Chicago's North Suburban Chapter

The New Outlook

December 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

By Joan Boden

“Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Okay, the Chapter wasn’t giving away a million bucks, but almost 100 people were having fun, seeing new products and anticipating winning a raffle prize at our Annual Vendor Fair. Heartfelt thanks to Mark Drug Home Health, Hollister Intl., ConvaTec, Walgreen’s and others for their presentations and much welcomed assistance with different ostomy systems.

Assorted ostomy supplies and apparel were displayed at the Mark Drug Home Health display. Their generous raffle prize consisted of a beautiful gift basket—won by Jane Michnik—and a foot spa—won by Elisa Terry.

Hollister Intl., introduced their new paste and barrier ring line—Adapt. The Adapt barrier strips and convex barrier rings can be cut, bent and stacked together to improve the fit of ones’ barrier. Adapt paste is made with low alcohol to minimize stinging, and the tube is easier to squeeze. ConvaTec distributed booklets and promoted the Better Together Club.

Walgreen’s Home Health reminded us that they are located just down the street from Lutheran General at 3600 Dempster in Skokie. They are ready to assist us with our ostomy systems in everyway. Sarah Marnstein won the big prize, generously donated by Walgreen’s—an ostomy supply certificate worth $150.00. Members and guests were also winners of numerous raffle prizes from our Chapter.

Rudy “Teak” Ano is a 15-year-old teenage the Chapter sponsored at the 2002 Youth Rally. Dave Rudzin read the inspiring thank you letter from Teak. Teak explains how much he enjoyed the rally and “meeting kids just like me.”

Congratulations to Vicki Palermo, who is celebrating her birthday and 14^th stomaversary this month. A special prayer for a successful recovery to Lisa Mick, who attended our meeting just four days after surgery still attached to IV’s.

Joan Loyd was the lucky winner of the 50/50 with the consolation prize going to Helen Schnieder. Our Hospitality table was deliciously supplied by Karen Budnik, Joan Loyd, Renard Narcaroti, Dave Rudzin, Sally Schinberg and our friends from Hollister Intl.

We are always searching for good and inspiring stories that feature the lives of ostomates for our newsletter and our Internet site. Have any? Contact Renard Narcaroti, Webmaster, at the e-mail address on page two.

And don’t forget, FOW has just moved its worldwide headquarters to Glenview. We are looking for volunteers to donate a few hours a month to help manage supply shipments. We need you…now. Please call Joan Loyd—listed on page two—please help.

Remember, there is no fellowship meeting in November. But we hope to see all of you at the Gala Holiday Party on December 11. Wishing you and your love ones a wonderful Thanksgiving!

NOVEMBER - No meeting

DECEMBER 11 - Annual Holiday Party Fellowship starting at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Please prepare a desert, main or side dish, or whatever for our buffet to share with others. Sally Schinberg—listed on page two—is coordinating the event, so please let her know what you’ll bring. For everyone wishing to participate in the grab-bag, please bring a wrapped, unisex gift—about $10 in value. And...don't forget to bring your holiday spirit!

JANUARY 22- Panel discussion

Our fellow members will tell their stories.

Gladbaggers

Just to let you know, we had a wonderful time at the October Gladbaggers event in the new FOW warehouse. Although the warehouse was harder to find at night than we originally thought, we think everyone still made it there just fine.

Jane always sets up great eats for us...nobody ever goes away hungry. We had the opportunity to talk about our new life and the events that brought us here. We are grateful to everyone who came and shared a bit of their lives with us.

Take the Glide of Your Life

One of the members of our Board, Joan Boden, earned celebrity status recently. On October 18, the Chicago Tribune featured an article on hang-gliding—an extremely dangerous sport not for the faint-of-heart—including an interview with Joan.

Joan has broadened her experiences this year—amongst other things—by certifying as a scuba diver in the summer and now by hang-gliding in the fall. The reporter obtained an interview when he caught Joan just as she landed from her first flight. One of her quotes was, “It was cool. It’s excitement in your belly. It means you’re alive.”

Remember...

All of you who renew membership in our Chapter during the “A quarter” were due in October. Contact Frank Giorno—listed on page two—for further information.

Editor’s Comment

I would like to thank all of you who made contributions to The New Outlook in 2002. This is your publication, and we accept all quality submissions made to us—although we do reserve the right to edit and correct copy to conform with our editorial mission.

All our writers have volunteered their service, but we always try to mention and give credit to our sources. In fact, the mailing and printing costs for The New Outlook are the Chapter’s second largest expense. We do not copyright any of our articles—we want everyone to benefit from the information. We invite all to reprint our articles—which we do see reprinted across the United States as well as in other countries. All our articles are included on our Internet site. The only profit we want is that of benefiting ostomates everywhere.

We have a goal to be a ubiquitous organization that is inclusive and not exclusive. We welcome all well-intentioned people to participate in our Chapter.

Also, we do not say thank you or give approbation nearly enough to the committee people that make our Chapter of UOA work. We exist to help ostomates, but at the same time need ostomates like them to fulfill our mission.

So, I’d like to thank you personally. May 2003 bring happiness beyond your dreams.

Renard

Welcome New Members

Jean Burrowes

Susan R. Katz

Terry Knull

Myrta P. Martin

Gustav Totzke

President’s Message

My Dear Friends,

Well, it seems like autumn is finally here. Very few 50 or 60 degree plus days in store for us now. One of the traditions during the fall season is Daylight Savings Time. This is when we here in the Midwest set our clocks back one hour, to get that one more hour of sleep, which we promptly lose each spring.

Another one of the traditions during this season and something the radio and TV stations remind us is to check our smoke detectors in the house to make sure they are operating properly and the batteries are fine. I think that yet another one of the traditions that we as ostomates should initiate is to make sure that we and our stomas are in proper working order.

We may need that Fall checkup with our ET’s. If everything checks out fine, then we are good to go for the season, but if there are problems, aren’t we glad we found out about it this way instead of another way.

Now, many of you out there may be saying, “I’ve had no problems why check it out?” My answer to you is “Do you have Life insurance?” Your answer is “Yes.” And I say then “But everything is fine and you’re still here, why have it?” It is this same argument I make for checking your stomas. If everything is fine and you get a perfect bill of health from your ET, then consider it a dividend on your health insurance. And how often can you get such a cheap and easy way to ensure your health?

Let us hope that we all get those dividends each and every year from our ET. We hope to see each and every one of you at our Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 11.

Make it a safe, healthy and prosperous holiday season.

Dave Rudzin

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide

We wish to thank all of you who so generously contribute your time and efforts in the good work of FOW. Our workload has more than doubled since FOW moved to Chicago thanks to the outpouring of donations being sent to our warehouse. We need you more than ever, and yet we know that we can count on you.

The following is our calendar of for the next two months. Please continue to join us. Your talents are greatly appreciated by the least in the world.

Calendar

(Upcoming work dates at the warehouse)

November

Wednesday 20 - 7 p.m. till 9:30 p.m.

December

Sunday 1 – 1:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday 3 - 9:00 a.m till 12:00 p.m.

Saturday 14 – 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday 18 – 7:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m.

January

Sunday 5 –1:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday 7 – 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.

Saturday 11 – 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday 15 – 7:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday 28 – 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.

There is no phone there. Call Joan Loyd—listed on page two—a day or two before coming ... or just show up. We welcome all who are willing to learn with us how to run this worthwhile charity.

October 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

This night we were happy to greet five new ostomy visitors to our Chapter. Keep coming back! Our Chapter gives support happily, but we also learn so much from you who have had recent surgeries or have been living with an ostomy for years.

We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to ConvaTec for their generous donation. Mr. Prentice Kugler presented a check for $200.00 to our Chapter.

If you ever wanted an informative view of the GI track and different varieties of ostomies, this was the place to be in September. We had an intensive anatomy presentation by Sue Neu, WOCN at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. She visits our Chapter regularly and is always so kind to share her knowledge and experience with us.

It was explained that we have about 22 feet of small intestine, where the food we eat is broken down by digestive juices in the stomach, liver and pancreas, and the nutrients we need to fuel our bodies are absorbed. These digestive juices also irritate exposed skin for fecal ostomates. This is the reason stoma paste and a close fitting stoma opening on the barrier are so important. The large intestine is about five feet long and shaped like an upside down “U”. Its main purpose is to pull water out of the stool to be recycled in our bodies and holding the stool for elimination.

The Hartmann Procedure is used commonly in temporary fecal ostomy operations. The diseased part of the intestine is surgically removed leaving a healthy upper and lower tract. The lower part is sewed shut from the top and left to rest in the abdomen. The upper part is fashioned into an ostomy. Later, when the patient has recovered from the procedure, the surgeon opens the patient and reconnects the two parts. This operation is common for people with colon cancer, diverticulitis as well as gun shot victims.

Permanent ostomates usually consist of people who have had one of the following conditions: People who have multiple polyps (FAP) in their colons...they have a 100% chance of contracting cancer and should have their colons removed. Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients have a 25-40% chance of needing a colectomy usually after more than 10 years of disease. UC is cured after removal of the colon. Ostomy surgery is also a treatment for those with Crohn’s Disease of the large intestine. Lastly, a cancerous tumor may have formed close to the rectum. If the rectum is damaged, a permanent ostomy may result from surgical intervention.

It was interesting how a urostomy stoma is surgically created. After removing the diseased bladder and associated tissue, the surgeon cuts out about six inches of usually small intestine, leaving the blood supply intact. The peristalsis motion of it is removed, one end is sewed closed and the other is made into a stoma and brought through the abdomen wall. The two urethras from the kidneys are attached into this “conduit” and the patient is closed. A small straw is placed inside the entrance of each urethra for a few days to keep the urine track open until the swelling from the surgical trauma subsides.

Sue Neu, as well as other WOCN nurses, are part of a new outpatient ostomy clinic at Northwest Community Hospital. You will need a doctor’s order and a copy of a recent physical examination before making an appointment with them. Remember, an ostomate should have a check-up on his/her stoma every few years by a WOCN professional. Sue may be contacted by phone listed on page two.

Helen Lande was the lucky winner of the 50/50 with the consolation prize going to Sue Neu. Our Hospitality table was generously supplied by Gerry Eiseman, Joan Loyd, Gerry Kuntz, Linda Narcaroti and Debbie Snyder.

Hope to see all of you at our Annual Vendor Fair and Raffle on October 23. It is a great time to see what is new in ostomy care. And don’t miss out on the Gladbaggers dinner on October 30 at the FOW warehouse. The Gladbaggers always have great fun. Wishing you a spooky and fun Halloween,

October 23: Annual Vendor Fair/Raffle

October 30: Gladbagger’s

December 11: Annual Holiday Party

Remember...

All of you who renew membership in our Chapter during the “A quarter” are due now.

Gladbagger’s

We are have a get-together of our social group...those younger ostomates or those just young-at-heart on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. at the International Headquarters of FOW, 4304 Regency Drive in Glenview. Eats and drinks are provided and we each pitch in about $10 each to cover the cost. Please RSVP to Jane Michnik—listed on page two. All are welcome. We openly discuss any and all topics relating to our new life without reservation in a casual social setting. We always laugh and have some fun. It is a good way to get to know us.

Welcome New Members

Mike Cherry

Mary Miller

Linda Ross

Debbie Snyder

Visitor Service

Upon request—this may be a doctor, nurse, friend or relative—a specially trained ostomy visitor will personally be sent to visit any ostomy patient before or after surgery.

The visitor will be matched according to sex, age and type of ostomy. There is no charge for this service. An ostomy visitor performs this service as a volunteer to discuss our new life.

Contact our Visitor Chairperson—page two

President’s Message

Happy Autumn to all. Even though we are in the last stretches of Indian summer here in our area, we are already looking toward fall and of course the dreaded Chicago winter.

However, before we get into that we have just celebrated World Ostomy Day on October 5 at the corporate offices of Hollister in Libertyville, Illinois.

World Ostomy Day, I am sure causes many reactions when one hears it. Some remember the first time they saw their pouch and the fear and worry they faced. Others remember seeing the pouch and looking at it as a new way of life for them. Something that freed them from either a diagnosis of cancer, or in other cases freed them from a lifetime of finding the closest bathroom.

Whichever way you looked at it at first, we hope you all now have come to grips with the fact that your pouch has given you a second chance, a chance to now do what you may not have been able to do before. A chance to lead a full, healthy and productive life.

Why am I stressing these points? Well, there are people out there who are facing our issues and need our help in showing them what life can be like. We need to educate the general public out there to our condition and to our quality of life. We need to show the world that people with pouches or other diversionary surgeries are active members of society. They are the people that work with you, go to church or synagogue with you, play bridge with you and ride mass transit with you. Do you know who they are? No, but then isn’t that the beauty of this. We are people who have had a condition, and now we are just like all others, we just have a bigger heart and a deeper sense of compassion. Those are characteristics that do not show up on the outside, but are imbedded deep within us.

To this end, in educating the public, we again have been invited by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Chicago’s Carol Fisher Chapter, to participate in their CCFA IBD Symposium to be held November 23, 2002 at the Donald Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont) located at 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL.

We will have a booth there and will have information to be distributed to people who either look to ostomy surgery as a cure, or who may want to consider surgical options. This is our opportunity to show them that we have no limits. If there is anyone who would like to join us in the booth on November 23, please call me at 312-466-3683, and I will give you all the details.

Dave Rudzin

World Ostomy Day 2002

Many of us from our Chapter, from the DuPage and Rockford chapters, from Indiana and from Wisconsin went to the world headquarters of Hollister, International to celebrate World Ostomy Day 2002.

In a word...it was great. Hollister people have always treated us very special every time we visit, yet today they even outdid themselves. We saw new products soon to be introduced, like the clip-less drainable pouch, and Adapt paste and strips. Lunch was provided as well as snacks and a raffle of prizes. The highlight of the day was educational sessions geared especially for us such as:

· Ask the Clinician Session / Samples

· Ostomy Film Technology

· Tool-Room / Mold Technologies

· History of Hollister

· Ostomy World.com

· Product Tables

· Focus Groups

We wish to thank Hollister for once again giving us the opportunity to visit you and for your wonderful hospitality. We are grateful.

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide

We’re going to have a party! If you like parties, you are invited.

Gladbaggers is the group within our Chapter for the young-at-heart who want to socialize. Gladbaggers will be having supper at the FOW warehouse on Wednesday, October 30.

Jane Michnik will order the food and drinks. If you will be joining us, RSVP to her at 847-966-8639 or e-mail at n9yha@hotmail.com. We share the cost—about $10 each. Meet us there about 7:00 p.m. You can see the warehouse without having to work.

DIRECTIONS: The address of the FOW-USA warehouse is 4304 Regency Drive, Glenview, IL. Regency Drive is not a street. It is the entrance of the Glenview Industrial Complex which is on the west side of Dearlove Rd. just north of Central Rd. Dearlove Rd. starts at Central Rd. just east of the overpass for I-294. Central is about a mile north of Golf Road and just 10 minutes from Lutheran General.

Calendar

(Upcoming work dates at the warehouse)

Saturday, October 12 - 9 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Al

Maslov and Mike Cherry have recruited six Hollister volunteers who are coming this date. Join us for all or just part of the day and meet these wonderful non-ostomates who are coming to help.

Tuesday, October 15 - 9 a.m. till 12 noon

Wednesday, October 16 - 7 p.m. till 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 22 - 9 a.m. till 12 noon

Tuesday, November 5 - 9 a.m. till 12 noon

Saturday, November 9 - 9 a.m. till 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 12 - 9 a.m. till 12 noon

Wednesday, November 20 - 7 p.m. till 9:30 p.m.

There is no phone there. Call Joan Loyd or Marilyn Mau a day or two before—or just show up. We welcome all who are willing to learn with us how to run this worthwhile charity.

What to do if you lose your wallet

By Jane Michnik

We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed using your name, address, social security number, credit cards, etc.

Unfortunately, I have firsthand knowledge, because my wallet was stolen last month and within a week the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a Visa credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from the DMV to change my driving record information on-line, and more.

But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know. As everyone always advises, cancel your credit cards immediately, but the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know who to call. Keep those where you can find them easily (having to hunt for them is additional stress you won't need at that point).

Make a list today of all you credit card accounts and telephone numbers to reach them. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation…if there ever is one.

But here's what is perhaps most important: Call the three national credit reporting organizations—listed below—immediately to place a fraud alert on you name and social security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.

The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this almost two weeks after the theft—all the damage had been done—there were records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert.

Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend—someone turned it in. It seems to have stopped them in their tracks. The numbers of the credit reporting agencies are:

· Equifax 1-800 525-6285

· Experian (formerly TRW) 1-888-397-3742

· Trans Union 1-800-680-7289

Social Security Administration also has a fraud line at 1-800-269-0271. Pass this information along…it could help someone else.

September 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

“What does this do?” and “How can this help me?” were the most asked questions of the evening. New appliances, powders and creams, and even support and intimate apparel were passed around for our inspections. Allan Sears, from Mark Drug Home Health in Wheeling, was kind enough to present a demonstration on a huge selection of various ostomy products.

Hollister has come up with new, very-soft barrier-strips that can be applied around the stoma instead of paste. They also are introducing a new and improved easy-to-use paste tube. The New Image line of ostomy systems is gaining much popularity in part because of the comfort-lined, high-quality pouches offered along with them.

Coloplast, the largest ostomy supplier in Europe, has some cutting edge products, like an integrated clip on the pouch and a unique center-point locking system for two-piece users.

Cymed offers a totally flat barrier on their two-piece MicroSkin system that has no plastic rings at all thereby providing the lowest-profile appliance now available. Nu-Hope Laboratories has introduced two popular products. One is a support belt worn around the waist with an opening for a pouch. It can offer reassurance of the adhesiveness of an appliance and support for hernia patients. The second is a snug cummerbund which the pouch can be placed under for those whose wish to conceal it during intimate moments.

The company Necessit’ease offers intimate apparel for both men and women. These garments have a secret compartment for the pouch which makes it very-well hidden. If any of these products interest you, contact Mark Home Health Care. They offer all these products and have state-of-the-art information on virtually all ostomy systems.

Libby Brewer, just her second time here, was the lucky winner of the 50/50 with the consolation prize going to Bill Konopacz. Our Hospitality table was generously supplied by Joan Loyd; Joan McClovey; Jane Michnik, who celebrated her Sweet 16^th birthday once again; Linda Narcaroti, George Rasof and Sally Schinberg.

Saturday, October 5 is World Ostomy Day. Hollister Global Marketing Organization is sponsoring an open house this day between 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. There will be a product fair of the Hollister product line; free samples of the their state-of-the-art ostomy systems; clinician sessions and more…including lunch. Hollister is also offering a free bus ride to their location and back from Lutheran General Hospital. Please RSVP to Tammy Ruane, 847-918-5817 by September 15 to attend. There will be hundreds of people there from chapters around the Midwest.

FOW has just moved its worldwide headquarters to Glenview. We are looking for volunteers to donate a few hours a month to help manage supply shipments. We need you…now. Please call Joan Loyd—listed on page two—please help.

Thank all of you who made generous donations to our annual fundraiser. Tim Traznik, reported that we have raised over $3,200 so far. We don’t say it often enough...thank you. It is only through your sacrifice that we are able to continue our good work. We are an all volunteer Chapter, and your contributions go directly toward our expenses...like postage for this newsletter.

Enjoy the seasonal changes of fall. We hope to see you at World Ostomy Day and our next meeting.

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide FOW Opens In Chicago

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW-USA) has the new warehouse open and working. The original members who ran the warehouse in Ohio came to Glenview in August and helped a crew of local volunteers organize our operation here.

The warehouse will be open for work each month on this schedule:

· First Sunday from 1:00 until 5:00p.m.

· First and fourth Tuesday from 9:00a.m. until noon

· Third Wednesday from 7:00 until 9:30 p.m.

· Second Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon

In September the dates will be Wednesday the 18^th at 7:00 p.m., and Tuesday the 24^that 9:00 a.m.

October dates are Tuesday the 1^st; Sunday the 6^th; Saturday the 12^th; Wednesday the 16^th and Tuesday the 22^nd.

We are seeking volunteers to help us sort and pack ostomy products to send to needy ostomates overseas. Contact Joan Loyd at 1-847-724-7453 or rjloyd@northwestern.edu for more information.

We’re at 4304 Regency Drive in Glenview. Drop-ins will be welcomed!

President’s Message

There was an article printed by the GB News Review that I would like to share with you.

Prior to 1962, there was no United Ostomy Association (UOA). At one time, there weren’t any off-the-shelf ostomy systems available through many retailers like there is today. Early ostomates tell how they cemented rubber gloves, leather pouches, hot water bottles, cigar boxes or tin cans to their abdomens. We read about a lady who had a successful urostomy but didn’t know about UOA. For three years, she used gauze to absorb the urine coming from it. She didn’t leave the house.

It was UOA that worked with manufacturers to help develop modern ostomy systems, barriers and pouches that we now have so readily available and take for granted. It was the UOA that testified before Congress to help pass Public Law 92-603, October 20, 1972, providing ostomy supplies through Medicare. In April 2002, UOA worked to help make reimbursements easier. Congress also removed the tax from all ostomy supplies through our lobby.

It was the many dedicated workers at UOA that gave of their talent in forming the over 400 local chapters with membership of more the 25,000 in the U.S. alone. UOA helps new ostomates as well as those who have had their ostomies for years.

When one has lived with a stoma five years or more, changing an ostomy system is just another routine like brushing one’s teeth. But think back to when you first found out you were going to be an ostomate. You had a hundred questions: Can I drive a car? Can I play golf? Can I swim? Will I ever be able to return to work? How will I live with this thing? Every hour you were awake you had another question.

At one time, we had no chapters, suppliers, manufacturers or ET’s, and there was nobody to provide answers to these basic quality-of-life questions. Thanks to the generous people who share the vision of UOA with our thousands of dedicated members, this has changed.

Every ostomate who is living has a debt to repay to the people who went before us paving the way in improving our quality-of-life. The debt is there, whether you pay it or not is up to you. Think about it. If each of us just attend monthly meetings, sharing our experiences and offering emotional support to others, we can help repay the debt we each owe.

Competitive Bidding

There is a proposal before Medicare to implement a competitive bidding process for ostomy supplies. In this proposal, Medicare will pay for ostomy supplies only if purchased at the one low-bid dealer in a region or from another dealer who will match the low-bidder's price.

We believe this concept is not in the best interest of the medical community, ostomates, dealers or manufacturers. This is a dangerous attempt to save money by establishing an unfair monopoly. The one dealer that everyone will be required to use only needs to have a minimal standard of quality and service, and will not be required to carry all brands or styles of ostomy equipment. In fact, if the low-bid dealer has only 50-year-old type rubber bags available, that would be all an ostomate could receive.

This will put many ostomy suppliers out of business. It will also bankrupt the many small manufacturers of specialty equipment. This will effect all ostomates…everywhere, whether on Medicare or not.

The advocacy committee of UOA is strenuously fighting this pending rules change. We want ostomates to have the widest selection of products to choose from along with many suppliers and dealers available to service our needs. We want to keep the manufacturers strong. An open marketplace will allow commerce to flourish and best serve everyone's needs. Write to your representative today. Tell him/her you do not want bidding for ostomy supplies.

Visitor Service

Upon request—this may be a doctor, nurse, friend or relative—a specially trained ostomy visitor will personally be sent to visit any ostomy patient before or after surgery.

The visitor will be matched according to sex, age and type of ostomy. There is no charge for this service. An ostomy visitor performs this service as a volunteer to discuss our new life.

Contact our Visitor Chairperson

In Our Memories

Hildred Fisher

Elizabeth Kiel

Welcome New Members

Al Cyganowski

Debbie Holzapfel

Jason King

Robert Salata

Allan Swanson

August 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

Last minute changes do occur; even so, the evening was filled with discussion and support. Unfortunately, our ET and guest speaker had family emergencies and could not attend. Instead, our own Chapter members lead discussions in related ostomate issues and presentations.

October 5 is World Ostomy Day. Hollister Global Marketing Organization is sponsoring an open house this day between 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. There will be a product fair of the Hollister product line; free samples of the their state-of-the-art ostomy equipment; clinician sessions and more…including lunch. In addition, Hollister is offering a free bus ride to and from their offices from Lutheran General Hospital. Please RSVP to Tammy Ruane, 847-918-5817 by September 15 to attend.

Our president, Dave Rudzin, opened the floor for opinions and suggestions about a recent article on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. The article reported that a small child had died from a toxic illness that may have been transmitted by a health technician in a Detroit hospital. The author of the article made the conclusion that the technician did so because he was a colostomate—everyone knows ostomates are smelly, have poor hygiene, are unsanitary and covered in human waste.

Our group, knowing this to be ridiculous, discussed ways to make a positive response to this errant view. Letters to the editor; e-mails; an invitation to this reporter, as well as some talk show hosts to attend our meetings are actions being taken by the Advocacy Committee on our Board of Directors.

Joan Loyd, National Secretary, Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW) discussed Project SHARE—sending help and rehabilitation everywhere. The organization has ET nurses nationwide who have clinical contacts in various countries. The global contacts receive the donated goods and distribute them free of charge to the extremely needy ostomates in their communities. They also must work with FOW to assure that all these donated goods are received with no local government fees, bribes or duties—otherwise FOW will not send supplies. FOW has a mission to help those truly needed ostomates and will not tolerate those who wish to make immoral profits off the backs of their fellow countrymen.

FOW has just moved its worldwide headquarters to Glenview. We are looking for volunteers to donate a few hours a month to help manage supply shipments. All money that is raised for FOW goes strictly for shipping costs. Nobody receives a salary. The only profit received is by those very poor ostomates that will have these free supplies given to them. Hollister generously donates all the shipping cartons used. We need you…now. Please call Joan—listed on page two—please help.

Thank all of you who made generous donations to our annual fundraiser. The Chapter has raised over $2,100 so far.

Karen Budnik was the lucky winner of the 50/50 and the consolation prize went to new member Nick Viverito. Our Hospitality table was generously supplied by Karen Budnik, Joan Loyd—who celebrated a birthday, Mike Moneysmith, Linda Narcaroti and Jeri Zaslavsky. In addition, one of our new members brought some delicious "ostomy muffins" made with peaches and grain. Rhoda celebrated her 30^th year as an ostomate and Jane her 28^th. A special thank you to Helen Schnieder for helping at our Welcoming Table.

There is an estimated count of over 600 people attending our 2002 Conference in Philadelphia. There is still room. Come join us. Stay cool. See you in August.

August 28: Alan Sear of Mark Drug Home Health in Wheeling will discuss some of the new ostomy products as well as touch on Medicare reimbursement for ostomy supplies.

President's Message

To our loyal members and supporters:

Chicago's North Suburban Chapter of UOA is your organization. We will achieve our goals only if you:

Sit and talk to a new person at one of our meetings. New people are here to meet other ostomates. Smile and visit for awhile.

Volunteer for a committee. We have a place for everyone. Assist with our activities to make them better for you and your fellow ostomates.

Run for Chapter office rather than waiting to see who is elected. We do make a difference.

Become a visitor rather than remembering how helpful your visitor was or how you didn't even have one because too few were available.

Come to our meetings. It is better than just reading about them in the newsletter. Plus, new ostomates have the opportunity to actually see experienced ostomates. We want to show the them that we look, feel and smell good; have active fulfilling lives; and are grateful for our new life.

Submit questions and suggestions to our Board members. Someone may never have thought of your observation.

Write an article for The New Outlook. Most of our articles were researched and created by people just like you who want to tell a message.

Assist with a meeting or a function. It is really a lot more fun when you do and you'll be surprised how many new friends you make.

Offer to do a program for our General Meeting. You may have an idea and the people to implement it that can turn lives around.

Bring a new member to a meeting. If you know of an ostomate, bring him/her with you.

Our Chapter welcomes all well-intentioned people and admission to our meetings is free. We are a collection of individuals, not a handful of members, medical advisors or equipment suppliers. If we are to thrive and grow, it will only be because of the desire of each and every one of you.

Visitor Service

Upon request—this may be a doctor, nurse, friend or relative—a specially trained ostomy visitor will personally be sent to visit any ostomy patient before or after surgery.

The visitor will be matched according to sex, age and type of ostomy as far as possible. There is no charge for this service. An ostomy visitor performs this service as a volunteer to discuss our new life.

Contact our Visitor Chairperson

I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly God was speaking. "My name is 'I am'" I waited. God continued.

"When you live in the past, with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not 'I was.'

"When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not 'I will be.'

"When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here. My name is 'I Am.'"

--Helen Mallicoat

Traveling

If you are ever planning on traveling more than an hour away from home, it would be prudent to buy Barbara Kupfer's book, Yes We Can!

It only costs about $15, provides advice on traveling with an ostomy and tips for everyday living. There is much specialized information researched especially for people with ostomy surgery.

All methods of travel are open to ostomates. Taking cruises,, safaris, camping trips, vacations, overseas excursions, whatever. We want you to know about the options available to you, and be happy you have been given a new life.

July 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

Welcome! Welcome! We had one of the best turn-outs of new guests this year. In all about fifteen, including a significant-other couple with duel pouches. We want to give a special thanks to the spouses and friends of all our members and guests, your support means the world to us.

Our ET nurse for the month was Jan Colwell from the University of Chicago. She had a loyal following of patients at the meeting. She handed out formats for different pouching-system frameworks. She spoke about the many skin barriers available; convexity; drainable versus non-drainable pouches.

One of the things she discussed was the option of using an ostomy belt to help flatten the skin barrier or wafer when applying it to the skin. Also, how using a two-piece, long (16") pouch may keep an ostomate away from the bathroom longer, but increases the risk that the pouch becomes too full and heavy thus pulling it off the skin. Most ostomates use a 9" or 12" pouch which works better.

During the summer, it may benefits you to try a pouch that has a fabric backing or a cotton cover which will release perspiration. Also, be sure to try the new two-piece pouches that snap-on and lock into place.

We want to thank Al Maslov, International Marketing Manager for Hollister, for giving a fascinating slide presentation: Ostomates Around the World. This year, World Ostomy Day will be held on October 5. The slides showed our fellow ostomates doing various activities in many different countries.

We saw ostomates water skiing, river rafting, long-distance running, bicycling and one even playing on a national hockey team. For the not-so-ambitious, many were enjoying scenic outings as a group. We found that Western European ostomates have the availability of modern ostomy supplies.

Many countries have a form of socialized medicine making doctors, surgeons, ET nurses all available to patients, although there is usually a considerable wait in line—sometimes years—to see them. European ostomates usually wear a two-piece, closed-pouch system, since they obtain unlimited amounts of supplies from the government, therefore just throwing away as many filled pouches as they choose.

The patients in the Philippines, Russia as well as many third-world countries do not have this luxury. These patients use any contraption that's available. Some just use a plastic ring of some type, strung around their waist with a rope with a bag of some kind hanging to it. They do the best they can.

That brings me to mention FOW, Friends of Ostomates Worldwide. FOW is that part of UOA that sends donated, new supplies to those in need around the world. FOW is now recruiting about a dozen volunteers to join them a few hours a month right here at their new warehouse in Glenview to help perform the good work of serving ostomates that are in desperate need. Please call Joan Loyd—listed on page two. We need you.

UOA has been elected to the 2002 Associations Advance America honor roll, for the effective job it has done improving Medicare benefits for ostomates.

Geri Eiseman won the 50/50 and the consolation prize went to our guest speaker, Jan Colwell. Our Hospitality table was deliciously supplied by Karen Budnik, Joan Loyd, Sally Schinberg and Jeri Zaslavsky. We hope you are enjoying the summer…see you at the next meeting!

Joan Boden

July 24: John Bzdusek, Fire Inspector with the Public Education and Fire Prevention Bureau of Park Ridge, will demonstrate CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

August 28: Alan Sear of Mark Drug Home Health in Wheeling will discuss some of the new ostomy products as well as touch on Medicare reimbursement for ostomy supplies.

Welcome New Member

Nicholas Viverito

FOW-USA Has a Warehouse

We can now receive all those supplies you have been saving for us. Please send clean, unused ostomy products you no longer need to:

FOW-USA

4304 Regency Drive

Glenview, IL 60025

In late July or August, the people who were running the shipping operation in Ohio will come to show us how to set up the new warehouse for greatest efficiency. Then they will teach us what to do to get the donated supplies sorted, re-packed and ready for overseas shipment.

We are looking for volunteers. Joan Loyd is keeping a list, so if you want to be a part of this great work, contact her. Her phone number is on page two or e-mail jloyd@northwestern.edu.

Visitor Service

Upon request—this may be a doctor, nurse, friend or relative—a specially trained ostomy visitor will personally be sent to visit any ostomy patient before or after surgery.

Contact our Visitor Chairperson—page two

My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people; those who do the work, and those who take credit. He told me to try to be in the first group. There is less competition there.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Act

Bill #S.2562 By Mr. Reid and Mr. Cochran, U.S. Senate, May 23, 02

Congress has introduced legislation: to expand research on IBD including areas of genetics, animal models, clinical studies, treatment trials, etc.; to study related services including ostomy supplies, parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition and currently approved therapies; to study problems encountered when IBD patients apply for social security payments.

Ostomates

By Anne Favreau

Ordinary People

Extraordinary lives

Coping with change.

Fearful at first

Hopeful at last

Helping others

Building self-confidence

Concealing impairment

Sharing a voice.

A Special Offer

We have a special place in our hearts for all those who receive our newsletter, The New Outlook, but live outside the metropolitan Chicago area and are not members of our Chapter.

Our members invest $30 a year to belong to our Chapter and UOA; including subscriptions to Ostomy Quarterly and The New Outlook. But, we found there are many other people who have been receiving or would like to receive our newsletter but who may already belong to UOA through their own chapters.

We don't want you to pay twice. Our executive board has decided to offer non-members of our Chapter that live outside Metro Chicago the opportunity to receive The New Outlook for only $15.00 a year.

We plan to up-date our subscription list by September. If you are not a member of our Chapter, live outside the Metro Chicago area, and want to continue to receive our newsletter, then all you need to do is:

Please send a check for $15.00, a note requesting a subscription along with your name and address to:

Tim Traznik

Chicago's North Suburban Chapter of UOA Treasurer

40 Fallstone

Streamwood, IL 60107

June 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

Flowers and candle light were the props for this evenings installation of our 2002 Officers and Board of Directors. We would like to thank all the members and guests who celebrated the installation with us. We are pleased that our current officers have each accepted the responsibility to remain till 2003. Two new positions have also been filled; Gerry Eiseman as Co-Vice President and Judy Moneysmith as Hospitality Chairperson. We all look forward to helping the Chapter achieve its goal of a productive 2002.

Dr. Ernestine Hambrick was our featured speaker. She spoke of how she was always very happy in her career as a colorectal surgeon. But, she found her calling in being the Founder and Chairman of the Stop Colon/Rectal Cancer Foundation of Chicago.

She stresses that the key to the prevention of colon cancer is regular screening. Colon cancer almost always starts as non-cancerous growths—polyps—that develop on the lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps may become cancerous, but if detected by early screening, they can easily be removed—usually at the time of discovery without an additional procedure.

The development of cancer is thereby stopped. About 90% of colon cancer cases can be prevented by finding and removing the polyps early.

Dr. Hambrick stressed that the best procedure for screening is a colonoscopy. If one has had a family history of no colon medical problems, is 50-years-old or older, then he/she is at average risk for colon cancer and should be screened about every 10 years. Anyone with a personal or family history of colon problems should be screened every five years beginning at age 40…or even earlier.

One has an increased risk of colon cancer if ones' personal or family history includes benign colon/rectal polyps; colon/rectal cancer; ulcerative colitis; Crohn's Disease; ovarian, uterine or breast cancer.

Some life style changes can help to prevent colon cancer; such as, increasing soluble fiber in our diets, eating more fruits and vegetables, and lowering the consumption of saturated—animal—fats. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day five times a week is also important to lower the risk of colon cancer.

Do not smoke. Limit the use of alcohol. (Most people over 60 obtain a benefit from having an ounce of alcohol daily because it helps thin the blood.) Food supplements may be taken, but only on the advise and consent of your doctor. Remember, each one of us is different, and what works well for one may actually hurt another. This being said, research does show that a daily intake of 400 mcg of folic acid, 400 iu of Vitamin E and 325 mg of aspirin reduces the risk of cancer.

As a result of going through our own unique situations and overcoming them, we as ostomates have the respect of our own circle of friends and family. It is our fortunate obligation to support and encourage our loved ones to have preventive screening performed.

To receive a free booklet and information from the Stop Colon/Rectal Cancer Foundation, please call 312-782-4828 or log in at www.coloncancerprevention.org. "Do the test. Find the polyp. Skip the cancer."

Dave Rudzin won the 50/50 and the consolation prize went to George D. on just his second visit to our Chapter. Our Hospitality table was deliciously supplied by Karen Budnik, Lois Knaack, Joan Loyd, Jane Michnik, Linda Narcaroti, Dave Rudzin and Sally Schinberg. We hope to see you at the next meeting!

Joan Boden

June 26: Al Maslov, International Marketing Manager for Hollister, will give a slide presentation of "Ostomates Around the World". Our ET will be Jan Colwell from the University of Chicago.

President's Message

Well, it seems that summer is finally here with the warmer weather. That means the UOA National Conference is only about seven weeks away. I know I have spoken of it in the past, but I strongly encourage all who have participated at past conferences as well as those who would be there for the first time to attend. Why you may ask? A number of reasons:

1) It is a great opportunity to meet others throughout the country who have the same or similar ostomies as you.

2) It is a great opportunity to meet others throughout the country who have ostomies very different than yours.

3) It is an opportunity to learn more about the care and condition of your ostomy from world renowned experts.

4) It is an opportunity to see the state-of–the-art in ostomy products—first hand—at the largest product fair in the world.

5) It is a way to learn more about living with your ostomy.

6) It is a way to bond with others who have lived through many of the same circumstances as you.

I am a strong believer in the sixth reason—bonding. All of us in UOA, in one way or another, are different. However, we have one common bond that runs through us. We have—or had—a diversion that impacted our lives, and we learned to live with it, and we have achieved many, positive personal goals.

It is this sense of achievement that makes us who we are, not only that we have ostomies, but that we have achieved and overcome the obstacles of disease put in our way. It is that sense of accomplishment and achievement that helps make us who we are.

So if you want to discover where you will find hundreds of achievers, ready and willing to learn, and have a great time, then come to the National Conference in Philadelphia. For more information contact me at Rudyman22@aol.com or call 312-466-3683.

Dave Rudzin

Visitor Service

Upon request—this may be a doctor, nurse, friend or relative—a specially trained ostomy visitor will personally be sent to visit any ostomy patient before or after surgery.

Contact our Visitor Chairperson—page two

Al Sarno Award

It is with great pleasure that the Board of Directors of Chicago's North Suburban Chapter of the United Ostomy Association presents Karen Budnik, Vice President, with the 2002 Al Sarno Award for outstanding service to our Chapter.

Watch for Saints

It is not so much a question of where to find saints, rather it is merely the need to remove the blinders from our eyes, for saints are here in our age just as they have been for every age for thousands of years.

--John J. Delaney

Live with Obstacles

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin—real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

--Alfred D'Souza

If you find mistakes in this issue

they are here for a purpose

Some people just love to find mistakes

and we try to have something for everyone!

Poor People?

Contributed by Jane Michnik

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked. "Oh Yeah" said the son. "So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks dad for showing me how poor we are."

Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prize possession?

It is all based on one's perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks to God for all the bounty we have been provided by Him, instead of worrying about wanting more. May God bless each and every one of you. Take joy in all He has given each and every one of us, especially our friends.

May 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

Happy 27^th Anniversary! Rough weather could not keep our die-hard members and even some new visitors away from celebrating the Chapter's anniversary.

Rhoda Gordon—a founding member of our Chapter—made this year's presentation of the Al Sarno Award for outstanding service to our Chapter. The 2002 recipient is Karen Budnik. Congratulations on an award well deserved.

Our featured speaker was Sue Push, a registered dietitian from Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village. She gave an informative presentation about eating a healthy diet. There is no ostomy diet as such, but we may be more sensitive to the affects of certain foods than normal people. It is clear, we should eat a healthy balanced diet appropriate to our individual circumstances.

She stressed that we should drink two quarts of liquids a day to avoid all the issues associated with dehydration, of which we are more sensitive. Caffeine drinks, such as coffee or cola, do not add much liquid to our bodies. In fact, they are diuretics that actually may reduce the amount of liquids in us.

To avoid the risk of blockage, ileostomates need to be careful about eating too many high fiber foods at one time. These include: coleslaw, nuts, seeds, fruit and vegetable skins, popcorn, coconut, corn, mushrooms, shrimp, Chinese vegetables and meat casings. Please chew these well to avoid problems. Never overeat.

People who have had their distal ileum removed—the last part of the small intestine—may not be able to absorb orally taken vitamin B-12 effectively. Being abnormally tired is one symptom of a B-12 deficiency. An injection every month or so may be necessary.

Exercise is very important. We need to move our bodies in order to obtain the best results from our circulation system. Sue recommends doing whatever you are able on the advise of your doctor.

Dave Rudzin introduced a special "traveling card" available to our members through UOA. This card informs security officers at airport checkpoints and the like that we have ostomy appliances which may be detected on their screening equipment, and that an ostomy appliance should not be mistaken for any destructive devise. For a card, call UOA at 800-826-0826.

First timer, Rita Carlson—who had ileostomy surgery 54 years ago—won our 50/50. The consolation prize—a $10 gift certificate from Mark Drug—went to Henry Schnieder. Our Hospitality table had our 27^th Anniversary cake and other treats from Karen Budnik, Gerry Eiseman, Rhoda Gordon, Jane Michnik, Mike Moneysmith, Dave Rudzin and Tim Traznik.

We want to thank all of our members and supporters for your contributions over the years. We only have a Chapter because of you.

Joan Boden

President's Message

Being a state representative for UOA—in addition to being the President of our Chapter—allows me the opportunity to meet many of the other chapters throughout Illinois. I have recently experienced what we have seen many of our politicians do over the last 200 years. Meeting the people and pressing the flesh.

Politicians are known for this, and no one does it better. They go on whistle stop campaigns by train, or they take luxury buses and move about meeting the folks. I have begun making my yearly rounds of many of the chapters within the state. Not by the same luxury means as these politicians—no—but by the simple vehicle known as the automobile.

Over the last few weeks, I have visited two chapters in central Illinois, and I must say that it was very rewarding getting to know some of our neighbors. We in UOA are all a family spread out over many states and many chapters. The role of the state rep is to work with his/her chapters to assist them in being vibrant, alive and functional. Now there are some chapters where major challenges exist because they have small memberships with very old members. We're trying to help these chapters with continuity plans so they will be able to serve future generations of ostomates.

I am pleased to say, however, that during my visits of the Peoria and the Kankakee Chapters, I found them to be very active and vibrant groups. In addition, the folks there made me feel welcome from the moment I walked in, and I would like to express my gratitude for their hospitality.

It was truly a pleasure to visit these chapters. The members had many interesting stories to share with me and were excited about hearing about what we do as well as the activities of national UOA. It is my responsibility and privilege to share with them our activities, goals and plans to ensure a bright future for UOA. Thank you—Vi Heinz of Peoria and Frank Corbet of Kankakee—for your warm welcome.

I look forward to meeting with many of the other chapters throughout the state and getting our hopeful message to them as well. Many chapters look to our Chapter to assume a special leadership role. We in Chicago's North Suburban Chapter take this responsibility seriously. We have many Chapter people volunteering their talent and time in a dedicated effort to unselfishly support ostomates everywhere. Through our newsletter, website, programs, committees and traditions, we help many other chapters both here in Illinois and extending around the world.

I pledge to continue to do my utmost working with all the chapters in Illinois. I want to learn what each of Illinois' dedicated chapters is doing; be able to communicate this so it may be shared; and disseminate the good works of our Chapter and UOA.

Dave Rudzin

Welcome New Members

June Falardeau

Arlan Henderson

Dee Henderson

Craig Kanter

Virginia Maitski

Judith Svoboda

Ostomy Prayer

By NY Sandy

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my flange won't leak.

If I have gas before I wake,

I pray the Lord my bag won't break!!

Don't Make Comparisons

Everybody is unique.

Compare not yourself with anybody else

lest you spoil God's curriculum.

--Ball Shem Tov

Medicare Changes

We have received some good news from the National UOA Advocacy Committee. As of April 1, reimbursements for some ostomy supplies will increase. Some changes approved by the Medicare administrators include:

· Increasing the reimbursement for pouches and some accessories.

· Improving the attractiveness of accepting Medicare assignment for supplies by retailers.

The main areas affected are:

· One and two piece ostomy systems.

· Paste and waterproof tape.

· Absorbent flakes to thicken discharge.

The next time you order, discuss these changes with your retailer to see how they may benefit you.

April 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

It was an evening of heartfelt stories and helpful information from our members who participated in the open discussion. We would also like to welcome the first time visitors who came and hope to see all of you again. Keep coming back. We benefit from you as much as you benefit from us.

Joy Boarini, RN, MSM, ET, manager of professional education and services from Hollister Inc. was our featured ET. Her presentation was about questions that are commonly asked at the Hollister clinic regarding products and services. The most asked questions are about wear time, skin preparation and stoma paste. She told us that there is no shelf life, per se, for barriers or pouches that are stored under correct conditions.

It is prudent not to use any suspicious looking appliance that may not provide satisfactory performance due to age or storage conditions. For instance, barriers stored where it is hot, even for a few hours, will not provide the best results.

Hollister statistics show that ostomy surgeries have increased in the U.S. to about 60,000 in 2001. Temporary ostomies are trending as a increasing percentage of this amount to approximately 75% of the surgeries. Not only that, but of the remaining 25%, about half of these are also reversed at some future date. If you would ever like to speak to clinical ET from Hollister, please call them at 847-680-1000.

We would like everyone who participated in the open discussion. They spoke about their surgeries and appliance usage. Bill Konopacz and Charlotte Sophie told us about their lives with a urostomy. They both had their surgeries last year, and we consider them rookies of the bunch. Gerri Kuntz told us how she irrigates her colostomy, and her excellent quality of life from her routine.

Renard Narcaroti, ileostomate shared that he switches between two brands that have different sized barriers to avoid skin irritation. Dave Rudzin, ileostomate, stated that in the summer time, if you participate in sports, it's best to change your appliance more times than in the winter months. Sweat under tape is asking for skin irritation. Karen Budnik and Roger Lotnick, both former ostomates with continent procedures, told us about their reconnections. In addition, they still take precautions on dietetic intake and living situations to accommodate the needs generated by their surgery.

Terri Smarzewski was the lucky winner of our 50/50, and the consolation prize went to Jim Kalousek, a new ostomate. Our Hospitality table was deliciously supplied by Linda Narcaroti, Sally Schinberg and Jeri Zaslavsky.

Our webmaster reported that our site receives on the average of 1,500 hits a month. Our Chapter is 305 members strong. We hope to see you at the next meeting.

Joan Boden

President's Message

This month we will be celebrating our Anniversary as a Chapter. Twenty nine years in existence. But even though I and many others have not been involved for the entire twenty nine years, we can all be very proud of one thing. During this time, we have seen many people come and go through those 10th floor cafeteria doors on the fourth Wednesday of each month. We also know that when many of those people came through those doors for the first time, they had no clue, no idea, were full of questions and in some cases had almost lost hope.

We the members of this chapter over the years have provided clues, given ideas, answered questions, but most of all, we provided that hope for which these people were seeking. How many of us can look around the room to our friends and neighbors and remember the 1st time they walked through those doors.

How scary, how frightening, how almost invasive it was to come to a roomful of strangers and speak about something so personal as our new look.

We all, however, quickly realized that first time, that the people gathered here had walked in our shoes before. They were here to empower us and give us guidance, to show us the way to a healthy life. We all realized after one or two monthly meetings that what we have here is not just a Chapter…No! We have much more than that. We have a Brotherhood (Sisterhood to be politically correct). We have a group that not only meets to discuss things but really cares about each and every one of us and is willing to help us, guide us or direct us to information when we need it.

So when we all raise our glasses at our Anniversary Party to toast our Chapter, remember, that we are more than a Chapter and the people around you are more than just members .

We are a Brotherhood and the people around you in many ways are just as close as your sisters and brothers. So let us toast our fellow ostomates, or should I say our osto-brothers and osto-sisters.

Dave Rudzin

100 Years Ago…

· The average life expectancy was 47 in the U.S.

· Only 14% of U.S. homes had a bathtub.

· Only 8% of U.S. homes had a telephone.

· There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S.

· The world's tallest structure: The Eiffel Tower.

· The average U.S. wage was 22 cents an hour.

· More than 95% of all births took place at home.

· The five leading causes of death were:

Influenza
Tuberculosis
Diarrhea
Heart Disease
Stroke

· Marijuana, heroin and morphine were available

over the counter a local drugstores.

§ Servants were in 18% of U.S. households.

§ There were only 230 murders in the entire U.S.

Ostomy Systems

After leaving the hospital, most patients in the U.S. are properly fitted with an ostomy system that will work for them. One is trained using a certain brand and type of system. Most people will continue with the same brand and system of ostomy management as was shown in the hospital, have no serious problems and are satisfied with the results. It is important to find the best ostomy system that will offer the best quality of life available. There are many excellent manufacturers of ostomy equipment from which to choose. It may be to your advantage to explore alternative from time to time. In addition, there are different ways to purchase the equipment needed. For instance, one can buy from a local medical supply house, a drug store, a mail order catalog or over the Internet.

Your ET nurse, as well as others in the Chapter, are excellent sources of information regarding the variety and uses of products, and how to purchase them. This subject is brought up at every meeting. We want you to have knowledge of the full choices you have available.

There are limitations. Your personal needs or special requirements may require the use of only certain types of products. In addition, you may be limited by the type of personal insurance you own. Medicare and HMO's will impose certain restrictions on the purchase of ostomy supplies. You should manage your coverage to satisfy your ostomy needs, which means, call your carrier and ask them options for submitting claims, e.g. some would want ostomy supplies listed as pharmaceuticals; others durable medical equipment; others prosthetic devices. Also, some suppliers do accept Medicare or private insurance assignments so that all you need to do is place an order, and they'll take care of the rest.

Enough Water?

It is advised that you drink enough water every day as an ostomate to obtain the excellent results promised. What items should be included in the daily intake of water?

Beverages containing caffeine allow you to retain about 40% of the water in them. These include coffee, tea and soda. Milk, fruit and vegetable juices retain about 75% of the water. Alcoholic drinks even add some water. Beer retains about 25% of the water. All these do count toward your daily water intake. But beware, any drink adds other chemicals into your body. These chemicals may cause very harmful side effects that may lead to sickness, e.g. drinking too much beer or soda on a hot day. There is not enough water in these substances to wash away there toxic effect thereby leading to dehydration.

If you are thirsty, you are dehydrated. If your urine is cloudy or dark yellow, you need to drink more water. Urine that is clear or pail yellow in color indicates your body is getting the liquid it needs.

Prevent Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the leading killers of Americans. This year's expected toll: 57,000 deaths. Yet you can reduce your odds of getting colon cancer by eating the right foods. The American Institute of Cancer Research says up to 75% of cases of colon cancer could be prevented by diet. Here are eight strategies based on the latest research:

· Get lots of folic acid. Dried beans, green leafy vegetables, orange juice and fortified cereals are rich in this cancer fighter. Getting 250 mcg of folic acid daily slashed colon cancer odds by 60% in men. Women who took multi-vitamins containing folic acid for 15 years cut colon cancer risk by 75%. Probable reason: Folic acid blocks DNA damage that leads to cancer.

· Choose olive oil. Though fat is a suspected colon cancer villain, consumers of olive oil have a lower rate of colon cancer. That jibes with animal research showing olive oil suppresses colon tumor growth. Corn oil and animal fat increase colon cancer in animals; fish oil doesn't. Also harmful: trans fatty acids, the partially hydrogenated fats in some margarines, baked goods and processed foods. A diet high in trans fats doubles the risk of colon cancer in women.

· Watch what you drink. Alcohol boosts colon cancer risk, perhaps by neutralizing folic acid. Wipe out this hazard by taking 600 mcg of folic acid daily. Low fat milk may help guard against colon cancer. Orange juice, high in folic acid and anti-cancer chemicals called limonoids, suppresses colon cancer in animals. Coffee has no influence on colon cancer.

· Go for fruits and vegetables. It's hazardous to skimp on produce. Swedish women who ate only 1½ daily servings of fruit and vegetables were 65% more likely to develop colon cancer than those who ate 2½ servings. You may cut your risk in half by eating five to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

· Curb bad carbohydrates. Foods that drive up blood sugar and trigger releases of insulin, high glycemic index foods, may stimulate colon cancer. Those food include refined sugar and flour, white rice, potatoes and processed cereals. Eating foods with the highest glycemic index raises colon cancer odds 70%.

· Restrict red meat. Especially when fried or well done, red meat instigates colon cancer. One reason: High-heat cooking spurs the formation of carcinogens called heterocyclic amines. Colon cancer risk tripled in people who ate red meat well-done and doubled in those who often fried, grilled or broiled it. Most dangerous for colon cancer: bacon, ham and other meats cured with nitrates.

· Don't neglect fiber. A high fiber diet discourages colon cancer. A study of 406,000 Europeans reported that a high fiber diet cut colon cancer odds by 40%. But eating a diet high in fiber or taking a wheat bran fiber supplement, 35g daily, failed to prevent the recurrence of precancerous colon polyps. Recommended: 25g daily.

· Lose weight. A combination of overeating and under exercising is the strongest link to colon cancer. Obese men are nearly twice as likely to die of colon cancer as normal weight men. Fatness promotes polyp growth. So, cut calories and add exercise.

March 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

We would like to thank everyone who donated the delectable sweets to our Annual Bake Sale. It was a huge success. We also welcomed our many first time guests, and are happy to bring aboard all the new members who joined this night.

Our featured ET nurse was Bernie auf dem Graben. She made an informative presentation about diverticulosis, and how to reduce the probability of this becoming a serious condition. Diverticula are small pouches that form in weak areas of the colon where food may get caught leading to infection and a life threatening situation. It is commonly found in people who strain with hard stools. The risk may be reduced by drinking eight glasses of water a day and eating plenty of dietary fiber so that stool will remain soft and thus pass more easily.

Kathy Moore, from ConvaTec, presented the benefits of the Better Together Club; the services available through ConvaTec; and assistance available regarding issues related to Medicare reimbursements of ostomy supplies. ConvaTec offers free medical information kits for patients anticipating ostomy surgery which includes videos and literature for patients. ConvaTec also has ET nurses on staff to answer various ostomy questions. To obtain these services, simply call 800-422-5511. Kay Martin, from the professional services department, is an ostomy reimbursement specialist who can guide patients through the Medicare reimbursement procedure. She may be reached by calling 800-422-8811.

Frank Giorno was the lucky winner of our 50/50, and the consolation prize went to Dorothy Konopacz. We had two stoma anniversaries: Geri Eiseman commemorating three years and Phyllis Locker an amazing 32 years.

Joan Loyd, the National Secretary of (FOW) Friends of Ostomates Worldwide, told us how FOW is desperately seeking a permanent location with about 1,200 square feet. This room will store donations we receive; organize and then ship to places where ostomy supplies are urgently needed. All workers are volunteers. The next time you go to any large store, ask if they will give us this tiny space. If you do, you will be helping thousands around the world.

We hope to see all of you at our next meeting which will be an open discussion.

Joan Boden

Next Month's Meeting

An open discussion led by some of our ileostomates, colostomates and urostomates. Also presenting will be Jay Bodrini, R.N.E.T. from Hollister Intl. Everyone who brought a homemade bakery item to last month's bake sale please bring the recipe.

Gladbagger's

Do you have some burning questions to ask our veteran ostomates? Do you have a new hint to tip you would like to share? Whichever the case may be…or if you just want to see our pretty faces, plan to join us at our next meeting.

We will be sharing stories of our trials, tribulations and triumphs of living with our ostomies…and any other subject that comes up.

Date: Thursday, March 14

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Hackney's Restaurant

241 S. Milwaukee Ave.

Wheeling 847-537-2100

(south of Dundee Road)

Please RSVP to Jane:

847-966-8639 n9yha@hotmail.com

SBC/Ameritech Cover Up

The Illinois Attorney General is telling everyone that Ameritech is hiding that fact that they are "legally" selling the account information on your phone service. Call them today at 800-303-7260. It takes less than a minute to select that you want to keep your personal account data private.

Welcome New Members

Carole Dalton

Dan Drain

Chris Ferino

James J. McGovern

Charlotte Sophie

Chapter Elections

The election of officers for our Chapter takes place in May. The following is the slate of candidates running for office. Please contact Jane Michnik or Jerry Schinberg, the 2002 nominating committee chairpersons, for additional information.

President: Dave Rudzin

Co-Vice President: Karen Budnik

Co-Vice-President: Geri Eiseman

Recording Secretary: Joan Boden

Corresponding Secretary: Roger Lotnick

Treasurer: Tim Traznik

Director: Joan Loyd

Director: Jane Michnik

Hunter House Publishers is pleased to announce the release of a new book, Positive Options for Living with Your Ostomy: Self-Help and Treatment, by Dr. Craig A. White; available in paperback for $12.95 at leading retailers.

President's Message

Well dear friends, we have just been privileged to have the Olympic Winter Games conclude out in Salt Lake City. The Games were a huge success, financially and for the athletic competitors of the world. Were there issues and controversies--of course there were, however in the end the spirit of competition and camaraderie prevailed. Were there some surprises, yes there were, and also some unforeseen defeats. Overall however the Games proved that excellence, hard work and dedication usually pays off.

It is true in sports and in life as well. In our life as ostomates, for example, there have been successes and also many pitfalls, but we did not let those get the best of us. We fought back, struggled through, persevered and came out victorious. We are much better people because of the trials and tribulations we have gone through, and we should be proud that we have emerged intact. Has it been easy--no, but being victorious in something is not easy at all. It takes effort and determination.

We have all given that effort over the years so in the spirit of the Olympic Games, I think that all ostomates out there should be awarded the Gold Medal!! Emblematic of Victory in Achievement…in our case the achievement of adjusting to our "new" lives and continuing to strive for excellence in life.

Dave Rudzin

Heart Attack Warning for Women

Popular belief holds that heart attacks afflict mostly men, but heart disease and heart attacks actually claim the lives of more American women than men each year, and pose a greater threat to American women than all forms of cancer combined. Heart attacks produce different symptoms in women than in men, which is one reason why they're often not diagnosed in time and can be so lethal. Cardiologist C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, suggests that women pay attention to symptoms like persistent indigestion or gas-like pain; dizziness, nausea, or vomiting; unexplained weakness or fatigue; pain or discomfort between the shoulder blades; recurrent chest discomfort; and a sense of impending doom. Women over the age of 45 should have their blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol checked each year, as well as treadmill tests or other screening measures if there's a history of heart disease in their families.

A Trial Experience

By Ron Gould

I went to Philly to appear as an expert witness in a corporate lawsuit a few years ago. This is my experience at the trial as an ileostomate.

I deliberately ate a low residue breakfast that morning at the hotel to minimize ileostomy output. No potatoes, breads or cereals which would create a high output. I ate eggs, bacon, coffee and foods high in protein with minimal residue or bulk. I had no starchy high output foods nor raw fruits which may also cause a high or liquid output. It was a balance of proteins and carbohydrates to help control my diabetes and lower my ileostomy output.

Incidentally, I privately informed the judge before the trial started that I have an ileostomy and may need to use a washroom. My employer recommended that I inform the judge. The judge seemed very understanding and said that if I needed to use the facilities…he'd understand. He told me to just lay my hand down flat on the top of his bench, and he would simply call a recess in the trial. He said that would be an inconspicuous signal to him.

I was on the witness stand a bit over two and a half hours. I did not need to signal the judge, but was very comforted knowing that I could, if I had really filled up. I didn't want to take a chance and make a mess or gross everyone out. In addition, trials are strenuous enough as it is and may have really made my stomach growl if I had fasted. The 12 person jury was close to the left of me. The nearest juror only about six feet away.

So, there is a way for an ileostomate to easily participate in a lengthy trial. Afterwards, I made a quick drive to my hotel room. I paid the hotel extra to provide a late afternoon checkout, which allowed me to go to my private bathroom and freshen up. I hopped into my rented car, drove to the Philly airport, arranged a flight out, and was in the air late that afternoon. On the way flying home, I phoned my sister in New York State to tell her how it went. She had her ileostomy 20 years before me. I was proud of how easily I had coped with the trial without any emergencies. Sensible eating helped. Life goes on…doesn't it.

Since then, I've appeared as a witness in about six trials in as many states. What was it that ostomates can't do? But the day before my testimony…corned beef and lots of it.

Tea, Chocolate & Heart Health

Moderate consumption of chocolate and tea, both of which are rich in compounds called flavonoids, just might help prevent that heart attack, say the authors of a new article that reviews evidence produced in 66 studies. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, which have been shown to have a host of health-enhancing effects, but the authors speculate that they may have other beneficial properties as well. Tea, without the milk or sugar, plus a chocolate cookie packed with fruit or nuts, "if consumed in moderation, can be a heart-healthy snack," says Penny Kris-Etheron, PhD, one of the authors of the review. A cup of tea brewed for two minutes or a one-ounce

piece of chocolate contain just about enough flavonoids to produce an immediate effect. But variety is still the foundation of a healthy diet, she

warns: "no single food will confer immunity from illness."

The Wonder of an Ostomy
By Marvin M. Schuster, MD.

Modern medicine and surgery have made very dramatic advances in recent years. Many of them are quite dazzling, e.g. heart, kidney and liver transplants. But, you can count on your fingers the number of patients with heart transplants who are alive, healthy and productive in the Northern Hemisphere. Contrast this with the half a million ostomates in the United States and Canada - men, women, and children who are leading active, productive, effective and happy lives. You will see that ostomy surgery really is a successful form of surgery that can cure the underlying disease for which it is designed.

There are many diseases that are cured by ostomy surgery: cancer, polyps, inflammations, pre-cancerous lesions, etc. So here is a type of surgery which has benefits for many disorders and for many different people. Yet, it does not create a disability, except in the minds of some individuals, as a limb amputation or the removal of the vocal cord might. In a sense, it doesn't require the learning of new physical skills. You don't have to learn how to swallow air and bring it back up to talk without a voice box, as does a person who has had a removal of the larynx. You don't have to learn how to walk with crutches or with a new prosthetic device that replaces your arm or your leg. What you do have to learn is to live with a different form of elimination and learn how to handle this particular task in a mechanical as well as psychological manner.

February 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

Brand New Year, brand new guests. To start, our vice president, Karen Budnik, asked new guests to introduce themselves. A total of eight people stood up and each gave us a little bit of his/her own story. One has been living with an ostomy for over 30 years and the newest ostomy was born just eight weeks ago. We hope that some of them will also like to join us at our Gladbagger's mixers.

A group of scientists from Hollister came to visit us. They brought a questionnaire for us to complete to help with suggestions for new products. We invite manufacturers to meet with us so that we the users may contribute to the development of new and improved ostomy systems.

Our ET nurse of the month was Connie Kelly, a loyal and dedicated supporter of our Chapter. She answered questions while discussing new innovations and a new trial study for ileostomates using standard wear barriers. As always, she was available afterwards for personal concerns.

Our regular meeting in January was a panel discussion with four of our regular members: a colostomate, Barry McClorey; two ileostomates, Vicki Palermo and Jami Zimberoff; a urostomate, Teri Smarzewski. It was a night of inspiring stories of how these members overcame enormous adversity.

Vicki has been battling Crohn's disease since her high school years and had her surgery just two years ago. This beauty has been given many other medical challenges but is still able to offer us a radiant smile.

Barry is a Chicago fireman who discussed his recent trip to New York where he visited and helped the families of the perished firemen of 9-11. He made us all laugh when he described how he wore a robe in the NY firehouse where he stayed when he was going through his irrigation routine. I guess men don't usually walk around in robes there.

A lovely lady, Teri is the greeter for our General Meetings. She is a cancer survivor and was so genuine to listen to. She has been volunteering at our meetings for years now and is an important member of our leadership.

Jamie told us she was firm … she was never going to have ostomy surgery. But after years of Crohn's with serious complications, she finally decided to choose life. Today, she is a new person. She is a young, attractive woman especially grateful to Jeri Z., our visiting chairperson, for the support she offered throughout this challenging period. As has been the case in the past, all the presentations were inspiring--demonstrating courage, determination and gratitude.

Louis Knaack was the lucky winner of our 50/50 with the consolation prize going to first timer Ed Sophie. Our Hospitality Table was deliciously supplied with donations by Judy Gauglran, Gerry Kuntz, Joan Loyd, Mike Moneysmith, Linda Narcaroti and Jeri Zaslavsky.

Our internet site received over 10,000 hits in 2001. It is evolving into a premier ostomy resource. We estimate over 2,000 people read our newsletter articles every month. We hope to see you at our next meeting, our "Annual Bake Sale".

Joan Boden

Carson's Community Day Sale

This is a special event that takes place on March 2. The packet contains five $10 savings certificates redeemable on this Saturday only. You may purchase an event packet for $5 from Dave Rudzin.

Welcome New Members

Michael Abrams

Judy Gauglan

William Konopacz

Leroy Olsowski

Next Month's Meeting

We are having our annual Bake Sale. This is a double opportunity for our loyal members. One, we ask that everyone who is able … bring a favorite goody to be sold. Two, we may each buy some of the delicious treats that will be on display. Our regular monthly meeting will follow with another interesting program. The proceeds help us pay the expenses of our Chapter; e.g., the coffee service for each meeting is $50. We truly appreciate all the loyal support each has given in his/her own way. We don't say it often enough, thank you.

A Special Thank You

Throughout the year and in many different ways, we receive voluntary donations of funds, skills, labor and caring to help us do the important work of our UOA Chapter. We'd like to offer a special thank you to Hollister Incorporated for a generous donation to our Chapter. Gifts like this help us pay the costs of running our Chapter; e.g., our newsletter is published entirely with volunteer labor but the printing and postage costs about $6,000 a year.

The ABC's of Ostomy Care

Ottawa Ostomy News; S. Brevard, FL Ostomy News

Appliance: It should fit, be comfortable, unimpaired, odor proof, and inconspicuous.
Bleeding: A few drops are normal, injury, cut, or anticoagulant bleeding is not normal.
Closure: Always carry a spare clip, a spare pouch and a spare wafer.
Dehydration: Watch for extreme thirst or no thirst; scant urine. Increase liquid intake.
Eating: Chew! Chew! Chew! And eat slowly. Never overeat.
Freedom: An ostomy gives you the freedom to live a new life.

Gas: Beans, milk, beer, cheese, spicy foods, carbonated drinks. These may cause gas.
H₂O: Drink two or three quarts of water/liquid every day to maintain a healthy body chemistry.
Irrigate: Irrigating is not an enema but using an amount of water to cause the bowel to empty.
Joy: Be happy. You have been given a new life.
Karaya: Skin protector, conditioner, and adhesive. Very gentle on the skin.
Leaking: Always empty the pouch before it is one third full. Change regularly.
Milk Intolerance: If lactose is deficient in the small bowel, there will be gas; bloating; diarrhea; nausea.
Nitrazine Paper: Strips of a special paper that changes color for showing how acid or alkaline urine is. Odor: Onions, cabbage, and antibiotics may cause odor. But, most pouches are odor proof.
Pouch: Device worn over a stoma to collect stool or urine. Disposable or reusable..
Quarterly: Our news magazine from UOA. Useful information we can all use.
Rosy red: The color of a normal, healthy stoma. It looks like a rosebud.
Stenosis. Narrowing of the intestine, usually at the stoma, that may block stool or urine.
Travel: Bring three times your usual supplies. Use bottled water. Bring along diarrhea medication.
Urine: Drink plenty of water to keep it looking clear. Drink cranberry juice to keep it acidic.
Vitamins: They absorb different for ostomates. Usually use fast release and not coated.
Walking: A good way to keep your vascular system in shape. Help prevent a laundry list of ills.

X-Rays: Helps see a map of your interior.
Youth Rally: The world class youth camp sponsored by UOA.
Zeppelin: Pouches sometimes inflate with gas. Even normal people get gas and guess where that goes?

Insurance Coverage … Denied

We have been receiving reports from our members that United Healthcare Insurance has made a corporate decision to deny claims for ostomy supplies. If this has happened to you, please contact the State of Illinois Department of Insurance and lodge a complaint. They may be reached at www.state.il.us/ins, or 312-814-2427. An insurance department complaint is a most severe action that our State forces an insurance company to take very seriously.

The UOA Advocacy Team is actively fighting this poor decision by the United Healthcare executives. We need to improve coverage for ostomy supplies. If United Healthcare is allowed to exclude our needs from their policy, others will do the same.

Most health insurance companies are not completely at fault for the development of this situation. Rates have not kept up with increased medical costs. These are rising in part because of the significant increase in lawsuits and government regulations (AIA). Doctors now spend more time performing administrative functions than serving patients (AMA).

Health care should involve the availability for everyone to have caring medical personnel that possess the resources to do their utmost to serve the patient. Insurance companies, the government and attorneys have too much control. If you care, call your representative and senator. Order them to fix the health care system … now. Did you know … doctors and clinics performing abortions cannot be sued by dint of federal law.

Visitor's Corner

Ostomy patients have unique and individualized situations. This surgery effects each person in different ways both physically and emotionally. Support is a critical step to understand and deal with this type of surgery.

The UOA offers a range of support options to fit the needs of the individual patient and his/her family. Support groups, both on-line and in-person, give help and hope. They may provide companionship, offer valuable adaptive strategies; and lessen the loneliness and isolation that may play a role in the new patients view of life. Support groups also provide people a chance to give of themselves, and when doing so, help others and themselves.

Printed material is always available for patients to better understand what will happen to them before and after surgery. My plea to you again this month is to help make this wonderful resource more available to our patients. Please help contact the ETs' and doctors in your community. This is a fundamental way for us to offer our programs and support to a new patient.

Jeri Zaslavsky

January 2002

Last Month's Meeting:

Our regular meeting room was transformed for our Gala Holiday Party. At first glance you would see over 50 smiling and laughing paces. On the piano, traditional holiday music was played by one of our regular members, Renard Narcaroti. The tables were decorated with blue crystal snowmen and white crystal ornaments by Lois Knaack. Lois owns a Hallmark store and brings the best from it to brighten up the evening, and put everyone in the holiday spirit.

There were so many wonderful dishes to taste. Not to mention, the decadent sweet table. The grab bag was filled with beautiful wrapped boxes and bows. We sincerely want to thank all who contributed.

No one could help but smile next to the master of ceremony, Jerry Schinberg in his tall "Smiley Hat". He and his wife, Sally, told us the story of Hanukkah and the miracle of the lights. Rhoda Gordon and her son lit the first three candles of the Menorah to celebrate the season and lead in a holiday prayer.

Pingo was a big hit. This is the ostomy version of Bingo. At the UOA convention, ConvaTec donated the game to our Chapter after playing it there. It actually has pictures of appliances on the playing cards. Congratulations to all the winners. Our party could not end without the annual Christmas and Hanukkah sing-a-long. The climax was over 50 members singing the Twelve Days of Christmas. We want to especially thank Karen, Sally, Lois and Mike for organizing and bringing together yet another wonderful Gala Holiday Party.

We also want to offer a belated thank you to Keefer Ostomy Shoppe in Mount Prospect and Gottlieb Pharmacy in Melrose Park for donating prizes at our product fair in October. See you in January,

Joan Boden

Friends of Ostomates Worldwide

Needs a Home and Few Good People!

FOW-USA Project SHARE needs a new home. Headquarters for receiving donations of ostomy products, sorting and re-packing them for shipment overseas has been in the Cleveland, Ohio area since 1986. In October their donated warehouse was leased to Toys-R-Us. We need:

A group of 8 to 10 dedicated volunteers who will come at least twice a month to open boxes of donations, sort, and re-pack them.
A location in a port city, like the Chicago Metropolitan Area.
1,500 to 1,800 square feet of space for working and storage.
A receiving department that will accept daily UPS, freight and postal shipments for us.
The ability to secure the storage area.
A truck loading dock that can handle pallets.

Now we face the chicken or the egg question. Does the warehouse come first, then look for volunteers to staff it? Or do the volunteers come first, then try to find warehouse space?

The Board of Directors decided the people are the most important part of this project. They are asking chapters in Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis and Minneapolis if they would be willing to sponsor Project SHARE by looking for volunteers. If volunteers are found, then a warehouse will be searched out.

Our Chapter has agreed to look for volunteers. If a warehouse can be found in an area near Chicago's north suburbs, would you be a volunteer for a day or two a month?

If you have a day or two a month and would be willing to work with this worthwhile, all volunteer effort please phone Joan Loyd at 847-724-7453 or e-mail at rjloyd@nwu.edu. Joan will try to answer any questions you have about this project. A list will be started and we will let you know if we succeed in earning the opportunity of winning Project SHARE for Chicago.

Welcome New Members

Sharon Moran

Vreeda Mendell

Claudia Scott

In Memoriam

We wish to extend our condolences to the family of

James Madsen

President's Message

Well here we are in the New Year of 2002. I think for many reasons we are glad that 2001 is over. Over but never forgotten. Things happened that have changed our lives forever. Attacks on our homeland have caused us to strut our patriotic pride over the last few months. 9/11 will forever live in the hearts and souls of all of us.

We have all witnessed a life changing event. But then in most of our cases it was the second or third time we have been part of a life changing event. Our own personal struggles with disease and/or cancer was the first time for many. Our surgery was in many cases the second time, and then our recovery process was the third time for others.

In no way am I trying to equate the tragedy our country suffered with in many cases the struggles that many of us have faced. It is simply a bit ironic to note that we may be even better than many other Americans to be able to understand the changing nature of our country. We as Americans do not look at our lives in the same way now after 9/11. Just like we did not look at ourselves in the same way after our surgery.

However in both cases, there will be healing. Long, enduring, struggling-yes, but healing nonetheless. We have lived through that healing process as individuals and now we can watch our country heal as well.

Wishing all a happy and healthy New Year full of good things and peace.

Dave Rudzin

Supplements Counteract Drug Benefits

Antioxidant vitamin supplements might nullify a key beneficial effect of the cholesterol lowering drugs niacin and simvastatin, researchers report in the August issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. The researchers compared the effects of lipid-lowering drugs to those of various drug-anti-oxidant combinations and an antioxidant "cocktail" consisting of vitamins E and C, beta carotene (a form of vitamin A), and the mineral selenium, in 153 people. Compared to treatment with drugs alone, the combination of antioxidant vitamins and cholesterol-lowering drugs resulted in a smaller increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), the so-called "good" cholesterol

that reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. The supplements appear to have no value on their own,

and seem to interfere with the action of lipid-lowering drugs when used in combination therapy. The

American Heart Association does not recommend anti-oxidant vitamin supplements.

New Options for Colon Screening

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States, and many doctors recommend regular testing after age 40. Yet many people are reluctant to undergo the physical and psychological discomfort of a screening colonoscopy. Now those timid souls

have a new option: virtual colonoscopy, which is faster, cheaper, noninvasive, and highly accurate as a first-line screening test. If the results of the virtual colonoscopy are suspicious, the patient can then undergo a full colonoscopy. However, says Joseph T. Ferrucci, MD, a gastrointestinal radiologist at Boston University, current findings suggest that's only necessary about 8 percent of the time. According to Dr. Ferrucci, virtual colonoscopy is comparable to screening mammography: it is an examination of the many to identify the few who need additional tests. Studies currently under way on this procedure are confirming earlier findings of its ability to screen out the majority of people who need no further exams.

Nutrition During Cancer

One of the largest epidemiological studies on nutrition and cancer was described by Elio Riboli, M.D. His topic was "Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Cancer Prevention: new Epidemiological Evidence". The scope of his study stunned the audience. He is coordinating an epidemiological study of 487,000 people in eight different countries! In ten different languages he has managed to get information on the consumption of 150-300 foods that are in the typical diets of these individuals. He also obtained 24 blood samples of 7 percent of his population (38,000 people). He has an entire research building in France filled with frozen blood samples! These samples will allow the study of the relationship of different blood components to cancer. For example, among the 38,000 people, there have been 772 cases of colo-rectal cancer diagnosed. He was then able to go back and see if there are trends between those that did and did not get colo-rectal cancer. His findings show a significant reduction in colo-rectal cancer with higher vegetable and fruit intake. Higher intakes of processed meat were associated with higher relative risk but red meat alone (excluding processed meat) showed no association with the colo-rectal cancer. There was a significant reduction in colo-rectal cancer in those who had higher fiber intakes (38 grams of fiber a day was the amount in the highest quintile).

A pending issue in the treatment of cancer is the impact (either good or bad) of taking nutritional supplements. The cancer cell divides more rapidly than a normal cell, so the nutritional requirements are probably higher. Some cancer therapies actually block nutrition to kill the cancer cell. For example, when a cell divides rapidly, it needs more folic acid, because folic acid is necessary for cell division. The cancer drug methotrexate blocks folic acid and creates a nutritional deficiency. Those cells with the highest folic acid requirement (i.e. the cancer cell) will theoretically die in greater numbers than healthy cells. In fact, a "folate rescue" is part of therapy. After giving methotrexate, the time in which most cancer cells would try to divide is estimated. As cancer cells divide, they die because there is no folic acid. In the meantime, some normal, healthy cells would also die but because they divide more slowly, less die. At the end of that time, a large dose of folic acid is given (hence, the term folate rescue) to allow those healthy cells who have not yet divided to survive.

It is not clear if someone can prevent his or her therapy from being effective by taking a vitamin supplement. In the case of methotrexate, most practitioners would discourage folic acid supplements as it may interfere with trying to create the folic acid deficiency needed to kill the cancer cell. More research is needed in all types of cancer therapies to determine the impact of taking supplements.

Here is another example. If anti-oxidants protect against radiation damage, should you take vitamin E or other anti-oxidants during radiation therapy? At the AICR conference it was announced that we do not have an answer yet, but that this issue is so important that it is going to be the entire focus of an upcoming workshop. Based on one or two small studies showing less damage to surrounding tissues with vitamin E, some people have jumped on supplementation. I just cringe when I see clients undergoing radiation who are taking large doses of vitamin E. Some studies show that vitamin E protects cells from radiation and there may be less physical damage, such as radiation burns. However, if vitamin E protects against radiation, and it's the radiation that is supposed to kill the cancer cell, isn't the vitamin E also protecting the cancer cell? and, is the cancer cell so greedy that it takes the vitamin E first, leaving the healthy cells more vulnerable while the supplement protects the cell that the therapy was supposed to kill? While it was disappointing that there was not time at the AICR conference to address this adequately, at least in the near future researchers will all sit in one room and perhaps there will be adequate information to make reasonable guidelines until more information is available.

Eating Hints for Cancer patients: during and after treatments Summary: Order publications online using the NCI Publications Locator, or call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has prepared this booklet to help you learn about your diet needs during treatment http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/peb/eating_hints/

A Poem

And God populated the earth with broccoli and cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

And Satan created McDonald's, And McDonalds's brought fourth the 99-cent double cheeseburger.

And Satan said to Man, "You want fries with that?" And man said, "Super size them."

And Man gained pounds.

And God created the healthful yogurt, that woman might keep her figure that man found so fair. And Satan brought forth chocolate.

And Woman gained pounds.

And God said, "Try my crispy fresh salad."

And Satan brought forth ice cream. And Woman gained pounds.

And God said, "I have sent thee heart-healthy vegetables and olive oil with which to cook them." And Satan brought forth chicken fried steak so big it needed its own platter.

And Man gained pounds and his bad cholesterol went through the roof.

And God brought forth running shoes and Man resolved to lose those extra pounds.

And Satan brought forth cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil to change channels between ESPN and ESPN2.

And Man gained pounds.

And God said, "You're running up the score, Devil." And God brought forth the potato, a vegetable naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.

And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fat fried them. And he created sour cream dip also.

And Man clutched his remote control and ate the potato chips swaddled in cholesterol. And Satan saw and said, "It is good."

And Man went into cardiac arrest. And God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

And Satan created HMO's.