... attached by a stalk) or sessile (attached flat against the membrane wall). Most polyps start out benign, but they can, over time, become malignant. Polyps are often found during routine colonoscopies and often removed at the time of the procedure (as a preventative measure). Though polyps usually grow without symptoms, as they get larger, some people might experience rectal bleeding, change in stool color, pain, or iron deficiency anemia. The larger the polyp, the more likely there is to be a problem. (By the way, almost 50% of us will develop polyps as we get older!) Yes, ostomates can still get colonoscopies though the "route" may vary.
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Diverticula
Diverticulum (pl) are little sacks or pouches that are formed by weakness in the intestinal lining - they protrude
out of the "tube" rather than
in (like a polyp). The presence of these sacks is referred to as diverticulosis, and is rather common and non-problematic.
However, if the sacks get inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis (itis - means inflammation). This can be both painful and potentially dangerous. Many of us have become ostomates when the infected portion of our bowels had to be surgically removed. This is especially common in the area of the sigmoid colon.
A high fiber diet is recommended to help prevent the formation of diverticulum (although there can be many other factors). For those who
have diverticulosis and are trying to avoid diveticulitis, it was previously recommend that they do not eat nuts or foods with small seeds, however, current scientific data has not supported that. (Remember, we do not dispense medical advice, so please follow the instructions of your physician!)
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Wait For It.....Our Phone Call to Update our Records
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It's time to update our records! Some time in the next two weeks you should receive a phone call from one of our officers or "crew," to make sure all our our contact information is up to date! We're checking all of our addresses, phone numbers, E-mail addresses, etc. We also want to make sure our name tags are accurate! It is important that we can reach everyone (whether you have access to E-mails/computers or not). This will also be a great opportunity to share your opinions and help us improve in the coming year.
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UOAA United Ostomy Association of America
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The UOAA is an amazing resource for ostomy information and advocacy. We, at OAGO, are affiliate support group members (ASG). UOAA provides guidance, training, (conferences), and many of the wonderful articles you’ve read through the years in our newsletters. You can always access UOAA information through their website: www.ostomy.org. However, why not become an individual member?
Online Membership are only $25 annually. This entitles you to a one year online subscription to
The Phoenix magazine, an electronic version of the New Ostomy Patient Guide, and a UOAA membership pin. Members will also receive the monthly UOAA e-Newsletter (even better than ours!) and are entitled to vote in UOAA’s national elections.
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We have added a "Member News" section to our newsletter! Please E-mail any important life events: "stomaversaries," new jobs, birth announcements, impending surgeries, etc. to [email protected]. and we'll try to get the information into our next newsletter.
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Thank you sponsors, donors, and advertisers. Your support of OAGO allows us to reach out to fellow ostomates and provide quality information and programs.
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Your Business Belongs Here!
(Special Rates for OAGO members)
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Phoenix Magazine is a fantastic publication for ostomates and their families.
Click above to find out more!
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Are you trying to contact us? Looking for an ostomy nurse? Supplier? Or, do you need a copy of our membership form? You can now access this information quickly and simply, by clicking the links below. From there, you can either save the documents to your computer or print them out to hang by your phone.
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