Ostomy News Notes - Philippines Issue 2 Volume

The official magazine of the National Federation of Ostomates of the Philippines. Soft copy available for download

Ostomy News Notes

Ostomy News Notes

Ostomy News Notes Issue
July - September

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We accept contributions from fellow ostomates!

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 News Notes

Philippines

I would like to present the Ostomy News Notes for this month of October.
Hope you like the issue.

We welcome contributions and personal stories that can be printed and shared for other people to know and understand.

Wishing quality ostomy life for all.












Send in your questions and articles for the Ostomy News Notes

Ostomy News Notes (September 2008 - Issue)

New header for ostomy news notes


Hello Friends and Fellow Ostomates,

I would like to share with you this months Ostomy News Notes for September 2008 Issue.
We have adopted a new look but still the same advocacy..

The topics for this months issue tackles:
a. The Phillipine Cancer Society
b. Ostomate in Focus - Mark Anthony Reynon
c. Understanding Crohn's disease.

We appreciate comments for the continued improvement of our news notes. Happy Reading to one and all.

Download Ostomy News Notes here

New header for ostomy news notes

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

I would like to share with you this months issue of the Ostomy News Notes. Once again, contributions are most welcome.


click below to read in pdf
August Issue 2008

Happy Reading to all.

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

What is Ulcerative Colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the large intestine, or colon. It usually affects the lower section (sigmoid colon) and the rectum. But it can affect the entire colon. In general, the more of the colon that’s affected, the worse the symptoms will be.

Ulcerative colitis can affect people of any age, but most people who have it are diagnosed before the age of 30.

What causes Ulcerative Colitis?

Experts are not sure what causes ulcerative colitis. They think it might be caused by the immune system overreacting to normal bacteria in the digestive tract. Or other kinds of bacteria and viruses may cause the disease.

Ulcerative colitis is not caused by stress, as people once thought. But if you have ulcerative colitis, stress can make it worse. You are more likely to get ulcerative colitis if other people in your family have it.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms are:

a. Belly pain or cramps b. Bloody diarrhea or an urgent need to have a bowel movement c. Bleeding from the rectum.

Some people also may have a fever, may not feel hungry, and may lose weight. In severe cases, people may have diarrhea 10 to 20 times a day.

It can also cause other problems, such as joint pain, eye problems, or liver disease. But these symptoms are more common in people who have Crohn’s disease.

In most people, the symptoms come and go. Some people go for months or years without symptoms (remission). Then they will have a flare-up. About 5 to 10 out of 100 people with ulcerative colitis have symptoms all the time.

Ulcerative colitis sometimes leads to more serious problems. It can cause scarring of the bile duct. This can lead to liver damage. In rare cases, severe disease causes the colon to swell to many times its normal size (toxic megacolon). This can be deadly and needs emergency treatment.

People who have ulcerative colitis for 8 years or longer have a greater chance of getting colon cancer.

WE TIP OUR HATS OFF AS AOA REGIONAL PRESIDENT DATO JOHN CARDOSA CELEBRATES HIS 81ST BIRTHDAY!

“Great men lose somewhat of their greatness by being near us; ordinary men gain much.”

Walter Landor

The story of Dato John David Cardosa goes a long way as he turns 81 this fourth of June. I believe he has touched a lot of people’s lives merely by the energy and passion in the way he has been living life and that is by just being near ordinary men.

He reveals that he had made a vow in the year 1972 when he was given a death sentence by his doctors then. It was at that time that he made a vow to serve his fellowmen for as long as he is able to do. It inspires everyone to know that he has been faithful in his promise to our Lord and Master who have actually gifted him with 36 more years and still going strong. Dato John quips that “every additional day I am alive is a bonus, it is the reason for me to serve Him through my fellow ostomates and cancer survivors.”

John Cardosa is on his second 3 year term as AOA President in his own right. In 1998, the then President, Hj Zainuddin Tahir of Malaysia, was unable to travel to IOA Executive Meetings due to illness, and deputized John Cardosa to attend IOA Executive Meetings in his stead.

Afterwards, he was elected AOA President in his own right in 1999 and served for 3 years until the Manila Conference in 2002. At the House of Delegates' Meeting in Manila, John Cardosa proposed Dr Harikesh Buch of Mumbai as the AOA President for the term of office 2002 to 2005. But Dr Buch refused to accept this position unless John Cardosa remained on the AOA Council as Secretary and Treasurer. John had to agree to those terms, and Dr Harikesh Buch, who was then an ileostomate of some 25 years' standing or more, was elected the AOA President, while John Cardosa served as Secretary and Treasurer of the AOA.

In 2005, at the Bangkok AOA Conference, he was again voted in as President of the AOA. So in actual fact, this is the third term John Cardosa is serving as AOA Presidency. Dato John Cardosa looks back at all the past years with gratitude as he decides to finally retire from the International Ostomy scene. Yet, he assures his people and friends that he will continue to be active in the Malaysian Ostomy Association, in the Hospice Movement, and in the Cancer Society for as long as he is healthy and able to serve his fellow ostomates and cancer survivors.

Note that, as can be seen from the tracheostomy tube in his throat in the photographs above, John has also survived cancer of the larynx, and uses a combination of esophageal and laryngeal speech, thus resulting in his own words, “in a very sexy voice.”

We wish you our sincerest greetings and prayers especially with the people you inspired during the conference here in Manila. God bless you and grant you good health in all your endeavors. Maligayang Kaarawan Sa Iyo… (Happy Birthday to you!)

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

May Issue 2008

April Issue 2008

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

The Ostomy News Notes Logo

1. OSTOMY - the title is written in bold blue letters representing the color of peace and hope promoting the advocacy for people as that quality of life is possible after surgical interventions.

2. News Notes - the contribution that this newsletter wants to play in spreading awareness for people ostomates.

3. Colostomy bag - the pouch bag is representative of the necessity of the ostomy appliances ostomates use.

4. The Philippine Flag - the mark of the Ostomates in the Philippines. It is envisioned that the newsletter can unite ostomates all over the country to share their stories and experiences and form strong support groups.

5. The Pen - the tool in order to write down our happy and sad stories, successes and failures.

6. The wheelchair - caters to persons with disabilities too who are also ostomates at the same time.

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

March 2008 - Issue No. 3

March Issue 2008
You can email your suggestions to improve the news notes further.
ostomynewsnotes@gmail.com
Salamat po!

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

February 2008 - Issue No. 2

We welcome your stories to be posted in our news notes. Hope you can help promote the advocacy. Subscribe to our newsnotes and I will have it sent by email. thanks

Ostomy News Notes (Philippines)

January 2008 - Issue No. 1

Hi Friends,

I am posting the maiden issue of the Ostomy News Notes in the Philippines. Feel free to pass
I hope it will be of help to everyone.