Not enough to "cope" if disease is severe and chronic
Customer Rating: 
I was diagnosed with endometriosis over 10 years ago and have since had 7 major surgeries and countless minor ones. I picked this book up after major surgery #5, desperate for help. This book didn't cut it. Granted, by the time I read this book, my knowledge of endo (from medical and general literature) was better than most gyns (by their own admissions). I bought this book anyway, hoping the "coping" advice would be helpful. I ended up skimming it, finding little of value, and setting it on a bookshelf to gather dust.
Endometriosis left me permanently disabled and in chronic pain, despite "the best" care available at one of the top medical establishments in the world. With especially severe stage IV disease, that sometimes happens despite the type(s) of surgery and treatments tried. I eventually went beyond the endometriosis literature and found what I was looking for in general literature on chronic illness. If that's where you're at, I highly recommend "Celebrate Life: New Attitudes for Living with Chronic Illness," Hartwell's "Chronically Happy: Joyful Living in Spite of Chronic Illness," Wells, "A Delicate Balance: Living Successfully with Chronic Illness, and Cheri Register, "The Chronic Illness Experience: Embracing the Imperfect Life."
These books helped immensely. I learned to live with somewhat of a pardox: acceptance of my condition (as opposed to continuing to fight it) without ever giving up hope of a better future. And, I learned how to make the most out of my life and find value in what I could do, instead of focusing on what I couldn't do. These books helped me grieve my losses and move forward. If you're where I was, I hope this review helps you find these books sooner than I did!
Best Buy for your Dollar!
Customer Rating: I was diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2001 & had my first surgery that year. Toward the latter part of 2002, I started to be in chronic pain for this disease. I'll make a long story short. (If you want to see the long story, go to my review about Jennifer Lewis' book that I think is medically inaccurate). This book is compelling, thorough and most of all, helpful. It was a book I *SHOULD* have had in 2001. Since dealing with my pain, this book has opened my eyes to therapies I can use, how I can deal with ALL the aspects of this disease, and how it affects my loved ones. This is a great book because it talks to you through a whole person concept--- not just dealing with the reproductive Endometriosis, but it deals with all of the areas surrounding it, too, like emotions, finances, and so on. It doesn't talk down to you, and won't make you feel like you're in a pity party, but gives you tools to try to cope and even recover. Check this book out. You'll be glad you did.
