Highlights of our 2008 Meetings

Highlights of our January 8th Meeting

Madhulika G. Varma, MD and surgeon at the UCSF Medical Center, was our guest speaker.  Her areas of expertise include colorectal and anal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and pelvic floor disorders. She also is a specialist in laparoscopy colorectal surgery, using minimally invasive techniques to treat many of these diseases.

Her presentation helped members to gain a more complete understanding of how new surgical techniques are changing the surgical options for those suffering from colorectal diseases.  She then took part in an extended question and answer session, providing helpful responses to questions asked by our members.  To download or print the handout Dr. Varma distributed at the meeting, click here.

Highlights of our February 12th Meeting

At our February 12th meeting, 20 people were in attendance.  Peggy opened the meeting with a series of announcements and new product information.  She also distributed and shared information about a new publication,

You can get more information about this publication by clicking on its name in the previous sentence.  Peggy gave us an update as to some new plans that have been made at the national level of the UOAA.  The major portion of our meeting was devoted to member support issues. 

Highlights of our March 11th Meeting

Twenty-five people showed up for our March 11th Meeting, five of them being first time attendees.  The meeting focused upon responding to some of the questions and needs of the new attendees, three of whom had had surgery within the past four weeks.  It was a good meeting and everyone took part, and one can assume that we all learned something new.

Highlights of Our April 8th Meeting

Seventeen people attended our April meeting, including one person who had ostomy surgery just six weeks ago.  We met again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8th, in the "Sister Rosalie Rendu Conference Room." With us for this meeting was Gabrielle Cole, a representative of Coloplast.  She was with us to share latest product information from Coloplast and respond to questions related to their products. Coloplast has introduced a new adhesive formula "SenSura" that is said to be much less subject to skin irritation. It is also very thin and flexible.  It is available in both the one piece and two piece version.  It was a very helpful and informative presentation.  Garbielle can be reached at 510-282-1621, or to E-mail her, click here.

One member shared an experience he had had two weeks ago.  As a result of an intestinal flu, he experienced acute diarrhea.  After two days of diarrhea, he began to experience severe leg cramps.  Recognizing the signs of dehydration, he called Kaiser's advice line, and was told to go immediately to the Emergency Room.  They quickly hooked him up to IV fluids.  Within a short time he had received two liters of fluids and more powerful anti-diarrhea medications.  Within a short time he was fully recovered.  He warned everyone, that diarrhea has to be taken very seriously.  If not treated for Dehydration. one can go into shock with severe complications.  On page 68 of the March 2008 issue of the Phoenix, is a good article on Dehydration.

We also learned about a "Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis - Silicon Valley" walk that will take place on Saturday May 10.  To learn more about the event, click here.

Highlights of our May 13th Meeting

Our May 13th meeting was attended by twenty-two people, including four who were with us for the first time.  Another attendee was here for the first time following ostomy surgery eight weeks ago (she had attended our group prior to her surgery.  We had a report about the very successful charity walk that the held the area chapter of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. The walk so far raised $135,000, and

The meeting focused on responding to questions and concerns of people attending, particularly issues of concern to one attendee who is scheduled for surgery the next week.  Among issues discussed were the relative merits of external pouches and internal pouching systems.

Twenty people attended our August 11th meeting.  Peggy, our president was not able to be with us due to her mothers illness.  Henry, our vice president  led the meeting.  Of the twenty in attendance, were two couples who were with us for the first time.  One member of each couple had undergone ostomy surgery in recent months.  This meeting followed our open forum process in which members provided answers and support to those who have had recent ostomy surgery.

The issue of pouch odor control came up and NANCIE again suggested that Ice Breakers Mints work wonderfully.  One mint, inserted into the pouch (after the pouch has been drained) deodorizes the pouch and leaves a fresh mint scent all day long.  A number of our group members reported that they too had used this method and it does work well.  The illustration to the right shows the product to which we are referring.

What Happened at our September 10 Meeting

Eighteen people attended our September 10th meeting.  Our president, Peggy was not with us this night, her mother having died in late August.   The meeting was planned to be an open support type of meeting, with no special program or speaker. Cecilia was here to tell us that her father Tony had passed away.  Tony was a regular member of our group and enriched our lives with his cheerful spirit and can do attitude.  His presence is missed by all of us.

One member shared about a recent experience of a blockage she had experienced.  A number of people remembered one of the doctors who has addressed our group recommended a person roll from side to side so that the intestines shift within the abdomen.  The doctor even recommended that a person stand on their head if they are able to do so.   Although many ostomy patients never experience this problem, it is good to remember this advice in case you ever need it.

What Happened at October 14 Meeting

Twenty-one people attended our October 14th Meeting, including Samantha who will be having ileostomy surgery next month at the Stanford Medical Center. It also included a visitor who is from Mexico and who had a colostomy operation one year ago.  Our President, Peggy was back with us after missing several meetings due to the illness and death of her mother. 

Following introductions of those in attendance we spent most of our time helping Samantha to find answers to the questions she has as she prepares for her surgery.  Your writer has the impression that she left our meeting far more re-assured and prepared for her up-coming surgery. 

What Happened at November 11 Meeting

Twenty-one people attended our November 11th meeting.  As usual, we met in the "Sister Rosalie Rendu Conference Room."  With us was Alicia, who is having Colostomy surgery within the next two weeks.  She will be having the surgery at Kaiser, Santa Clara.  She had some questions to ask and the group spent half an hour helping her to prepare for her surgery, her recovery and her future life. 

We also had a report that Samantha (see Oct. 14 meeting) had her ileostomy surgery at Stanford Medical Center and is now home and on the way to recovery.

Our special guest speaker was Sally Zumwalt who is a Licensed Dietician from Kaiser, Santa Clara.  Sally had reprinted a large number of articles related to ostomy patients and diet.  One of the articles had a very good diagram indicating which vitamins are absorbed at what stage of the digestive system.