Colostomy Books

I am a sudden caretaker for my 90 yr old father's new colostomy. This book provided a lot of basic information and covered areas that we would experience after he left the hospital. It has given me the reassurance I needed to provide him with good care.

The Ostomy Book was helpful, scientific, covered many aspects of ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy. Arrived quickly.

I am scheduled for a Permanent Colostomy in less than one week. Even though I had searched the Internet for helpful information, this book has been a tremendous source of help. It has greatly reduced my apprehension.

The authors are to be commended on they way that they have presented this information. It answers ALL of the questions that I had and more. I highly recommend this book.

This excellent book (half the royalties are donated to the United Ostomy Association) is written by a colostomate and an ET nurse and is characterized by numerous first person experiences and insights. Covering numerous topics from the typical descriptions of, different ostomies and surgeries to traveling with an ostomy, considering work situations, remaining active with exercise, children with ostomies, sex and emotional adjustments, etc., this book is written with a good sense of humor and a very down-to-earth attitude. Filled with lots of good resources, Mullen and McGinn do a great job explaining the role of the ET nurse and the role of the Ostomy Association in education of the ostomate and the public at large. A fabulous book and a must for the reference shelf.

This book is one of the few available specifically for people with ostomies. This book guides you from the ostomy surgery to dealing with social situations. I don't have an ostomy, but it gives useful advice and assurance, particularly in helping people know what to expect before and after an ostomy.

I purchased this book for my boyfriend who now has an ostomy because I heard it recommended on a webcast where a doctor with an ostomy himself and an ostomy nurse talk about this condition. The book was highly recommended. The webcast can be found at yourhealthpress.com website and this book is apparently the only book that talks about relationships and ostomy. It was very useful for both me and my boyfriend.

This book packs a lot of information for us new ostomates. I bought it when it was recommended in one of the newsletters I subscribe to. Not only does it have everything a new ostomate needs to know, but it discusses some of the more embarrassing daily life issues. The chapter on sex with an ostomy is so helpful and necessary. The author also shares other ostomates' stories and struggles, which I haven't seen in other books, either. Plus, there is really good information about complimentary/natural products for ostomates. A must have for anyone coping with a new ostomy.

I recently had ostomy surgery because of my worsening bowel disease. The surgery has done wonders for my illness -- I haven't felt better in years. But having an ostomy is taking some getting used to. Of all the books on ostomy, I found this ostomy book by Elizabeth Rayson really helpful. It's written very clearly and addresses a lot of issues I'm facing as well as helping me with practical day-to-day care. This book tackles some unique topics you can't find in other books, such as sexual issues. Let's face it, partners can get freaked out once you tell them bout your ostomy. Elizabeth Rayson approaches the subject of sex and ostomy in a sensitive and understanding way. One point that really hit home was when she writes that if someone rejects you because of an ostomy, they weren't worth it anyway. Lots of wise words are bundled into this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was well written and very poignant. I have a new respect for anyone who goes through this experience. Barbara Barrie is a very strong woman and courageous to share her story. I thank her for it.

This is a good book for somebody who's going through this experience, but please be careful you haven't already bought it
- we bought this book and "Don't Die of Embarassment" and they are the identical same book with different titles, which is why I gave it a 3star rating.

I had an illeostomy in June of 1997 and could relate to Barbara Barrie's book.Many scenes such as losing blood,being told by the doctor that it is cancer,and telling the kids I was able to relate to.In my case the cancer was found much earlier and I did not need the radiatin or chemo.I gather Barbara as myself had ulcerative colitis and was not told how serious it could be.Her colitis did seem to flare up more when she was younger.Barbara seemed very aprehensive when told she will have to wear a bag,while I from the beginning said get rid of the cancer knowing that I would not have a colon or rectum and that I would be wearing a bag. Barbara, I truly enjoyed your book because I could relate to many of your episodes and feel evryone who undergoes a colostomy/illeostomy shoud read this book.Physicians,this means you too!!!! If I may add having an illeostomy now I feel I want to help others in this position and have become involved in the local Ostomy chapter.I suggested to have an Ostomy Awareness Day which will be held this week at a local hospital.

Ms. Barrie's book, like the remainder of her work on stage and screen, rings true to the depths. I read the book in one setting, within several weeks of giving a young man a colostomy - temporary, for him - and seeing the range of emotions he has dealt with thus far. Being in the Bible belt of West Texas, my patients draw on different sources and strengths, perhaps, but the depth of depressioon, and the vigor of the response is still here. On a practical note, it sure reopened my eyes as to how carefully one is examined as to nuance of speech, gesture, etc., in the exam or hospital room...always an issue to remember. Strongly recommended. John Gregg, MD

I absolutely love this book and could not put it down. Barbara's despair, pain, trials and triumphs feel real to the reader. Suddenly Susan suddenly becomes more interesting knowing Barbara and her elegance, grace and strength. I learned about this book from "Quiet Triumphs" written by Mary Alice Williams, another fine author.

Barbara Barrie does a good job telling a coherent, compelling tale of her experience of colon cancer but her outright honesty about her own denial of long-term symptoms makes you want to shake her! Anyone undergoing the bodily image changes of an ostomy will identify with her embarassment and ultimate acceptance of a difficult, but liberating (it gives you your life back), adjustment.

The book is small with some areas of tiny difficult to read printing.
The photos are not clear and could be a lot better.
Otherwise O.K. and does have some helpful information.