The Ostomy Book Store

Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures
By Barbara Barrie
Description: A remarkably candid and informative first-person account of surviving colon cancer and living after a colostomy. A helpful guide for anyone facing this life-altering surgery.

Every year 70,000 people in the United States and Canada undergo colostomies. In 1994, Barbara Barrie became one of them. When the successful actress received the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, she knew that this was the greatest crisis she and her family would face. But it also became an adventure that, through courage and humour, brought new joys and a greater appreciation to her life.

More than just a memoir, Don't Die of Embarrassment provides valuable information about the ostomy experience. She gives essential information about the occurrence of colon cancer, its symptoms, and treatment options. A valuable guide for people learning to adjust to an altered lifestyle after surgery.

Includes a new afterword, written by Dr. Otis W. Brawley.

Alive & Kicking *Highly Recommended!
By Rolf Benirschke with Mike Yorkey
Description: He was an up-and-coming placekicker for the San Diego Chargers, earning a reputation as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. But then a little-understood intestinal illness (UC) turned Rolf Benirschke's life upside down.

Alive & Kicking is the remarkable account of a young man who battled back against insurmountable odds. Despite four major abdominal surgerihim near death and wearing a ostomy pouch, he surprised his medical doctors and his Charger teammates by returning to the NFL for seven more seasons.

This is a story of fear and faith, of courage and the love of family members. But most of all, it is a story about the indomitable human spirit that lives in all of us. If you are looking for encouragement - especially if you have Crohns Disease or Ulcerative Colitis or are struggling wth ostomy surgery - Alive & Kicking is just the book for you.

Living Well With An Ostomy *Highly Recommended!
By Elizabeth Raynor
Description: About the Author
Elizabeth Rayson has an MA in professional writing from the University of Waterloo. After working for several years as a technical writer, she decided to pursue her passion for consumer health writing and alternative approaches to health and healing. Now, in addition to her work as a writer, Rayson also teaches yoga and runs a small aromatherapy business. She currently lives in Toronto, Canada.

Excerpted from Living Well With an Ostomy by Elizabeth Rayson. Copyright © 2003. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Introduction
If you have or will be getting an ostomy, this book is for you. The first part of the book covers basic information about the different types of ostomies, including the different surgical options available today. It also lets you know what to expect from ostomy surgery and provides advice on how to ease your recovery from ostomy surgery. Later chapters focus on some of the psycho/social issues that may surface as a result of ostomy surgery, including those unique to certain groups

Book Description
If you've been told you are going to need an ostomy, you are about to make some dramatic changes in your life. And while there is no doubt that getting an ostomy is a life-changing experience, it doesn't have to define your life. In Living Well with an Ostomy, Elizabeth Rayson explains that, ultimately, your ostomy is only a small part of the essential person that is you. And that essential person hasn't changed or become less active, adventurous, stylish or romantic just because she or he now has an ostomy. On the contrary, many people who've had ostomy surgery will tell you that their surgery marked the start of a new, more expansive phase in their lives.

This comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide covers the practical aspects of ostomy care. You will also learn how to cope with the significant changes to your body that affect everything from traveling, dressing, playing sports, eating favorite foods and enjoying romantic and sexual relationships. And you will also easily relate to the personal narratives throughout that illuminate many of the challenges people with ostomies face.

Living Well with an Ostomy covers basic information about the various types of ostomies, what to expect from ostomy surgery, as well as psycho/social issues that may surface as a result of ostomy surgery, including those unique to certain groups, such as children, young adults and seniors. The book also includes new information on homeopathic and natural remedies for dealing with the ongoing care of an ostomy, and a substantial Resources section that contains a host of references to additional sources.