Evan handler why no hair

Which, incidentally, did not make him a more spiritual person. In order to deceive the Angel of Death, a deathly ill man or woman can be given a new birth certificate and name, he learned. But how many times can you pull that trick before the Angel of Death catches on? Or are there multiple Angels of Death and are some smarter than the others?

Joe Eskenazi is the managing editor at Mission Local. News News Bay Area U. Subscribe to our Newsletter. Diagnosed at 24 with acute myeloid leukemia AML , he wasn't expected to live. He wrote about those horrific years in his well-reviewed memoir Time on Fire: My Comedy of Terrors , which he also performed as a one-man show. Evan recently talked with Everyday Health about his recovery process and what he'd like to share with other people about battling deadly illnesses.

Evan Handler: The only thing I can say is the obvious: It's devastating and horrifying and terrifying, and I wouldn't recommend that anyone go out and seek the experience.

Everyday Health: You were quoted as saying that your treatment for leukemia was 'abusive and arrogant. Evan Handler: I wouldn't use those words to describe all the treatment I received, but there certainly were people who were arrogant and abusive.

And it's true, I didn't shy away from my anger and outrage. I found them to be energizing forces. And while, sure, I looked into philosophies that had to do with positive thoughts and positive feelings , I thought the whole time that people shouldn't be so frightened of rage as a motivating force. Rage and revenge: I latched on to them and rode them for all they were worth. But I wouldn't attribute [my recovery] to any one thing - I mean, yes, I was determined to make it, but I'm sure there were many people who were just as determined, who didn't make it.

A huge dose of luck and a bone marrow transplant in didn't hurt. Everyday Health: Did your sense of humor, evidenced in both of your books, help you get through the tough times? Evan Handler: It certainly helped me tolerate things in my life, and hopefully made others tolerate me better. I tell difficult stories, and a sense of humor is key to getting people to listen to difficult material. Everyday Health: How do you stay healthy now? Do you have any diets you follow or exercise routines?

Evan Handler: I eat lots of things I shouldn't, and don't exercise as much as I should … I'm actually trying to get on a better track right now. There have been times in my life when I've eaten very well and have gotten into terrific shape, but that's been harder and harder the older and busier I've gotten. Everyday Health: I'm sure you know how much your first book helped people, both the sick and the caregivers. How does it feel to be an inspiration to so many? Evan Handler: I often get contacted by people who tell me that, and that's part of what makes [writing autobiographical books] worthwhile.

I take great pride and satisfaction in that. One of the things I inspired myself with, in order to get through it, was to say that it would be valuable to simply exist as an example of what can be accomplished.

I let it be known where I've been, because when I was sick, I certainly would have liked to have seen someone stand up who had been through what I had. Everyday Health: Did you feel pressure to do the same thing in your second book? Evan Handler: No, and really, I didn't even feel that pressure with the first book. I mean, I don't think my books are the usual books that people turn to for inspiration; those are usually much more sentimental.

That's why I take such great pride when [the books] are inspiring to people. And no, the second book, It's Only Temporary , I think, is challenging for people - I mean, when you think of someone who's just lucky to be alive, you think you're going to get a book that's a pure celebration of life.

But this is about someone who finds that gratification very hard-earned. It takes a long time to get through the anger over what's been taken, to get to the gratitude over what's been preserved.