Coping with Ostomy (Coping with chronic conditions: guides to living with chronic illnesses for you & your family) [Paperback]

Robert H. Phillips (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Written by a psychologist active in ostomy support groups, this book will interest most ostomates and those who interact with them. Phillips explains ostomy surgery and care of the ostomy, but the book's greatest value lies in its coverage of the emotional and lifestyle changes caused by an ostomy. The author's conversational tone and use of humor may help to ease the pain for those agonizing over their surgery. The final chapters cover problems faced by people living with an ostomate. A very good book on the subject, although a few illustrations would have helped to explain the anatomy, surgery, and use of appliances. Recommended for most health collections. Robert Schmid, Univ. of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical Sch. LRC, North Chicago
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Avery; 1 edition (November 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895292777
• ISBN-13: 978-0895292773
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,048,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Psychological Approach, June 30, 2000

By 

Courtney L. Lewis "Sassy Librarian" (Kingston, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coping with Ostomy (Coping with chronic conditions: guides to living with chronic illnesses for you & your family) (Paperback)

Since Phillips is a practicing psychologist, this book reflects his background by concentrating on the emotional aspects of living with an ostomy - specifically issues of fear, depression, anger, etc. Phillips does acknowledge that these are issues more likely to be experienced by individuals who have suddenly underwent surgery due to a diagnosis of cancer or a sudden complication of IBD like toxic megacolon. Individuals with IBD consciously choosing the surgery often have a more positive attitude and suffer fewer emotional downswings because of the overall improvement in their post-surgery life. Phillips includes the usual chapters related to family members and their coping issues, which is very helpful, but the overall lack of first person accounts, and the slightly outdated information make The Ostomy Book the preferred book on this topic. Still, this volume would be useful if the new ostomate or a family member is having difficulty adjusting.