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When is the next online meeting? Zoom #?

Posted by a009507 @a009507, May 6, 2024

When is the next online meeting? Zoom #

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Ostomy & J-Pouch Support Group.

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gnomer | @gnomer | Jul 20, 2024
In reply to @hardingv "With respect to the Phoenix Mayo group, when I started attending in 5/23, they did host..." + (show)
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With respect to the Phoenix Mayo group, when I started attending in 5/23, they did host the meeting in a conference room that had some in-person attendees.

Although Candy continued to host meetings in a conference room, no one was in-person for the last couple of meetings before it was suspended in 5/24.

I presume when they resume they could continue to host in a conference room so people can attend in person if they want. But the Phoenix campus is not particularly convenient. It is ~ 1-1/2 hour drive each way, and can be much longer during rush hour. So while I can sympathize with you, for me zoom is more practical.

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Yeah, in-person meetings can be a drag if you don't leave near the location. I used to live 5 minutes from the Mayo Phoenix campus, and now I am 25 minutes each way. I remember having a 90-minute one-way drive when I worked in Chandler in the before times, and it was horrible to do every day.

I have tried to go to the only in-person group that has 3 locations around the valley (there is another group that has one in Mesa, but too far for me). Their website was not up today for their summer schedule, so I showed up to an empty room. This is one of the downsides to in-person meetings, especially when you are new, and it's your first time going to such a meeting. There is always the risk of the website being accurate and then wasting time driving there.

I am not comfortable talking about personal things like my stoma over Zoom with strangers, as I do not know if they are recording the video and audio secretly. I work in technology, so I know it is easy to do these things without the Zoom app knowing about them. Also, if it were officially being recorded to share with others, I probably would only listen and not participate much due to privacy concerns.

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hardingv | @hardingv | Jul 20, 2024
In reply to @colleenyoung "@gnomer @hardingv, good news. You are invited to take part in this quarterly Ostomy support meeting..." + (show)
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@gnomer @hardingv, good news. You are invited to take part in this quarterly Ostomy support meeting hosted by the Mayo Clinic Health System. See details here:

- Ostomy Support Group Meeting: NWWI MCHS https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/ostomy-support-group-meeting-eau-claire-nwwi/

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Please make sure people are aware that, while the Wisconsin based group is helpful, a Phoenix/Scottsdale group is still important. We got very useful insights into AZ doctors and nurses, and local protocols and resources.

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hardingv | @hardingv | Jul 20, 2024

I agree. I figure zoom participation is second best. FYI they did not officially record the meetings (which doesn't address your related points).

Also, even if you don't feel comfortable discussing yourself in any detail, if you have a particular challenge (of which I had many when I was a brand new ostamate!) you can often find help from more experienced people without getting too personal.

YouTube was a great resource, but you need to know, for example, that something that works for a colostomy may not work for an ileostomy (says the voice of experience 😉).

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 6, 2024

Hi all,
I'm pleased to let you know that the monthly Ostomy Support Group meetings are starting up again, led by Mayo Clinic wound care/ostomy nurse Candy Boyes. The meetings are online via Zoom. All welcome.

Meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month. Here's more information about the October meeting:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/ostomy-monthly-support-group-meeting/

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