Page 4 - OASC August 2021 Newsletter

Among questions and comments by Group Members:
1. Can your online NSWOCs help with wound healing?
a) They can answer any questions you have at any stage of your journey. Our Me+ nurses are avail- able Mon. to Fri. 8am-6pm. They will call you within 24 hours of your enrolling in the program. If you’re a new ostomate, they’ll call you 4 times in your first year and send you any samples you like.
2. I’ve had parastomal hernia repair and my lower abdomen caves in right below the stoma. Does ConvaTec have any flanges that can help bring the hernia forward?
a) Call our customer service number 1-800-465-6302 and explain what you’re using. We offer different plateaux of convexity from gentle to more. You can also build it up with an Eakin ring or paste. They can help you assess where you need convexity most and how much to build it up. For example, you can try our moldable products with convexity, and adjust the solution to your specific needs.
3. Comment: I love ConvaTex. It fits like an onion skin. I use the gentle convex.
a) I’ve heard a few people with hernias like the soft convexity since it molds so closely to your ab- dominal profile. I always tell nurses when I teach they have to remember to prepare your canvas = your abdomen’s skin. The other thing I always emphasize is cutting the hole to the right size—only 1/8 of an inch bigger than the stoma. They still don’t teach stoma care in nursing school though we’ve been recommending that for years to the colleges.
4. When we get back to having meetings again and have new people in our group, we’d like to give them a handout, not just a website because some people don’t have computers. Do you have any 1-page hand- outs?
a) We have a ton of info. ConvaTec has specific guides for ileostomies, colostomies and urostomies, as well as our Recovery Guides and info on our website. When we’re back to in-person, I’ll make sure you have that.
b) Mo: We are still looking for a place to meet when we can reconvene. Shoppers’ has been very generous but we need more space than they can provide to allow for distancing. We’re hoping to approach churches as an outreach (no charge). Regarding outreach, we will let Lori know when we can get her info into our hospital kits and then get those kits into area hospitals. We’re not mailing right now, but will let you know when we can do that.
c) Have you thought of asking libraries, as a community group?
5. I have an issue with my pouch (416417). The filter keeps leaking after a few days, even with stickers. Is there another bag without the filter—it plugs up, even with the stickers? I’ve used plastic pouches but like the fabric-covered best.
a) I suggest you call the 1-800 number and tell them your issue and they’ll help you, and send you something to try.
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