Rave Reviews
Read what others are saying about Brenda!
Thank you for presenting at the Fairmont Medical Center Women's Seminar. I am grateful for the education, laughter and hope you shared with us. I admire your keen sense of humor in the face of brutal reality.
Barbara Allen, M.D. President/CEO
Everyone talked about how your presentation touched their hearts.
Pat Collins, New Mexico WOCN
The votes are in and it's unanimous, "You were terrific!" Thanks for sharing your experiences and entertaining us at our Survivor's Day event. You are a hero to many cancer survivors and it was a pleasure working with you.
Jan Sullivan, Cancer Health Treatment Centers, P.C. Merrillsville, Indiana
After reading your book, I'd Like to Buy a Bowel Please! I feel as I know you. Your book made me laugh and realize that there are a lot of people coping with daily issues greater than mine.Thanks again for sharing real life events and thoughts with people who want to know more about life after ostomy.
James Comstock
Thank you for your energizing message with its universal appeal. Your story of setting personal goals and sticking to them through the face of adversity was inspiring. Your comments on leadership were valuable and I received unsolicited positive feedback for days.
Sue Zuidema, Community Health Department
Brenda Elsagher confronts the "taboo" of colon/ rectal cancer, including ostomy surgery, by her witty observations and reluctance to be "hush-hush" about such a sensitive subject. Revealing, educational and above all honest, her story unearths some of the reasons people are so strong yet vulnerable, kind yet angry and hopeful yet depressed during their battle with America's second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. -- From Ian Settlemire, Editor of the Ostomy Quarterly, of the United Ostomy Association, in a review of Brenda's book. Read the full review.
"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." -- From the "Armchair Interviews" review by Andrea Sisco. Read the full review.
What a delight to read your book. You have a splendid sense of humor. I love your military quotes. After all, humor is a far better tool to teach than lecturing.-- Henry Buchwald, MD, Phd Professor of Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota
"Brenda was an excellent choice as the keynote speaker at our radiology conference. We work with many patients from the initial diagnosis to radiation therapy treatments. She reminded us of how humor and an upbeat attitude in our daily jobs really can have a positive effect on the patients."
-- Sue Marchell, Lisa Bohm, North Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists
"Thank you for being our guest speaker. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It was so many things, inspirational, funny, wonderful and entertaining." -- Marilyn Heschke, United Church of Christ
"I had the priviledge of hearing you speak at the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary State Convention. I do hope that you continue with your sense of humor in your public speaking. The fact you can deliver serious information with humor gets more attention and allows people to share their experiences." -- Mariyln Jacobs
"You are a wonderful and a great inspiration to cancer survivors and survivors of life in general. It was a pleasure working with you." -- Tammy Connors, American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division
"Thank you so much for the sessions you presented at the United Ostomy Association conference in Las Vegas. I especially liked the interactive part in your self-esteem session because I think we often have too many sessions where attendees are talked to rather than being active participants. Your closing session was a great way to end the confrerence and you had all of us rolling in the aisles." -- Mary Jane Wolfe, National Conference Chair, UOA
"I had the privilege of hearing you speak at the Blue Mound Country Club for the Elmbrook Hospital Foundation in Wisconsin. You were fantastic!" -- Marlene
"Brenda has the ability to make me laugh one minute and cry the next. Her message is poignant, fun and hopeful." -- Mary S.
"You did an excellent job and I have always appreciated humor as a patient myself. I always remember when dealing with patients that the cost of a smile is $.0 but the effect it has on your patient could be priceless! Thank you for sharing your story and taking the time to come and speak to our group."
"As a health care worker who tends to enjoy using humor in the workplace, it was refreshing to hear that it makes a positive difference in patient care. Great presentation!"
"Wonderful speaker, very humorous! It's nice to hear somebody be so positive and find humor in something so serious and life threatening."
"Humor is always a good stress reliever. Brenda presented very well. A joy to listen to."
"Wonderful job. I needed a good laugh tonight. She makes being a nurse worth it!"
"Great speaker. Let's get more like her humor and from the patient's perspective."
"As a former gastroenterology and colon-rectal nurse, you painted a wonderful picture of the often humiliating process of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. You reinforced the lesson to live in the moment, love, receive love and to keep priorities straight." -- Nancy
Awards and Titles
- American Cancer Society Golden "Mic" Award
- Newsmaker of the Year, Minnesota Women's Press
- Twin Cities Funniest Person
- National Cancer Institute, appointed representative for CARRA
- Past President of the Minneapolis United Ostomy Association
- Comedian/Storyteller
- Author
- Wife/Mother
- Biker
