You’ve just been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Now what? Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In You Don't Look Sick: Quick and Dirty Tips for Surviving Ulcerative Colitis, author and ulcerative colitis veteran AW Cross gives you a first-hand, non-medical perspective about what to expect from your illness and how to get through it with your sanity (and your favorite underwear) intact. Through a unique blend of practicality and humor, you’ll learn how to: •Cope with the physical consequences and emotional impact of ulcerative colitis •Pack a survival kit and leave your bathroom with confidence •Dress, eat, and have sex •Deal with healthcare professionals and enjoy your stays in the hospital •Endure poop jokes and use social media responsibly •Put on your big boy/girl pants and deal with it Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or struggled with UC for years, if you’re determined not to let your illness define you, this book is for you. If you’d rather wallow in self-pity, have no sense of humor about your illness, and hate kittens and babies, DON’T BUY THIS BOOK!

You’ve just gotten a j-pouch. Now what? Life with your new j-pouch might feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. In Unicorn Farts and Glitter: Quick and Dirty Tips for Surviving a J-Pouch, author and j-pouch veteran AW Cross gives you a first-hand, non-medical perspective about what to expect from your j-pouch and how to manage it successfully. Through her usual blend of practicality and humor, you’ll learn how to: •Cope with the physical consequences and emotional impact of having a j-pouch •Manage pouchitis, cuffitis, obstructions, strictures, and skin care •Pack a survival kit and leave the house with confidence •Dress, eat, and have sex •Deal with healthcare professionals and enjoy your stays in the hospital •Use social media and parley with non-pouchers Whether you’ve just gotten your j-pouch, or you’ve had one for years, if you’re determined to make the most of it, this book is for you. If you’d rather pretend that you’re normal, have no sense of humor about your j-pouch, and hate unicorns and rainbows, DON’T BUY THIS BOOK! "I don't think that there is anything that this book doesn't cover. I mean it answers every question that you could possibly have. I hope this book gets to everyone who needs it!" - Goodreads Reviewer

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.

I want you to understand the most important thing right from the start: my ostomy saved my life, providing me with the perfect body! For those who have recently undergone ostomy procedures, the transition can present new obstacles. From what to expect, to ostomy- and self-care, dressing your new body, intimacy, and new beauty routines, navigating life post ostomy may feel overwhelming and can even challenge your self-esteem. In So Much More than My Ostomy, Ellyn Mantell--"ostomate," advocate, and renowned motivational speaker in the ostomy community-provides advice, tips, and encouragement for caring for and embracing your perfectly imperfect body post ostomy. Ellyn, along with several other ostomates, also shares stories from her own journey that led to her ileostomy in March, 2014. The book contains interviews with several "thrivers" who have survived and thrived through the many health and emotional challenges presented to them. Spoken with words of kindness, compassion, and support, So Much More than My Ostomy provides encouragement and hope for ostomates and their loved ones, whether new or experienced in the world of ostomy.

Over 50,000 people in the United Kingdom alone have a stoma. Colostomy and ileostomy are the most common types. They save the lives of the people who have them, but they can be hard to adjust to. This book aims to help the reader with the practical routines and the psychological effects of a stoma. There are direct answers to all the questions people with a stoma really want to ask, and there is advice on coping with everyday life. Craig White discusses how to cope with potential embarrassments and how to sustain self-esteem and body-image.

Travel with Kristin as she shares her heartfelt struggle with an unexpected and incurable disease. From medical interventions, to the inevitable body-altering surgery that saved her life, Kristin is able to reveal her experience with the truth of her despair, and the humor that helped save her sanity. Unwilling to allow her circumstances to rob her of the life she wants to live, Kristin forges on with her traveling, scuba diving, and many other activities. Her story is inspiring for anyone struggling with disease or who loves someone who may be struggling. This is a story of hope, acceptance, and the unexpected joy that comes from a second chance at life.