Boosting Registration Through Community Outreach

Well, I think we need a higher registration level, so I have requested from the administrator some printable material and have asked my local med supply shop to post in both stores. She was actually quite willing since the shops get asked a lot of questions from new ostomates that maybe some of us can help with.



I hope others do the same.



I don't know what the situation is where you are, but when I was under the care of an E.T. nurse, she was the only one who did home care in all of Essex County, down here in southwestern Ontario, and had over 600 patients. If you were able to get on her schedule once every six or eight weeks, you were lucky.



Sometimes people have a fast question that even the regular home care nurses just aren't trained enough in ostomies to answer properly. I remember the first time I tried the "moldable" flanges, the nurse cut it to fit. I said, "I don't think they're supposed to be cut," but she knew better, lol. No wonder I was leaking an hour later. lol Oh well, live and learn and try and help others; we've all been there.



I have also brought this website to the attention of the members of the local "Ostomy Club." Maybe you can too!!

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I think we should all work to get this site more active.  I have found that I learn something from almost everyone I talk to and try to give the same.  There has to be "more" of us out there and we need a place to bring all our resources together to keep everyone informed of the latest.  Does everyone know about the great pouch liners?  Check under new products index.

I too agree with you both. When I had my support group running, I gave this site name to each member, explaining how informative it was and that any question was askable—with answers from the only ones who can really answer, other ostomates. Well, I think I know where all that info went... in one ear and out the other. Why is it that some ostomates seem to think that the minute they get a stoma, it's a huge secret?... even from the ones they love? I tried getting the older folk who rang me and came to a meeting or two to continue coming as they could share their experiences with the newer ones like myself. But not to be, they had a great chat with everyone and said they would be back. No show. As they say, 'you can lead a horse to water... but you can't make it drink'. Great subject by the way. Thanks and good luck. Tara

I am new to this; please bear with me
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I certainly concur with the importance of communication using forums on this website. For almost a year after my stoma/resection surgery in August of 2009, I experienced constant pain, irritation, and discomfort associated with severe prolapse and a stomal hernia.  Receiving little or no help from my surgeon or the nursing crew at the hospital, I looked for a local support group and found none in southwest Michigan. For almost a year, I thought I was doomed to give up my work, my hobbies, and my outdoor activities that had occupied my former life.  Fortunately however, I linked up with a surgeon at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor who offered hope.  After stoma reconstruction and hernia repair I found a new lease on life.  I am confident that outreach from forum members could have put me back on my bicycle and into my kayak much earlier.  At very least, they could have told me that there can be life after colon cancer surgery.

How to Manage Emotions with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I agree with you Rachel & Cancerfree. I've been on this site for 4 years now and I've learned a great deal from others posting on this site.

The information gained here has been very helpful in helping me to focus on the right kind of appliance, treat rashes, deal with leakages, learn about blockages, and what kind of foods cause problems. But the most important thing I've realized is how fortunate I've been with very few problems in the last 5 years with an Ostomy. I as well didn't get a great deal of information from an Ostomy Nurse. Guess you have to be there, done that to give good advice. I really feel for many of the folks posting here and all the problems some are having with their Ostomy. Anyway, it's a great resource to pass on to newbies.