MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA
by Gloria Bronte Lane, former caregiver for cancer patient


January 2001
This is from my own experience and perspective, as a caregiver for a friend who died of colon cancer in 1994.  Jim was a psychologist and a very fine jazz piano player. He taught psychology at UALR and during the time I knew him, he didn't drink or use any kind of drugs. He was 56. 


After he was diagnosed with colon cancer, he had surgery, and was told to have chemotherapy and radiation.  He really suffered with these.  We found that over the period of his illness, he could have his choice of all sorts of heavy-duty prescription drugs - narcotics - that relieved his pain but caused other kinds of problems (such as constipation and lack of appetite).  As a caregiver I often managed his drugs, and picked them up at the pharmacy.   Many were deadly drugs, indeed dangerous enough to kill him:  Morphine, Fentanyl, Lorcet, Percocet, to name a few.


Since his doctor required him to undergo chemotherapy, there were bad problems with nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite. This really worried us, since he was steadily losing weight.  He was given medication to take orally, but it was sometimes hard to take medications orally. He would throw up.   


Often choices of drugs were on the basis of "you try it and see if it helps." We were amazed that, with all these drugs, doctors would not let him try marijuana, a simple smoke that would not kill him.  The story we heard was that there was only one farm that grew it for the federal government, and it was in Mississippi, and they didn't grow very much. 


As I said, he had colon cancer, so digestion - something we usually take for granted - was a problem. So, consuming something via mouth would not necessarily mean he could expect it to successfully pass through the digestive tract and come out the other end.  He would get really nauseous, but he would also get really painful constipation. If you've never seen a cancer patient really sick, throwing up, in agony, you're lucky. There were times when he would wretch up whatever he consumed, even the drugs to soothe his vomiting.   


Smoking marijuana, however, soothed his retching, and increased his appetite, so that he could eat, digest  and try to maintain weight. This was primarily during the months that he was on chemotherapy and radiation.  As time progressed, he continued to consume less and less, and lost interest in eating, drinking, or anything that required energy. 


I have been surprised to hear comments against the medical use of marijuana, from those who I feel should have more compassion.  They perhaps have no first hand knowledge, or have never had a loved one become really ill, or perhaps have addiction problems of their own which make them afraid of drugs.  Some of the comments may be:  
 

I really hope the medical marijuana initiative passes in Arkansas, so that other patients can have the helpful option of marijuana through their physicians, and won't be forced to buy it illegally.  It just makes sense.  I also appreciate being asked to contribute this article, as it's been helpful to me to look at the experience and write it down, and to think perhaps I can contribute to making medical marijuana available. 

Drug Definitions (taken from the Yahoo.com web site):

Lorcet - (Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen)  Treats pain. May be taken with food to lessen stomach upset. This medicine can be habit-forming. Possible Side Effects:  Fast or slow heartbeat, Trouble breathing, Swelling of the face,  Hives, skin rash, itching,  Hallucinations, changes in behavior,  Severe confusion or tiredness,  Yellowing of the skin or eyes, Dry mouth, nausea or vomiting, Constipation, Headache, Drowsiness, dizziness, or weakness, blurred vision. 
 

Percocet - ( Oxycodone/Acetaminophen) - Relieves pain. Oxycodone is a narcotic analgesic.  This medicine can be habit-forming. Possible side effects:  Rapid or slowed heartbeat, Trouble breathing, Swelling of the face, Hives, skin rash, itching,  Hallucinations, changes in behavior,  confusion or tiredness,  Yellow color of the skin or eyes,  Severe belly pain or tenderness, Drowsiness, dizziness, or weakness,  Dry mouth, nausea or vomiting,  Constipation, Headache or blurred vision.
 

Fentanyl - Patch worn  on the skin to treat pain. Belongs to a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. Possible side effects: Trouble breathing, Chest pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes, Irregular heartbeat, Severe itching, rash, or swelling,  Severe nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain, Mild nausea or vomiting,  Drowsiness or confusion, Constipation.
Morphine - narcotic used for pain.  Possible Side Effects: Shortness of breath, trouble breathing, Skin rash, itching, or hives, Slow heartbeat, Trouble going to the bathroom (urinating), Swelling in the legs, Drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion, Nausea and vomiting, Constipation, Sweating.