It's Not about the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life & Cancer

by Debra Jarvis

Book Overview

An oncology chaplain shares stories from her own battle with breast cancer in this frank, often hilarious memoir reminiscent of the works of Nora Ephron

For more than two decades, author Debra Jarvis has counseled cancer patients in her work as a chaplain, working with them from the point of diagnosis through their treatment and recovery. Then, in an ironic twist, she herself was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer.

It's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157061573X
• ISBN13: 9781570615733
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Sasquatch Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Not great condition

The book had writing, highlights and some kind of brown smudge on several pages. I threw it away. I ordered a second copy. The book itself is uplifting and I would recommend to anyone going through cancer and anyone who knows someone going through cancer.

It's Not About the Hair- and other certainties of life and cancer

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.)

A Book I Will Never Forget

Loved the book, love the author even more. Be prepared to feel every emotion there is while laughing so hard your gut seizes up! This is the kind of book that you start to read then don't put down until you realize you've read all the way through to the Acknowledgments section. 5 stars! It's Not About the Hair: And Other Certainties of Life and Cancer

If you have cancer, know someone with cancer, or...

just want to read an inspiring, enlightening book, you must read this new memoir by Debra Jarvis. She takes an uncomfortable, scary subject out of the shadows and deals with cancer--both at work and in her own life--in a frank, matter of fact, honest way. She shows that cancer need not be a "hush hush" topic for people living with it, or for their loved ones. The book will make you laugh and cry and feel like Debra is your friend. And while Debra is a religious person, you'll never feel like her take on spirituality is heavy-handed or being forced on you (for example, she calls her God "Mr. Martha Miyagi"--read the book to find out why). An extraordinary book written by an extraordinary woman. You should read it.

You've said it all!

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!

I laughed, I cried, I wanted more!

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.