It's Not About the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer [Hardcover]

Debra Jarvis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007

Culled from the author’s years of knowing, comforting, supporting, and treating cancer patients, Debra Jarvis' book is a heartfelt ode to both her own experiences with cancer — both as a chaplain in a cancer clinic, and as a cancer patient herself — and to those who share them. Exploring both the spiritual and personal aspects of cancer, as well as the social and cultural views of health, disease, life, and death, Jarvis's account speaks to the uncertainties, fears, and overall process inherent in dealing with the disease. She writes with great honesty, humor, and wisdom, and the overall effect is one that both charms and moves the reader.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jarvis is an ordained minister with a bawdy sense of humor, and a breast cancer survivor who believes in telling it like it is. She's probably not everyone's cup of tea, especially if you believe certain topics are meant only for a doctor's office and/or the bedroom. Still, don't pass this book by without giving it a go-if you have breast cancer, it might be exactly what you need. A chaplain at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Jarvis cares deeply about others, and for all her fast talk, she's a listener. The accounts of other people's struggles are among the most moving in the book. She is also guided by a spiritual sensibility that transcends organized religion. But most of all, she's walked the walk. Diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time as her mother was, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and an implant with courage and, yes, a sense of humor that signals a deep appreciation of life. The title comes from patients whose first question after being diagnosed with breast cancer often is, will I lose my hair? And Jarvis, because she is truly wise and compassionate, understands what they are really asking: will I lose my life? (Oct.)
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Review

"A funny, inspiring and heartfelt book about surviving adversity in an illuminated way." —Judith Orloff MD, author of Positive Energy " It’s Not About the Hair is wonderful, wise, funny and real, a sharing of a journey from the diagnosis of breast ca

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books; First Edition edition (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570615365
• ISBN-13: 978-1570615368
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #628,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

See my web site: www.debrajarvis.com for a complete biography with photos!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I laughed, I cried, I wanted more!, August 19, 2007

By 

Kathy P. Byrd "byrdwoman" (SEATTLE, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Not About the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer (Hardcover)

I just finished reading an advance copy of "It's Not About the Hair" and I'm blown away. There is so much wisdom and truth packed between the covers of this book! Debra takes us from her biopsy to surgery, chemo and beyond, with love, honesty and courage--plus she is funny, funny, funny.

This book is much more than the garden-variety cancer memoir, because Debra is an oncology chaplain at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where her job is to listen to, care for, and counsel cancer patients every day. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, her friends said "Why you?" but Debra said, "Why not me?" and walked into the experience with her eyes and her heart wide open. In the book, she lets us into her unique relationship with God, which is by turns moving, inspiring and even irreverant. Debra spots God in surprising places. As I read, I pictured God saying, "You go, girl!"

Throughout her story Debra weaves thought-provoking insights about her patients and her co-workers, her caregivers and her marriage. She taught me how to better befriend anyone with a life-threatening illness. If you have cancer, have had cancer, love someone who has cancer, or if you are a caregiver, you'll discover a real gem in "It's Not About the Hair." Buy this book.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You've said it all!, August 20, 2007

By 

Carla Granat (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Not About the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer (Hardcover)

I doubt that I could write a better review than Kathryn Byrd's; it captures very well why Debra Jarvis' book is so powerful. Debra's down-to-earth style, while very engaging, has depth and nuance. She hits the target in such a way that we can understand the complexity of her experience - the simultaneous pain and humor - and almost experience it with her. She talks about issues that most people - and books - don't even mention, such as the issues around cancer and sexuality, and does so in a way that real people can relate to.

Best of all, it's a page-turner! No, really! We want to know what happens next, and how is she going to handle it! And the minute we start to sigh with the enormity of what she is going through, she makes us laugh, and see how it's possible to find balance and humor and meaning in the most challenging situations.

This is a wonderful book. Get it! Send copies to friends!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Not About the Hair- and other certainties of life and cancer, September 25, 2007

By 

Dan "Dan" (Sacramento, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Not About the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer (Hardcover)

You won't find any religious or feel-good platitudes in Debra Jarvis' It's Not About the Hair. Yet, it is an intensely inspirational book. As a chaplain at The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the author faces her own cancer diagnosis and treatment with candor, and humor. Sparked with deep insight this moving and often hilarious account of her journey is a rich read! Jarvis shares stories of her ministry to cancer patients who in turn minister to her. Sometimes silly, sometimes sad this book explores the life-changing diagnosis of cancer. (No skipping to the hysterically funny sub-heading :" Like a Virgin" in chapter 10.)