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Book Review: On the Receiving End

Sheila J. Brooks

Sheila J. Brooks was born on Friday, the thirteenth. The young Brooks was a wise, intelligent, and observant child. In time, she realized that her home life was less than ideal, which drove her to excel in school. Knowing her penchant for helping others, she decided to attend nursing school. As she built a career to help others heal, Brooks also began experiencing health issues: a cancer scare, an ectopic pregnancy, arthroscopic surgery, hysterectomy, and more. Recovering from surgery multiple times, Brooks also managed to take care of her children and continue her work caring for others. Through her memoir, Brooks shares her challenges in navigating the healthcare system, surviving loss, advocating for herself, and hard-earned lessons in extending compassion to oneself and others.

Despite the ominous sign of her birthday, Brooks’ story is inspirational and a testament to her will and resolve to live and regain good health. The author makes a brave stand to share the pain of her struggles through various illnesses. Brooks’ purpose in sharing her memoir is to offer a beacon of hope for those battling debilitating diseases. However, the tone and voice reflect Brooks’ nursing training, which may feel inaccessible to readers without a healthcare background. The narratives can be very clinical because of the author’s vocation. It is important to acknowledge that not all individuals suffering from chronic illnesses have the same level of knowledge about their diagnosis. Yet, the memoir still holds valuable insights and lessons for all readers.

Throughout the text of "On the Receiving End: A Memoir of a Nurse Who Met, Tackled, and Overcame Insurmountable Obstacles," I often found myself in absolute awe that Brooks persevered yet again. It was heartbreaking to read about her endless admissions to hospitals and seeing different specialists. I had very little knowledge about the various health issues that Brooks endured throughout her lifetime. I came away with a greater understanding of health challenges. It is not easy not to feel defeated when constantly confronted with mortality. The memoir offers hope and helpful advice about being knowledgeable about one’s diagnosis to advocate for oneself successfully.

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