This page contains the text of the September 2005 ByPass.

NATIONAL UOA CLOSES, but RALEIGH UOA STILL GOING STRONG

As you may have heard by now, the UOA Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cease operations of the United Ostomy Association, Inc. as of September 30, 2005. This decision was reached after months of research, evaluation and consideration of numerous alternatives. Ultimately, dissolving the UOA was realized as the only viable option.

UOA was founded to help improve the quality of life for people with intestinal or urinary diversions. Initial objectives were to improve medical and nursing care and ostomy products and to provide mutual support. In many significantways, allof these goalshave been achieved and we can be proud of our success.We have helped hundreds of thousands through the UOA Visiting Program, local chapters/satellites, www.uoa.org and the UOA National Conference. We should all be pleased with what UOA has accomplished since its inceptionin 1962.

Much has changed in 43 years: advances in medical science, ostomy supplies and electronic communication have created less need for our programs and services. A declining membership base, inadequate financial support and increasing operating costs have also plagued our organizationfor several years.

Our complete range of support, programs and services will be offered through the national office until it closes on September 30, 2005. Please continue to support the 2005 UOA Youth Rally and come celebrate 43 years of success with us at the last UOA National Conference in Anaheim, CA this August 36. The final issue of the magazinewill bemailed this October.

We hope that you will continue to workwith your local support group to help future ostomates in your community. Thank you for your support these past years.

Sincerely,

The National UOA Board of Directors

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi To AllMyValuedMembers and Friends, I hope everyone had or is having a very enjoyable summer. The unusually high temperature has certainly put a damper on my golf but I'm sure I'll make up for it. We have to have our priorities as you know

I'm looking forward to the '05-'06 ostomy season. We've got a great lineup of speakers and guests that should offer something for everyone. Plus we will have more breakout sessions to enable us to go one on onewith each others particular ostomy issues.

It's been an interesting summer to say the least. We were all taken by surprise when the national UOA office announced it would be shutting down in September. I have had much conversation with some of our members as well as some others around the U.S. and the general consensus seems to be is that we will be just fine. Thank you for all the good work you do. Please bring family and friends to this kickoff meeting and lets get the new year going in a big way. I look forward to seeing each of you and the good refreshments to be provided by JoAnn and BobbyQualls.

Yours in service,

Dan

CALENDAR

TIPS OF THE MONTH

UROSTOMATES.....
.....should avoid carbonated beverages. These tend to make urine alkaline. Stick with cranberry juice and plenty of water.

WAFERS.....
-When first applying a skin barrier (i.e. wafer), gently rub the barrier with a finger which will generate friction and thereby help the ostomy barrier adhere more quickly to the skin by "melting" it onto the skin.
-You can bathe, shower and swim with your pouch if you have a secure seal. With a one piece system, just let it dry afterward. With a two piece system, you can replace the damp pouch, clean it and let it dry for later use.

RALEIGH UOA MEETING MINUTES

Raleigh UOA Minutes of Meeting 6/7/05
DanWiley, President, opened themeeting at 7:45 pm by thanking Ron Price for the wonderful sandwiches and snacks that were enjoyed by the 25 members and guests in attendance.

Dan reminded everyone that the Raleigh UOA will not meet in July and August, but meetings will resume in September following the summer break. The J-pouch group will not be taking a summer break and will continue to meet at Rex Hospital in the surgical waiting room near the main entrance on the first Tuesday of eachmonth at 7:30 pm.

The Raleigh UOA newsletter, “The By-Pass” was emailed and mailed to members this month. Dan encouraged members to notify him if they did not receive a copy of the newsletter and he reminded everyone that the letter is available via email if members do not wish to receive a paper copy. The newsletter is also being posted monthly on the Raleigh UOA website. Jennifer Higdon continues to do a wonderful job coordinating the newsletter publication.

Dan passed around a new attendance roster that lists the current members and provides additional space for guests to identify themselves. During each meeting, the roster will be passed around for the members to review. To document attendance, the members simply check the box in the column representing the current date of the meeting. If any personal information needs to be corrected or from our June meeting updated, this is to be noted in the "comment" section.

Stephanie Yates, WOC nurse requested that everyone remember Floe Shaffer, a Raleigh UOA member who is currently an inpatient at RexHospital. Floe is facing possible surgery in the near future. Stephanie also reminded everyone that in September, there will not be a guest speaker. Instead, the members will be breaking into small groups (based on ostomy types) to discuss specific ostomy problems, to offer advice to one another and to share ideas. Jennifer Higdon reminded the members to notify her of any ideas for articles in the newsletter. She also encouraged the members to let her know if they are interested in becoming aRaleigh UOA officer.

Dan introduced Stuart Thompson with SBE Medical Limited, located on Millbrook Rd. in Raleigh. Stuart explained that SBE works with Welland Medical, a British based company specializing in research and development of unique ostomy products. SBE sells Welland products to retailers only. One of theirmany retailers is EdgeparkMedical through which osteomates can order these new supplies. Stuart demonstrated the use of a new product, the freestyle flushable closed end pouch. This pouch is covered by Medicare and is a good option for osteomates with sensitive skin. The pouch is made of soft material and is low profile. It has a dual carbon filter that filters 99%of gaseous odors by using modified and unmodified carbon. The filter is located in the outer lining of the pouch and will not leak because of the unique design of the leak proof inner lining. The outer lining can be separated from the inner lining by pulling the 2 linings apart. Osteomates can usually do this proficiently after practicing 3-4 times. The inner lining/pouch and flange can be flushed down the toilet and will not clog septic systems. Stuart recommends waiting 20 seconds before flushing. Once flushed, the pouch dissolves like toilet paper and the flange turns to gel. The outer lining/pouch remains clean and can be easily thrown away. The pouch is biodegradable. Stuart offered samples to any member who is interested in this product.

In addition to the freestyle flushable pouch, Stuart showed the members HydroframeHorseshoe Strips. This is a product that works with any pouch and provides extra security around the flange. This is a good solution if an osteomate is having problems with adhesives. He also stressed the benefits of Morform, which is an absorbent packet that can be dropped in the ostomy bag to thicken liquid stool. He provided literature on a new product, Curvex, which is popular in Europe and is coming soon to the US. This is a line of one piece drainable or closed pouches with a soft 3-D moldable flange for those osteomates having difficulty getting a good fit around their stoma. SBE is not carrying any 2-piece systems at this time.

Dan then introduced Dr. Phillip Newhall, a Urologist in Raleigh. Dr. Newhall discussed the problem of kidney stones in people with ostomies. Men are more likely to have them than women and it is believed that heredity plays a role in one's likelihood of developing kidney stones. He explained that there are 2 types of kidney stones, uric acid stones and calciumoxalate stones.

The most common type of stone is the calcium oxalate. These stones develop as a result of too much oxalate in the body system. Iced tea, beer, leafy vegetables, chocolate and other foods have been linked to increasing the oxalate levels. Calcium oxalate kidney stones are often jagged edged and painful to pass.

Uric acid stones are seen in ostomy patients and develop due to a loss of bicarbonate. They tend to be round and much easier to pass then calcium oxite stone. Dehydration plays a major role in the development of kidney stones. Dr. Newhall stressed the importance of hydration for all osteomates. This is especially true for people with ileostomies since they frequently become dehydrated due to constant liquid output and the loss of electrolytes. People with inflammatory bowel disease are also high risk for kidney stones as their stool becomes saturated with fat and oxalate. Chronic infections can also lead to kidney stones.

Symptoms of kidney stones include flank pain, groin pain, testicular pain in men, or blood in the urine. Some women think they have a bladder infection when it is actually a kidney stone. It is important to seek professional evaluation as soon as possible. ACT scan is often ordered to visualize the kidneys. The CT scan is quick and no contrast is needed. If the test is inconclusive, it is possible that a contrast study will need to be done to get a more definitive diagnosis. For most people with ostomies, kidney stones are either passed through the kidneys or they are destroyed by the shockwave procedure.

Prevention is the key. In addition to staying hydrated, Dr. Newhall suggests drinking lemon juice that contains citrate. Citrate prevents the formation of oxalate calcium stones. He also suggests that ostomy patients discuss kidney stone preventionwith their physician. A 48-hour urine collection should be obtained and tested for oxalate, calcium and citrate. A blood sample should also be tested for bicarbonate. The physician can control the levels of these substances in the body by prescribing medication. Thiswill help prevent future kidney stone formation. People with urostomies should be checked regularly by their physician for kidney stones and for ureter blockages.

Dr. Newhall concluded his presentation by again stressing the importance of hydration.

Shirley Peeler reminded everyone to pack wisely when traveling. Shirley had packed a pair of curved scissors used for ostomy care in her carry on luggage. She was able to talk the airport security into letting her keep them, but the suggestion was made to pack scissors in your overnight luggage to prevent confiscation by airport security.

Dan ended themeeting at 9:00 and wished everyone a happy and safe summer.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Should Ostomy Supplies Be Sterile?

It is not necessary to use sterile ostomy supplies. For instance, wash cloths or cotton balls can be substitutes for gauze pads. The stoma and surrounding skin are NOT sterile and only require the same sort of cleanliness that the rest of the exterior body does. This aside, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water before and after changing your appliance.

Is It Normal for the Stoma to Change Size?

The stoma will shrink in the first months after surgery and should be re-measured to make sure you have the proper wafer fit. Also, it is normal for the stoma to change size as output passes through it.