-
Triangle Area Ostomy Association
January 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
President’s Message Page 1 Events Calendar Page 1 News and
Updates Page 1 Member Information Page 2 WOC Nurses Page 2 Contact
Information Page 2 December Minutes Page 4 UOAA National Conference
Page 5 TAOA Membership Form Page 5
NEWS AND UPDATES
Our January meeting is a demonstration of ostomy accessories by
Stomageinics.
The TAOA Board needs member support! We are currently looking
for a Vice President, Secretary/Membership Coordinator and new Web
Master.
If you know of an event where you think TAOA would benefit from
setting up an information table, please let Dan Richards know.
OUR MISSION: TAOA strives to provide emotional and educational
support for those with an
intestinal or urinary diversion or who anticipate the surgery.
We support The Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW) by contributing
ostomy supplies to be shipped to underprivileged ostomates in
foreign countries.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Jan 1 New Year’s Day Jan 8 TAOA Meeting,
Rex, 7:15 pm Jan 8 TBC Meeting Chapel Hill, 7 pm Jan 14 CFA Meeting
Rex, 7:30 pm Jan 21 Martin Luther King Jr Birthday
NOTE: January meeting is on Jan 8, not Jan 1!
TRIANGLE AREA OSTOMY ASSOCIATION (TAOA)
TAOA is a non profit organization dedicated to advancing ostomy
health through advocacy, education, and profes-sional interaction.
We are an affiliated support group of the The United Ostomy
Associations of America, Inc. Membership is open to ostomates,
nurses and friends who support our mission.
New members are always welcome. Please refer to the membership
form on the last page.
President’s Message
Thank you to everyone who came to our holiday party in
De-cember. There was so much good food and company! In 2019 we are
hoping to add to our Board of Directors. We want to fill the vacant
Vice President position as we’ll find a new webmaster and
secretary/membership coordinator. Ed and Ruth have done these jobs
incredibly well but would like to pass them on. Please consider
volunteering. If you would like more information please let me
know. Regards, Dan Richards
TAOA brings Christmas Cheer to FOW! Donations for FOW (Friends
of Ostomates Worldwide) totaled an impressive $245 at the
Christ-mas gathering! Together with matching funds from TAOA we
were able to donate $500 to FOW this Christmas season. Thank you to
the TAOA membership for making this possible.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjVqKCFpqrfAhXMMd8KHdhjBq4QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F725783296170804646%2F&psig=AOvVaw1McwdowLhQL4dSZcwSdKSt&ust=1545254032350047
-
DISCLAIMER: Articles and information appearing in this
newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the Triangle Ostomy
Association and may not be applicable to every individual. Always
consult your physician or WOC Nurse for all medical advice.
2
WOC Nurses
Wake Med Leigh Ammons 919-350-7668 Melanie Johnson 919-350-7668
Debbie Orr 919-350-7668 Gloria Tabron 919-350-7668 Meredith Sharp
919-350-7668
Wake Med Cary Joanna Burgess 919-350-5231
UNC Hospital Donna Brickman 984-974-9234 Juliet Idiabonya
984-974-9234 Lisa Jenkins 984-974-9234 Lara Leininger 984-974-9234
John Motko 984-974-9234 Donna Partin (outpt) 984-974-9344 Janet
Rankin 984-974-9234 Jennifer O'Brien 984-974-9234
Duke Regional Tom Hobbs 919-470-7215 Felicia Street
919-470-6145
Duke Ronda Bowles 919-681-4678
Jane Fellows 919-681-7743
Kelly Cowell 919-681-1648
Michelle Rice 919-681-2436
Angela Richardson 919-684-9954
Leanne Richbourg 919-681-6694
Katie Smith 919-681-5675
Stepahnie Stokes 919-681-1785
Stephanie Yates (outpt) 919-613-2035
Mary Ann Whaley 919-613-5583
Sarah Britt 919-681-4678
Duke Raleigh Amanda Eltz 919-954-3725
Krys Dixon 919-954-3446
Maria Parham Hospital Kathy Thomas 252-436-1700
Durham VA Medical Center Reba Giles 919-286-0411 X 6177 Sara
Harbison 919-285-0411 X 5297
Rex Hospital Angela Joyner 919-784-2048 Rachel Breazeale
919-784-2048 Teri Ourada 919-784-2048
TAOA DUES POLICY
Annual Membership Dues support TAOA & UOAA. A statement for
$20 Dues is issued each June. Please pay to TAOA prior to
September. Attach membership form on page 5 of Newsletter. Triangle
WOCN’s & Professional Associates receive a Courtesy Membership
in appreciation for their support of TAOA.
TRIANGLE BLADDER CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
Date: Second Tuesday of the Month
Time: 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Place: SECU Family House,
123 Old Mason Farm Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Contact: Ritchie Briggs
919-493-0551
[email protected]
www.trianglebcs.com
CCFA SUPPORT GROUP
Date: Third Monday of the Month
Time: 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Place: Rex Healthcare
Contact: Reuben Gradsky
[email protected]
Group Officers and Contact Info President: Dan Richards
919-624-3075 Vice President: Vacant Treasurer: Ruth Rhodes
919-782-3460 Secretary: Vacant Newsletter: Alison Cleary
919-924-3325 Webmaster: Ed Withers 919-553-9083 FOW Coordinator:
Jeff Burcham 919-847-9669 Visitor Coordinator. Vacant Program
Coordinator: Stephanie Yates 919-613-2035 Prof. Advisor: Stephanie
Yates 919-613-2035
All Officers are available for member support
TAOA MEETING INFORMATION
MEETING: Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month,
September through June. Time: 7:15pm to 8:30pm. There is NO meeting
in July or August. LOCATION: Rex Hospital, 4420 Lake Boone Trail,
Raleigh NC 27607. From the parking deck use the Main En-trance to
the Lobby. The meeting is in the main Waiting Room on the left.
POLICY FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER: When Wake County Schools are closed
due to weather conditions TAOA will NOT meet that even-ing. To
verify a cancellation call Rex Hospital at 919-784-3100.
http://www.ccfa.org/
-
3
Thoughts about Ostomy Surgery: To Tell or to Remain Silent By
Ellen Poulson
According to some recent statistics from UOAA, there are 750,000
to one million people in the United States who have had ostomy
surgery. No one wanted it, and no one asked to become very ill. But
this is life on Earth as human beings. Illness comes, bodies
be-come sick and weakened with various problems from cancer to
ulcerative colitis. Fortunately, there are some well-trained
medical folks who can operate, remove the source of trouble and
create a new way to live. Nurses and WOC nurses are there to help
on as we find our way back to health. All of these patients now
have a new plumbing system in place, requiring an ileostomy, a
colostomy, urostomy or other types of ostomy surgery. How wonderful
that they survived! The problem is that no one wants to talk about
it--– a miracle that kept them alive! No, it gets laughed at. Jokes
are made about little old ladies who “wear a bag”. Good heavens,
this wonderful surgery is done for little babies, too. They are
still cute whether they are wearing a surgical appliance or not. It
seems that people smirk and feel embarrassed about anything
mentioned in the digestive tract that is located beyond the
stomach. New ostomates share those feelings in private until they
can meet with a group chapter of the UOAA in cities and towns all
across America. If there was more acceptance about this surgery and
the words used– such as ostomy, colon, colostomy, surgical
appliance or pouch rather than just the term “bag”, then acceptance
could begin. Many can remember Betty Ford, the presidents’ wife,
who came out in the media and said she had surgery for breast
cancer. At that time many people were not openly saying ei-ther the
word “breast” or “cancer”. Now it is openly discussed and all the
better for more people whose lives are saved through having open
discussions. Personally, I hope for the day when I no longer remain
silent about my ileostomy which saved my life forty years ago.
Since then I recovered good health, have lead organizations,
watched my children become mothers, enjoyed playing tennis,
swim-ming and other sports- and most people know nothing about my
miracle. Early on I mentioned it to a few folks who seemed so
uncomfortable or reviled by the thought that I decided not to
bother to tell. One person argued that there is no way a per-son
could live without a colon- and treated me as a misinformed ninny.
It became easier to remain silent. But now, it is time for the
world to know how the medical profession is saving lives through
great surgery and there are per-sonnel to help with recovery and
groups to meet with to learn how to live again, happy and free from
illness and pain. Editor’s note: After writing this as “anonymous”
the author chose to use her name! Visit www.ostomy.org to get
involved with UOAA advocacy and ostomy awareness activities.
Article reprinted courtesy of www.ostomy.org
-
MINUTES TAOA MEETING December 4, 2018 President Dan Richards
formally opened the TAOA Holiday Social at 7:30 PM as members &
friends mingled, enjoying the large variety of Holiday nibbles. Dan
welcomed 14 members, a returning visitor & a new visitor
recovering from recent ostomy surgery. Thanks to all in attendance
for filling our Holiday Table with your special foods. All of the
delicious treats were enjoyed along with delightful fellowship. We
are extremely grateful to Stephanie Yates for providing drinks
& cider in addition to plates, napkins, utensils & décor.
There was no formal program this evening. It was a social
opportunity to greet friends, meet new people & share
friendship & experiences with one another. Joanna Burgess, WOCN
spoke briefly to bring the group up to date on happenings at UOAA.
Santa’s Sleigh was filled with donations from our most generous
TAOA members. Their total contribution of $245.00 will bring
Christmas Cheer to FOW! A huge thank you to ALL of you for your
unselfish Christmas Spirit! This gift will help to provide supplies
for ostomates in foreign countries & will also help the FOW
vol-unteer staff with expenses for storage space, packaging,
shipping postage, etc. TAOA will match your $245.00 member
contribution by adding $255.00. Our Christmas gift check for a
total of $500.00 will be sent promptly to FOW. THE FIRST TUESDAY OF
JANUARY 2019 IS NEW YEAR’S DAY! THEREFORE, OUR JANU-ARY MEETING
WILL BE HELD ON THE SECOND TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019 AT 7:15 PM. A
Stomagienics representative will demonstrate their products and
will host a question and answer session. Sam Bundy will provide
refreshments. The Holiday Social adjourned at 8:30 PM. Respectfully
submitted, Ruth Rhodes, Sec., Treas.
4
-
5
TAOA MEMBERSHIP FORM
PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY Date:_____________ Name:
___________________________________Spouse:____________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone:_________________Cell Phone:_____________________
EmailAddress:_______________________________________________ Year
of Surgery:________Receive Newsletter via: [ ] Email [ ] US Mail
Type of Ostomy: [ ] Colostomy [ ] Ileostomy [ ] Urostomy (Ileal
conduit) [ ] Other:_________________________[ ] Support/No Ostomy
Comments (con’t on reverse side)________________________________ [
] Complimentary Membership if dues are not affordable. (Info. is
confidential) [ ] Affiliate Membership. WOCN’s/PROF.ASSOC’s.
Courtesy exemption of dues. Dues $20.00. Donations (optional)
defray costs of shipping supplies to FOW. Amt. Enc. $____________ [
] Ca [ ] Ck [ ] MO Issue payment to TAOA.
Mail payment with this completed form to:
Ruth Rhodes, Sec./Treas./ 8703 Cypress Club Drive/Raleigh, NC,
27615
UOAA’s National Conference August 6-10, 2019 (from
https://www.ostomy.org/2019-uoaa-national-conference/)
Registration for UOAA’s National Conference opens on January 1,
2019. Philadelphia is home to the 7th UOAA National Conference.
It’s a not to be missed event for the ostomy community and your
chance to connect and learn from medical experts and people living
with an ostomy from all around the country. Gather at Philadelphia
201 Hotel, a great vacation destination right in the heart of this
historic city (Special UOAA rate available). Please join us and
prepare to make new life-long friends, to laugh, shed a tear,
celebrate, and learn. You’ve earned it.
Conference Highlights Free Stoma Clinic with WOC Nurses
Ostomy Product Exhibit Hall
Sessions for the New and Experienced Ostomate
The Active Lifestyle Panel Discussion with ostomates of all ages
will feature a race car driver, runner, an active grandmoth-er and
young professionals
Caregivers Track - Caring for Female and Male Ostomates and
Caregiver Stress
Pediatrics Track
Young Adults Track with a number of networking
opportuni-ties
Medicinal Marijuana, Pain Management and Alternative
Prac-tices
Social Events
Fashion Show Saturday Night
Roaring 20’s Casino Night
Free Improv Comedy Show
21+ Meetups
Nightly Social Events
ASG Leader Networking
Visit www.ostomy.org for more information
-
8703 Cypress Club Drive Raleigh, NC 27615
OUR THANKS TO
FOR PROVIDING THE PRINTING OF THIS NEWSLETTER
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, Jan 8, 2019 at 7:15 pm, Rex Hospital
PROGRAM: Demonstration of Ostomy Accessories Hosted by:
Stomagienics
