The Ostomy Book: Living Comfortably with Colostomies, Ileostomies, and Urostomies

by Barbara Dorr Mullen, Kerry Anne McGinn

This invaluable reference discusses every aspect of an ostomy—a surgical procedure that creates an alternative opening in the body for waste discharge from the kidney, colon, intestines, or bladder—from the first shock of diagnosis through surgery and rehabilitation. The coauthor's moving and motivational story of her colostomy experience is blended with information on the latest surgical techniques and equipment, providing prospective ostomy patients with both the medical and emotional know-how to confidently approach the surgery. This revised edition also contains up-to-date material on virtual colonoscopies and travel regulations related to ostomy pouches, as well as essential facts on how to safely handle sex, pregnancy, and sports after an ostomy.

Genres: Medical

334 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1980

Reviews

[Sue Thoroughman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive book about living with an ostomy, written by a professional writer who had an ostomy in 1976 and her daughter who is a nurse. Their dual perspectives made sure that the book is very balanced, both factual and emotional. This is the third edition, and I would recommend that, since it has much more current information than the previous versions (1980 and 1992).

I seriously wish I had had this book right after I got home from the hospital. Kind of frustrating that I didn't. It really would have helped. Some things in this book made sense of experiences that I was still sort of befuddled by. Other things confirmed things I had learned by trial and error. Based on the book's descriptions I learned exactly what kind of colostomy I had (didn't know there were options) and learned about some of my options as I look into the future.

Incidentally, this is the ONLY ostomy book at the Clackamas County Library, at least that I've been able to find. And it doesn't come up in a search by "colostomy" - only if you search by "ostomy" which explains why I didn't find it sooner. Those of us with ostomies seriously need to buy some books and donate them to the library when we finish reading!

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found this book very informative and educational i myself am getting a stoma and know nothing about what to expect or what my life will be like after this book helped me a great deal and is packed with so much information a must have book

[Suzanne Deneuve Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

For four weeks of my life I had an illeostomy bag. Kudos for anyone wearing a bag. The hardest four weeks of my life. I wanted to know more about this life saving..."thing". These folks deserve a medal!