Ostomy Book: Living Comfortably with Colostomies, Ileostomies, and Urostomies » (3rd Edition)

Barbara Dorr Mullen underwent colostomy surgery and was the author of two previous editions of The Ostomy Book. Kerry Anne McGinn, RN, BSN, OCN, is a certified oncology nurse at the California Pacific Medical Center. She lives in San Francisco.

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.

List of Illustrations     viii
Dear Reader     ix
I'm Going to Have a What?     1
What Is an Ostomy?     15
It's Your Body     31
Before Surgery     41
Surgery, and Just After     51
On the Mend     59
But How Do You Really Feel?     71
That Strange Big World Out There     79
Permanent Colostomies: Changes and Choices     87
Ileostomies and Alternatives     105
Life Without a Built-in Bladder     123
Pouches and the Skin They Touch     139
Pouch Skills     161
Temporary Ostomies     177
Eating Well     197
Catnaps, Strolls, and Good Belly Laughs     209
You're Looking Great!     219
What About Sex?     225
Work? Of Course!     241
Swimming, Skiing, and Other Diversions     253
The Other Side of the World     265
Pregnancy? Yes!     279
Children with Ostomies     287
A Word to the Teenagers     297
Checkups and Follow-ups     305
Helping Hands: Ostomy Organizations and ET Nurses     319
In the Family     339
Resources to Know     345
Glossary     353
Index     371