Welcome to Spring! Hope everyone has been able to get out and enjoy the warm weather. As more of us are vaccinated, it certainly feels like the world is opening up.

Charlotte Graham, WOCN at UCHealth Anschutz, invites everyone to their next Zoom meeting. They will have a dietitian from UCHealth speak, and requests conversation on foods you like or have problems with. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 21, 5:00 pm. Contact Charlotte at Charlotte.Graham@uchealth.org for the meeting link.

The latest version of the Hollister Secure Start newsletter has a simple article for using barrier rings. My personal experience has told me that the difference between paste and rings is that paste, while a good filler for dips and folds in skin, is not an adhesive in the same way that barrier rings are. The exception to that are the Siltac barrier rings that are silicone. Other rings, such as Adapt, Brava and Safe and Simple, can be molded and shaped to fit your stoma. They can even be torn, for example, if you only need them on one side under your barrier. They can be used with both flat or convex wafers, and usually come in two different heights. I apply mine directly to my wafer before putting it on, and I squish the inside part of the ring so that it doesn’t sit quite as high against my stoma. Remember, if you have an ileostomy, it’s quite normal to have absorption of a little fluid while your barrier ring melts around your stoma. I find them a great way to avoid leaks.

I always enjoy getting notifications for the Ostomy Association of North Central Oklahoma. They have some of the most interesting speakers! Their next meeting is on Saturday, April 10th at 10:00 am CT. The presentation will be with Wendy Lueder of the Broward (FL) Ostomy Association on Ostomate Myths, Some Hints and Having some Fun! 
Zoom information for this meeting is:
One-click link: Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 895 8896 8031
Passcode: Ostomy6!

Next month, this group will have former NFL placekicker Rolf Benirschke as a speaker at their May 8th Zoom meeting. Save the above link to join, or check out their website at www.ostomyok.org/oanco

Are you aware of the Ostomy 101 app? The founder of this organization is Dawnette Meredith, who I consider a friend, and who I’ve watched as she’s built an amazing tool for all Ostomates. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and provides a multitude of links for classes, online support, information and resources. Dawnette is also the supplier for Awesome Ollie, the Teddy Bear with an ostomy!



AND FINALLY…..A SHOUTOUT TO OUR OWN CHARLES SLOAN!! Charles finished his studies at Chamberlain University, and received his Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree! AND he passed his FNP-C Certification!! This is a post-Masters Certificate and Charles met the requirements for all his clinical studies. CONGRATULATIONS! WE ALL LOVE YOU!