SECOND ACT

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book of Triumph over Cancer!
Review: I absolutely love this book and could not put it down. Barbara's despair, pain, trials and triumphs feel real to the reader. Suddenly Susan suddenly becomes more interesting knowing Barbara and her elegance, grace and strength. I learned about this book from "Quiet Triumphs" written by Mary Alice Williams, another fine author.

Rating:
Summary: well written
Review: I had an illeostomy in June of 1997 and could relate to Barbara Barrie's book.Many scenes such as losing blood,being told by the doctor that it is cancer,and telling the kids I was able to relate to.In my case the cancer was found much earlier and I did not need the radiatin or chemo.I gather Barbara as myself had ulcerative colitis and was not told how serious it could be.Her colitis did seem to flare up more when she was younger.Barbara seemed very aprehensive when told she will have to wear a bag,while I from the beginning said get rid of the cancer knowing that I would not have a colon or rectum and that I would be wearing a bag. Barbara, I truly enjoyed your book because I could relate to many of your episodes and feel evryone who undergoes a colostomy/illeostomy shoud read this book.Physicians,this means you too!!!! If I may add having an illeostomy now I feel I want to help others in this position and have become involved in the local Ostomy chapter.I suggested to have an Ostomy Awareness Day which will be held this week at a local hospital.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent - painful - agent of change.
Review: Ms. Barrie's book, like the remainder of her work on stage and screen, rings true to the depths. I read the book in one setting, within several weeks of giving a young man a colostomy - temporary, for him - and seeing the range of emotions he has dealt with thus far. Being in the Bible belt of West Texas, my patients draw on different sources and strengths, perhaps, but the depth of depressioon, and the vigor of the response is still here. On a practical note, it sure reopened my eyes as to how carefully one is examined as to nuance of speech, gesture, etc., in the exam or hospital room...always an issue to remember. Strongly recommended. John Gregg, MD

Rating:
Summary: Same book as "Don't Die of Embarassment"
Review: This is a good book for somebody who's going through this experience, but please be careful you haven't already bought it
- we bought this book and "Don't Die of Embarassment" and they are the identical same book with different titles, which is why I gave it a 3star rating.