Volume 28 Print Post Approved Number 2 PP 100008088 November 2019 ISSN 1329-959X

IN THIS ISSUE: Celebration! WA Ostomy Association celebrates 50 years PAGE 34 Annual conference: Ostomates urged to ‘pay it forward’ PAGE 6 National Directory of Ostomy Associations Volume 28 Print Post Approved Number 2 PP 100008088 November 2019 ISSN 1329-959X AUSTRALIAN QUEENSLAND SOUTH AUSTRALIA GEELONG OSTOMY INC. CAPITAL TERRITORY 6 Lewalan St. Grovedale VIC 3216 GOLD COAST OSTOMY ASSN INC. OSTOMY ASSN OF SA Postal Address: PO Box 1069 ACT & DISTRICTS STOMA PO Box 703 Labrador 4215 1 Keele Place, Kidman Park 5025 Grovedale VIC 3216 ASSN INC. 8 Dunkirk Close, Arundel 4214 Telephone: (08) 8235 2727 Telephone: (03) 5243 3664 Second Floor, ACT City Health Centre, Telephone: (07) 5594 7633 Fax: (08) 8355 1073 Fax: (03) 5201 0844 1 Moore St, Canberra City, ACT 2600 Editor: Rebecca Herbener National Directory of Ostomy Associations 2 Fax: (07) 5571 7481 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Postal Address: GPO Box 1260, Foundation Editor: Barbara Callcott Email: [email protected] Website: www.colostomysa.org.au Website: www.geelongostomy.com.au Canberra City, ACT 2601 Editorial Contributors: David Munro, Amber President’s message 4 Operating hours: Distribution of supplies: Monday Operating hours: Monday, Wednesday, Telephone: (02) 5124 4888 Tues & Thurs 9.00am - 3.00pm Smart, Lilian Leonard, Kylie McGrory, Jodie - Thursday 10.30am to 2.30pm. Friday 9.30am - 2.30pm Nelson, Margaret Allan, Audrey Christophersen, Your say: Letters to the editor 5 Website: www.actstoma.net.au Office Manager: Terri Cowls Open days: 1st & 2nd week of each CLOSED Fridays Administrator: Karen McKenzie Kerry Kimbey, Jacquelyn Kovaievic, Jacqueline Davies, Nichola Hamilton, Sylvia Riedel, Kerry ACSA National Conference 2019 6 month Mon, Tues, Wed. 10.00am - NTH QLD OSTOMY ASSN INC. Secretary: Tracy Turner OSTOMY ASSN OF MELBOURNE INC. Kimbey, Lorrie Gray. 1.00pm, STN available Wednesday 13 Castlemaine St., Kirwan Getting in shape for the future 13 ILEOSTOMY ASSN OF SA INC. Burwood Industrial Park Correspondence/Contributions to: open days 10am-noon Telephone: (07) 4775 2303 73 Roebuck St. Mile End. SA 5031 Unit 14, 25-37 Huntingdale Rd The Editor, Ostomy Australia Office Manager: Melissa Mason PO Box 173, Celebrating 30 years of YOU Inc. 14 Telephone: (08) 8234 2678 PO Box 3378, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 Email: stoma@ACTStoma. Thuringowa Central, 4817 Burwood, VIC 3125 onmicrosoft.com Fax: (08) 8234 2985 Telephone: (03) 9888 8523 Email: [email protected] From Kylie’s desk: ‘The same purpose’ of use rule 16 Operating hours: These contact details apply only to matters Secretary: David Turnbull Office hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 2pm Fax: (03) 9888 8094 Mon and Thurs 8 - 4pm directly associated with Ostomy Australia. Mind over matter: S#@t Happens…. 17 Wed 8 - 12pm Distribution times: Tuesdays Email: [email protected] Email, Word or PDF documents are preferred. NORTHERN TERRITORY 10am - 2pm, 1st & 3rd Tuesday Website: www.oam.org.au Email: [email protected] Published by: Detouring into mental health 20 Secretary: Gwenda Williams evenings 7pm - 8pm Operating hours: CANCER COUNCIL OF THE Australian Council of Stoma Associations Inc. Port Augusta and Beyond Ostomy Support 22 NORTHERN TERRITORY INC. A/H (07) 4775 2303 Secretary: Donna Benge Tue to Fri 9am to 4pm Website: www.australianstoma.com.au Unit 2 Casi House Telephone: (08) 8234 2678 Email: [email protected] Travelling with a stoma 24 25 Vanderlin Drive, Casuarina QLD OSTOMY ASSN INC. Email: [email protected] PENINSULA OSTOMY ASSN INC. Patron: Postal Address: PO Box 42719, (formerly QLD Colostomy Assn) 12 Allenby Street, Frankston 3199 His Excellency General the Honourable ‘Mega’ problems? Focus on the good stuff 29 Casuarina NT 0811 22 Beaudesert Rd, Moorooka 4105 TASMANIA Telephone: (03) 9783 6473 Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Mon to Thurs 8.30am - 2.00pm PO Box 198 Moorooka 4105 Fax: (03) 9781 4866 Governor-General of the Commonwealth The week I won’t forget 30 of Australia Phone: (08) 8944 1800 Operating hours: Tues & Thurs OSTOMY TASMANIA INC A/H Emergency only: 0417 011 075 Fax: (08) 8927 4990 9.00am - 3.30pm Amenities Building, Operating hours: Executive Members: Blessed to be here: my life with Crohn’s disease 32 Email: [email protected] David Munro – President Admin (07) 3848 7178 St. Johns Park Mon & Thurs 10am - 3pm Web: http://nt.cancer.org.au/ Fax: (07) 3848 0561 PO Box 370, Chermside South, QLD 4032 Looking ahead to a future with ‘twins’ 32 St. Johns Avenue, Newtown 7008 Secretary: Alexandra Terdich Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] PO Box 280, Moonah 7009 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Email: [email protected] Erin Goodwin – Vice-president Great Comebacks celebrated amidst adversity 33 Web: www.qldostomy.org Telephone: (03) 6228 0799 Website: www.penost.com.au 15 Guildford Road, Mount Lawley, WA 6050 IN THIS ISSUE WA OSTOMY ASSN INC. Fax: (03) 6228 0744 WA Ostomy Association is 50 years old! 34 QLD STOMA ASSN LTD Email: [email protected] 15 Guildford Rd, Mount Lawley 6050 Operating hours: VICTORIAN CHILDREN’S Telephone: (08) 9272 1833 Unit 1/10 Valente Close, Robert Barsing — Treasurer National Directory of Ostomy Support Groups 35, 36 Mon 9.00am - 3.00pm OSTOMY ASSN. PO Box 1254, Harvey Bay, QLD 4655 Fax: (08) 9271 4605 Chermside 4032 Tues 9.00am - 1.00pm Equipment Distribution Centre, Email: [email protected] Enquiries email: Telephone: (07) 3359 7570 Stoma Appliance Scheme product suppliers 37 [email protected] Fax: (07) 3350 1882 Secretary: Sue Hoyle Royal Children's Hospital, Rosemary Quick — Secretary Orders email: Website: qldstoma.asn.au Email: [email protected] Level Basement 2 (green lifts), PO Box 2427, Salisbury Downs, SA 5108 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Operating hours: Mon to Thurs - Website: www.ostomytas.com.au 50 Flemington Road, Index to Advertisers: Operating hours and appliance 8.30am - 2.30pm Parkville, 3052 Printed by: pickup: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9.00am - Last Saturday of each month - VICTORIA Telephone: (03) 9345 5325 Graphic Print Group Ainscorp 8, 9, 21 1.00pm Graphic House, 10–14 Kingston Avenue, 8.30am - 12.30pm Fax: (03) 9345 9499 BENDIGO & DISTRICT OSTOMY Richmond, SA 5033 Coloplast 11, 25 NEW SOUTH WALES Closed Fridays and Public Holidays Email: [email protected]. Phone: (08) 8443 8011 Emergency No: 0432 522 311 ASSN INC. Web: www.rch.org.au/edc Dansac 7, 27 43-45 Kinross Street, Bendigo 3550 Graphic design by: NSW STOMA LIMITED PO Box 370, Chermside 4032 Graphic Print Group (formerly Colostomy Assn of NSW) Email: [email protected] All correspondence to: WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT Hollister 23 On the cover: Jessie Whitehouse and Estelle Unit 5, 7-29 Bridge Road, PO Box 404, Golden Square. 3555 OSTOMY ASSN INC. TOOWOOMBA & SOUTH-WEST Hayler celebrating 50 years of service for the Omnigon 15, 18, 19, 31 Stanmore 2048 Ostomy Rooms: (03) 5441 7520 279 Koroit St, Warrnambool 3280 WA Ostomy Association at this years ACSA OSTOMY ASSN INC. PO Box 164, Camperdown 1450 Fax: (03) 5442 9660 Telephone: (03) 5563 1446 conference in Perth. Operating hours: Mon to Thurs Education Centre, Blue Care Garden Sutherland Medical 29 Operating hours: Fax: (03) 5563 4353 The Editor 9.00am - 4.00pm and Settlement, 256 Stenner Street, Advertising enquiries to: Email: Friday 9.00am - 2.00pm Toowoomba 4350 Tues, Wed, Thurs 10.00am - 2.00pm Advertising & copy deadlines: 3M 34 [email protected] Administration and Logistics All correspondence to: and second Tues of each month from Issue Copy and Advertising Operating hours: April 1st February The ACSA Journal Ostomy Australia was established in 1992 through the inaugural Controller: Hedy Ferreira PO Box 7314, Toowoomba MC 4352 9.00am - 3.00pm August 1st June sponsorship of ConvaTec Australia. The journal is published three times per year and Secretary: Peter De Luca Secretary: PO Box 404, Friday 12 noon - 4.00pm Telephone: (07) 4636 9701 December 1st October is available free to every member of an Australian Ostomy Association. Telephone: 1300 OSTOMY or Fax: (07) 4636 9702 Golden Square, VIC 3555 Secretary: Heather Love (02) 9565 4315 Operating hours: Fax: (02) 9565 4317 Tues 9.00am - 3.30pm COLOSTOMY ASSN OF VIC. Email: [email protected] Editorial: Contributions are welcome but authors must include their names and addresses. Full names Publication of an advertisement in Ostomy Australia does not constitute an endorsement of any Secretary: Bob Schull Suite 221, 98 Elizabeth St., may be published unless you request otherwise. Contributions should be sent as Word or PDF documents. products mentioned therein by the journal, ACSA, any stoma association, or any government department Website: NSWstoma.com.au Telephone: 0418 717 199 Block Arcade Lift 3, Contributions may be edited in accordance with standard editorial practice. By submitting an article, connected with the Stoma Appliance Scheme. including photographs or writing a letter to us, you are taken to have consented to its publication in OSTOMY NSW LTD Email: [email protected] Melbourne VIC 3000 Please contact your Readers are strongly advised to obtain appropriate professional advice before using any products advertised. both online and physical forms unless otherwise requested. We preserve past records of all previous Unit 6, 555 Princes Highway Phone: (03) 9650 1666 WIDE BAY OSTOMATES ASSN INC. association for all issues journals, including any reader-submitted copy (which may include the use of digital or cloud-based Privacy: The Australian Council of Stoma Associations Inc. has no control over the use of personal Kirrawee NSW 2232 Fax: (03) 9650 4123 88a Crofton Street, Bundaberg concerning membership, storage securely hosted in Australia or overseas) in accordance with our Privacy Policy which may be particulars that ostomates provide to companies in response to advertisements contained in Ostomy Postal Address: PO Box 3068 Email: [email protected] viewed at http://www.australianstoma.com.au Australia. Unless the advertiser states otherwise, a company may use your name and address to contact Kirrawee NSW 2232 West, QLD 4670 appliance supply Website: www.colovic.org.au While due care is taken to ensure the accuracy of published material, the Australian Council of Stoma you about its products or services. Operating hours: Mon to Thurs Operating hours: 8.30am - 3.00pm Operating hours: Weekdays or distribution of the Associations (ACSA) accepts no responsibility for any information contained in contributions and specifically If readers do not wish to be contacted further, they are advised to tell the company this. Most companies 9.00am - 2.00pm Tues, Wed, Thurs. 9am to 2pm. STN Mondays and Ostomy Australia journal. disclaims liability for contributors’ claims or opinions. Readers are strongly advised to seek appropriate have said they will comply with such requests. This advice should be taken into account when responding Telephone: (02) 9542 1300 Telephone: (07) 4152 4715 advice before acting on any medical, pharmaceutical or health-related information in this publication. to company promotions. Fax: (02) 9542 1400 Fax: (07) 4153 5460 Wednesdays and AGM CAV Contact details are An electronic copy of this journal is available at www.australianstoma.com.au Consumers who are concerned about the way in which stoma appliances are advertised Email: [email protected] Appliance Officer: Trina McRae premises 12pm last Wednesday on this page Complaints: Advertisements are published in the form submitted by advertisers. The publisher does are entitled to lodge a complaint with the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Such complaints should be Website: www.ostomynsw.org.au Advertising: Email: [email protected] of November not check the veracity of claims made in advertisements and accepts no responsibility for their content. addressed to the TGA Complaints Resolution Panel, PO Box 764, North Sydney, NSW 2059.

Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Ostomy AUSTRALIA does not endorse the contents of readers' letters nor do we vouch for the accuracy of any claims made in those letters. Readers should not Your say rely on any such claims in the absence of medical advice and should consult their treating doctors prior he Ostomy Australia Journal is published by a stomal therapy nurse and the service to embarking on any course of treatment. T three times a year, in April, August and WAOA provides is ensuring that this is Letters to the editor December, and provided free to every member happening, no matter where in Western of an Australian ostomy association. This year Australia the ostomate is living. there was no August edition due to a change of I congratulate WAOA for organising the Dear Editor, editor for the journal but we are now back conference. It was wonderful that so many I offer one or two tips from my experience to people and under the direction of our new editor, associations could come together and celebrate Ms Rebecca Herbener. this special occasion with them. using urine drainage bags. Bec hails from Western Australia and Recently the Department of Health sought I’ve been a urostomate for 32 years and for the last volunteers at the Western Australia Ostomy feedback from ostomates and other few years have settled into a simple procedure. Association (WAOA). She is also the editor of stakeholders on the operational effectiveness Equipment from the Cancer Council: WAOA’s newsletter. I would like to welcome of the Stoma Appliance Scheme. This feedback Bec to the role and wish her every success. I will influence potential improvements to the Wafers, urostomy pouches, urine drainage bags. am sure that Bec will put her own personal scheme that would ensure ostomates continue Urostomy pouches last for four or five days, urine stamp on the journal over the coming issues. to have access to products and support drainage bags two or three months. In October the Australian Council of Stoma services they need to manage their stomas. Own supply: Vinegar and dispenser bottle, Sorbolene, Associations (ACSA) held its annual general It is likely that some ostomates did not get plastic tubing to connect the bags, kitty litter tray. meeting and annual conference for member the opportunity to provide feedback, as the My supplier provides two lengths (4 cm each) of plastic associations in Perth. It was well supported, department’s original consultation period was tube in each carton of day bags. These I have found to with representatives from 16 of Australia's 21 just three weeks. It was only after ACSA raised stoma associations attending the two-day concerns that this would not give associations be useless as they are too short, so I have bought a event. Delegates appreciated the opportunity enough time to get the word out to members The Christmas season reminds us of the length of suitable plastic tubing from the hardware store to discuss issues affecting the Stoma Appliance that the consultation period was increased to importance of generosity and caring, and as and cut off suitable lengths as I need them. I have written Scheme, along with the operational six weeks, even though ACSA requested even we spend time with friends and family, to do to the company about this, suggesting that one piece effectiveness of those associations and other longer. The department received more than our best to look after each other. of tubing of twice the length would be useful, but there 2000 responses and the feedback is currently matters of the day. It is the season for reflection on the year has been no action. Other than this, I have been pleased being analysed. Considering the difficulties The theme of the conference was 'Yesterday, past and of hope for the year ahead, and I with their products. that associations had in telling ostomates about today and tomorrow', which was very encourage you all to take a few minutes to think the consultation, this is an excellent result. Dear Editor, Connecting pouch and bag: appropriate as this year WAOA celebrated its about this. We really have so much to be ACSA is looking forward to learning the results Firstly, thank you for an informative and interesting About an 8 cm length 50th Anniversary. Professor Keryln Carville thankful for—our health care system, and working with the department to improve magazine. I’m hoping you can help me. of tubing is suitable. Cut spoke to ‘Yesterday and Today’ and recounted supported by dedicated stomal therapy nurses, the operations of the scheme. the ends at an angle of the history of bowel surgery and types of is excellent and the Stoma Appliance Scheme I’ve been an ostomate for two-and-a-half years and Considering the department’s heightened about 45 degrees to the appliances available to early ostomates. I am is considered one of the best in the world. going along very well. I belong to Peninsula Ostomy sure delegates were very thankful that medical level of interest in the scheme, it is worth length of the tube. This To the staff and volunteers at all the Association and they are a wonderful team. procedures and products have improved since remembering that the scheme operates to makes it easier to slide associations throughout Australia, thank you those days. I don’t think the saying ‘Life was ensure that ostomates have access to the My question is—a couple of months after surgery, on and off the outlet of for the important role you continue to play in simpler back then’ applies to ostomates. We appliances they need. This places an obligation when I would shower before a bag change, quite often the urostomy pouch. on every ostomate to obtain only the supplies supporting the Australian ostomate community. also heard about the excellent work WAOA's I would have a leak while drying or preparing to put the In the morning, I empty stomal therapy nurse, Tania Norman, is doing that he or she requires, not the maximum May your year end on a joyful note and new bag on. This is annoying. I asked a company if there the contents of the urine 'today and tomorrow' by taking her stomal quantities available. make way for a bright New Year. was a product to wear temporarily after showering to drainage bag into the therapy clinic into the remote and rural I would like to wish everyone a very avoid this problem but they replied that there was no toilet, then give a few communities of Western Australia. Every healthy and peaceful Christmas season, filled David Munro PRESIDENT ostomate needs to have regular assessments with happiness. such product. squirts of cheap vinegar and some tap water into the I invented my own product (pictured above) using one bag. Then I leave it in the bathroom until the evening. of my colostomy bags cut out to fit a plastic disposable Just before going to bed, I empty the contents of the medicine cup attached by a stoma belt when I’d finished drainage bag into the toilet. showering. Lying on my back on the bed, I attach the urine This has been a great help avoiding unpleasant leaks drainage bag to the outlet of the urostomy pouch using while drying and preparing to put the new bag on. a smear of Sorbolene as a lubricant on the joint. I place the drainage bag flat in the kitty litter tray on the Is there no such product available? floor, positioning it so that the lead in tube is vertical and Many ostomates must endure this problem and I was there are no kinks and the bag is flat, with no folds. I then surprised something isn’t available. turn over and go soundly to sleep. Many thanks again for a great magazine. With these steps, I’ve had very few accidents. Delegates of Australia's 21 Ostomy Assocations at the 2019 ACSA Conference Philip Stammers, VIC Jack Oliver, NT

4 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 5 ACSA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2019 Ostomates invited to ‘pay it forward’ By Rebecca Herbener

Healthy skin for healthy confidence.

Simon, colostomy since 2010 The ACSA Executive at the national conference in Perth – from left, Secretary Rosemary Quick, Administrative Officer Kylie McGrory, President David Munro, Vice-president Erin Goodwin and Treasurer Robert Barsing with Dr Jenny Prentice opening the conference

stomates and stoma associations should ostomy journey that highlighted the gratitude, countries by providing them with surplus Odo everything they could to protect support and guidance they received from products. At the conference the Australia the stoma appliance scheme (SAS) by ostomy volunteers who helped them adjust to Fund chairperson, Gerry Barry, from strengthening existing relationships between living with a stoma. Queensland Stoma Association, reported that Dansac Accessories – Helping to support skin health the Commonwealth Department of Health, 'We wish to ensure that ostomates in the Australian Charities and Not for profits Medicare, ostomy product suppliers and Australia continue to have access to the Commission Amendment (2018 Measures Sometimes the skin around your stoma needs a little extra help or protection. stomal therapy nurses, Dr Jenny Prentice said No. 2) Regulations 2018 required Australian best appliances to augment the ostomate’s Dansac offers a variety of accessories designed to help make everyday life when officially opening the Australian Council associations and charities to take steps quality of life,' she said. Jenny spoke about of Stoma Associations’ annual conference in to ensure that the overseas organisations comfortable and deliver the confidence and reassurance you deserve. the differences between the Australian SAS Perth in October. receiving donations (including supplies such and the access available to ostomates in other as bags) comply with Australian operating The conference was held in conjunction countries. She noted that in some countries, standards. with celebrations for WA Ostomy Association's products had to be paid for individually or in (WAOA) 50-year anniversary, and had as its line with medical insurance allowances. Some Gerry told delegates that the Australia Fund theme ‘Yesterday, today and tomorrow’. was not equipped to do this under its current countries required ongoing prescriptions and, structure. He proposed that it be replaced with Dr Jenny Prentice, a stomal therapy in others, there was simply little or no access a grants program that would provide financial nurse for 37 years and a renowned wound to products. care specialist, told delegates to the two- support so that individual associations could It was important that associations and day conference that Australian ostomates prove they met the requirements of the ostomates did everything they could to protect were privileged to have access to the stoma Regulations. This would allow them to continue appliances and accessories that they required the SAS and ostomy product allocations, she to provide supplies to international ostomates. for the cost of the SAS access fee. said. They could do this by ensuring that Conference endorsed this approach. returned stock was kept to a minimum, by Dansac TRE seal Dansac X-tra Strips Jenny spoke on the need to ‘pay it Supplies that are returned to associations strengthening relationships in the sector, and Formulated to provide a secure, flexible seal to protect A skin friendly natural solution for those seeking forward’—a phrase describing how the are unusable—they cannot be reissued—and by ostomy associations working together to the skin from stoma fluid, while maintaining the pH an extra sense of security for the outside edge beneficiary of a good deed repays the so are a cost to associations and taxpayers. share experiences, ideas and processes, and balance of naturally healthy skin. of the skin barrier. kindness by extending it to others to positively With approximately 46,300 ostomates in by collaborating with each other and with affect as many people as possible, rather than Australia and upwards of 3,700 items on the just repaying the original benefactor. Jenny ACSA to improve member services. scheme, it is essential that returned stock has seen first-hand the support that stoma is kept to acceptable and minimal levels. Contact us today to order your FREE SAMPLE. New structure for the However, sending these products overseas Call 1800 880 851 or visit dansac.com.au associations and their volunteers provide Australian Fund to members, and believes the volunteers of to people with little or no access to their Australian ostomy associations peer-support One way that ACSA and associations 'pay own products is a great example of 'paying model this ideal. She said she had heard it forward' is through the Australia Fund, it forward' as well as preventing unnecessary many stories from people going through their which supports ostomates in selected landfill. Dedicated to Stoma Care

The Dansac logo, Dansac X-tra, and TRE are trademarks of Dansac A/S. ©2019 Dansac A/S. Prior to use, be sure to read the Instructions 6 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Continued page 10 for Use for information regarding Intended Use, Contraindications, Warnings, Precautions, and Instructions. DAN024. November 2019. Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 7 NEW SALTS MOULDABLE SEALS 6 PAIRS* SALTS AND RINGS WITH ALOE SUPPORT WEAR

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8 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 9 Continued from page 6 changes show a bright future for treatment and care. WAOAs stomal therapy nurse, Tania Norman, spoke about her work developing NEW the STN clinic at WAOA, including the wide introduction of a regional care program, sizes nurse education outreach and her hopes for the future of ostomate support in WA.

Awards for service and achievement Four awards were handed out by the ACSA President, David Munro, and the Vice- president, Erin Goodwin. Dave Patterson (Wide Bay Ostomates) “ I was determined to play was the recipient of the 2019 ACSA Distinguished Service Award. David has been involved with his association since 2004, cricket again. The seal when he began volunteering. He has been Dr Jenny Prentice (right) with Ms Helen Simcock, a long-time volunteer instrumental in key projects that have literally gave me confidence.” at the WA Ostomy Association built the association to its current level and Kevin, ileostomy since 2015 has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of two draft service level agreements (SLAs) they Update on SAMS rollout local ostomates through the introduction of had prepared, one to cover relations between In the past few years three ostomy associations an STN clinic at the association and a new ACSA and stoma associations and another have transitioned to using the Stoma Appliance Ostomy One on One program which connects between associations and product suppliers. Management System (SAMS) owned by ACSA. people who are scheduled for stoma surgery The system is designed to manage distribution The SLAs are an initiative of ONL, which with an existing ostomate. has argued that working relationships between of products available under the SAS and to The prestigious award is made for ACSA, associations and suppliers should be allow associations to better manageArticle member to be supplied exceptional service at a local, national strengthened. supply orders and provide analysis on product or international level, and is intended to usage. The draft SLAs are seen as a step towards recognise exemplary or transformative ensuring clear and measurable guidelines 'ACSA will provide support to any leadership in the ostomy community; service, that detail the obligations and expectations association that wishes to use SAMS' was innovations or achievements which have of each party in the relationship. In doing so, the message from the ACSA President, advanced the physical or social wellbeing of Kevin uses Brava Protective Seal Wide they would provide an opportunity to improve David Munro. Delegates were told that ACSA ostomates locally, nationally or internationally; to enhance appliance fit and protect against leakage. customer relationships and ensure the intended that SAMS would be made available or outstanding service to the national ostomy business relationships were as successful as to associations through a hosted environment community over many years. possible. which will allow associations to use the Three deserving recipients received the technology and its benefits without incurring The ONL delegates asked conference Professional Achievement Award for their some of the larger costs that might have been attendees to provide feedback so that the outstanding efforts in supporting ostomates. drafts could be further developed to be ready What’s right for you? required if they had had to upgrade their IT Lorrie Gray (WAOA) has been the Program for the agreements to be approved at the infrastructure to support the system. Coordinator, Stomal Therapy Nursing Education There can be many reasons for leakage. Kevin had difficulty in getting Introducing new wide sizes ACSA Conference 2020. The agreements are Program, for the WA branch of the Australian his baseplate to fit securely, particularly when playing cricket. He uses A greater surface area for more challenging The hosted environment might use a public intended to be base documents that can be Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses since Brava Protective Seal to seal the gap between his stoma and baseplate. areas such as skin with deeper creases or folds. provider such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) customised for each association. or Microsoft Azure, or a private environment 1980. Lorrie has been a volunteer at WAOA hosted in a local datacentre. Once a decision since 2009 and a member of the management The seal is easy to shape for a snug fit around the stoma and helps to To learn more and get your FREE samples Yesterday, today and tomorrow absorb any extra moisture. It is also easy to remove and leaves minimal call us on 1800 531 823 or go to had been made about the appropriate hosting committee since 2012. Lorrie shows empathy In line with the conference theme of ‘yesterday residue. coloplast.com.au/bpswide and patience with ostomates, long-term and environment, an implementation plan would today and tomorrow, Professor Keryln Carville, new, and finds time to visit nursing homes be developed, he said. Delegates noted the of Silver Chain and Curtin University’s School proposal and ACSA will continue costing this of Nursing and Midwifery, took us through and to assist in teaching in regional hospitals Brava Protective Seal Wide is one of the range of Brava supporting approach. the fascinating history of the development when accompanying the association’s STN products. With our online Trouble Shooter tool, you can see if there’s a of ostomy care to its current practice and on her country visits, as well as supporting Brava product that is right for you too. Improving communications products. and coordinating member support groups coloplast.com.au/troubleshooter between associations and throughout WA. suppliers Medical knowledge as well as the still recent drive to 'holistic' care (treating the Tom Flood (ONL) has given service at Ostomy NSW (ONL) delegates Stephen Grange whole person and not just the illness or its every level in his time at the association. and Stephen Lardner presented delegates with symptoms) and the fast-paced technological Tom has manned the front counter, edited Coloplast Pty Ltd, PO Box 240, Mount Waverley, VIC 3149 Australia www.coloplast.com.au The Coloplast logo is a registered trademark of Coloplast A/S. ©2019-07 OST602a. All rights reserved Coloplast A/S 10 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Continued page 12 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 11

OST602a.indd 1 28/10/2019 10:32:01 AM Continued from page 10 Association of Victoria and ACT and Districts brings comfort. It is a great companion, super Kelly can be contacted at: Ostomy Association to gain an understanding cute, and can help people come to terms with of how associations operate and the issues their new life with a stoma. facebook.com/ groups/565874993881641 they face. Hermione Agee from OAM shared From small beginnings in Western (ostomy support bears wa) her experience of the visit by departmental Australia, Kelly has sold bears throughout representatives. Australia, the USA, Canada, United Kingdom gofundme.com/ostomy- David confirmed that some 2,000 and South Africa. support-bears responses had been received to the Stoma Kelly only works on donations and the Appliance Scheme Stakeholders Survey $20 charged covers the cost of the bear, so and said a summary of the responses was no profit is made: everything goes back into instagram.com/ expected to be available on the department’s buying or making new bears. ● ● ostomysupportbears WA Ostomy Association President website shortly. Murray Joseph with his new ostomy bear

Ostomy Support Bears WA Lorrie Gray introduced delegates to Ostomy Support Bears WA, an initiative of ostomate Kelly Moss. 'I believe these bears have raised Getting in shape awareness and helped reduce any stigma attached to having an ostomy'. Lorrie said. for the future Kelly Moss, an ostomate for 20 years, set up Ostomy Support Bears WA after she By Amber Smart received an ostomate teddy bear two years ago and decided that it was a great idea for people, especially children. After successful treatment for bowel cancer, ACSA Vice-president Erin Goodwin (right) with Professor Keryln Carville Kelly put out a call on social media and now Amber Smart is looking for ways to create a has help from five women who help attach device that will make stomas less obvious. the stoma and removable ostomy bags to the newsletter, been secretary then vice- of approximately 3,700 items listed in the teddy bears bought from local stores. Kelly is president, and served as president of the SAS Schedule. Currently, revenue generated appreciative of the support given by Omnigon, his is the story of how I came to get my stoma—and about board of directors since 1998. One of Tom's by associations through the handling fee and Hollister and Dansac in the supply neonatal the supplies that are available for young people to use. mottos is 'don't let problems mar being a the SAS access fee is an average $110 per T I would like to design my own stoma plug and I hope someone useful person'. Tom says that he loves being member per year, which is less than the cost bags for the bears. part of a team bringing peace of mind to of delivering SAS activities. Every bear is completely child-safe and can point me in the right direction to go about this. others through support, reassurance and the David said the department had been has its own name. The bears are donated to I live on the Central Coast of NSW, I am 37 years old, and provision of information. taking an active interest in association children’s hospitals and cost $20 to purchase. live with my husband and my two boys aged 10 and 8. Val Macey (Ileostomy Association of SA) operations over recent months and had visited They are great educational tools and anyone Back in 2015 I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. became a member of the IASA in March Queensland Stoma Association Ltd, Ostomy struggling with having a stoma will benefit They found a 4 cm tumour in my anal cavity. Amber Smart 1985 and has a reputation for being caring Association of Melbourne (OAM), Colostomy from owning a bear. For the recipient, the bear Because of the size of the tumour, I was constantly in pain and empathetic. Being a ‘people person’ and bleeding and was unable to go to the toilet normally, so the and recognising the need for support first thing they did was book me in to get my temporary stoma. I irrigate regularly now, and have worked out what foods options, Val has been involved in setting up work for me and what work against me. Most of the time After 25 rounds of radiation and chemo, the tumour had the monthly member support meetings and I feel like I have a handle on things, but like any human being I shrunk enough and the doctors were able to operate. I had also coordinates the association’s Australia overindulge every now and again with one glass of red wine too my bowel removed, along with lymph nodes, as well as some Fund activities to send products to overseas many, or too many slices of pizza. Then my tummy will start to muscle and part of my tailbone. ostomates who have little or no access gurgle and I can lose control and have a blow-out. Then I will to supplies. When I woke from my operation I was told that the operation get really upset because I am not in control. As long as I am in had been successful but that, unfortunately, they had had to control of my stoma I am happy. SAS costs and revenue shortfall remove more muscle than they had anticipated. As a result my I use a combination of a small bag, a mini bag and a plug. For the past year ACSA has been in stoma would become permanent. But I would love to be able to design a plug that blends in to discussions with the Department of Health I had a further course of chemo to make sure they got my skin better. I love the plug but why can't it blend – be more over the funding model for associations with everything, and October 2018 I was 12 months cancer free! aesthetically pleasing? Why can’t we have different colours regard to the delivery of products available I love my stoma and am very grateful for it, but it was hard for different skin tones? I would love the opportunity to create through the scheme. getting used to. Being so young, you think, ‘I can never wear my own plug for young women who would still like to wear The president, David Munro, provided a bikini again’. You look at other girls with perfect bodies and that bikini, who have come to terms with their stoma, and are associations with an update of communications you feel a bit down. But I realize as soon as those thoughts not afraid to show it off, but just want something that looks with the department about the financial enter my head that I'm being silly. I am so lucky to have gotten a little bit nicer. I have the ideas to create such a plug, but I pressures being experienced by associations through my cancer battle, and all I have to show for it is a don't know where to start. I’d be glad to hear from someone with respect to their SAS operations. couple of scars and a little stoma. No-one would ever know to who can give me advice on how I go about designing my There are some 46,300 members regularly look at me. own plug. ● being issued ostomy products from the pool ACSA President David Munro and Vice-president Erin Goodwin with Stephen Grange, centre, accepting the Professional Achievement Award for Tom Flood

12 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Continued page 13 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 13 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF YOU INC. By Lilian Leonard

The Universal Seal

It doesn’t matter what brand you Members of YOU celebrating ® 30 years of support and stories are wearing, Eakin Cohesive Seal

n Sunday 17 November, Young Ballarat, Bendigo and Eagle Point were meetings are now held at the Nurses works with ANY pouch. O Ostomates United celebrated 30 followed by visits to both Canberra Memorial Centre. years of friendship, support, stories and and Sydney to launch YOU interstate, In addition, we hold annual educational and many day trips to Geelong, due to activities shared over those three decades. meetings with appropriate guest speakers. In November 1989, ostomate Anne the number of young ostomates in the This year we updated our website Maree and I, a stomal therapy nurse at Geelong area. In 1994 sixteen members LARGE SMALL SLIMS the Preston and Northcote Community drove in convoy to Adelaide for the eighth (www.youinc.org.au) making it mobile Hospital (PANCH), decided to set up International Ostomy Association World compatible. Helen, our long time a support group for young ostomates Conference. Later that year members of secretary, runs the YOU Inc. Facebook aged between 14 and 40. We placed an YOU took part in the Video 'A Beginning Page which currently has over 400 advert in the Preston Times and at the not an End'. members. We believe these technologies ileostomy and colostomy associations Every June during Stomal Therapy where ostomates and their carers can ask in Melbourne inviting young ostomates Week a combined meeting was held for support and advice at times of need, to an afternoon gathering at PANCH on at PANCH with the PANCH Ostomy are the way of the future and to this end 20 November 1989. To our amazement Support Group. Wonderful friendships we are investigating podcasts. 13 people with a variety of stomas arrived, were forged between these two groups. So many members have contributed all eager to meet other young ostomates. Displays were held in Melbourne’s Bourke to the success of YOU over the past 30 This was the start of a long journey of Street Mall in conjunction with the years—too many to name. Companies support and friendship. Colostomy and Ileostomy Associations of have supported our group and speakers Victoria. In February 1990 the first official have donated their time and expertise. meeting of the group named Young In 1998 thanks to funding from the Most of all the members of YOU Inc. have Ostomates United (YOU) was held and Royal Children’s Hospital, YOU arranged formed a community whose members a constitution developed. Those early a weekend away at Phillip Island. As well have willingly shared their personal years were busy, regular meetings were as having fun we wanted to help a young journeys to help fellow ostomates. ● Seal held either at private homes, picnics or ostomate feel comfortable on a sleepover. at PANCH. In October 1991 YOU held Over the years members of YOU have the deal. its first weekend away at Rutherglen, represented Australia at overseas youth Choose Victoria, at the request of one of our forums and I have presented papers at country members who later became stomal therapy conferences worldwide Eakin. president of YOU and in 1992 booklets on the benefits of a support group and in relevant to YOU were compiled, Problems 1993 I was awarded an Advance Australia and Practical Solutions, Thoughts of YOU Award for service in support of ostomates. and later a Just for YOU Journal, produced In February 2000 thanks to the help biannually, thanks to Susan, one of our of one of our committee members, the long-time members. YOU Constitution was revised and the A counselling and visiting service was group became incorporated enabling it to established, at the request of country and obtain funding from the Victorian Health interstate ostomates. Weekends away at Department. With the closure of PANCH,

14 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 15 From Kylie’s desk ‘The same purpose’ of use rule S#@t Happens…. mind over matter

may have requested within the same time Jodie Nelson is an Accredited empty my bag into a jug just as I was period. The matter is made even more The same purpose Life Coach, mindset specialist, taught. difficult when the same purpose products motivational speaker and Unfortunately for me, when I was have different maximum allowances and rule means the executive leadership coach who unrolling the spout, it slipped out of my issue timeframes, such as an annual maximum amount specialises in chronic disease hand, my bag exploded and splashed allowance and a monthly allowance. management and effective my poo all over the back of the toilet of a scheme funded door, up to the roof of the cubicle and The 1 October 2019 schedule was communication strategies for patients, medical professionals finally all over my face. OMG! I’m sure released with 3,738 individual products. product you can and supporters. by now you have the visual, in my head The number of same purpose products be issued by your it was so much worse. on the schedule were: association can be I sat there for a minute thinking; • 2,684 products to capture products now, how am I going to get out of this ne of the most common questions from the gastrointestinal tract (monthly affected by other cubicle, back to my room that I shared OI’m asked by new or potential with three men, to grab fresh clothes, and annual issue) ostomates is, “What happens if your ‘same purpose’ a new bag and all the stuff that goes bag bursts?” • 445 products to capture urine output products you may along with it as well as getting back Each time the question is asked to the bathroom to clean the cubicle, • 33 plugs (monthly and annual issue) n the last edition of Ostomy Australia, have requested within it takes me back 17 years to my first shower and change? I knew one thing I managed to clean the toilet, week with an ileostomy. I I discussed some of the difficulties • 96 catheter products the same time period. for sure and that was I wasn’t about shower, change my bag (which I had Back in the day, keyhole surgeries to walk back into my room, naked and never done on my own), and walked encountered by associations in assessing • 17 flange extenders were rare and laparotomies were the a person’s eligibility for requested stoma pretend like nothing had happened. back past the nurses’ station and norm. This meant the usual stay in • 16 barrier products (monthly and I also didn’t want a nurse to have to jumped back into bed. products within the same purpose of use hospital was anywhere from 10 days annual issue) same product range but have the same clean up after me because I thought if I It was as though I had become rule. Section 6 of the Stoma Appliance through to three weeks. Thankfully this showed any incompetence, I wouldn’t the invisible man. Not one nurse had Scheme Operational Guidelines for • 23 cleaner and solvent products purpose, both the SAS code and the has changed considerably but on the be allowed home. realised I had actually left my bed in the (monthly and annual issue) supplier product code will be different. Stoma Associations introduces the same other hand it leaves very little time for first place. Talk about winning. purpose rule when it states: The computerised claiming systems an ostomate to adjust to their • 87 seal products The next day I was released and built and funded by the largely volunteer new body. 6.5.2 Ordering supplies within one that was the first time of many that • 12 paste products So many questions are not based associations unfortunately do s#@t has happened. The best way to sub-group listed on the schedule: answered. To be fair, as a patient all • 13 night drainage bags not have the capacity to identify same handle the situation is with humour and When supplies are requested from within you're really thinking is ‘When can purpose products within a member's SAS an open mind. If you panic, you starve one sub-group listed on the schedule, • 14 deodorant and lubricant products I go home?’ claim. Association operators are therefore your brain of oxygen and then you will and the products are intended for the (monthly and annual issue) My stay after surgery was three required to have an extensive knowledge be unable to be the problem solver you same purpose, the supplied amount is weeks on the dot. Whilst I was in • 10 cream products (ointments, healing of all 3,738 scheme listed products to need to be. restricted to the maximum limit for that hospital, I had awesome nurses who creams and skin conditioning creams) Remember to breathe. Four deep ensure every SAS issue falls within the would let me sleep through the night type of product. breaths in through the nose and out same purpose of use rule to remain and empty my bag for me. I had a • 210 hernia support garments through you mouth. By breathing 6.5.3 Ordering supplies from compliant with the Stoma Appliance problem as I wasn’t aware when it was deeply and slowly, you will feed your more than one group listed on the • 8 skins protective sheet products Scheme Operational Guidelines. time to empty through the night. Pretty brain the oxygen it requires to think schedule: When supplies are requested weird right? Another problem was when • 4 powders During 2018/19 the Australian clearly. my body decided to dump one litre in from two or more different sub-groups stoma associations collectively issued • 16 small belts While sitting in the cubicle I decided Think of something funny and listed on the schedule, but for which the one hit. a combination of 37,773,165 product right there and then to be a ‘Master finally, wiggle your toes. These simple • 50 miscellaneous products As I was young and appearance was products serve the same purpose, the units drawn from the pool of SAS listed exercises will lessen your anxiety and everything, I chose a mini appliance. Problem Solver’. maximum amount supplied from each products to meet the unique needs of help you to figure out your next step. All products have two identifying Though they felt like they were barely I unrolled the toilet paper from the roll group must be reduced accordingly codes: a Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS) over 46,300 scheme users. As each claim there and they looked like they were and wrapped myself up like a Mummy. Start with the end goal in mind and (e.g. if the products are supplied equally code, and a supplier product code. For for products are assessed by association barely there, they weren’t as forgiving I walked casually past the nurses work backwards to find your solution. from two sub-groups then the maximum products within a supplier product range operators to ensure the SAS issue meets when you had a high functioning station back into my room, pulled the Often this will only take you a minute to quantity for each sub-group should be that are essentially the same product requirements of the Guidelines, the level stoma. curtains around me, found a towel, figure out but if it doesn’t, that’s okay. You will find a way out and you won’t reduced by 50 per cent. available in different sizes, such as a of productivity within the associations When I think back, this is where wiped myself down, grabbed some can truly be appreciated. ● s#@t happened for the first time. Lol. fresh clothes, popped them on leaving be a prisoner to your own poo. This rule means the maximum amount cut-to-fit product and a pre-cut product, Sitting in the hospital toilet the night my stoma hanging out, wrapped the Learning to be a ‘Master Problem of a scheme funded product you can be the SAS code will be the same but the before release, I became a problem towel around my waist, grabbed a new Solver’ is now a badge I wear proudly, supplier code will be different. Kylie McGrory issued by your association can be affected solver. With an overfull bag ready to bag and headed back past the nurses’ and if you don’t already, in time you by other 'same purpose' products you For products that are not within the ACSA Administration Officer blow like Mount Vesuvius, I tried to station to the bathroom. will too. ●

16 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 17 . BRING IT ON.. Kaj’s story Feel more secure and confi dent to get on with life, ® thanks to eakin dot 2-piece soft convex. I spend a lot of my spare time looking after and driving classic cars so need to be able to manage my stoma easily.

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18 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 19 Margaret Allan Detouring into mental health ® HARMONY DUO ® WITH FLEXIFIT AND ALOE Fortunately, discussion of mental learn to cope, you can make the health issues and the focus on adjustments you need and you can the prominence of mental health find your way through the maze of problems in society has increased in uncertainty towards a way of life recent years. This is a very positive that is full of meaning and purpose. step. Change begins with awareness There are many support services WITH EXTRACTS OF and progress is made with action. and facilities you can use to help ALOE VERA you with this process, such as: The impact of stomal surgery on mental health • your local doctor • your stomal therapy nurse Stomal surgery can be a large and life-changing operation with • a counsellor or psychologist many possible pitfalls, and the • your family and friends outcome for individuals can vary • ostomy support groups depending on many factors. The However, if you cannot access process of undergoing and then these services easily, or if they have Margaret Allan advises both recovering from stomal surgery can not helped you in the way you ostomates and the public on diet momentarily take the light out of desire, then another option is now and health-related matters. She life. Afterwards, it may be necessary available to you. is the director of the consultancy to make major adjustments, both Nutrition For Ostomates. To physically and mentally. A new service supporting contact her or read more I was recently talking with a ostomates’ mental health nutrition articles supporting the group of ostomates at a support I am a holistic practitioner, which health of ostomates, go to www. group meeting. One man said that means that I always endeavour to nutritionforostomates.com.au. he hadn’t had any major issues treat the whole person. For many with diet since his surgery, but years now I have been practising had found that his mental health as a nutritionist and supporting am a nutritionist and in this column was more severely affected. This ostomates and others in their desire I I usually write about nutrition is completely understandable. for greater physical health and Protecting skin. for ostomates. This topic is very Stomal surgery can affect body nutritional diversity. However, like important for the general health of image and self-confidence in ways the man at the support group, I have ostomates and is a particular passion that other surgeries do not. There also been aware that addressing of mine. However, on this occasion can be significant psychological It’s in our nature. mental health is also part of the adjustments to make after the I am going to digress from this topic journey towards having a healthy to focus on another subject that is, physical healing is complete. It is and fulling life. Changing lives naturally in my opinion, equally important for important to become comfortable ostomates in terms of overall health with the new sense of self in order Recently I trained in a process that Skin-friendly hydrocolloid infused with Aloe Bags can be lifted and reattached up to 30 times and wellbeing. It is also very relevant to live a full and happy life as an supports mental health and has the Vera extracts No inner ridges, allowing for easy cleaning to the general public. ostomate. capacity to address fears, phobias, Easy application, even for those people living with No fear of “bag pop-off” stress, anxiety and depression. I took This ‘other’ subject is mental However, at times it can seem as a stoma who have poor eyesight and/or dexterity Available in standard, flexible and convex wafers this extra training because I could health. Mental health concerns such if you are being thrown a massive see it has the capacity to support as stress, depression and anxiety curve ball and are being challenged ostomates in their journey towards appear to be far more prevalent in a deep and profound way. You For free samples call Toll Free 1300 784 737 (NZ 0800 100 146) greater health and self-acceptance in today’s society than previously can feel overwhelmed and insecure or visit www.ainscorp.com.au after stomal surgery. I could see that thought. They can also affect anyone about many things, such as how to at any time, and may do so for a cope with the new circumstances, it has the capacity to help ostomates variety of reasons. The onset can what your life is going to be like from adjust to their new way of life and be slow and insidious or quick and now on, and what the future holds. experience greater certainty and obvious. Either way, the impact on There can be a lot of uncertainty. freedom. the individual and their loved ones But these feeling don’t have to The process is called MAP and is can be significant. be permanent. Over time you can carried out during a consultation ® Registered trade mark of Salts Healthcare Ltd. © Salts Healthcare Ltd 2018. Products and trade marks of Salts Healthcare Ltd are protected by UK and foreign patents, registered designs and trade marks.

20 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Continued page 22 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 21

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which can be conducted online. The to the new circumstances after awake and in control of the process mind needs to be prepared for the stomal surgery and can sabotage the entire time and can measure sessions, so pre-training is required, successful adjustment to life as an the results for yourself. Sessions which is completed by watching ostomate. This new approach can can be conducted from the comfort a video and listening to an audio help an ostomate to work through and seclusion of your own home session. their emotions and move forward and are available to ostomates both Mindful meditations are then used in their life with more confidence within Australia and overseas. It is a during the sessions which create a and ease. It is most beneficial to powerful, positive process that can gentle, relaxed environment. You have a series of sessions to provide change your life. are asked to focus on the issue that the opportunity for deeper clearing If you wish to find out more is causing you concern, and a series of negative emotions and create about this service, how it works and of instructions are given to your greater momentum towards future whether it is suitable for you, you subconscious mind to help clear goals. Self-help strategies are also can contact me for a free 20-minute and neutralise negative emotions provided so you can continue the conversation via my website. We around the issue. The progress and process between sessions. can discuss what you would like degree of success of the method are This offers an opportunity to to address and how you would measured by you during the session. address any fears and emotions you like your life to change. The past A second type of meditation is also may have regarding becoming an can’t be altered but the future can Is minimising odour and ballooning used to re-wire your brain over ostomate, using a new approach be fashioned. This is a chance to time towards more satisfaction and based on recent breakthroughs in fashion your future more in the way happiness. neuroscience. It can also be used to you desire. in your ostomy pouch important to you? This process helps the brain to resolve issues not connected to your Wishing you good health and focus on comfort and success rather stoma. It is a private, painless and happy days, than dwell in doubts and fears. gentle technique that was developed Those things can have a negative by two psychologists and helps to Margaret ● impact on the process of adapting create greater mental ease. You are

Port Augusta and Beyond Ostomy Support By Audrey Christophersen The Hollister AF300 filter uses advanced filter technology to increase both airflow We hope that our get-togethers will and deodorisation. also assist and reassure ostomates in surrounding localities, such as Quorn, The filter design also means there is no need for Hawker, Wilmington and other towns in the Flinders’ Ranges, and that they stickers to cover the filter whilst showering or swimming! may benefit by their association with us. Advice and encouragement are sorely Hollister closed and drainable pouches needed when sudden changes to our Members of the Port Augusta internal plumbing have been forced come fitted with the AF300 Filter. and Beyond Ostomy Support group at their first meeting upon us and we might be feeling so alone. What next is going to change in our lives and how can we compensate new ostomates’ support group own STN at the moment. Order a FREE sample today to bring back some normality to A started in Port Augusta, South The meeting decided on a venue for our lives? Hollister Customer Care Australia – 1800 880 851 Australia, in May this year. Nine the next meeting, which was held on ostomates met, joined by two spouses 24 September in the St Augustine’s Meetings will be held every fourth www.hollister.com.au Tuesday of the month at 1.30 pm. and the STN Jenni Edwards from the Church Library in Church St, Port © 2019 Hollister Incorporated. AUH221. October 2019. Port Pirie Hospital. Jenni leads the Port Augusta. We hope to meet monthly at For those interested, Genny Collinson Pirie Ostomy Support group, and as this stage but that will depend on the may be contacted at 08 8668 7706 or Port Augusta was lacking a group, it interest and the support by those who 0428 112 195 or you may email Genny was decided that we would form our feel the need. The September meeting at [email protected]. A warm own group. Genny Collinson popped in chose a name for the group, so now we welcome awaits you whether you are to offer her support as the continence are called 'Port Augusta and Beyond a long-time ostomate or you are a nurse. Port Augusta does not have its Ostomy Support'. comparative newbie. ● ●

22 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 23 Travelling with a stoma By Kerry Kimbey Win a $1,000 holiday voucher And Travel with Confidence Pack

Kerry at Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, QLD and above KarijiniKarijini National Park, WA We are giving YOU the opportunity to win a $1,000 holiday voucher you can use towards your holiday.

Many new ostomates wonder if www.australianstoma.com.au/ clearly. The woman asked me what it Having an ostomy should not prevent you from pursuing and enjoying travelling. Opening your horizons to experience their situation means that they will resources/travelling-overseas/ was, I told her—she’d never heard of completely different cultures, landscapes and experiences is one of the greatest joys of travelling. Our Coloplast Care have to lead stay-at-home lives. The countries are: Belgium, Finland, such a thing, asked again, and then team are dedicated to empowering you to be confident in travelling and not letting your ostomy hold you back. However with experience, good Ireland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, waved me through. Reckon it must Coloplast is proud to partner with Crohn’s & Colitis Australia to give YOU the opportunity to win the ultimate Travel advice, time and careful planning, New Zealand, Norway, Slovenia, have been the honest face that got me with Confidence Prize. people can have the confidence to Sweden and the United Kingdom. through! If security staff want more keep exploring the world. You still definitely need to have Travel with Confidence Pack includes information, then you have the right to At the Illawarra Ostomy Day in travel insurance. You also need to ask for the examination to be done in • Kindle ($139 value) • Brava® Protective Seals June 2019, Kerry Kimbey talked take your Medicare card, as it may be private. • Travel Guide • Brava® Adhesive Remover about what she had learned on her needed to access overseas services. Travel certificates: Having said • Poo Pourri • Brava® Skin Barrier Wipes travels at home and abroad. Scanning: When you go through that you don’t need to have a medical • Disposable Bags • Brava® Elastic Tape security, it seems to be “luck of the • Brava® Skin Cleanser Wipes • Brava® Lubricating Deodorant draw” whether you just go through the certificate, it’s not a bad idea to carry metal-detector, or have a whole body a doctor’s letter or travel certificate for Packed into a stylish custom designed Venture Case for your convenience. ’m a Science/Maths teacher who scan. It may depend on the airport. clearing customs. ACSA has a good retired with bowel cancer back in one (www.australianstoma.com.au/ I A colostomy bag certainly won’t To enter, visit our website www.coloplast.com.au/travelwithconfidence 2012. I am now a “blonde nomad” and wp-content/uploads/ACSA-Travel- committed traveller, in Australia and show up in a metal detector, but it will Certificate-2019.pdf) that clearly and complete the online form during the promotion period. overseas. show up in a whole-body scanner— explains your personal details and My husband and I have been on just look at the screen and you can see your doctor’s contact details. It advises Crohn’s & Colitis Australia (CCA) are the peak national body representing more than 85,000 Australians living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. CCA is dedicated to long flights and we’ve also done several the scan. security staff on how a search should You don’t need a medical certificate creating a future where no-one lives with or suffers from inflammatory bowel diseases, cruises. These are a few suggestions be conducted to preserve the dignity of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis for which there is currently no cure. that I’ve collected along the way. to go through security. However, if you the person. The ACSA certificate is in Here are 12 suggestions for long- find yourself in the line for a whole- all major languages. Visit www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au to learn more about how CCA support the Crohn’s and colitis community. haul flights: body scan, it may help to let the Ostomy suppliers overseas: screening officer know that you have Medical services: Australia has Before I leave, I search for an ostomy a bag. Entries open 01/11/19 at 12:00am AEST and close 31/07/20 at 11:59pm AEST. Open to all Australian residents aged 18+ only. reciprocal health care agreements with association in each country, and You can have this conversation in Limit 1 entry per person. Total prize pool valued at $1,450.00. Full terms and conditions are available at 11 other countries, which means that even a major hospital near to where www.coloplast.com.au/termsandconditions we can get help with costs for medical private if you wish and you won’t be we’ll be staying. I email the details to care, including emergencies and required to expose your bag. myself, just in case, then I can access treatment that can’t wait. The level of In May we went to New York and had it anywhere. cover is not the same for all countries plenty of metal detector scans (also in Ostomy supplies: Always take but you can find the information by museums and other institutions), but enough supplies to cover the worst- looking up the Australian Council of just one whole body scan for the whole case scenario, such as getting stuck Stoma Associations (ACSA) website: trip. Sure enough, my bag showed up somewhere for an extra period of time.

Coloplast Pty Ltd, PO Box 240, Mount Waverley, VIC 3149 Australia www.coloplast.com.au The Coloplast logo is a registered trademark of Coloplast A/S. ©2019-10 OST631. All rights reserved Coloplast A/S 24 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Continued page 26 - 25 - Ostomy Australia August 2018

OST631.indd 1 28/10/2019 10:33:51 AM Continued from page 24

I’ve seen suggestions that travellers Kerry in New York should take twice the quantity that they should need, but I’ve found this is not really practical for a colostomy. What if a skin barrier However, I always take enough so that I still have plenty left when I come home. I see that as a sign of good planning—I wouldn’t want to be down could help keep skin to my last bag! Cabin baggage: A most important point—I always take my ostomy naturally healthy? supplies in my cabin baggage: it’s no good getting to the other end and finding that your suitcase has disappeared. Extra cabin bag: Before going to New York, I’d read that it might be possible to take an extra cabin bag containing medical supplies. I rang Qantas and the person I spoke to said yes, I could take an extra bag with ostomy supplies. He even gave me his name in case there were problems, Ballooning of bags: I have read I have tried the early email contact but he wouldn’t give me anything in that ballooning of bags worries some approach – emailing the company and writing. people in a plane but I have never hoping they will pass on the message Shelley, stoma since 2015 I then did an online-chat with found anything like that. —but that approach doesn’t seem to Qantas, so that when they agreed that I Changing your bag on board: work too well. I’ve arrived on board could take an extra bag of the same size, and found no messages have been On a long flight, be ready to change I had it in writing. But this still only passed on. applied to Qantas, and we had internal your bag on the plane. I change my The best skin is healthy skin I still send the email, but these days flights with Alaskan Air and American. baseplate on the day we fly, I change as, soon as I arrive on board, I head I think it would be necessary to check my bag about half an hour before to the medical centre for a chat. They with each carrier. boarding, and I have several emergency packs within reach at all times. On a usually need to notify the house- I also took a letter from my GP to keeping department who will explain flight of 16-18 hours, I’d change my explain the need for an extra cabin it to our cabin attendant. bag of medical supplies—I don’t know bag twice— I don’t wait until its full, Usually the medical centre supplies if it would have helped. If you have I just do it when it’s convenient and I me with red biohazard bags to keep in any sort of medication, you’re advised can get up the aisle. our cabin. I triple-seal my bags and to have a letter from your GP listing Tummy upsets: These can be a then put them in the biohazard bag, anything you take, so the ostomy problem. If you usually use a closed bag, which is removed once a day by the supplies could be added to that list. As NovaLife TRE ostomy skin barriers it’s a good idea to take some drainable cabin attendant. Either he/she keeps it turned out, my minimalist husband bags as well. These are always good in me supplied with biohazard bags, or didn’t need his cabin bag so he took Takes skin protection to another level. Three to be exact. case of unexpected upsets. And, if you I go back to the medical centre when my ostomy bag as his cabin bag. get stuck somewhere without enough I need more. In September, we are flying to • 1-Piece and 2-Piece expanded ranges now available bags, you might be able to empty and Within a day or two we usually have London with British Airways and they re-use them. a good system going and there are no have given permission for me to take • Stays in place, yet is easy to remove Finally, Travel insurance: Yes, it’s further problems. It ensures the cabin an extra cabin bag. necessary but can be hard to get. I attendant will get a good tip at the end • Designed to absorb stoma output and perspiration Scissors: may still be a point don’t worry about declaring an existing of the trip. of contention. According to the • Maintaining normal skin pH helps protect it from condition. I think that the only related Here’s an example. In September, we Department of Home Affairs website: thing that can go wrong is that I might are doing a cruise up the Norwegian ‘Prohibited items and weapons include damaging stoma output get a blockage, and in that case, there’s coast with Hurtigruten. pointed metal scissors, manicure not anything that can be done except scissors and scissors with blades I wrote to Hurtigruten saying: NEW wait until it passes and I need to be more than 6cm long. Permitted items I am writing to let you know that as To learn more or to obtain a sample, include blunt-ended or round-ended able to deal with that by myself. a result of bowel cancer 7 years ago, please contact Customer Care on Cruises are great for bag people but scissors with blades less than 6cm long’ I have a colostomy which necessitates or visit (www.homeaffairs.gov.au/travelsecure- you still have to be organised ahead of the disposal of colostomy bags. In 1800 880 851 www.dansac.com.au subsite/Pages/Items-you-cannot-take- time in order to alert the crew that you effect it is no different to disposing of on-plane.aspx). will need to dispose of your bags. dirty nappies. On previous cruises, the Prior to use, be sure to read the Instructions for Use for information regarding Intended Use, Contraindications, Warnings, Precautions, and Instructions. The Dansac logo, NovaLife and TRE are trademarks of Dansac A/S. ©2019 Dansac A/S. DAN026. November 2019. 26 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Continued page 28 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 27 Continued from page 26 ‘Mega’ problems?

be able to treat yourself if you get sick, By Jacquelyn Kovaievic Kerry in Windjana Gorge, NT Focus on the good stuff especially if you’re out in some remote place such as the Birdsville Track, at the top of the Kimberley, halfway i my name is Jacquelyn and I am 60 years old. I am causing me grief. I was sent to another specialist in June across the Nullabor or even if you are Hvery active and in really good health, despite having an 2015 who did an X-ray with a dye contrast after giving me in a small town and it’s a weekend. Ileostomy. I do believe I am lucky because I haven't had bowel a drug to relax the digestive track. My next appointment, For me, the worst thing that can go cancer or any other diseases. which had been scheduled for November, was pushed wrong is that I might get a blockage. But all my life I had problems with my bowel. back to early the following year as the specialist was going I’ve had enough of these that I know Constipation was my biggest issue at first. Being young on holidays. I went to my local doctor who made some what to do now. I have to pre-empt I really believed my condition was normal. You never phone calls only to be told my test results were OK and blockages and be prepared. We always talked about these issues' years ago. they couldn’t find any problems. make sure we have a couple of cans When I first met my husband at the age of 23, I started Two days later I received a phone call from the specialist of Coke (sometimes they help move to have serious problems. My bowel motions just stopped. who did my prolapse repair. He wanted to see me. He blockages along), I always pack a hot I saw a specialist; he had no answers. Finally, about four explained that the X-ray from six months earlier showed water bottle, and I carry Movicol in our months later, the problem was gone. I was OK. no sinister problems (thank God for that). It showed that ship's Medical Centre has supplied me Public toilets. We are lucky that first aid kit as well as Buscopan, a gut When I was 26 this mysterious problem started again, organs like the liver and stomach were healthy but I noticed with red Biohazard bags, into which almost every little town in Australia has relaxant. I might just have to lie up and as the years went by my abdomen started to increase in that half of the X-ray was dark. The doctor explained the I can seal the already sealed bags. public toilets that are well maintained. for a day. If it happened when we had size from bloating. I couldn’t wear jeans, dresses or skirts. dark area was the problem. The small portion of colon These are then removed by the cabin Many have a disabled bathroom, which the camper-trailers, our plan was to go The only type of clothing I could wear were track pants. I had was about the size of a football. attendant and disposed of. Can you really helps with a stoma. straight to a motel for a day (if there Yuk. One day at work, someone asked me if I was pregnant. The only solution was to remove the colon and have were any). please let me know whether we can Disabled bathrooms. We’ve had I had seen numerous specialists, all in vain. I finally went an ileostomy. I had this procedure about four years ago. sort out a similar arrangement on the three camper-trailers, and I would often Planning ahead. Finally, going back to the first specialist, the one I had seen years earlier. It wasn't without its problems. I lost nine kilos and Hurtigruten ship? use the disabled bathroom in caravan away for an extended trip takes a lot of At this stage I was depressed and desperate. I asked was it I had problems with leakages. Eventually I found the right Hurtigruten wrote straight back and parks to irrigate. Again, you have to be planning. You can order your supplies possible to have my colon removed. On my 31st birthday products to use, and that has helped me. I feel much better prepared. When booking in, I would said they had alerted the ship’s doctor, ahead of time but you need to send in I had a sub-total colectomy procedure. This procedure and people have said how well I look. ask if there was a disabled bathroom, and even offered to order colostomy a letter of explanation and an itinerary, removed three quarters of my colon and then joined the I am a very active person. I do lap swimming, go to the as they are often kept locked. I’ve been bags in for me if I sent the details. because your association has to be rest of it to my rectum. I spent ten days in hospital. When gym, do weight training and lots of walking. I have no asked if there’s someone in our party They couldn’t have been more helpful. able to justify the extra supplies to the I returned home, I was able to look after my 18-month- regrets. who needs the disabled bathroom, and Government. I always ring the Sydney I had a different experience when old and the six-month-old twins with the help of my I still need to come to terms with having a bag. I am not I’ve also been asked if I need to use it. office beforehand. You don’t need a we stayed in Japan after a cruise a few supportive husband. sure if I ever will. The problem I had was called a mega I just look them in the eye and answer separate order for each month that you years ago. I wrote to our Tokyo hotel ‘yes’. I don’t need to explain what I use My problems never really went away but my bloated colon. I believe it was a birth defect. are going to be away, just put in for and explained my needs. I thought it it for. abdomen did. double or triple what you would order A mega colon is an abnormal dilation of the colon. might help if they knew beforehand, Sometimes there is a problem for one month. About 25 years later I suffered a prolapse of the rectum. The dilation is often accompanied by a paralysis of the having had good experiences on of looking well and not being in a This was repaired but I had incontinence of the bowel. It peristaltic movements of the bowel. For further information, many of cruise ships. wheelchair. Not everyone who needs was extremely embarrassing. I didn’t want to go out and our Australian suppliers have great The reason I have written this story is to make people Instead, the hotel said they didn’t the facility is in a wheelchair, as a lot of I had no idea what to eat. customer care links on their websites. realise that no matter what happens in life, don’t just know anything about this and couldn’t people think. Fortunately, I think this Some have videos, some have I was increasingly depressed and my symptoms were give up. Make sure that you enjoy life. ● help me. We could feel free to go to perception is starting to change. But ostomates’ accounts of how they deal another hotel if we wanted to. When you shouldn’t have to explain why you with life. There’s also a company called we arrived at the hotel, they were want to use a disabled bathroom. You Shield Healthcare, which has been obviously waiting for us and asked can get a card from ACSA that explains suppliers of ostomy and other medical what we were planning to do about it. simply why you need to use a disabled supplies in the US since 1957 and they We told them not to worry and that bathroom. have an ‘Ostomy Lifestyle Specialist’. • we’d deal with it. MLAK key. Recently I bought an MLAK key—that stands for the Master She is a young woman, named Laura SUREPREP ••• At the same time I’d sent the same Locksmith Access Key—a key that Cox, who developed ulcerative colitis No-Sting Barrier Spray • ••• letter to our Kyoto hotel and received opens locks to some public facilities, at 18. She has made several videos the opposite response. Management •••• including those in National Parks, including How to change a bag, Ostomy No-sting said they didn’t know anything •••• many local council facilities, and train tips, Ostomy life FAQs, How to dress about such things but they would Alcohol-free • •••• stations. The locks are fitted with a with an ostomy, How to tell someone Long lasting do everything possible to help and special MLAK cylinder and are sign- you have an ostomy, Travelling with ••••• For a sample contact our Customer Service on to make our stay comfortable and to posted. These keys can be purchased an ostomy (https://www.youtube. • ••••••• [email protected] please let them know what we needed!! from a locksmith, all you need is a com/watch?v=G9x0xSx57kk) and •••••••• letter from your doctor or stoma nurse Swimming with an ostomy. Her role Travel in Australia saying that you need one. is to spread awareness, normalize and Here are several tips for ostomates Look after yourself. One thing to educate people about life with a stoma, travelling in Australia: emphasise is that it’s very important to and she has done an excellent job. ●

28 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 29 The week I won’t forget By Jacqueline Davies

Gosh! Where to start? After to the hospital. We all knew that I was going I received the November 2018 in for routine surgery and I spoke to both of issue of Ostomy Australia, I left them again (on the phone) just before my it on the dining room table to surgery commenced. Little did we know read later. My husband read it about the storm that was to be our lives. from front to back. He got to Alan had promised to pick up our page 37 and brought it out to me neighbours at the airport after their holiday. Did you know? 1 and said I must submit my story They were both surprised to see Michelle New year, 3 out of 10 people for others to read. with Alan, who explained what had happened to me and that I would probably with a stoma will spend the night in recovery. They decided develop a hernia? to go home, thinking they would come back next 12 months—a loop stoma that would new garments he week I won’t forget is the week I on Wednesday to visit me. Back home, be reversed, I was reassured. Being a Tdon’t remember. Michelle and Alan had just sat down to dinner when the phone rang. pragmatic person I figured that ‘having a Sunday 29 October 2017. It all started stoma helped save my life’, so I would deal I was told that the detached voice said rather innocently; a bit of red skin, a bit of with it—and it was only for 12 months. From 1st January 2020, your support pain—but hey, I am tough. something like: ‘This is Bundaberg Hospital. Jacqueline Davies’ family needs to come to The Royal Flying Doctor Service Fast-forward to Tuesday 7 November transferred me back to Bundaberg Hospital, garment allowance starts fresh. 2017. the hospital and say their goodbyes. We are airlifting her to Brisbane and she may not where I stayed for the weekend. Then I awake to hear the Melbourne Cup last the flight, let alone the night.’ there was another ambulance trip back being run. to Childers Hospital, which completed They left their dinner on their plates and the circle of my unplanned travel. I was Wait! What? How did that happen? raced to hospital—within the speed limit, of I had just woken up in ICU. course. They said goodbye to me as I was in Childers Hospital until 5 January 2018. Contact your Almost two long months had passed since So what had happened? Piecing the wheeled off to meet the Westpac rescue I went for my original ambulance ride. It association today story together was a journey in itself. helicopter for my trip to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. No sightseeing this trip. would take another two months at home After I got into the ambulance— before I was completely healed. Just in time for your allowance As they drove home, their minds in something I do remember—I was taken to go on a cruise on the Queen Mary. 6 OR turmoil, it was decided that Michelle would 6 to the Childers Hospital. I don’t remember My tenth operation in the saga (my Your allowance is arriving there, despite it being only a ten- drive straight down to Brisbane that night 3 reversal) was scheduled to take place 3 minute trip. so that I would have someone with me. 6 support pants or almost 12 months from the time of my Alan would have to organise care for the 3 belts or a combination I was in the Childers Hospital and in a dogs and ensure the house was secure original surgery, but the surgeon just pretty bad way. My husband, Alan, rang before coming down the next day. wanted to make sure everything was per calendar year my daughter, Michelle—she had driven up According to the hospital records, when I OK, as there was a lot of scaring and the (1 support belt = 2 support pants) from Brisbane, about a three-hour drive— SUPPORT PANTS BELTS arrived in Brisbane I was operated on again. possibility of other damage. Off to the on Monday, 30 October. I don’t remember The surgeon rang Alan at approximately specialist to have the diagnostic tests done Michelle coming in to see me or speak 3 am to let him know that I had survived on my sphincter muscle. When I went to me. Michelle told me later that I could the second surgery and that my prospects back to have my follow-up appointment have doubled for Bart Simpson, I was so were looking a lot better. I was given two options: one, keep Nigel yellow. The rest of that day, according to for life, or two, have the reversal and if it ‘What was it?’ I hear you ask. It was the Childers nurses, I was having good worked, then be back in 10 years to get Our Customer Service team can help find moments and bad moments. necrotising fasciitis on the backside, near the rectal area. re-acquainted. So as I write this (18 months On Tuesday, the doctors thought I after my first surgery), Nigel has settled the most suitable garment for you. I had nine operations in total over the was getting better. However, things took down for the night and tomorrow we will do next two weeks, to ensure all the affected a potentially deadly turn. Luckily for me what we will do for the rest of my life. Main tissue had been removed. When it was an inquisitive student nurse and a senior thing is, I have my life to live. clear all the diseased tissue was gone, nurse soon diagnosed my situation and it was time to start the healing process. I just want to finish this story with a the urgency required. I was immediately The medical team used a vacuum-pack big thank you to all the staff at the RBWH packed into an ambulance and rushed to 1. Gary et al. 2005. A review of 16,470 patients on bandage system on my wounds to and Childers Hospital for their dedication. the American Ostomy Association Registry Bundaberg Base Hospital. progress the healing rapidly. Back in the I would also like to thank the Wide Bay Later that day, according to Alan and ward for the first time I was introduced to Ostomates in Bundaberg who have been Michelle, I was doing OK when they came Nigel (no friends), my new friend for the strength to me for the past 18 months. ●

30 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 31

2398_omnigon_support_garment_ad_v3.indd 1 6/11/19 7:38 pm Blessed to be here: my life with Crohn’s disease By Nichola Hamilton Great Comebacks celebrated amidst adversity By Kerry Kimbey In her new book, Living with y name is Nichola Hamilton and Crohn’s Disease - Turning M I am very excited to publish my second book. Adversity into Opportunities, author and speaker Nichola I was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s Hamilton shares her experience disease at age 17. with Crohn’s disease and Over the years I have endured over inflammatory bowel disease, and 25 surgeries. My large bowel, my rectum and all gynaecological parts are gone and how a holistic approach played a I have only a small part of my bowel left. crucial part in healing the body, mind and spirit. I have had a permanent ileostomy for 25 years. I have also battled depression, which was very challenging for me and my loved ones. I recently turned 50 and I just felt blessed to be here. My story is rare and I have written this book to share all the modalities and treatments that have helped me simply get this far in my life. I am the mum to beautiful West Finalists, Margaret Bambrick, Dian Cheyne, Barbara Taylor, and Samantha Abarca My message is to please look after were recognised at the Great Comebacks Awards in Sydney earlier this year Highland Terrier boys. I have had yourselves, diet-wise, stress-wise, and Winston for 13 years and now I have always listen to your body as Crohn’s cheeky Boomer, who is 5 years old. does not like stress. he September 2019 ConvaTec District, has been awarded the Stomal They give me purpose, exercise, joy, and unconditional love (amazing therapy). My book is available in book shops or TGreat Comebacks Awards Therapy Nurse Great Comebacks booktopia. recognised WA man William Cusack Award for her untiring commitment I really hope IBD patients and their and NSW stomal therapy nurse, Julia families enjoy the book. If one word or Love and light, Nichola ● and support of ostomates and Kittscha for their unwavering spirit, line touches a heart to make a difference, dedication to stomal therapy. resilience and determination in living my dream will be achieved. I wanted to pay it forward to help others. with a stoma, and supporting those with a stoma. Barbara Taylor, Margaret Bambrick, William is this year’s recipient of the Samantha Abarca and Dian Cheyne, Great Comebacks Award. Having faced who've risen to and conquered the By Sylvia Riedel and overcome immense challenges challenges of living with a stoma, were Looking ahead to a future with ‘twins’ with illness throughout his life, William recognised at the awards ceremony held was thought to be one of the youngest in Sydney as finalists as well . Louise Walker, Great Comebacks n March 2016, twins were ‘born’ to my Over the years we’ve modified and snaps on the pouch. He then puts on Australians ever to be diagnosed with Steering Cte with 2019 winner ‘Our finalists have all shown an Julia Kittscha Ihusband, Allen, then 69—stoma twins supplies with access to free samples from a hernia belt and walks around for half Crohn’s disease. Col and Uri. advertisements in Ostomy Australia and an hour or more to make sure everything unwavering resilience against adversity Julia, a stomal therapy nurse with and we’re thrilled to be celebrating After six months from diagnosis, a thoughtful, helpful association. We’ve sticks—we’ve had very few leaks since and health care professionals who the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health their Great Comebacks with them,’ said several hospital visits, seven weeks of been on many holidays, both overseas he’s done this. have gone above and beyond to help and driving in Australia. We pack weekly Erin Goodwin of the Great Comebacks chemo tablets and radiation, a wonderful Allen changes Uri’s bag twice more in ostomates gain their optimal quality supplies in a portable cooler container team from a Brisbane hospital operated the week and Col whenever necessary, Steering Committee. of life. to remove most of his colon, bladder and always have a daily supply handy. using lubricating oil and gel crystals for “Living with a stoma is very and prostate, and provided him with the I will explain our routine, as it works odour control, always squirting stoma “ConvaTec is delighted to confronting and it’s encouraging and two stomas. so well for us. Allen uses a two-piece powder on to the stoma. Since we’ve be celebrating and sharing the inspiring to see what can be achieved His recovery from this major operation system. We change baseplates twice done this Col’s skin has had many fewer achievements of our 2019 Great during such difficult times.” was very quick (home within three a week—we couldn’t get by without lesions. Baby wipes and baby bags in lots Comebacks,” declared Bruce weeks) due to excellent care and feeding adhesive remover. of 100 have been our friends. Great Comebacks encourages Moncrieff, Acting Vice President, him with a high-calorie nutritional While I cut the baseplate to fit and Col and Uri are really like two naughty people who have had ostomy surgery General Manager, ConvaTec food supplement recommended by the smooth on the protective seal, my babies. They gave us a few surprises but or are living with a stoma to share their Australia. “Each of our finalists has dietician during his chemo treatment. husband removes the old baseplate, we’ve had three almost trouble-free, stories, and in doing so, inspire others shown astounding determination The Cancer Council provided great cleans the area with skin lotion tissues, wonderfully happy years. We’re looking who are facing the same challenges. and we are most humbled by their accommodation and excellent stoma wipes on the skin barrier and squirts on forward too many more, with our 50th Richard McNair, GreatComebacks Steering Cte with 2019 winner incredible achievements and stories ● This unique program celebrates the nurses set us up to come home to North stoma powder, dusts with a cosmetic wedding anniversary in 2020. William Cusack Queensland. brush, then presses on the new baseplate success and effort of the individuals of strength.” ●

32 | Ostomy Australia November 2019 Ostomy Australia November 2019 | 33 WA Ostomy Association is 50 years old! By Lorrie Gray National Directory of Ostomy Support Groups AUSTRALIAN HASTINGS MACLEAY SYDNEY - NORTHERN AREA Level 8, 14-20 Blackwood Street, CAPITAL TERRITORY Meet: The Old Hospital at 10am to Meet: First Wed. 10.00am - 11.30am North Melbourne. nder usual social situations this venue to share our celebrations. 12noon on the third Wednesday in monthly in the Jacaranda Lodge, Website: www.colovic.org.au Ucould be quite an admission, The theme of ‘Yesterday, Today and WODEN VALLEY Feb - Apr - Jun - Aug - Oct - Dec. Sydney Adventist Hospital, Contact: Colin Hunter 0437 070 657 Tues. and Wed. but when it refers to a self-help group Tomorrow’ enabled our guest speakers to Hellenic Club Inquiries: Neil 0427 856 630 or 185 Fox Valley Rd. Wahroonga. reaching such a tremendous milestone, I reflect on the history of ostomy surgery, 2nd Tuesday of each month Glennie 0410 637 060 Contact: San Cancer Support Centre MILDURA (02) 9487 9061 Meet: Every third month believe it is cause for celebration. As the the development of self-help groups 10am – 12pm ILLAWARRA Venue: Mildura Base Hospital single distributor of ostomy supplies to both in Australia and internationally, Contact/RSVP: Meets 10am to noon, April June, TWEED-BYRON Clare Jacobs 040 092 1901 Conference Room the approximately 3,500 members living and the services provided to all October and December Meets 3rd Tuesday of March, June, Contact: Tarndra (03) 5022 3333 Sept., 2nd Tuesday in Dec., in Australia’s largest state, life at the Australian ostomates, as well as pose (Christmas Party). or Norma 0409 252 545 NEW SOUTH WALES Venue: Figtree Private Hospital, noon to 2pm. Western Australian Ostomy Association some questions about where we want 1 Suttor Place, Figtree 2525. Venue: South Tweed Sports Club, SOUTH GIPPSLAND (WAOA) is invariably busy. Although to be going in future. Exciting times for ALBURY/WODONGA BORDER For further information contact 4 Minjungbal Dr., Tweed Heads South. Socials held on the first Tuesday only open to members three days a week us all. A birthday cake was part of the DISTRICT Helen Richards CNC STN Contact: Lisa Clare of each month at 2:00 pm. Please contact Thea on 0447 942 406 for Meets: 10.00am on the second (Wollongong Private Hospital) STN (07) 5506 7540. and one Saturday a month, staff and dinner that concluded the conference—I Tuesday of each month Feb to Dec. more information. (02) 4286 1109 or Julia Kittscha volunteers are on site each day to ensure was grateful I didn’t have to blow out 50 Venue: Hilltop Accommodation Centre, WAGGA & DISTRICT CNC STN (Wollongong Hospital) SUNRAYSIA / RIVERLAND Meets: first Wednesday of each month that we are able to meet our goal of candles. 600 Keene Street, East Albury NSW Venue: Sunraysia Cancer Centre Jessie Whitehouse and Lorrie Gray 0414 421 021 efficiently supplying members’ products Contact: Alex Watson 0428 578 385 from 10:00am to 11:00am. Enquiries: Norma Murphy WAOA’s AGM in November will also from WAOA cutting the cake at the MANNING/GREAT LAKES Venue: The Men’s Shed, 11 Ashmont within a 14-day window. Despite being BATHURST 0409 252 545 enable us to reflect on the achievements 2019 ACSA conference Meet: 10.00 am to 12 noon on first Ave, Wagga Wagga so busy, we have still found time to Meet on the first Tuesday of March, of the last 50 years. From beginning Wednesday in Feb - Apr - Jun - Aug - Enquiries: David (02) 6971 3346 or WARRNAMBOOL & DISTRICT celebrate. June, September & December at Meets at 10.30am on the second with a small group of interested people Daffodil Cottage Oct - Dec. 0428 116 084 At the end of May, we hosted a ‘Back groups and a growing community Venue: Skills for Life Building, Baz (02) 6922 4132 Friday of the month in Feb - Apr - Jun - working in borrowed premises to Contact: Louise Linke Aug - Oct - Dec. 5-9 Elizabeth Ave. Taree NSW to WAOA’ afternoon tea for former distribute the few products available in presence. (02) 6330 5676 Venue: The Seminar Room, SWHC (wheelchair accessible) volunteers who had played their part in VICTORIA Community Centre, Koroit Street, 1969, now we have managed to purchase We are proud of what has been BROKEN HILL Website: www.mglostomy.co.cc developing the WAOA’s processes and Meet: Every 3rd month or as required. Warrnambool our own building to distribute the 3,700 achieved, but recognise that there Contact: Karla MacTaggart on BAIRNSDALE & DISTRICT reputation within the wider community. Venue: Broken Hill Hospital Contacts: Heather on (03) 5561 1159 items available under the nationally remains much that could be done. Time, (02) 6592 9469 Available for people to talk to and for or Terry on (03) 5562 5093 Many friendships were rekindled and Conference Room. funded Stoma Appliance Scheme. There finances and more personnel are needed Contact: Tarndra (08) 8080 1333 NEWCASTLE DISTRICT home visits in the local area. Warrnambool Ostomy rooms (Fridays) personal stories shared at this gathering. are four paid employees, around 60 loyal to drive our ongoing endeavours to make Meet at 1.30pm on the last Saturday Contacts: Janine: 0418 854 562 (03) 5563 1446 CENTRAL COAST In October we hosted the national volunteers, a local and regional stomal the next 50 years as successful as these in Feb - May - Aug (AGM) - Nov. Derelle: 0448 458 997 Meet: 1.30pm to 3.30pm on the third Email: [email protected] ACSA conference, giving us another therapy nursing service, several support past half-century has been. ● Wednesday in Feb, May, Aug and Nov Venue: Hamilton Wesley Fellowship WESTERN AUSTRALIA at a different venue each meeting. Hall, 150 Beaumont St. Hamilton. BALLARAT & DISTRICT ALBANY For further information, phone the Enquiries: Geoff (02) 4981 1799 or OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP Meets at Albany Hospice conference Stomal Therapy Service on Lynda 0425 209 030 or Meets: 2pm 2nd Wednesday room, 9.30am to 11am on the first Maree (02) 4971 4351 of each month (02) 4320 3323 Friday every three months. Venue: Barkly Restaurant, COFFS HARBOUR ORANGE & DISTRICT For details, contact Terry cnr Barkly St and Main Road. Meets 2:00pm to 3:30pm Meet: Mar - June - Sept - Dec (08) 9847 4701 or 0428 502 530 Contact: Graeme on 0400 979 742 2016 meeting dates to be advised. From 12 noon. Venue: Sawtell RSL Club, First Avenue, Venue: 15 Olver St, Orange. NSW or David Nestor on (03) 5339 4054 PERTH (WAOA) Sawtell. Contacts: Louise: (02) 6330 5676 and Emails: [email protected] Venue: 15 Guildford Road, Mt Lawley. New members support orientation Ostomates & friends welcome. Joanne: (02) 6362 6184 or [email protected] Regretfully, Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier session: Second Saturday of every Contact Mandy Hawkins STN on BENALLA / WANGARATTA SHOALHAVEN month, 12 noon-1pm. Film wipes will not be available on the (02) 6656 7804 Meets 2.00pm on the third Monday of Meet: Meets Feb, May, June, August, Weekend general support group: We’re Australian Stoma Appliance Scheme from each second month. Second Saturday of every month, EUROBODALLA REGION Nov 2019 at 2pm. Meets first Sunday of Feb - Apr - Jun - Venues: Wangaratta: North-East 1pm-3pm. 1st July 2018. However access to the Venue: Nowra Community Health Aug - Oct - Dec at 11am Health, 4-12 Clarke St., Wangaratta, Cavilon Spray Bottle remains unchanged. Centre, 5-7 Lawrence Ave, Nowra. Venue: Laughter Room, Moruya April, Aug., Dec. Benalla Community Contact: Brenda on (02) 4424 6300 QUEENSLAND still here Hospital. Health, 45 Coster St., Benalla, Feb, The spray bottle delivers the same gentle, Phone: Betty (02) 4476 2746 June, Oct.Contact: Graeme Pitts, BEENLEIGH no-sting, alcohol free formulation you SYDNEY - LIVERPOOL / CAMPBELLTOWN AREA (03) 5762 1721 or 0407 240 943. Meets 10am - 12noon on last Monday FAR NORTH COAST of the month from Feb to Nov at trust, in a convenient pump spray bottle. Meets: Thursdays from 1.00pm to Email: [email protected] Meet at Lismore Workers Club Beenleigh Community Health Centre, 3.00pm in the Heritage Auditorium 225 - 231 Keen St. Lismore. BURWOOD 10 -18 Mt. Warren Bvd. Mount Warren 11.30am - 2.00pm at Camden Hospital (Menangle Road, Meets third Saturday each month Park QLD. Not all barrier films are 1st Saturday March, July, December. Camden). except Dec. and Jan. 9.30am Contact: Logan Hospital Stomatherapy created equal. Choose Contact: Marie: (02) 6686 7248 For further information, please - new members’ orientation; Unit, (07) 329 9107 contact: Diane or Lu (STNs) on 10.30 - established members’ GRAFTON & DISTRICT BOWEN (02) 8738 4308 meeting. Venue: OAM Distribution Cavilon No Sting Barrier Meets first Thursday of each month Meets the first Wednesday of each from 9.00am to 11.30am SYDNEY - PENRITH AREA Centre, Burwood Industrial Park, st month at Bowen Hospital, 10.30am. Film spray from 1 July. Contact: Anne: (02) 6641 8200 Nepean Educational Support Group Unit 14, 25-37 Huntingdale Road, Contact: meets 2pm-3.30pm, 10 May, 26 July, Burwood, VIC 3125. Natasha Leaver (07) 4786 8222 or GRIFFITH & DISTRICT 27 September, 29 November.. Phone (03) 9888.8523 Valerie McDonald 0407 691 160. Griffith and the surrounding areas Venue: Sydney Medical School, Email: [email protected] (100km radius including Leeton, LOGAN Coleambally, Yenda, Hillston, Clinical School Building, 62 Derby St., MELBOURNE Meets 10am - 12noon on third Monday Hanwood, Coleambally) Kingswood. Colostomy Association of Victoria. of each month at Logan Central Enquiries: Barry (02) 69635267 Family and friends welcome, Meets 10.30am - 12.00pm, second Community Health Centre or 0429 635 267 afternoon tea supplied. Wednesday of alternate months from Corner Wembly & Ewing Roads Enquiries: Naomi Houston (stomal Contact: Logan Hospital Stomatherapy Read the label and follow the instructions. Email: [email protected] February to December. Do not use on infected areas of skin. Karan: 0434 785 309 therapist) (02) 4734 1245 Venue: Australian Prostate Centre, Unit, (07) 3299 9107

3M Australia Pty Limited 3M and Cavilon are trademarks ABN 90 000 100 096 of 3M Company. © 3M 2018 3M.com.au/ostomyOstomy Australia April 2019 - 34 - Phone 1300 363 878 All rights reserved Stoma Appliance Scheme Product Suppliers

MACKAY SOUTH AUSTRALIA Meets at 2.00 pm on the fourth Friday of every odd-numbered month (Jan - CENTRAL AinsCorp Mar - May - Jul - Sep - Nov). Meet: Third Tuesday of Jan, March, PO Box 572, Niddrie, Victoria 3042 Venue: Meeting Room, Mackay Mater May, July, Sept, Nov. Toll Free Number: 1300 784 737 Hospital. When: 2pm. Email: [email protected] Contact: Graham Stabler for further Where: Ileostomy Assoc Centre, Website: www.ainscorp.com.au information on 0428 776 258 or email: 73 Roebuck St, Mile End. Information: (08) 8234 2678 [email protected] Dansac SOUTH BURNETT FLEURIEU PO Box 375, Box Hill, Victoria 3128 Meet second Tue. each month at 10am. Meet: 10.00am until 12 noon at the Phone: 1800 880 851 Venue: Nanango Community Health Flinders Rural School, Bay Road, Dedicated to Stoma Care Email: [email protected] Centre, Brisbane St. Nanango. QLD Victor Harbour. Website: www.dansac.com.au Contact: Anne Davoren Please contact Sue McKay STN Phone: (07) 4171 6750 for further information on Coloplast SUNSHINE COAST 0412 692 418 Sunshine Coast Stoma Support Group PO Box 240 Mt Waverley Vic 3149 PORT AUGUSTA AND BEYOND Freecall: 1800 653 317 meets at Maroochy RSL Events Centre, Meet: Fourth Tuesday of every month Memorial Avenue (off First Avenue), Email: [email protected] in the Library/Bookshop behind St Maroochydore, second Monday of every Website: www.coloplast.com.au month, commencing 10am. Augustine’s Anglican Church, Church Enquiries: St. Port Augusta Laurie Grimwade: (07) 5445 9008 Please contact Secretary Anne ConvaTec [email protected] Wensley for more information. PO Box 63, Mulgrave, Victoria 3170 Janelle Robinson: 0409 762 457 Freecall: 1800 335 276 SOUTHERN [email protected] Meet: First Wednesday of Feb, April, Email: [email protected] Kathy Himstedt: (07) 5445 9270 Website: www.convatec.com.au [email protected] June, Aug, Oct, Dec. When: 2pm. TOOWOOMBA Where: Elizabeth House, Sutherland Medical Insideout Toowoomba Stoma Support. 112 Elizabeth Rd, Christie Downs. PO Box 1194, Huntingdale, Victoria 3166 These stoma mates would love to Information: Val: (08) 8381 1646 hear from you: ring for a chat or send Phone: 1300 664 027 an email. Margaret Brabrook (07) Fax: 1300 664 028 4635 1697, [email protected]; NORTHERN TERRITORY Website: www.sutherlandmedical.com.au Leanne Wilshire (07) 4630 0629, [email protected]; DARWIN [email protected]; Laurel Meet: 5.30-6.30pm on the first Future Environmental Services Czynski, 0413 805 809 Tuesday of every month. PO Box 319, Blairgowrie, Victoria 3942 Where: Cancer Council NT, 2/25 Phone: +61 3 5985 2828 WIDE BAY Vanderlin Drive, Wanguri NT 0810 Email: [email protected] Meets from 1.00pm to 3.00pm on the Contact: Marie Purdey: third Thursday each month at Wide Website: www.futenv.com.au (08) 8944 1800 Bay Ostomates, 88a Crofton Street, Bundaberg West. Hollister Please contact Wide Bay Ostomates PO Box 375, Box Hill, Victoria 3128 (07) 4152 4715 YOUNG OSTOMATES Freecall: 1800 880 851 UNITED (YOU) TASMANIA Tel: Helen (03) 9796 6623 Email: [email protected] Web: www.youinc.org.au Website: www.hollister.com/anz/ ‘SEMI COLONS’ Email: [email protected] Meets in Hobart on the third Friday of Facebook: every month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Nice Pak Products Young Ostomates United Enquiries: Renata, Cancer Council Free call: 1800 506 750 Tasmania, (03) 6169 1900. BOWEL GROUP FOR KIDS Email: [email protected] INC Web: www.nicepak.com.au NORTH & NORTH-WEST Tel: (02) 4659 6067 or North: Meets at Cancer Support 0431 857 188 Omnigon Pty Ltd Centre, Howick St., Launceston, on Email: [email protected] first Monday of March, June, Sept PO Box 5013, Burnley, Victoria 3121 Web: www.bgk.org.au and Dec. Freecall: 1800 819 274 North-West: Meets Ulverstone Senior PARENTERAL NUTRITION Email: [email protected] Citizens’ Club, King Edward Street, DOWN UNDER Website: www.omnigon.com.au Ulverstone, 10am-noon, on the second Secretary on (02) 9987 1978 Wednesday of March, June, Sept Email: [email protected] and Dec. New and present members Web: www.parenteral-nutrition- 3M Australia welcome. down-under.webs.com Locked Bag 19, North Ryde NSW 1670 Contact: Adrian Kok Phone: 136 136 on 0498 196 059 MITROFANOFF SUPPORT Website: www.3m.com.au SOUTHERN TASMANIA AUSTRALIA Meet at Ostomy Tasmania Office, PO Box 256, South Melbourne, Amenities Building, St Johns Park, Victoria 3205 Statina Healthcare Australia New Town, 10am-noon on first Email: 3/30 Leighton Place, Hornsby, NSW 2077 Wednesday of March, June, Sept, Dec. [email protected] Toll Free Number: 1300 365 404 New and existing members welcome. Web: Email: [email protected] Further information: www.MitrofanoffAustralia.org.au Website: www.statina.com.au Adrian Kok: 0498 196 059