ALIVE & KICKING:
The true life story of an NFL star’s battle with ulcerative colitis, ostomy surgery, and hepatitis C
Published 2016, 278 pages
This is the inspiring personal story of Rolf Benirschke, a placekicker for the San Diego Chargers who returned to the NFL for seven more successful seasons after “several major abdominal surgeries that left him near death and wearing an ostomy pouch.”
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
ANOTHER BAG, ANOTHER DAY:
Creating a new lease on life in a new world
Published 2015, 228 pages
The author has had a colostomy since 2011, after years of suffering from Ulcerative Colitis and Diverticular Disease. This is the story of her personal journey and a sequel to her first book, Better WITH a Bag Than IN a Bag. It is “a true life tale of exploration of the human body and the adventure of the human spirit, that goes beyond survival to arrive at the gateway of a new world, a new life, a new normal.
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
DUCT TAPE WON’T STICK TO A LEAKY OSTOMY BAG!
One man’s fight against Crohn’s disease and cancer
Published 2015, 166 pages
This uplifting memoir, written in a conversational and humourous tone, recounts the author’s battle with Crohn’s disease and colorectal cancer. It was written more than 30 years after doctors gave him six months to live. In telling his story of his lifelong struggle, the author hopes to inspire others to keep fighting. “Living out one’s dreams is not nearly as important as dreaming to live.”
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
I’D LIKE TO BUY A BOWEL PLEASE!
Ostomy A to Z
Published 2006, 191 pages
This book is based on the author’s own personal experience “and many shared stores with health professionals, ostomates, and their loved ones.” She has travelled across the United States speaking at conferences about humor and healing from the patient’s perspective.
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
IT’S IN THE BAG AND UNDER THE COVERS:
Stories of dating, intimacy, sex & caregiving about people with ostomies
Published 2018, 220 pages
This helpful book is a compendium of “real stories by real people.” It was written by an ostomate who volunteered as a visitor to new ostomy patients, many of whom “bravely shared the difficulties and the ability to overcome the challenges and live more positively.”
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
MY OTHER BAG’S A PRADA:
Quick and Dirty Tips for Surviving an Ileostomy
Published 2016, 158 pages
This is a practical guide for daily living with an ileostomy, written by an ileostomate with a strong sense of humour. The author, a former scientist, was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2016. As she says on the back cover, “If you’d rather suffer blow-outs and bagastrophies, have no sense of humor about your stoma, and hate puppies and sunshine, DON’T BUY THIS BOOK!”
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
THE OSTOMY BOOK:
Living comfortably with Colostomies, Ileostomies, and Urostomies
Published 2008, 334 pages
The first edition of this book was written in 1980 by a colostomate and her daughter, a certified oncology nurse. At the time, it was believed to be the first book for the general reader about the practical realities of living with an ostomy – and it’s still relevant. This is the 3rd edition, updated by the daughter after her mother passed away.
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US and Canada
THE OSTOMY LIFE
Published 2016, 45 pages
The author of this book has had an ostomy since he was 3 weeks old, after being diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease. So when he writes about a life with ostomy, he knows what he’s talking about. He’s had one for as long as he can remember and wrote this book to share what he’s learned – including “don’t forget to live your life as much as you can.”
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
THE OSTOMY RAFT:
Practical tips for living with an ileostomy or colostomy, from others in the same boat
Published 2019, 208 pages
This is an easy-to-read, well-illustrated self-help book for people with bowel ostomies. It contains helpful, realistic advice drawn from the personal experiences of the author and countless other ostomates who’ve made this same journey before you.
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
STOMA CARE:
A Guide for Patients
Published 2021, 182 pages
Written by a team of specialists nurses at St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation in London, UK, the aim of this book is to promote self-care by providing stoma patients with detailed information on stoma care and empowering them to independently care for their stoma on daily basis. Additionally, the book will guide them through every step of their life with a stoma and also help healthcare professionals better understand the stoma patients’ journey and specific needs.
At this time, it appears that the book is only available for purchase online through the St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation.
UNICORN FARTS AND GLITTER:
Quick and Dirty Tips for Surviving a J-Pouch
Published 2016, 124 pages
By the author of My Other Bag’s a Prada, this is another humorous-but-pragmatic guide – this time with tips daily living with a J-Pouch. Based on the author’s first-hand experience, this is a “non-medical perspective about what to expect from your j-pouch and how to manage it successfully.”
Paperback available at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
Kindle edition at Amazon in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia
the OSTOMY RAFT 