by Joe Birch | Mar 27, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
In this video you will see the start of my second Infusion with Oxaliplatin, in conjunction with taking Xeloda (5FU) at home. I sat in the chair in a peaceful, relaxed state. And why not? Three weeks prior I had had my first infusion and innocently thought this round...
by Joe Birch | Mar 25, 2025 | Blessings from Nature
As an author, publisher, and Steward of the Little Free Library on Pearl Street in Santa Monica, California, I highly recommend this book for children as well as adults. It is simply the most beautiful, most profound children’s book that has ever graced my...
by Joe Birch | Mar 25, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
As a nearly 5-year veteran of living with Pancreatic cancer which has metastasized, I can’t tell you how important it is for your treatment outcome to be proactive on your own behalf! This is true after surgery, radiation, ablations, and chemotherapy. I am now...
by Joe Birch | Mar 25, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
Chemo induced Hand/Foot Syndrome is a painful, frightening side effect of chemotherapy. Experiencing it myself has motivated me to develop a protocol for healing it. It usually appears several days after an infusion or taking the “at home” chemotherapy...
by Joe Birch | Mar 5, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
Hi, this is Judith Anne Desjardins, Holistic Psychotherapist, 4-year and 5-month Pancreatic Cancer Thrivor, former Oncology Social Worker, and Cancer Advocate. My last video showed my fears and anxiety about having my PORT installed. This video focuses on the first...
by Joe Birch | Feb 26, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
I have been on the home chemotherapy pills Xeloda (5FU) for 6 rounds, and my Oncologist recently decided to increase its effectiveness by starting me on a second chemotherapy drug, Oxaliplatin, to be administered by an IV infusion every 3 weeks.To my amazement, I told...
by Joe Birch | Feb 24, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
Hi, my name is Judith Anne Desjardins, and I am a Holistic psychotherapist, 4-year and 4-month Pancreatic cancer thrivor and cancer advocate.I had a Port installed this last Monday and 6 days later, the PORT, canula, and displaced chest tissue have healed.Tomorrow I...
by Joe Birch | Feb 17, 2025 | Finding and Nurturing Your Spirit
Prior to cancer, I have been a 40-year devotee of Yoga. I did my yoga practice at least 3 times a week in class and at home. When I started my 4-year and 4-month series of treatments for Stage 1 Pancreatic cancer in 2020, (surgery, chemotherapy, ablations,...
by Joe Birch | Feb 13, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
After 2 weeks of brutal side effects from an increased dose of my Xeloda (5FU) home chemotherapy pills, this is the first day that I feel like my normal, peppy, joyful Self. This rebound from chemotherapy side effects is the result of the loving care I have received...
by Joe Birch | Feb 5, 2025 | Blessings from Nature
Wanted To Share This Joyful Photo TodayThis photo was shot on 9-2-2024 in my garden in Santa Fe.It depicts sheer Love and happiness.Love to people around the...
by Joe Birch | Feb 5, 2025 | The Battle with Cancer
For those who do not know me, I am Judith Anne Desjardins, LCSW, BCD, former Oncology Social Worker, Holistic Psychotherapist treating body, mind, emotions and spirit, and Pancreatic Warrior Maiden living with Pancreatic Cancer since October 23, 2020. I have run the...
by Joe Birch | Jan 29, 2025 | Miscellaneous
It doesn’t matter how strong or healthy you were in body, mind, emotions and spirit. When Overload accumulates, you will be humbled on the most basic level – usually in the body. The body is equipped with a primal level of survival that goes back to...
by Joe Birch | Jan 9, 2025 | Blessings from Nature
Despite the devastating wildfires that have decimated Pacific Palisades and other numerous locations around Los Angeles, I awoke to a beautiful sunrise, the return of our birds, the signs in nature that say, “God is with us,” and a little Token of Love...
by Joe Birch | Dec 27, 2024 | Blessings from Nature
Holidays are meant to be joyful, but for many people, they are not.While many families have the potential to gather together, many times, for many reasons they do not.As we yearn for love, hugs, being with family, there is the potentialwe will be let down, hurt by...
by Joe Birch | Dec 27, 2024 | Developing Healthy Relationships
On this Holy Day I want to share our special Holy Family.They have been with me since I moved into my house in 2003. I bought the beige sculptures and lovingly painted each one and made special clothing for them. My beloved Australian Shepherd was at my side and we...
