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Well it's nice to see the end of the snow and the start of spring showers!
I'm my last report I mentioned I was going to Cuba for holidays, but we unfortunately had to cancel our trip as my wife had developed complications from surgery she had in February, but we will go in the fall time.
The reason this Newsletter edition is late, is I currently have covid for the first (and hopefully last) time. I had all my vaccine shots so it hasn't been too bad, but I definitely don't want it again. It's like having the flu and a serious head cold at same time. We have no clue where we got it, so I will go back to wearing a mask (my choice). Regardless of how people think of all this covid stuff, I respect everyone's opinion. Please be safe and take any precautions that work best for you and your family.
John Hartman, Ostomy Canada Society's Executive Director, has decided to retire. John joined Ostomy Canada 2 years ago, and managed to make some needed changes. I was hoping he would stay on a little longer to see where he could take OCS, but he has decided to go golfing instead! I would like to wish John Hartman well in his retirement and any future endeavors. It was a pleasure working with John on the National Board, and as Chapter President. I will let you know who the new Executive Director is as soon as it's announced.
Please remember as the nice weather comes, so do the motorcycle riders. Make sure to have a second look before you change lanes - it could be me riding beside you lol
Thanks
Jim Fitzgerald
President
Ostomy Toronto
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Ostomy Toronto Monthly Meeting: April |
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Join Ostomy Toronto for our virtual Monthly Meeting, a Peer-to-Peer Support Meeting, on Tuesday, April 18 at 7:30pm. All are welcome!
You're invited to join an online meeting:
Title: Ostomy Toronto's Monthly Meeting
Time: Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 7:30 PM
Click here for meeting info & links
Hope to see you there!
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REMINDER: we have switched back to Zoom for our monthly meetings. |
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Ostomy Toronto Visits Mount Sinai |
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On March 9, Ostomy Toronto stopped by Mount Sinai Hospital to deliver our $15,000 donation to the hospital's 14S Floor. The funds will help them purchase much needed items to help both the patients and staff, including over-bed tables and patient recliners. Thank you to Mount Sinai, the staff, and everyone involved!
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"
Yep both of these photos are of me 👀 Thanks to prednisolone (prednisone). This week @selenagomez took to her TikTok to justify the medication she was on & the reason for her body changes 😨 what a world we live in where people with chronic illnesses have to continually justify their existence 🤬 to justify the medication, the way your body changes, the appointments, the sick days, the pain, the symptoms!
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Prednisolone is given to people with various autoimmune conditions. It is a steroid & for IBD it is usually the first line of treatment to help get the symptoms under control. It can come with a fair number of side effects - one of them being moon face 🌚 the retention of water makes parts of the body swell. head to @crohnsandcolitisuk or ask your doctor to find out more! I was steroid dependent - meaning I couldn’t come off pred & that contributed to the decision to have surgery! No one should be forced to justify their existence or explain their conditions to anyone ♥️"
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If you would like to share something about yourself, and your life with an ostomy, tag @ostomytoronto in your social media posts, or email a short blurb with a photo of yourself to info@ostomytoronto.com.
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Ostomy Toronto Day Camp Program |
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in partnership with The City of Toronto and OLG. |
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Ostomy Toronto will pay up to $1000 for a child with an ostomy or Jpouch to attend any day camp of their choice! Spots are limited, and on a first-come first-served basis. Qualifying requirements apply.
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The qualifying requirements:
- Must be a resident of Toronto (requires proof of address)
- Must be 18 or younger (requires proof of age)
- Must have an ostomy or jpouch
(requires written note from a doctor, ET nurse, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse)
- Agree to provide pictures and and short report written by the parents on how camp was for the child
- Agree to join the Ostomy Toronto email list for meetings and other notices
- Complete application in full
All these requirements must be fulfilled in order to be approved for the day camp program.
Please send application or questions to ostomytorontodaycamp@gmail.com |
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Reminder: Monthly Meeting Invitations |
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These emails will
only be sent the mornings of each Monthly Meeting, and Monthly Open Forum/Peer Support Meeting. The emails will only contain the information required to sign in and attend the Ostomy Toronto Meetings.
Please note: If you currently subscribe to our monthly newsletter, you will not be automatically subscribed to these email invitations, you will have to enter your name and email address HERE.
*If you have previously signed up for these invitation emails, you do not need to sign up again.
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Jim Fitzgerald, President
Amy Taylor-Mitropoulos, Treasurer
Sue Ono, Bookkeeper
Urooba Ahad, Director
Glen D'Silva, Director
Michele Smith, Director
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Amanda Caristo, Social Media/Web Manager
Antonio Pergola, Bingo Volunteer
Linda Hurren, Bingo Volunteer
Jennifer Burnett, Bingo Volunteer
Melissa Aman, Bingo Volunteer
Cindy Zuccaro, Bingo Volunteer
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DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this Newsletter is presented for informational purposes only. None of the information is a substitute for professional medical care, attention by a qualified practitioner, or product information that can be gained from an ostomy product distributor, manufacturer or management professional, and under no circumstances may it be relied upon as such. Always check with your doctor or Enterostomal Nurse if you have any questions or concerns about your condition or if you are about to start a new program of treatment or management. Ostomy Toronto and the editors of this Newsletter are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by this Newsletter.
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