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Robert Schimmel
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Cancer on Five Dollars a Day (chemo not included): How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life Paperback – January 6, 2009

4.7 out of 5 stars 85 ratings
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In the spring of 2000, stand-up comedian Robert Schimmel was diagnosed with stage III non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and soon the fire of his white-hot career started to fizzle.

But Schimmel never lost his sense of humor, his searing honesty, and most of all, his passion to make people laugh. Indeed, it was his basic need to entertain—even if the only people around him were suffering from cancer and the room he was playing was the Mayo Clinic infusion center—that carried him through his ordeal.

Alternately laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving, Cancer on 5 a Day is a stirring account of how one man's face-off with a deadly disease helped him better understand himself, and ultimately changed his life.

Read more
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    January 6, 2009
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0738213187
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0738213187
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Nashville Tennessean, 1/30/09
“Offers an edgy, humorous look at [Schimmel’s] battle with the disease.”

InfoDad.com, 1/29/09
“Personal, profane, often overdone and equally often hilarious…The book bursts with life, and its message of fighting back—coupled with its equally strong message of trying anything when you have nothing to lose—is sure to resonate with families dealing with any type of serious disease, not just cancer.”

OpEdNews.com, 2/5/09
“Incredibly interesting and very, very funny…While this is not what I’d call a light read, it is anything but grim. It’s the story of an extraordinary man who is painfully honest about himself, his illness, and how it changed him. It’s the archetypal human drama; the hero and the telling are beautiful but raw…I highly recommend Schimmel’s book. You’ll get to know him and learn something, all while laughing your head off.”

Blogcritics.org, 3/21/09
“A very fast read…[Schimmel] tells his story without pulling any punches…Cancer on 5 a Day is written in a friendly, relaxed manner that helps the reader to immediately empathize with Schimmel's plight.”

Omaha World Herald, 3/26/09
“Schimmel spilled a goulash of emotions, thoughts, observations and roguish jokes into his paperback.”

About the Author

Robert Schimmel was named one of Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Comics. He is a regular on Howard Stern and Conan O'Brien. He lives in Los Angeles.

Alan Eisenstock is the author of several nonfiction works. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Balance; 1st edition (January 6, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0738213187
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0738213187
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

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Robert Schimmel

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
85 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book wonderfully funny, noting it will make them laugh and cry. Moreover, they describe it as a must-read with an amazing memoir of cancer battle, and one customer mentions it provides a never-give-up tale. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its creativity, with one customer describing it as unique.

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20 customers mention "Humor"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderfully funny, describing it as an excellent laugh-a-minute book that will make them both laugh and cry.

"...He was a creative writer, not just an excellent comic...." Read more

"...Most important is that Robert teaches us that keeping a sense of humor no matter what God and life throws our way is essential to our survival...." Read more

"...Whether or not you have or have had cancer, this is an uplifting hilarious book that will take your mind off your problems for awhile...." Read more

"...cancer, he was reading it during his chemo treatments and was laughing so hard that the place where he gets his chemo bought 2 copies!..." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging, with one customer describing it as a fast and funny read, while another notes it's an amazing story of survival.

"...but if they do, I know I will provide them a copy of this very inspirational book." Read more

"...Great read for those of us who have never been in a cancer patient's shoes, those of us who have worn those shoes before, and those of us who are..." Read more

"...This book is very funny but serious at the same time. It gives a different perspective on cancer and every day life...." Read more

"...Attitude is certainly a defining element in battling the disease. Never give up. Robert didn't. I didn't. Anton Huggler" Read more

15 customers mention "Uplifting story"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book uplifting, describing it as an amazing memoir of a cancer battle that serves as inspiration to others.

"...Little did I know just how touching and poignant this tome would be in addition to being laugh out loud funny, and when I say LAUGH OUT LOUD funny,..." Read more

"...too offensive, I instead found myself with tears of laughter and compassion - and often both at the same time - at many points throughout the book...." Read more

"...It gives a different perspective on cancer and every day life...." Read more

"An amazing memoir of his battle with cancer...." Read more

3 customers mention "Creativity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's creativity, with one describing it as unique and interesting.

"...This book was so well done. He was a creative writer, not just an excellent comic...." Read more

"...It's an easy read, but more than that, it's interesting and entertaining...." Read more

"A Unique And Inspirational Story..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • RA Sacks
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent uplifting book
    Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I miss Schimmel's humor, and I feel badly for his family. This book was so well done. He was a creative writer, not just an excellent comic. I hope no one I am close to ever has to endure chemo, but if they do, I know I will provide them a copy of this very inspirational book.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • D. J. Molina
    5.0 out of 5 stars His comedic genius continues
    Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book not because I or any member of my family suffered through cancer treatments but rather because i'm just a huge fan of the comedy of Robert Schimmel. Little did I know just how touching and poignant this tome would be in addition to being laugh out loud funny, and when I say LAUGH OUT LOUD funny, I mean it. Several parts of this book will have you tears, some from laughter,some from the anguish of his journey through radiation, chemotherary, his family and friends. Most important is that Robert teaches us that keeping a sense of humor no matter what God and life throws our way is essential to our survival. The human soul yearns out for both freedom and laughter. We should all embrace it fully.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • MsGuli
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I was a little leary when I started reading this book simply given Schimmel's stand up content. However, his crass and raunchy anecdotes are part of what make the main charater (Schimmel, himself) so endearing and this book such a poignant read. Here you have Mr On Top of The World Bad A** Comedian being humbled by the afflictions of cancer revealing his tender sensitivity and compassion for those around him going through the same thing.

    **Mild Spoiler Alert** I loved the scene where Schimmel is able to break through the tough-guy defense of a fellow chemo patient at the infusion center. I bought this for my father who was recently diagnosed with treatable pancreatic cancer and decided I'd read it first out of intrigue (I knew my dad could handle whatever "innappropriate" humor Schimmel dished out). I am not sure if my dad is more like Schimmel or the tough guy he reaches out to, but either way, I think my dad will find inspiration and have many hardy laughs while reading this book.

    For a something I was worried about being too offensive, I instead found myself with tears of laughter and compassion - and often both at the same time - at many points throughout the book. Great read for those of us who have never been in a cancer patient's shoes, those of us who have worn those shoes before, and those of us who are wearing them right now.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Mike T
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    As a cancer survivor it was refreshing to see humor applied to the many feelings you go through as you walk this journey. laughed and cried highly recommended
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  • Josephine A. Walters
    5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT LAUGH A MINUTE BOOK
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    As a breast cancer survivor, I relished this book. Mr. Schimmel has always been my favorite comedian and I was so sorry to hear of his untimely death. Whether or not you have or have had cancer, this is an uplifting hilarious book that will take your mind off your problems for awhile. If you are easily offended by 4 letter words or sexual descriptions, then don't buy this book. But if you want a thought provoking laugh a minute book, then by all means buy it. You will not be sorry.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jeff Stern
    5.0 out of 5 stars Strength and courage
    Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    My wife was just diagnosed with Cancer and while sitting with the wonderful people at our oncology resource center a woman overheard me saying that not only was the diagnosis devastating but that most everything you read was sad and depressing she handed me a sticky note with the name ROBERT SCHIMMEL on it and the title of this book. I knew instantly that i had to read it and all i can say is WOW & thanks. Robert was and is a very special person and his booj of courage will enable me to help my wife thru this ordeal. READ THIS BOOK.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • M. Weber
    5.0 out of 5 stars Much Needed Therapy
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    A friend of mine gave me this book after going through treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I knew of and liked Robert through his stand up, but I was totally blown away by this book. I read it cover to cover in a few hours, and was moved from outloud laughter to tears several times.

    Fast forward 1 year and my father in law is diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. Now my father in law is a born again christian, and Robert is a very blue comedian. But I bought him this book and gave it too him with a verbal disclaimer. HE LOVED IT!!! He has given copies to freinds and neighbors with cancer, he was reading it during his chemo treatments and was laughing so hard that the place where he gets his chemo bought 2 copies!

    Buy this book! And if your offened by a few words......Get Over It!!!!!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Shawn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book for a friend of mine that has cancer and I also bought a copy for myself to read. This book is very funny but serious at the same time. It gives a different perspective on cancer and every day life. Would definitely recommend for anyone who has a good sense of humor and is going thur cancer.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Steve
    5.0 out of 5 stars It was good to read about someone else going through the same ...
    Reviewed in Canada on February 8, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I have cancer, and this book helped me immensely. It was good to read about someone else going through the same things as I am.
    Report