If This is a Test, Have I Passed Yet?
The Struggle to Cope with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
by Ferne Sherkin-Langer RN, BScN

This book is not just a story about a young woman's personal account of her struggle with Crohn's disease, but is also an invaluable guide packed with advice for coping with chronic illness. At 36, the author introduces readers to her present situation, reflecting on her experiences and drawing on them to take you on the journey from when it all began for her, the early childhood years, when episodes of illness first appeared.

Worsening symptoms plague her in the years following, affecting school, social life and the adolescent's grab for independence. With the all too familiar story of yet further investigations, the bombshell finally drops - a diagnosis of Crohn's. What follows is an insight into her thoughts at the time, the fears, the whole wave of emotions, and being confronted with the need for surgery and an ileostomy immediately. From the perspective of a patient, a partner, mother, adult child, friend and health professional, issues and problems witnessed over time are covered in the remaining chapters, with some very useful advice given on the following:

• what should be expected from the doctor/patient relationship,
• learning how to call for some help from family and friends (and listing suggested tasks for when hospitalised or other daily needs that they could tend to),
• the relationship with family and friends,
• dependency,
• who should I need to tell,
• dealing with the sense of losing control, pain and it's draining effects,
• offering practical advice on living with pain and giving suggestions on how to meet responsibilities.