by Joe Birch | Aug 21, 2023 | The Battle with Cancer
In April 2023, a routine Chest CT for my pulmonary doctor revealed an “incidental finding of ‘something suspicious’ in my liver.” At that point in time, I was 30-months clear of any evidence of Pancreatic cancer. After my 2020, Distal Pancreatectomy in the tail of my...
by Joe Birch | Jul 24, 2023 | The Battle with Cancer
On 5-19-23 an MRI revealed that my Stage 1 Pancreatic cancer (which had NO DETECTABLE sign of cancer for 30 months after my initial Distal Pancreatectomy/Spleenectomy was performed on 10-23-2020) had metastasized to my liver. The tumor in the liver was a solitary...
by Joe Birch | Jul 19, 2023 | Miscellaneous
When you commit to an anti-cancer diet, you will find that it takes time and discipline over the long haul. It can be very tempting to eat like the rest of your family – who eat all kinds of bread and dessert items. You may feel envious of their freedom to order...
by Joe Birch | Jun 21, 2023 | The Battle with Cancer
Having cancer return, after any length of time, affects your body, mind, emotions, spirit and your perception of yourself as a Whole Person. For me, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Pancreatic adenocarcinoma after a Distal Pancreatectomy removed 40% of my pancreas, all of...
by Joe Birch | May 31, 2023 | The Battle with Cancer
The recent MRI scans of my Abdomen and Pelvis revealed a 21mm/2cm tumor of my original Pancreatic Cancer made its way to the upper left section of my liver. Much to my relief and answered prayer, there is no metastatic cancer anywhere else in my body! Once again, I am...
by Joe Birch | May 15, 2023 | Finding and Nurturing Your Spirit
This Sunday I am sending Love and Acknowledgment to all the mothers, grandmothers and mother-like women around the world: aunts, cousins, mothers who have adopted and nurtured children, animals, plants, trees, community projects; marvelous teachers who instill wonder,...
by Joe Birch | Apr 11, 2023 | Understanding and Treating Anxiety
Prior to the Hirshberg 17th Annual Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer, I was interviewed by the editor of UCLA Health. She wanted to hear about my experiences with the Pancreatic cancer journey – from surgery through the end of treatment. She also interviewed Agi...
by Joe Birch | Mar 13, 2023 | The Battle with Cancer
Being diagnosed with cancer severely tests and challenges your body, mind, emotions and spirit – your very perception of who you are. With Pancreatic cancer, there is an urgency. From point of diagnosis, you are jet propelled into a whole new world – a...
by Joe Birch | Mar 10, 2023 | Miscellaneous
This is a “call out” for people living with cancer, anywhere in the world, any type of cancer, to register for the 17th Symposium on Pancreatic Cancer on March 11, 2023. Free of charge, you will be able to virtually attend the Symposium from the comfort of...
by Joe Birch | Feb 9, 2023 | Miscellaneous
Here’s the back story: In 1976, after 7 years as a poor, single mother of two small children who put herself through graduate school and entered the work force with an MSW, I was overwhelmed, depressed, and reached out to God to help me. He entered my life and...
by Joe Birch | Jan 25, 2023 | Miscellaneous
Today my CT scan results were released: THERE IS NO CANCER IN MY BODY!!! I am officially 27-months free of Stage 1 Pancreatic cancer. I am also fully recovered from COVID. I dedicate this art therapy painting to The Holy Trinity, who have guided and comforted me...
by Joe Birch | Dec 28, 2022 | Miscellaneous
I am posting this video to celebrate my recent birthday. To understand why it is important to me, I will share a brief history: Twenty-six months ago, I had major surgery to remove a Stage 1 Pancreatic cancer tumor. The surgeon removed 40% of my pancreas, all of my...
by Joe Birch | Nov 8, 2022 | Miscellaneous
Each of us has our own process of dealing with loss. No two people are alike. What we have in common are the emotions and behaviors attached to loss: profound sadness, devastation, pain, depression, anxiety, overwhelm, guilt, anger, disorientation, grief, loss of...
by Joe Birch | Oct 19, 2022 | Miscellaneous
“When you have cancer, you learn to live in the moment, take things slowly, appreciate the small things, listen to your body, keep things simple, rest, relax, let go of outcome, celebrate the small things, appreciate what comes your way, find peace in the...
by Joe Birch | Jun 13, 2022 | Miscellaneous
by Saul Rubin, Santa Monica NEXT The death of the printed book—you know, those bound volumes of static pages that you have to manually flip through to read—has been foretold for years. But like some creature from gothic literature, printed books refuse to die. And now...
