Patient to Patient : Managing Interstitial Cystitis & Overlapping Conditions by Gaye Grissom Sandler and Andrew B. Sandler

"not only educates patients and families but presents information in a hopeful and encouraging way. Bravo!" -- Jill Osborne, The Interstitial Cystitis Network

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I cannot improve on Jill Osbourne's review, and would say ditto or "Amen" to it. I have read the book, and return to it as a resource... and have referred it to others. I wish it had ended on its last sentence, a blessing, in chapter nine, namely:" I hope to send you off on your own successful marathon of living more happily, despite the presence of this chronic disease." However, chapter 10 finishes the book. It's titled: Collecting and sharing individual stories.It has vignettes of 6 persons with IC. Assuming readers of this specialized book are mostly those struggling with the physical and emotional pain of IC,I can't imagine why one would add a chapter which, if the reader weren't frightened and depressed already, would guarantee such a response. It's a stretch to find anything hopeful or helpful in the stories chosen, unless persons who continue to suffer what they're suffering are a model of human survival no matter what. As the 2nd to last sentence in chapter 9 is:"The support of other people cheering you on is essential." it is hard to understand ending up with chapter 10 which is in effect a Greek chorus, saying if you think it's bad now, it can and might become much worse. My suggestion is, definitely buy, keep and learn from the book.But whether you skip chapter 10 or not, consider reading two other books as follow up. Holistic nurse Amrit Willis's book titled: "Solving the Interstitial Cystitis Puzzle, My story of Discovery and Recovery" provides a hopeful approach to gaining control of the symptoms of this chronic disease that has worked for her, and many others for whom she has provided generous guidance.Additionally "Kitchen Table Wisdom" subtitled Stories That Heal by Rachel Remen, M.D.is extremely insightful for helping us respond to a chronic disease. Both books facilitate a sense of hope,meaning, and self empowerment.