Cancer on Five Dollars a Day (chemo not included): How Humor Got Me Through the Toughest Journey of My Life

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.

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

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.

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!!!!!

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.

An amazing memoir of his battle with cancer. I have bought this book for three friends who have gone thru cancer treatment, since his advice on what to expect is invaluable. On one page you will be crying, and then you turn the page and he'll have you laughing out loud. Robert Schimmel was an amazing guy - i was fortunate enough to meet him after one of his shows. He autographed my copy of his book and gave me a hug. TragIcally, he lost his life in a car accident.. Rest in peace, Mr. S - you were one in a million!

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.

What a touching autobiographical story to read of the beloved Robert Schimmel, albeit posthumously. It's funny how life comes at you, and often grabs the carpet right beneath your feet, and right as life is looking amazing. Perseverance and love. Two words that rarely come to mind when discussing comedians, but Bobby Schimmel knocked it out of the park.

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.