Summer 2011 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

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AMBASSADOR PROFILE Reaching out to the Drumheller-and-area community A United Voice for the Cause and Cure In 1994, while lying in the hospital after her recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Deb Wynia of Drumheller was visited by Colleen Harris from Deb Wynia (right), here with Doug Tokaryk of the MS Society, and Dr. Penny Smyth at the 2010 MS Awareness Event in Drumheller. 14 MS Connections Summer 2011 the MS clinic who provided her with information about MS and the MS Society of Canada. At that time no MS Society services were available in Drumheller, so Deb joined the Calgary Chapter to get information and found that “there are ways to manage some of my MS symptoms, and I might never have to be in a wheelchair.” Drumheller started an MS Walk in 1999, laying the foundation for the creation of a Drumheller chapter of the MS Society, which opened in 2000. Since the walk’s formation, Deb has held various positions on the chapter board and served on provincial committees to spread MS Awareness throughout her local community, including publishing a newsletter six times per year on behalf of the Drumheller & Area MS Society. The newsletter is available to people in the Drumheller area who live with MS. “It seems to be well received,” says Deb. “I try to ensure at least one joke is in every issue, as I believe laugher is good medicine.” Recently, Deb has been involved with the MS Society’s Reada-Thon program as a presenter at school assemblies, which has been a very positive experience for her. “I realized that I love talking to children about MS. They are so interested and have so many questions, and most importantly they are nonjudgmental. This is the age where MS Awareness should start!” “I became an Ambassador...to be the local face for people to approach to discuss their day-to-day challenges....” Deb is dedicated to promoting MS Awareness and is an MS Ambassador who has been involved in the program since it began in 2007. “I became an Ambassador when I realized that there was a need in my rural community to spread awareness about MS, and to be the local face for people to approach to discuss their day-to-day challenges or lending a shoulder for them to vent on!” Deb’s key to success in spreading awareness in Drumheller is her relationship with the local media. “They are very supportive of the cause and vital in the quest to inform and teach people about this disease.” While Deb says she has learned a lot about MS through the MS Society, another crucial source is the other wonderful MS Ambassadors across the province. “I would encourage anyone and everyone interested in MS to become an MS Ambassador. The more people we have spreading the word, the closer we come to achieving the mission of the MS Society of Canada, to END MS.”
Ask Jeannine When do I need an indwelling catheter? Answer: If you are having a lot of bladder infections you need to find out if you are actually emptying your bladder when voiding. This can be determined by having a bladder scan at the MS Clinic or by ultrasound at a radiology department. At the clinic you will be scanned before voiding and after voiding. For someone with MS the usual residual of 100cc’s means you need to learn to intermittent catheterize. That means you insert a small tube (catheter) into your bladder 3-4 times daily. This is the best treatment for residual urine resulting in bladder infections. If you are unable to Jeannine Christopherson, a MS nurse and retired Outreach Coordinator with the MS Society, Edmonton Chapter, will answer your questions about MS. If you would like to ask Jeannine a question, email it to info.alberta@mssociety.ca or call the editor, Angie Mah, at 780-463-1190 or 1-800-268-7582. self catheterize someone else can be taught to do this. If your residual urine is 200cc’s or more and you are unable to self catheterize you may need to have an indwelling catheter. Are there problems due to an indwelling catheter? Answer: Possible side effects include infections and bladder stones; if you drink approximately 3000cc’s (6 – 500 cc bottles) of fluids per day, infections will be held to a minimum. Without infections the likelihood of bladder stones is quite small. If an infection does occur you need Peer Link The MS Society – Alberta & NWT Division is expanding its Peer Link service to include all of Alberta. Volunteers Alvina and Jeannine are ready to respond to any questions you have about your MS diagnosis, where you can find services, and how to help your family adjust to the challenges you face. Persons living with MS, families, health professionals and staff are welcome to call or e-mail. You will receive a call or e-mail back within a reasonable timeframe of about two days to a week. Alvina lives with MS and has provided support at the Division office for many years. Jeannine has worked with the MS Clinic as the Nurse Coordinator and at the Edmonton Chapter on their Client Services team. medication quickly as someone with MS becomes very weak with a bladder infection. When one has an indwelling catheter it can become blocked by sediment, particularly if fluid intake is restricted. If this occurs someone with MS gets infected quickly and this can lead to sepsis. Sepsis means a blood infection that is systemic and the person needs hospitalization for IV antibiotics. The conclusion is that enough fluids need to be ingested to keep the urine clear. Many people do very well with indwelling catheters. Your doctor will advise you what method you need to use to manage infections. Sometimes increasing fluid intake is all that is required. Just a call or email away Alvina Hughes 780-475-8255 alvina.hughes@mssociety.ca Jeannine Christopherson jeannine.christopherson@mssociety.ca MS Connections Summer 2011 15
Page 1 and 2: A newsletter connecting Albertans w
Page 3 and 4: MS Friendly Visiting program provid
Page 5 and 6: During the weekend of June 3-5, 19
Page 7 and 8: Alberta Student A BRIGHT LIGHT Brie
Page 9 and 10: The Hay Lakes lunch stop, hosted by
Page 11 and 12: My MS A personal account of one per
Page 13: St. Paul man makes huge impact in L
Page 17 and 18: option is to use a bathtub with a d
Page 19 and 20: ! ! ! Safeway Pharmacy MS Connectio

Summer 2011 - Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

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