For today's post I've decided to review my favourite Crohn's book.
I've been putting off writing a review for some time now. It's not because I don't like the book. In fact it's because I'm afraid I'm not going to do it justice. But I promised the author I'd write a review so here we go.
This book is called The Foul Bowel: 101 Ways to Survive and Thrive with Crohn's Disease and it is written by John Bradley.
I have read this book three times now since January and every time I read it I feel more like I'm reading my life story. Mr. Bradley also has Crohn's Disease and has had a rough go of it. From surgery to surgery you dive deeper into the life of a strong CD warrior. While he is regaling the reader with his story he is writing with an English wit and humour that could potentially wake up your mother AND your sister when you have a laughing fit at 1am so readers beware. He also gives 101 tips from hospital ward etiquette to everyday mental attitude enhancement to talking to doctors to get better health results. In amongst the ridiculously awesome writing there are some very creative drawings done by Rose Hutchings. These add to the majesticness of this book. And all of this from a (somewhat) local author. What could be better?
Here is one if my favourite quotes from The Foul Bowel....
"Firstly, it's most likely going to be for the rest of your life so, by definition, you cannot beat it - it will always be there. This then means that you should not try to live your life exactly as it was before you were ill. That life is gone now. But that doesn't mean you just give up and become a victim, because then you will lose control of the direction of your new life to the vagaries of your illness. It's about give and take. Sometimes you can live as you would have done before, but there are other times where you must give precedence to your illness." (Page 116).
This paragraph is very true. When you get diagnosed with a chronic illness it's hard to realize that you will never be able to make a life choice without considering everything that could go wrong with your health on any given day. And then there are days in which you feel so good you momentarily forget that you are different. Spot on!
My favourite tip has to be #78: You Have to Laugh. While sharing this tip Mr. Bradley isn't speaking of Crohn's per say (it's actually a hilarious little tangent about a fertility clinic parking lot incident. Very funny!) but I apply this tip in my everyday. Somehow if you find something to laugh at it makes the day easier to get through. Wether it be an Internet picture of a funny cat or laughing at a witty television comedy everyone needs to laugh.
The Foul Bowel is an incredibly well written book and it is easy to tell that a great deal of time has been spent on making it the best it could be. Thank you John Bradley for giving Crohn's patients and their families an excellent resource for advice, tips and even humour.
If you have any qualms about ordering this book let me just wipe them from your mind right now and tell you to order it. Right now! The link to the website is below. You can read the first three chapters there as well. And if you're lucky he might just send you a signed copy.
:)
www.foulbowel.com
