Ostomy Lay Forum - November 20, 2014

Invite namin po ang mga ostomates na sumama sa aming support group meeting at Lay Forum kung saan puede masagot ang inyong mga katanungan,

Maraming salamat po.

More Ostomy Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks—Ostomy Tips from Ostomates...
Reviewed By Our Local WOCNs, 2012
Courtesy of the Metro Maryland Ostomy Association’s Thrive

Stoma Care:
1. If your car seat belt rides over the stoma, use a small cushion/pillow between you and the belt, or try placing a clothespin at the top of the belt in order to wear the seat belt more loosely
without losing the safety of the belt.

2. Sometimes the stoma moves in and out—this is called peristalsis and is the natural movement of the intestine.

3. Almost impossible for a stoma to get infected. The natural coating of mucus keeps bacteria from sticking.

4. Don’t be afraid to take a shower without your pouch. Soap cannot hurt the stoma. Rinse your skin well. Hold a cold compress over the peristomal skin for a few seconds (closes the pores), then apply your appliance.

Skin Care:
1. Common causes of skin irritation are: leakage from effluent onto the skin, allergic reactions to the adhesive material in a wafer or tape, or improper hygiene.

2. Cleanse, rinse, and pat skin dry between pouch changes

3. Avoid oily or fatty soaps (e.g., Dove) that can leave a film interfering with proper adhesion of the skin barrier. Also, Ivory soap is too dry for the skin.

4. If correctly applied, a wafer will usually prevent leakage.

5. If your skin is uneven due to scarring or indentations, use paste, barrier rings, or strip paste to fill in
the depressions to make a smooth pouching surface.

6. If the skin under the wafer becomes red, open, or blistered—remove the wafer, clean the skin and
apply skin barrier powder followed by a non-alcohol skin sealant until the redness/open areas clear up.

7. A pinpoint red rash under the wafer is usually a yeast infection (quite common) and must be treated with antifungal powder.

8. Use a hair dryer on cool setting to dry a rash/open skin—never use a heat lamp which might burn the stoma and the surrounding skin.

9. Avoid skin creams and ointments under your wafer as this will interfere with the adhesion.

10. When removing the wafer, do not peel it away from your skin. Push the skin away from the adhesive.

11. For itching under the wafer or tape, mix 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water; apply gauze sponges, soak the skin for 5-10 minutes or use the solution in a spray bottle. Dry the
skin well before applying the wafer.

What is a Urostomy

Thanks to Ms. Joy Hooper


 What is a Urostomy? Watch it in youtube

Basic Ostomy Skin Care

People who have a stoma often share many of the same questions and concerns.
This best practice document provides answers to some of the common questions that people ask about the day to day care of the stoma and the surrounding skin. The answers are directed to the person who has a stoma but may also be helpful for the nurse as a teaching tool.

People with a stoma often worry that their skin may become irritated from the stool, urine, or pouching system. It is important  to treat the skin gently, protect it from stool, urine, and chemicals, and use products correctly to decrease the chance for skin problems

National Federation of Ostomates of the Philippines

Invitation for patients with colostomy to join our meeting. Please text or call our number for head count. No Registration needed. Topics: Ostomy Group Sharing, Visitor Training, Hospital Visits and fellowship.

Thank you very much
When: October 5, 2012
Where: Conference Room 1 (2nd Floor)
Why: Building of Ostomy Groups
Time: October 5, 2012 - 10:00 am

Stoma Care and Application of Pouch System

Stoma care and application of Ostomy pouch system:

1. Start from the top of ostomy pouch. Press left hand against the skin, use right hand to gently remove skin wafer.
Examine the erosion of the skin wafer. The skin wafer should mirror the shape
of the peristomal skin (surrounding tissue) to determine the use of a flat,
shallow, or deep convexity appliance.
This also determines the wear time of the next skin wafer.

2. Wash stoma and peristoma with plain lukewarm water, no soap.
Pat dry. Measure stoma.* Cut stoma wafer to fit. Warm wafer between hands
for a few minutes before application.

3. Attach ostomy pouch to wafer. Hold them firmly against skin for 10-15 minutes
to increase adhesion. (wafers are pressure sensitive.)*

4. Pat your back for a job well done! Take a deep breath. Relax.



*Measure stoma for the first time. Check stoma size routinely. Stoma size changes
gradually.


*The effectiveness of a skin wafer/barrier for the first few hours determines its
wear time.

Prepared by: Erlinda Tom RN BSN COCN WCC

Some information taken from Ostomy Educational Pocket Guide from Coloplast Corp.1975 West Oak Circle Marietta, Georgia 30062

Dress in Blue

Help raise awareness about colon cancer, celebrate survivors and help patients in need during National Colerectal Month. Dress in Blue to celebrate your activities

Ostomy Support Group Venue national kidney and transplant insitute

Hello fellow Ostomates,

We will have a get together on December 9, 2011 at National Kidney Institute for a meeting and a support group. Hope that you can come. Please pass the word.

Salamat po.

Colostomy Friends

Ostomates Gathering

Please stay tuned for announcements regarding ostomates gathering this December 2011.

It will be like getting to know activity with other ostomates.
Will keep you posted on time, date and place.
Thank you.

What is a Urostomy?

• The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, two ureters, bladder and the urethra. The kidneys produce urine and the urine travels through the ureters (tubes) to the bladder where it is stored. The urine then leaves the body through the urethra. The creation of a urostomy is a surgical procedure in which the urine bypasses the bladder. The urine leaves the body through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma instead of leaving through the urethra. During surgery, your bladder may be left in place or it may be removed.
  
  
• To create a passageway for the urine to travel from the ureters to the stoma, a portion of the colon is used. A portion of the colon is cut and the main colon is then reconnected for normal bowel function. The ureters are detached from the bladder and attached to the portion of colon that was cut. The end of this portion of the colon is then brought to the surface of the abdomen to allow the urine to leave the body. The urine drains into a watertight pouch (bag). The bag is attached to the skin with an adhesive (substance that seals the pouch to the skin).
  
  
• A urostomy is needed when the bladder does not work properly due to certain health conditions. Some of these include bladder cancer, neurologic (brain and nerve) conditions, birth defects, and inflammation of the bladder.

What is a Twisted Colon?

Twisted colon (colonic volvulus): A twisted colon is a twisting of a portion of the colon around its mesentery creating a colonic obstruction. The sigmoid colon and cecum are the most common portions of the colon involved in a colonic volvulus.

A twisted colon can be very painful. A lack of fiber in your diet is one of the main contributing factors to how your colon got twisted; however, there many other possibilities: chronic constipation, the presence of pathogenic organisms, nutritional deficiencies, a toxic-laden colon, and stress. When twists are present they often occur along with constrictions, ballooning and prolapses that are not normal in the colon.

There are two types of twisted colons: Sigmoid volvulus and cecal volvulus

Sigmoid Volvulus

Background: Sigmoid volvulus is the most common form of volvulus of the gastrointestinal tract and is responsible for 8% of all intestinal obstructions. Sigmoid volvulus is particularly common in elderly persons. Patients present with abdominal pain, distension, and absolute constipation. Predisposing factors include chronic constipation, mega colon, and an excessively mobile colon. Plain abdominal radiograph findings are usually diagnostic. Decompression may be achieved with the introduction of a stiff tube per the rectum, aided by endoscopy or fluoroscopy. Early radiographic recognition is important to prevent mortality related to sigmoid volvulus.

Cecal Volvulus

Background: The term cecal volvulus is a misnomer because, in most patients with cecal volvulus, the torsion is located in the ascending colon above the ileocecal valve. In general, a partial malrotation is necessary for cecal volvulus to occur, because the cecum and also parts of the ascending colon are involved. Early diagnosis is essential to reduce the high mortality rate reported with this condition, which is essentially a closed-loop obstruction that may lead to vascular compromise with consequent gangrene and perforation.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/109349

PInoy MD

GMA 7 Pinoy M.D., Mga Doktor ng Bayan is an upcoming health and beauty show, hosted by Connie Sison, Dr. David Ampil II and Dr. Raul Quillamor.

The new show Pinoy MD discusses major health issues, health myths, healthy living, and aims to provide information that may help viewers understand various factors concerning overall wellness ranging from critical health issues to even practical beauty tips. The show is hosted by Connie Sison, Dr. David Ampil II and Dr. Raul Quillamor from 6am to 7am on GMA-7.

For your health questions and concerns you can contact the show Pinoy M.D. via toll-free 1800 numbers:1-800-63-7777-7; 1-800-63-7777-8; and 1-800-63-7777-9. Metro Manila viewers may call 981-1977; 981-1978; and 981-1979.

Please get to watch Pinoy MD when it presents plight of ostomates and the importance of colostomy bags.

A Blessed Christmas Season and a Prosperous 2011 New Year to all

Note:
Monthly meetings every last Tuesday of the month.
Please wait for notification on venue and time.

Pictures of Christmas party at PCS last December 14, 2010 to follow soon.

Christmas Party Schedule

Get Together na!!!



December 7, 2010 - 3rd floor OPD at PGH
December 14, 2010 - PCS - Malacanan

No registration! Come one and come all.

Cleaning Ostomy Bags for reuse Again

Due to expenses and also Filipino ingenuity, you can try using this technique to clean ostomy bags.

I make sure that I first have this materials, old toothbrushes, joy ultra and vinegar, zonrox bleach, detergent soap, wooden board.

When I change my two piece appliance, I make sure that I still secure the colostomy bag and not throw it away. I throw away the flange and clean myself. While airing my stoma, I start to work with my ostomy bag especially if it is already sticky. You would know this because it cramples after it has been overused.

Wear gloves if you like. I clean the bag with water, zonrox and detergent soap. At least it is clean now in and out. For the stick part inside, I lay on the wooden board, seal the bag with a clip and put a pinch of joy ultra and vinegar. The joy ultra will remove stickiness and vinegar removes the smell.

I get the tooth brush and start scrubbing the stool that has a rubber like texture. I make sure that not all the amount of liquid overflows.

the old tooth brush will not be reusable again so throw it away.

Hope this primitive lifestyle in our developing country helps not unless we have a donation that will arrive soon ready to be distributed to all indigents.


I will experiment with other cleansing products. I get three weeks from re-using a colostomy bag and then throw it away.

Other suggestions will be a lot of help.

Ostomate ka ba?

Hindi hadlang ang pagiging ostomate para makabalik sa mga gawaing nakasanayan na, ang sitwasyon na ito ay dugtong ng ating buhay para makatulong at makapagsilbi pa rin sa ating kapwa. Ostomate ka ba?

Emptying

This photo may be offensive to non ostomates but usually this is one
of the ways to drain the stool in the toilet bowl. Others would use a stool
beside the bowl and then drain. It will be very difficult to do this in public
places.

What is great in other countries in Japan is that there are special toilet
bowls that is used by ostomates for cleaning purposes. And what is commendable
is that you can find such toilet bowls/sinks in public places.

It will take some time when this toilets will apply soon in our country in the Philippines.



Toilet for Ostomates in Japan




Maybe senators and politicians can consider this initiative to install special toilets for hospitals and appropriate places where people with colostomy will not have a hard time in cleaning and disposing stool.

A quality of life for all ostomates.

comments and suggestions are most welcome.

Let's Get Together




Libre ka ba sa March 26,2009. The Philippine Society of Colorectal Surgeons is organizing a conference that will involve ostomates to participate in the forum. this will serve as socials too.

Hope that this will invite people to participate and meet new friends.

Colostomy LIfe / Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

I would like to present to you the Ostomy News Notes which is a reading material for people with colostomy bags/pouches. Life remains beautiful in spite of pouch bags. There are many people in the Philippines who look for support groups and venues to share experiences. Hopefully, we can gather and take time to exchange stories as soon as we strengthen our friendships and trust.

I hope you enjoy reading the latest issue (December 2008) of the news notes which is in honor of our friends most especially in Japan during the 6th AOA conference from November 13 - 16, 2008. It was also the time for me of being nominated and likewise elected to the coordination committee of the Asian Ostomy Association. The other members come from Malaysia and Japan. It has been an honor for a Philippine representative and serve the cause of ostomates in the Asia region.

A Merry Christmas to all and a Happy and Blessed 2009 New Year.

Ostomy Reality (Bites)

The Correspondents, July 29: Dugtong ng Buhay

The Correspondents

“Dugtong ng Buhay”

July 29, 2008

They were able to survive cancer. But in exchange for their life’s extension, they have to live with a bag everyday – literally. Ostomates have undergone surgical operation to remove the cancer-stricken part of their intestines. Now, their intestines are peeking through their bodies, with them having no control of their bowel movement. They have to use colostomy bags to catch the involuntary dispersal of their stool.

They live in fear of being discriminated upon. Although the presence of the colostomy bag under their clothes is hardly noticeable by those they encounter, they are afraid that they would suddenly smell, or would uncontrollably defecate in the middle of a long journey. And worse, a lot of ostomates in the Philippines cannot even afford the colostomy bags: a disposable colostomy bag costs P350 and is good for only three days.

Ruben Gidacan, 42, has his ostomy since 1998. But a tragic string of events befell on him – his wife agreed that they separate because he could no longer support his family financially, he no longer was able to drive for a living. And just very recently, his brother Ariel died from the cancer – something very similar to what he had years ago. The only hope he is holding to now is the possibility that his ostomy is only temporary. He could go for a restorative operation for his condition.

Cita Guanzon, 39, could not afford the colostomy bags. She places household plastic bags inside the colostomy bag to extend the days of use. Whenever stool would come out, she would throw the plastic bag away and replace it with another one. Although cheap, she has very serious rashes around her colostomy. She used to hide her condition at the beginning, but her husband’s unconditional love keeps her intact.

The lives of Ruben and Cita, among other ostomates the episode will feature, are stories of sacrifices and hope.

Take your Tuesday evening with Bernadette Sembrano and The Correspondents team in this episode on ostomates. Watch with an open mind, and an open heart. July 29, after Bandila.

Link taken below.

Thank you to scarredempress

- - - - -

Addendum:

The sad fate of the ostomates here in the Philippines continue. The television exposure for this documentary worked both ways: both good and bad. Some people were willing to help and at the same time some people were not ready to accept the situation.

I am writing in behalf of Ruben my fellow member of the Ostomy Association of the Philippines. He would share that it was a joy to be featured in TV but the joy was shortlived.

Many people who were his usual customers stopped buying from him upon learning of his condition. A month after since the August airing, "wala na siyang kinikita sa trabaho niya."

Some OAP members are planning to get help from other sources because the media exposure had somehow backfired on us. These are lessons learned on the situation of what ostomates in the Philippines encounter. There is no wonder that many ostomates would hide and never reveal the condition to others even to one of their closest friends.