Customer Reviews

If the Battle is Over, Why am I Still in Uniform?

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Brenda Elsagher's world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Determined not to let cancer beat her, she fights back-with determination, sheer guts, and humor to help her survive and thrive.

I found myself laughing at her inner thoughts, written in italics, as she is carried along the journey that is cancer. Not only did I laugh, I cried, and then laughed and cried some more. I was right there with her as she went through surgery, chemo,a permanent colostomy, and recuperation. Brenda tells is like it is and I came away, marveling at her courage and spirit.

Rectal cancer is a topic most of us want to shy away from and Brenda tells us why we can't. Denial can be deadly.

I've read this book twice and each time the emotions I felt were even stronger than before.

This is a MUST read book for everyone because rectal cancer and ostomy surgery are topics we would rather keep hidden behind a bolted bathroom door. Brenda won't let us do that. She holds these topics up to the light, to be looked at, without shame or embarrassment,strips away the fears and mysths with candor, humor and straight on guts.

Get it, read it, laugh, cry, and marvel at Brenda's candor and courage; read it again and then give it to a friend!

If the Battle is Over, Why am I Still in Uniform is a book for everyone! This book is poignant, humorous and inspirational! The author takes you on her journey of triumph over colerectal cancer. As she does, she opens her heart and soul to her readers.

This book is an absolute must for all those in the medical field working with cancer patients! Every clinic and hospital should have this book as a reminder that we are all human beings with feelings, insecurities, hopes and dreams.

Humor is where you find it. Brenda Elsagher has the amazing ability to find humor in a most difficult journey through colorectal cancer. She encourages the reader to use humor as a survival tactic to combat cancer. This book presents a sensitive portrayal of the immense challenge to the human spirit posed by cancer diagnosis and treatment. It also contains a powerful message of hope for life after diagnosis as readers follow Brenda's transformation from hair stylist to comedian. Brenda's description of her treatment for cancer "back there" under the capable hands of her surgeon "the rear admiral" is incredibly funny. It is likely to cause the reader to laugh out loud. For cancer patients that is a very good thing as laughter is good medicine!!!

Brenda Elsagher is living proof that if you're determined (a feisty attitude is a bonus) and armed with a brutal sense of humor, the spirit of a fighter won't be defeated. And Brenda is a fighter. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 1995, she shares in If The Battle Is Over Why Am I Still In Uniform? her private war with a deadly enemy; one she was determined to beat.

After reading this book I will never think about my colon, or any other body part for that matter, in the same way again. I learned that screening for colorectal cancer is important, because if caught early enough, it can be cured.

If The Battle Is Over Why Am I Still In Uniform? is filled with wit, wisdom, and the stark realities of cancer. I laughed often and my eyes misted more than once. It is a well-written book of one woman's cancer reality. It is also the story of that woman's determination to grow old with her husband and meet her grandchildren.

This book will provide you with information that might just save your life. If you know someone with colorectal cancer, sharing this book with them will let them know that they're not fighting the battle alone.

Also, if you know someone (maybe you) who is long overdue for their colon screening, this book will encourage them with reality. Get your doctor's number handy and call now!

Although I have known Brenda for 25 years and know what she has been through, the book was very hard to put down. It is an inspiration to survivors and caregivers alike. I am a caregiver myself and she really touched home on many points. It is a must read, especially if cancer has touched your life in any way, shape or form. A definate must for your bookshelf!

Brenda gives a personal and telling story how to cope with the serious issues of cancer. Overcoming the disease and all the treatments was difficult of course, but Brenda's comedic attitude during the whole process gives everyone something to hang onto should they experience a similar experience. She provides anyone dealing with the issues of cancer and ostomy surgery a way to cope and survive.
Easy reading.

I've read the book twice already and I was very touched by what the author had to go through in her daily life. It is not just a book for those who have experienced Colorectal Cancer, but how humor and a sense of well-being is so important in all aspects of just living from day to day. Thank-you for sharing this wonderful message and sharing your life with us.

This book is written from the heart and the gut. Brenda gives a personal perspective of living with and surviving cancer but most importantly keeping an excellent attitude during the entire treatment and recovery process. As a person who underwent a similar surgery, she really provides anyone sick with any disease how to cope and carry on.
Easy and excellent reading.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I am currently going through chemotherapy & radiation for cancer. I truly believe that if positive energy & attitude are around me, then positive results will come. Brenda's book is absolutely wonderful. Her sense of humor during an incredible health situation is so heartwarming. This book is for ANYONE who has had a major crisis in their life - whether with health, divorce, death, etc. Brenda proves the point - keep a sense of humor. Wonderful book that I'll be recommending to others.

brenda's story proves that although the journey may be long and painful, not to mention scary, there is hope that a cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence.

and that there can be laughter and joy along the way.

as a cancer survivor, i also see a testament to choosing the most aggressive treatment available, even if it means ostomy, scars, lost body parts or months of chemo baldness and discomfort. compare brenda's outcome to the celebrity recently in the news.

and these important messages are delivered in a bright, friendly, easy-to-read conversational style that keeps you glued to the book until the last page.

you will laugh out loud, and you will cry. and then you will want your family and friends and every cancer patient you know to read it.