OH, HOW WE HELP OTHERS!!! Ostomy Halifax · PDF fileAtlanta and asked to have some ... Programs: Jennifer Schmaltz Refreshments: Alyson Walsh 902-435-2539 ... Chris Jamieson, MD,

Ostomy Halifax Gazette Page 1

Volume 44 Issue 8 October 2017

In This Issue

Who Helps with What? .............. 2President’s Message.................. 3Ostomy Halifax Minutes ............ 4Notice Board.............................. 5Search for new OH President.... 6Letter from Ostomy Canada ........

President.............. 6Membership Information........... 9Stoma Stroll 2017 .................... 10

Ostomy Halifax Societyis a registered Canadian charity thatseeks to achieve the highest quality

of life for ostomates and theirfamilies in Nova Scotia

Our Mission

We are a not-for-profit volunteerorganization dedicated to all peoplewith an Ostomy and their families,

helping them to live life to thefullest through support, education,collaboration and communications.

Irene Stagg is the epitome of aperson living with an ostomy whogives so much of herself to others.Just read this about the woman whois visitors chair of our chapter andwho takes the random calls thatcome to our cell phone.It was an August Sunday when Irenereceived a call from a woman on acruise ship.“I’m from Atlanta and my husbandforgot his urostomy supplies,” thewoman moaned. “He has nothing.We’ve been on the ship out of Miamito Southampton (England) and willbe in Halifax Thursday. I found yourchapter name on line and thoughtyou might help us.”Irene heard that the woman,Rosemarie, called her supplier inAtlanta and asked to have somesupplies sent. The supplier said theycouldn’t ship internationally – to

England or Canada. Rosemarie’ssister went to the Atlanta home,packed some things and sent it toSouthampton but the parceldisappeared when it got to London.“Where can I get supplies inHalifax?” Rosemarie asked Irene.Irene, ever the enthusiastic helperand willing to go the extra mile foranyone, said she’s do what shecould. She realized it was a holidayweekend, so she couldn’t getanything until Tuesday.“I found what the woman needed inLower Sackville and they would beable to courier them to me and I’dtake them to the woman. I was goingto pay and then have Rosemariereimburse me,” said Irene. “But itwould be $20 to courier and I didn’twant to add to the woman’s costs, so

OH, HOW WE HELPOTHERS!!!

by Joel Jacobson

Irene Stagg, Halifax visitor program chair

...continued on Page 6

Next Meeting

Sunday, November 5 at 2:30 pmBethune Building, VGH Site, QE11Jennifer Manuel, a wellnessfacilitator with the DartmouthCommunity Health Team will betalking about guidelines for physicalactivity

All members and visitorsare welcome!

Page 2 Ostomy Halifax Gazette

Ostomy Halifax SocietyP.O. Box 8476, Halifax, NS, B3K 5M2

www.ostomyhalifax.ca

A Volunteer, Charitable, Tax Exempt,Rehabilitation Organization.

CRA Registration # 11927-7184-RP0001

Ostomy Halifax Society Officers

President: Elaine Jeffery 902-465-3533Vice-President: Graham Thomas 902-832-5955Treasurer: Theresa Mason 902-861-4917Correspondence Secretary: Barbara Barrett 902-443-8274Recording Secretary: Joe Shaw 902-957-0848Past President: Ed Tummers 902-425-0894

Monthly Meetings

Hospitality: Betty Woolridge 902-883-2438Programs: Ruth Kenney 902-434-7521Programs: Jennifer SchmaltzRefreshments: Alyson Walsh 902-435-2539Telephone: Paulette Vilvorder 902-445-3832Room Bookings: Mike Woolridge 902-883-2438

Mutual Support and Caring

Awards: Joel Jacobson 902-479-0442Cards: Barbara Barrett 902-443-8274Scrapbook: Ann Dease 902-861-3268SASO: Betty Woolridge 902-883-2438Visitors Program: Irene Stagg 902-462-0899Youth Camp: Mike Woolridge 902-883-2438Youth Coordinator: Joe Shaw 902-957-0848

Awareness and Communications

Information: Irene Stagg (Cell Phone) 902-473-0414Library: Ann Dease 902-861-3268Newsletter Editor: Joel Jacobson 902-479-0442Newsletter Layout: Jonathan Grady 902-483-8532Mailing: Mike Woolridge 902-883-2438

Operations:

Finance: Mike Veres 902-852-4104Membership: Betty Woolridge 902-883-2438

Charter Members:

Ruth Kenney ET 902-434-7521

Satellite Presidents

Annapolis Valley East: Paula McKenzie 1-902-538-7900South Shore Ostomy: Jane Berrigan 1-902-521-6117

Medical Advisors

Chris Jamieson, MD, M. Giacomantonio, MD& Paul Johnson, MD

3430 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax902-443-6084

Visit us and speak to one of ourfriendly staff for all your Home HealthCare needs, including a wide selection

of ostomy supplies.

Collect valuable Shoppers Optimumpoints on every purchase!

Healthcare solutions for better living


A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT...by Elaine Jeffery

Thank you! Thank you! Thankyou! To all of you who contributedto and walked in the StomaStroll. This year's campaign was agreat success. For starters, the sunwas out. That makes two years in arow of beautiful fall weather for ourStroll around the Public Gardens.

We had a good turn out with 34walkers and over $3,600 raised. Ifyou had intended to contribute tothe Stroll, but just didn't get aroundto it, it is not too late. A few moredonations could push us up to$4,000 mark. That would be a newrecord. Please contact JoelJacobson if you would like tocontribute, or you can bring yourdonation to the next meeting.

Thanks as well to Joel and GrahamThomas for all their efforts to makesure the day was a greatsuccess. Joel contacted mediaoutlets and even got up at the crackof dawn to appear on Global. Healso coordinated the forms andorganization needed to bring us alltogether. Graham requested a giftbasket from Lawton's Drug Storesfor the person who raised the mostcontributions and as usual, theycame through in great

style. Shoppers in Fall River alsokindly donated the water for ourwalkers.

It was a close race for the topplace. Terry Hurrell spoke with –and educated – several choir groupswith whom he is associated andraised $913! It was a new member,however, Dick Ohlhausen , whowon the basket. Dick graciouslygave most of the credit to hisdaughter Cathy who approachedher colleagues at work and raised$965. It was especially exciting tohave several new membersattending this year. Whether youhave had your ostomy for a fewmonths or a few years, you can giveback to help others.

The funds raised help OstomyCanada support national initiativessuch as the Disability Tax Creditbrochure you have been hearingabout. The brochure is nowavailable both on line and inprint. If you have had your ostomyfor more one year and have not yetapplied for the credit, you can do sonow. If you have any questions,please feel free to give me acall. My number is on page 2.

Funds from the Stoma Stroll arealso used to offset the cost ofsending kids to Camp Horizon inAlberta. Ostomy Canadasubsidizes the cost for all kids andif parents cannot afford to pay theremaining costs, our nationalorganization covers thebalance. Just like here in theMaritimes, no child is denied thecamp experience because of lack offunds.I have been away for the pastmonth and want to thank GrahamThomas for stepping into the

President's shoes to run themeetings in my absence. Asexpected, Graham did anoutstanding job. All the membersof your Executive and BusinessCommittee were also hard atwork. We will begin advertisingfor the AGM next month, but if youwould like to join a Committee orthe Executive, please don'thesitate. You get back so muchmore in satisfaction than you putout in effort.

I had a fun trip with my sister, but itis good to be home and gettingback to work. I look forward toseeing many of you at theNovember meeting and it’s not tooearly to begin searching fordonations to the December Auctionwhere we raise money to sendMaritime kids to camp.

Be well.

Be sure to attend the

Annual Auction andChristmas Buffet

2 P.M. Sunday, December 3,Bethune Ballroom.

Auction Proceeds supportchildren attending summercamp. Bring your favouritedish to share with your fel-low ostomates.

See you there!


The regular monthly meeting ofthe Ostomy Halifax Societyopened at 2:30 pm.Vice-President Graham Thomaswelcomed members and guests.Barbara Barrett followed with theOstomy Prayer.

Membership: Betty Woolridgereported 42 members and guestsin attendance, including newmembers Catherine Adams andher husband Harold.

Cards: Barbara reported severalsympathy cards sent on passing ofmembers and relatives ofmembers. A congratulations cardwas sent to Arthur Veinot andJudy Murray-Veinot on theirrecent wedding.Birthday Bottle: The birthdaybottle is on the table up front eachmonth for anyone wishing todonate in their birthday month.The proceeds go to helping sendyouth to Camps Horizon andBrigadoon. Tax receipts areavailable from Theresa Mason fordonations over $10.

Member News: Grahamreported on Elaine’s trip to farand wide (and in-between) andsuggested tales of her journeywould make a great program talkin the near future.

National News: Ed Tummersreported on the recent Quebecregional conference that heattended in Montreal. It was in

English and French and wasgreatly entertaining.Ed said regional conferences arethe way of the future. Costs toattend national events are muchtoo high and regional eventsattract as many members as donational ones. Quebec drew 130people; Saskatoon in the springhad over 100; Atlantic regiondrew 150 to Truro last April and aplanned event in St. John’s NLexpects 100.People stay in touch throughsocial media so regionals work aswell as nationals.An American regional conferencewill be held in Virginia on May 4-6, 2018 and we are invited toattend.All national board and executivepositions are filled. They are nowopen to any person living with anostomy, not just active membersof a chapter. Ed said the newboard looks like a high energygroup with lots of volunteerexperience in various fields.Anyone interested in working ona national committee, please seeor contact Ed for information.Our chapter’s elections will be inFebruary and we are looking for anew president. Elaine’s two, two-year terms are ending as dictatedby our by-laws, and she must bereplaced.A Sharing Ideas group is beingformed to study the future of ourchapter, Please consider joiningthe team. A RAP session wlll beheld in January on the future ofour chapter.

Visitors Program: Visitorscoordinator Irene Stagg said atraining program is planned forNovember 2017 as soon as a sitecan be confirmed. Many visitors

require a renewal (compulsoryafter three years) to recognizechanges in guidelines for visitors.

Stoma Stroll: Joel Jacobsonoutlined the plans for StomaStroll Saturday October 7, 2017 at2 p.m. at the main entrance toHalifax Public Gardens.

Business Meeting: The nextmonthly business meeting will beheld Monday October 16 2017, at12:30 p.m. in Room 5132 of theDickson Building. Businessmeetings are open to all membersand are normally held on the thirdMonday of each month.

Next Meeting: The next meetingwill be held at 2:30pm Sunday,November 5th, in the BethuneBuilding Ballroom.

Sandwiches: Judy Murray-Veinot; Annette Petrie (cheesetray); Theresa Mason.Sweets: Judy Murray-Veinot;Victor Shrum

Program: ConvaTec RepShannah Cunningham gave athorough showing of newproducts and new systems. Sheinvited members and guests tocontact ConvaTec for freesamples.

The meeting was adjourned at3:30 for refreshments andfellowship.

Prepared by:Joel Jacobson, secretary, in JoeShaw’s absence.

Ostomy Halifax MinutesMinutes of the Monthly Meeting

Sunday October 1, 2017


Help Please !

If you are

aware of any

of our

members

who are sick

or in

hospital,

please take a

moment to

notify us.

Visits to New Ostomates

8 hospital support visits in September

Business Meetings … The next

monthly business meeting will be

held Monday, November 20, 2017

at 12:30 p.m. in Room 5132 of the

Dickson Building. Business meetings

are open to all members and are

normally held on the

third Monday of each month.

Birthdays in October

Joan Barlette, Leo Currie, Dianne DeYoung, Shirley Gale,

Lorna Giles, Patricia Gorveatte, Earl Graham, Shannon Harding,

Marie Hussey, Eleanore Howard, Ruth Kenney, Judy Murray, Frank

MacDonald, Archie McCulloch, Joy Stoddard, Donna Walker, Robert

Weeks,Pam MacDonald, Abe Younis,

Phone Committee

Please contact Paulette Vilvorder at

902- 445-3832 to have your name

added or removed from the list (if you

don’t need to be called) to be reminded

of our meetings.


...continued from Page 1

PAGE 1 STORY

I called my girl at Bayers Road andshe had everything the next day.”Thursday arrived and Irene andRosemarie connected at the Westin,near the cruise ship terminal. Theyhad a coffee and a long chat. Irenehanded her the package. Rosemariegave Irene the cash and hereverlasting thanks for going out ofher way to help a total stranger.“Not everyone would do that,” saidRosemarie. “You didn’t even knowme.”Irene shrugs off the thanks and says,“I HAD to help. She was desperate.Besides this is a good reminder foranyone, in our chapter or elsewhere,to first, remember your supplies, andsecond, take more than you thinkyou’ll need.”Thank you, Irene, for making theHalifax chapter stand out.

NEW PRESIDENT SOUGHTBY OSTOMY HALIFAX

By Ed Tummers, Past President

Our President, Elaine Jeffery, isnearing the end of her second term ofoffice as our President. According toour Bylaws, this will be her finalterm. Look at what we haveaccomplished together.Ostomy Halifax has thrived in somany ways under Elaine’sleadership; for example, the VisitingProgram, Youth Camp, monthlymeetings, advocacy on behalf ofostomates, outreach to thecommunity, and other less obviousways.

The Visiting Program continues tobe our main purpose. We havesupported Visitor training sessions incommunities throughout the region.These Visitors provide support andinspiration to patients in hospital at amost vulnerable time in their lives.We have also partnered with theCommunity Health Teams to provide

Our monthly meetings are an impor-tant way to stay connected with fel-low ostomates and to provide sup-port to new ostomates.

We joined together with neighbour-ing Chapters to host the AtlanticOstomy Outreach 2017 in Truro with150 participants from five provinces.

We have helped to start up informalsupport groups in communitiesacross the region to reduce traveltimes and connect neighbours witheach other. Ostomy support groupsand Chapters meet regularly acrossthe province in Yarmouth, Saulnier-ville, Barrington, Kentville, Bridge-water, Truro, Pictou County, Am-herst and Sydney. We have provideda helping hand in starting newgroups outside the province inWoodstock, NB and Charlottetown,PEI. Our newsletter is distributed toalmost 500 subscribers across Can-ada.

Youth Camp is important to us. Wehave a long history of sending kidsto Camp Horizon in Alberta everysummer. We have now partneredwith Camp Brigadoon to provide theopportunity for even more youngostomates to benefit from the campexperience closer to home.

We donate money each year to thehospitals to help patients in need topurchase ostomy supplies after theyare discharged from the hospital.Our donations help Friends ofOstomates Worldwide distributeostomy supplies to those in need indeveloping countries. Through ourdonations to the Stoma Stroll and ouraffiliation fees, we support the workof Ostomy Canada at the nationallevel.

This year, we produced a pamphletto assist new ostomates in their ap-plication for the Disability TaxCredit. We have a partnership withthe Canadian Association of En-terostomal Therapists (CAET) tohelp governments understand the

need to improve the levels of reim-bursement for ostomy supplies.

At our February 2018 annual generalmeeting, we will be electing Elaine’sreplacement, and Elaine will pass theprivileges and responsibilities ofleadership to her successor. In thecoming months, we will be invitingall of you to share your ideas toguide our new President. Help usmake Ostomy Halifax even better.

LETTER FROM OSTOMYCANADA PRESIDENT

Sept. 25, 2017

Are you or anyone in your chapter orostomy peer support group interestedin volunteering as a leader or mem-ber of a national committee? OstomyCanada needs your help to fulfill itsmission in support of those who livewith an ostomy.Committees are organized under thefollowing five pillars: Governance;Finance and Fundraising; Advocacy;Marketing and Communication andOutreach. Each pillar is the responsi-bility of a director. These directorsare called Pillar Administrators.If someone in your chapter or

ostomy support group is interested inassuming the role as leader or mem-ber of a committee please ask thevolunteer to send his/her name andcontact information to the specificpillar administrator at

[email protected] are the names of the pillaradministrators:* Governance: Karen Bruton* Finance and Fundraising:

Sharon Deaves* Advocacy: Steve Fabian* Marketing and Communication

Andrea Leard* Outreach: Andréanne Gousse

I anticipate your support in findingone or two volunteers for one ofthese important roles. For more in-formation please contact me by tele-phone at 1-905-387-6662 or by emailat [email protected]

Sincerely, Anne Ivol


Shannah Cunningham, our ConvaTec Rep, is shownexplaining the benefits of new products to members at our

September meeting


Do you have a beef, a bouquet,or simply a suggestion for

topics you wish discussed or coveredin the newsletter or at meetings? Ifso, please contact us. We will passalong your comments and concerns,or try to find articles of interest tocover the topic you wish discussed.

Please write to:

Ostomy HalifaxAttn: EditorP.O. Box 8476Halifax, NS, B3K 5M2

or E-Mail:[email protected]

Please consider receiving ourNewsletter by Email

There’s something in it for both ofus! As a member you will receiveyour newsletter as a full-colour PDFdocument just as soon as it is ready!For us, the savings are considerableboth in postage and printing costs.As well, you are contributing to amore sustainable environment.Interested? Please send an email [email protected]

Submissions for Newsletter

All Submissions must be received bythe 10th of each month.

Note to Readers

Products and methods mentioned inthis Newsletter are not endorsed bythe Ostomy Halifax Society and maynot be relevant to everyone. It is wiseto consult your doctor or ET nursebefore deciding to use any of these.

Change of Address?

If you have a change of address,please contact Betty Woolridge at103 Alderney Drive, Enfield NS,B2T 1J9 or by e-mail at:[email protected]

Editors Please Note...

Items in this Newsletter may becopied for use in others newsletters,providing proper credit is givenconcerning the source of thematerial, as indicated in “Source” atthe end of some articles.

ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER...

Toll Free1-888-969-9698

ostomycanada.ca

E-mail:

[email protected]

5800 Ambler DriveSuite 210

Mississauga, ONL4W 4J4

IND AN URSE

Capital Health, Halifax.............................................(902) 473-7503

IWK Children’s Health Centre, Halifax ...................(902) 470-6977

South Shore Health, Bridgewater.............. (902) 543-4604 Ext 2488

Regional Valley Hospital, Kentville .......... (902) 679-2657 Ext 3066

EKM Community Health Centre, Wolfville ...............(902) 542-2191

South West Health, Yarmouth ................... (902) 742-3542 Ext 1695

Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.............................(902) 752-3632

Colchester Regional Hospital, Truro ...... (902) 893-5554 Ext 42943

Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney ... (902) 567-8000 Ext 2335

AN ENTEROSTOMAL THERAPY NURSE OR ET NURSE, IS A REGISTERED NURSE

(RN) WHO HAS SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN TREATING PATIENTS WITH

More information can be found at www.ostomyhalifax.ca in your browserand then go down to Support and then to Find an ET nurse

at our website

www.ostomyhalifax.cayou can find …

copies of previous newsletters ET nurse contact info Ostomy Halifax contact info info about our spouse & sig-

nificant other program Travel Tips detailed help about the Dis-

ability Tax credit info on the Registered Disabil-

ity Savings Plan medical information with

helpful inks about- the stoma- the digestive system- the different types of

ostomies Travel Tips The two youth camp options

and The different way you can

support the work OstomyHalifax does


Membership Application - Ostomy Canada Society - Ostomy Halifax SocietyMembership includes annual subscription to our chapter newsletter and to “Ostomy Canada Connects”

The following information is kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL. Membership is open to ostomates and non-ostomates.

New Member Renewal Change of Address

(Please Print) Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________________________ Apt No:__________

City: ___________________________ Province: _____________________ Postal Code: _______________

Phone(s): ______________________________________ Birthdate: D _____ M___________ Y ________

E-Mail: _____________________________________________________________________________________

Languages Spoken: ___________________________________________________________________________

Colostomy Ileostomy Urinary Diversion Continent Ileostomy Continent Urostomy Ileoanal Spouse / Family Member MD, ET Supplier, etc. Other (Specify):___________

Enclosed are my annual membership dues of $28.00 Donation (tax deductible) $ ___________________ I am unable to pay at this time but would like to be a member.

Signature: __________________________________________

Make cheque payable to Ostomy Halifax Society and mailto:

Betty Woolridge, Membership Chair103 Alderney Drive, Enfield, NS B2T 1J9

Please note: For other Maritime Chapters, send directly toyour Treasurer.

Many of our advertisers give discounts to members of theOstomy Halifax Society on the purchase of Ostomy products.Please remember to show your membership card whenrequesting a discount from these participating firms:

Lawtons Home Health Care

Bayers Road Shopping Centre, Halifax 902-453-884790 Main St, Westphal, Dartmouth 902-462-74005991 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax 902-423-9430157 Cobequid Rd, Sackville 902-864-3005

Shoppers Drug Mart

3430 Joseph Howe Dr, Halifax 902-443-60845595 Fenwick St, Halifax 902-421-1683

Compass Pharmacy Group

Moffatt's Pharmacy, 184 Portland St 902-466-2345MacKay's PharmaChoice, 205 Pleasant St 902-469-4309The Passage PharmaChoice, 6 Cow Bay Rd 902-465-3558Kyte's PharmaChoice, 920 Cole Harbour Rd 902-462-4770Westphal PharmaChoice, 85 Tacoma Dr 902-434-5585

THE BENEFITS OF

EMBERSHIP

Membership in Ostomy Halifax is open to allpersons interested in ostomy care and

rehabilitation. A one year membership of $28.00 includesa subscription to the Ostomy Halifax Gazette (published 9times a year) as well as Ostomy Canada Society’spublication, Ostomy Canada (published twice a year).

As a courtesy, new Ostomates visited in the hospital byour certified visitors will receive an information packageincluding the Ostomy Halifax Gazette and the OstomyCanada magazine as well as other useful information. .

If you wish to make a Donation, receipts for amountsgreater than $10.00 are issued for income tax purposes.

Not yet a member? Membership forms are available fromour website at ostomyhalifax.ca or contact Mike or BettyWoolridge at 902-883-2438 to have one sent to you.OSTOMY SUPPLIES & DISCOUNTS


“No Scent” Policy

Ostomy Halifax respects the NoSmoking & No Scent policy of theCapital Health Authority. Thank youfor remembering your fellowmembers.

ABOUT OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS...

Cell Phones

A friendly reminder to turn off yourcell phone during the meeting as acourtesy to our presenters, membersand their guests.

Meeting Date Reminders!

If you wish to be called to bereminded of our meetings, pleasecontact Paulette Vilvorder at 902-445-3832 to have your name addedto the contact list.

Sunny Stoma Stroll Successful!

Visitor Training SessionThere will be a visitor training session on Saturday,November 25 starting at 9 a.m. It will be held at theBethune Building for anyone wishing to become avisitor or for those who need re-certification which isrequired every 3 years. More info at the Nov. Meetingfrom visitor chair Irene Stagg.

2018 Dues are due soon!Halifax chapter 2018 dues of $28.00 are due on November 30,2017. There are so many positives to being a member - dis-counts, newsletters, Ostomy Canada magazine - and friendshipand support. Please see Betty Woolridge at the November 5meeting regarding payment of dues. They can be mailed to her atBetty Woolridge, 103 Alderney Drive,Enfield, NS, B2T 1J9

Documents

OH, HOW WE HELP OTHERS!!! Ostomy Halifax · PDF fileAtlanta and asked to have some ... Programs: Jennifer Schmaltz Refreshments: Alyson Walsh 902-435-2539 ... Chris Jamieson, MD,