APEX

I'm using automated row fetch to grab a row. I've got a field in a region the source of which I had defined as Database Column. Now I'm thinking I need to do something more with this field than display it's stored contents, specifically I'm looking to run it thru the HTMLDB_ITEM.TEXT_FROM_LOV to display a more descriptive value.

Does anyone know of a way to specify a source of PL/SQL Expression or Function, or even PL/SQL Anonymous Block where I can refer to the column fetched by my automated row fetch process? As a work-around, I created a hidden field to store the raw database column value and then I refer to that in my PL/SQL Expression, but I'm wondering if there's a better, cleaner way than creating a corresponding hidden field for each field I need to do this with.

Thanks!
John