Cancer Treatment
My name
is M.. I'm proud to say that I am a survivor of breast cancer for five
years. I hope telling my story can help someone.
I was diagnosed with the rarest and most advanced type of breast cancer
in August 1997. There are only four stages of cancer, and I was in Stage
4. On August 15, 1997, I underwent a total radical mastectomy. Two weeks
later I found myself taking my first dose of chemotherapy, which almost
killed me. I was sick for a week straight.
The first three days were the worst of it. I was unable to keep down
food and was tired all the time. My doctor put me on Compazine for
nausea, but it didn't help me. I decided to smoke some marijuana and I
thanked God for the relief it gave me.
I took chemo every 3 weeks for a year and a half. The first two days
were always the worst, so I started to smoke a joint right before and
right after the treatments. I just knew what I had to do in order to get
some relief.
Then I had to take radiation for four months. I remember painful burning
of my skin. I took pain medicine, but it didn't really help. I've now
been diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome. My doctor still prescribes me
Percocet, but I don't want to get addicted. I choose to smoke marijuana
for this pain.
I pray every night that I don't get caught for doing something that
brings me relief. I have undergone all kinds of tests – my lungs are
clear. My doctors said the results are as if I were a nonsmoker.
God doesn't make mistakes – I believe He made marijuana for a purpose. I
truly believe that unless you have tried marijuana, you shouldn't judge
others who use it. Unless you have gone through what I and so many
others have, you should be open-minded. I pray people will hear our
stories and show compassion.
M—
April 29, 2002