Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and other Adventures
by Barbara Barrie
Reveiwed by Angela Gibson, B.S.

This book is a first-person narrative of Barbara Barrie's experience with colorectal cancer, colostomy, and the lifestyle changes her colostomy invoked. Barbara Barrie is an actress and writer who has worked in theater, television, and film. Some of her past projects include the television miniseries Scarlett, the television series Barney Miller as Mrs. Barney Miller, and the television sitcom Suddenly Susan as Susan's grandmother.

Ms. Barrie's book recalls nearly every detail of her experience with colorectal cancer and her colostomy to remove the rectum. She begins by describing the initial emergency room visit that led to her diagnosis of cancer. At that time, she was near the end of shooting Scarlett and was not willing to interrupt her acting career for cancer. After the shooting was done, Barbara sought consultation for evaluation of her rectal tumor, treatment, and surgery. She then had a colostomy followed by chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and two additional surgeries to remedy a bowel herniation from her first surgery.

Barbara shares with us the transformation of her relationships with family, friends, and life. She recalls her ambiguous feelings about telling her family, friends, and co-workers about her cancer and treatments. She tells how humor helped her discuss the intimate details of her colostomy and its results with physicians and family members. She describes her changes of perspective on life, health, aging, and death. She discusses how major problems became relatively trivial inconveniences, particularly as she came upon additional obstacles related to her colostomy. She frequently alludes to her anxiety about the impact of colostomy on her appearance and sex life. She frankly talks about her treatments and the side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and antidepressants. Finally, she provides information about surgical and treatment options in simple language.

Don't Die of Embarrassment is a witty, honest and entertaining recollection good for anyone who is having or has had a colostomy, and for their friends and family members. Barbara's frank style makes the book a relevant reference for patients going through similar experiences. Health care professionals can also benefit from the very personal, yet realistic, perspective of a woman meandering through her experience with cancer and the health care system.