Living Well With an Ostomy by Elizabeth Rayson;
(Your Health Press: 2002)

"This complete guide to living with an ostomy did an excellent job of providing a full account of living with an ostomy. A wonderful resource to all patients regardless of the type of ostomy... I would recommend it to all my patients." Kimberly Cain, Enterstomal Therapist, Ostomy Quarterly, Fall 2003

Downloadable Press Release (1.45 MB)

Audio
Hear gastroenterologist Dr. Joel Reynolds, and wound, ostomy and continence advanced practise nurse specialist, Cathy Cisney, discuss ostomy health on the radio show Living with an Ostomy.
Download the MP3 (12.8 mb)

Here's what people are saying about Living Well With an Ostomy:

"Living Well with an Ostomy is an innovative book that provides concise and valuable information about ostomies. The book also has the potential to serve as a teaching guide and quick reference for healthcare practitioners and students. Living Well with an Ostomy is a well-written book that covers most issues pertinent to ostomies. It is certainly one that should be digested by healthcare workers who contemplate the education and care of ostomy patients." —Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society newsletter, WOCN News, Fall 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction

Chapter 1: Understanding ostomy
Congenital conditions
Injury
Colorectal cancer
Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Inflammatory bowel disease

Chapter 2: Types of ostomies
Colostomy: the basics
Ileostomy: the basics
Urostomy: the basics

Chapter 3: Before ostomy surgery
Preparing for ostomy surgery
Pre-surgery homeopathy and aromatherapy
Pre-surgery procedures to expect
Charter of Ostomate's Rights

Chapter 4: After ostomy surgery
In hospital and after
Post-surgery homeopathy and aromatherapy
Bladder infections
Life goes on

Chapter 5: Basic ostomy care
If it's my ostomy, why do I feel like it's managing me?
Options for managing colostomies
Options for managing ileostomies
Basic care for urostomies

Chapter 6: Selecting an appliance
About appliances
Appliance accessories
Ostomy care Q & A

Chapter 7: Diet, skin care and medication
Dietary guidelines and nutrition
Skin care
Medication

Chapter 8: Working, playing, and seeing the world
Taking care of business: dealing with your ostomy on the job
Ostomies and the sporting life
On the road with an ostomy
Travel tips for irrigation

Chapter 9: Body image, relationships and sexuality
The grieving process
His and hers: how will your ostomy affect your sex life?
Women and their ostomies
What about pregnancy?
Men and their ostomies
Dos and don'ts for great sex

Chapter 10: Considerations for special groups
Ostomy care for the elderly
Babies and children with ostomies
Teenagers and ostomies
Issues related to ethnicity and culture

Final Word
Resources
Glossary
Bibliography

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION FROM THE BOOK
If you have or will be getting an ostomy, this book is for you. The first part of the book covers basic information about the different types of ostomies, including the different surgical options available today. It also lets you know what to expect from ostomy surgery and provides advice on how to ease your recovery from ostomy surgery. Later chapters focus on some of the psycho/social issues that may surface as a result of ostomy surgery, including those unique to certain groups, such as children, young adults and seniors.

There are many good resources that focus on specific issues for people with ostomies, and I haven't tried to tell you "everything there is to know" in this book. I do hope, though, that Living Well with an Ostomy will give you enough information to make the most of life with an ostomy. And to help you find even more information, the Resources section at the back of the book contains a host of references to additional sources.

Don't feel obliged to read this book from front to back. I've tried to organize the book so that it lets you easily find what you're looking for. So use this book as your guide by picking and choosing the information most pertinent to you. Here are some tips on how to make the most of Living Well with an Ostomy:

• If you've just learned that you need an ostomy and you want to get a bit of background, read chapters 1 and 2 first to get a feel for just what an ostomy is. You can also turn straight to chapter 3 for information about preparing for ostomy surgery. Then, you may want to browse through the remaining chapters for more information about your particular situation.
• If you've had an ostomy for many years, take a look at the first two chapters to see if there's information there that you don't already know. Then, focus on chapters that contain information more specific to your needs.
• If you have a child, partner or friend with an ostomy, turn to the chapter that addresses these groups. For example, chapter 9 looks at relationships and sexuality; chapter 10 goes into greater depth on those issues common to special groups like children and senior citizens.
  
  And if from time to time you come across language you don't understand—don't worry! I've tried to anticipate this by providing detailed definitions in the Glossary on page 155. So, let's start by answering the question most central to this book: What is an ostomy anyway?
  New book shows how active, vibrant and successful living is possible after life-altering surgery.

OSTOMY FAQ
Q. I Have an ileostomy. How do I ensure that I get enough minerals?
A. People who have ileostomies need to be mindful of the fact that potassium and sodium—two minerals required by the body to maintain health—are lost daily through the ileostomy. Before your ostomy surgery, the colon absorbed these minerals (as well as some water). Now that the colon has been removed, your body can’t absorb these minerals as easily, and you run the risk of becoming depleted if you’re not conscious of this.

Potassium and sodium loss can be remedied by including foods high in these minerals in your daily diet. Speak to your doctor if you have any health conditions that require that you limit your intake of either sodium or potassium (such as high blood pressure). In some cases, you may want to add mineral supplements to your diet, but consult your doctor before you do this. Normally, however, it’s best to get sufficient amounts of these minerals from dietary sources.

Q. How soon can I have sex after surgery?
A. How soon you engage in sex after surgery depends on what you think of as sex. Many of us have a narrow definition of what it means to be sexual, limiting ourselves to intercourse as the “main course,” with perhaps a bit of foreplay as an appetizer. Unfortunately, this limited concept of sex often leads to anxiety in the bedroom. If we can’t “perform” sexually by getting an erection or having an orgasm, then suddenly we become “impotent” or “frigid.”

These two words—impotent and frigid—represent the rather limited, restrictive concept of sex that’s common. Most of us—with or without an ostomy—would benefit by looking at sexuality from a more open standpoint. The brain has been called the most important sex organ in the body—use it to think of creative ways to satisfy your partner sexually. And the skin has been called the largest sex organ in the body—a fact to which lovers who enjoy sensual massage can attest. There are many good sex manuals available at your local library or bookstore. All can help enhance your sexual creativity.

That said, it’s usually best to refrain from intercourse until you’re both physically and emotionally sufficiently recovered from your surgery. That doesn’t mean you should be 100 percent recovered—just that you’ve regained enough energy and vitality to become interested in sex again. Don’t force yourself. There’s nothing less sexually appealing than experiencing pain from your healing incisions during sex-play. For more information, see the following UOA web pages:

UOA Male Ostomate and Sex
UOA Female Ostomate and Sex
UOA Single Ostomate and Sex

Q. What about pregnancy?
A. You’ll be happy to hear that pregnancy is not only possible with an ostomy, but some women find that there are actually advantages to having a baby when you have an ostomy. Hemorrhoids, for example, are not likely to occur if you've had an abdominoperineal resection. And if you have an ileostomy, you’re certainly not going to get constipated!

With good prenatal care, there's no reason your pregnancy should differ from any other woman’s. However, there are a few things to consider before getting pregnant, while you're carrying the baby, during delivery, and after delivery.

OSTOMY LINKS
Visit the Sarahealth.com ostomy information page

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA): Billing itself as “the indispensable resource for training, education, research and patient care,” the AGA is an organization of approximately 12,000 gastroenterologic physicians and scientists. The Web site provides links to a Public Section that contains detailed information about current research related to digestive health.

British Colostomy Association (BCA)

United Ostomy Association (UOA): The United Ostomy Association is a volunteer-based health organization dedicated to providing education, information, support and advocacy for people who have had or will have intestinal or urinary diversions.

The International Ostomy Association (IOA): The International Ostomy Association, an association of ostomy associations, is committed to the improvement of the quality of life of ostomates and those with related surgeries, worldwide. It provides to its member associations information and management guidelines, helps to form new ostomy associations, and advocates on all related matters and policies. The International Ostomy Association is also responsible for authoring the Charter of Ostomates’ Rights.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) : Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NIDDK conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health.

The United Ostomy Association of Canada

Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN)

Ostomies and Children

Shadow Buddies and the Shadow Buddies Foundation: Created by the mother of a child with an ostomy, Shadow Buddies help children and their families cope with their illness or disease by letting them know that it’s okay to be a little different. Each doll is customized to have the same illness as that of the child who receives it. The dolls are inexpensive and can be ordered through the website or by calling the toll-free number below.

Ostomies and Sexuality

The Cancer Supportive Care Web Site: Created by medical professionals, the Cancer Supportive Care website provides information about sexuality and intimacy as they relate to cancer diagnoses. Links to other sources of information and a suggested reading list are provided.