#underwaterservicedogs

I love dogs and I love being underwater, thus #underwaterservicedogs

Return to the LJ Comedy Store

Thursday July 25th I will be back at the La Jolla Comedy Store!
It’s been over 10 years since I’ve performed there and I’m looking forward to be back at my old stomping grounds. It’s a free show (2 drink minimum) you just have to RSVP. Here is the link.
RSVP

Lest we forget, I was on the Weather Channel

How did it get to be 2019 already? I’m ready to be funny, just need some people to hire me. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do and I’m so thankful for every opportunity I have to make people laugh.
Let's go!

Catholic Comedian Performing Again After Cancer Battle

By Denis Grasska

SAN DIEGO — Have you heard the one about the Catholic comedian who beat breast cancer?

For more than 20 years, Judy McDonald has brought her Catholic-infused comedy to parishes, youth conferences, retreats and other venues.

But a breast cancer diagnosis last September, followed by a bilateral mastectomy in late October, sidelined her for several months. Through it all, friends and fans have supported her with prayer and an online fundraising campaign (https://www.youcaring.com/judymcdonald-958920).

Now cancer-free, the 41-year-old said she’s “trying to get the word out that I’m alive and still funny.”

“Cancer takes away a lot of things,” she said. “It took away body parts, and I lost a good six months of my life just trying to get better, but it doesn’t take away my sense of humor and what makes me uniquely me.”

Her return to stand-up comedy came in late March, when the San Diego native performed for about 170 people at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

“It was an important show for me,” said McDonald, who has since performed in Hawaii as well. “Just about a month [earlier], I was flat on my back and, to be up again on stage, being funny, just meant the world to me.”

There is a history of cancer on both sides of McDonald’s family. Her mother and sister are both breast cancer survivors and, for the past two decades, she has been in the habit of getting biopsies “every time I’d sneeze, basically.”

So the diagnosis, though unwelcome, didn’t come as a complete shock.

But at no point during her recent challenges did she lose her sense of humor.

“Whatever doesn’t kill you gives you material,” she quipped, noting that she found herself constantly taking note of the many absurdities of her situation that could be referenced in her stand-up act.

McDonald, who also deals with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder with the assistance of a service dog, said her sense of humor was akin to “battle armor.” It wasn’t a means of disguising or concealing inner turmoil, and she can’t recall being frightened at any point or having her faith in God shaken.

Her humor was a key factor in her own healing process.

“I like to say that humor is the best medicine, unless you’re shot,” she joked. In that case, “it’s direct pressure on the wound, and then get to a hospital.”

At the same time, McDonald explained, her good-humored take on a difficult situation doubled as an act of charity toward her doctors and other medical personnel, whose jobs are already made difficult by so often having to be the bearers of bad news. It was also a boon to family members and friends, lessening their own anxiety about her welfare.

Now, back on stage, McDonald is able to reflect on her own recent experience as she addresses audiences that might include fellow cancer survivors, people currently battling cancer, or those who have either lost a loved one to the disease or are watching them struggle with it. Hoping that her comedy will lighten their burdens, she said, “that’s a  ministry that I am so honored to be a part of.”

A person can invite God into any situation, she said, and while that doesn’t mean it will be “all happy and butterflies,” it does mean that even the most difficult crises can be faced with a calmness that will surprise others.

Inviting God into her life is nothing new for McDonald, who for years has approached her stand-up routines with a prayerful request that God tell her what He wants her to say and what her audiences need to hear.

For her first five years as a professional comedian, she said, she used to plan 

her sets down to the second. Since she has given up some control and left some of the specifics up to God, she said, her success has only increased.

McDonald said her recent performance at The Catholic University of America was “such a good testimony to the faithfulness of God and what happens when you just let Him be God and get out of the way.”

“I can only see myself getting, not [necessarily] funnier, but I guess trusting more and letting the Ultimate Ghost Writer help me with my material.”

The Southern Cross

2018 Breast Cancer Update

Giving Tuesday

It's #GivingTuesday so let me give you a video update!

If you'd like to give to me: https://www.youcaring.com/judymcdonald-958920

Breast Cancer Update #4 Run Away!

Breast Cancer Update #3

Breast Cancer Update #2 Electric Bugaloo

Breast Cancer Update #1

Puppy Blanket

Lemons

On September 7th my pathology report from a stereotactic biopsy confirmed breast cancer. 

I have an MRI today and on Monday, September 18 I will meet with my surgeon with the results to go over a game plan.

This is all very new but not unfamiliar since both my sister and my mom have battled and won their fight with breast cancer.  I've been getting regular mammograms, MRIs, sonograms, and biopsies for the past 17 years because of such a strong family history (my dad had prostate cancer but I've been assured I can't get that). Because of being so vigilant the radiologist was able to catch it and order the biopsy which has led me to here writing this blog.

I've decided to share this now with you because I would like prayers.  First and foremost prayers for my family.  From first-hand experience, I know that sometimes cancer is harder on the person's loved ones than the person with cancer because of feelings of helplessness. They will need support and the best way to do that is with your prayers.

Thank you in advance for all of your prayers for them, my doctors and myself as we go through more tests, the waiting and the decisions that will have to be made in the coming weeks and months.

I don't plan on this getting in the way of my comedy. In fact, this officially means I can make cancer jokes and not get in trouble for it! When life gives you lemons, shove 'em in your bra! 

My favorite saying has always been, "whatever does not kill us, gives us material." 

If you are reading this I am grateful that you are in my life. God has given me unbelievable opportunities to travel and perform my comedy and I plan to continue that in a bigger and better way, this is just a bump in the road or how I like to look at it, more material.  

I believe every situation in our lives is an opportunity to evangelize and this is just one more opportunity to do so. 

Underwater Wookie

Jelly Fish'n

The Gift of Hope

Teller of Jokes and Video Maker

I made this video for Little Angels Service dogs. If you are curious about fostering you can find more information here: http://www.littleangelsservicedogs.org/foster-program/

FoxFury Lighting Solutions - RUGO for Underwater Photography

The Aloha Tour

Pilgrim