Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures

by Barbara Barrie

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 humor, 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.

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 1999

Reviews

[Laurie Ann Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! I read this book before my colostomy surgery in 2001. The book was so helpful. Barbara had such a positive attitude about the situation that it helped me stay upbeat and positive, too. I so wished I'd had the opportunity to speak to her personally.

I highly recommend this book for anyone. It's a subject most folks don't know much about, don't even think about. But, the book is so well written that it's a joy from any perspective. It's a must for any colostomy patient, before or after surgery. It's a must for any colon cancer survivor, even if they didn't need a colostomy. It's a must for folks who suffer from Chron's disease or any other serious bowel ailments. And, I highly recommend this book for family members, loved ones and friends of folks that fall in any of the above categories.

Don't Die of Embarrassment is both funny and serious. It accurately describes one person's journey through illness, surgery and recovery while doing her best to continue her day to day life as normal as possible. And because this person happens to be an actress we get an interesting peek into that world as well.

The book is great and don't know why I don't hear more about it!

[Ronald Wise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An autobiographical account of actress Barbara Barrie's colostomy and how she dealt with it. Her treatment occurred in 1994 - when my father was being treated for and died from cancer - and there have been some changes since, though the emotional journey seems to be the same. This book was given to me by my colorectal surgeon at the pre-surgery visit two days before my proctectomy and colostomy. I appreciated Barrie's courage in going public with her experiences, and will probably benefit from what she learned from her mistakes.