January is the start of the winter blahs. This year was not so bad. I enjoy seeing the snow from the warmth and comfort of my house. :) I am reluctant to venture out and walk because of the weakened vertebrae in my back due to the myeloma lesions. I don't want to risk a fall. Since I am such a klutz, it is a very real possibility.
My feet are much better. The plantar fasciitis resolved itself once I stopped going barefoot outside. This happens most years. It is a tendonitis that affects the bottom of your foot. This is why I wear the lovely, fashionable Birkenstocks or Mephisto sandals all the time. Actually, they are much nicer than they used to be and I will take the comfort over the glam when it comes to my feet.
The peripheral neuropathy is still an issue, but not nearly as bad as it was back in the fall. Back in September I was at my wits end with the foot and leg pains and 2 Lyrica each day just wasn't cutting it. My doctor prescribed Percocet and between that and sleeping pills I was getting through. I wanted to try something else. Something more natural. I asked him about medical marijuana. Yup...POT! My oncologist was not aware of the process or dosing protocols and would look into it if I really, really wanted him to. I told him not to worry about it. (I am too nice...I know.)
In any event, a few days later I was reading the local paper and what is on the front page, but an article about the Canadian Cannabis Clinic in St. Catharines! WHHHAAATTTT! The article talked about the reluctance of doctors to prescribe medical marijuana out of ignorance of the drug and the Health Canada process. The clinic offered free consultation (well, not really free...they bill OHIP for the doctor visit). I called and got my appointment.
After a long and involved written application process...not even close to the 65 second process the guy on The Fifth Estate went through in Vancouver...I met with the doctor and discussed my issues. Unable to sleep, stand for any length of time, or to walk any distance, I was at the end of my tether. I did not want to take Percocet (aka Oxy) each day as it is highly addictive. (Although one might say that someone with a fatal disease should not worry about that...LOL)
The doctor was just thrilled with the prospect of a legitimate medical issue on his doorstep. I guess they get a lot of questionable requests...not surprising! We discussed my situation and he advised me on how medical marijuana could help. My prescription was written and off I went down to the hall to speak to the "broker".
The broker advised that there are 16 approved distributors of medical cannabis in Canada but only 4 had capacity to accept new patients. Hmmm...should that not tell us something?... He outlined the pros and cons of each of the 4 that I could choose from and I decided to go with the Tweed company. I loved their story. They bought the vacant Hershey factory in Smiths Falls and hired all the former Hershey employees. They are growing some of their pot in St. David's...which is very close to here, so I would be buying local. :)
I finally got through all the red tape and received my first order about 6 weeks after the application went in. I was excited to get it and when I opened the jar I nearly fell on the floor. This was not the pot of my teens! Pee-ewww! The skunky smell was vile! Apparently the pot of my youth was about 2 or 3% THC and the medical stuff is 10-20% THC. I fired up my vaporizer and gave it a shot.
It actually took a few times to get it just right -- the temperature of the vaporizer and the density of the herb in the bowl needed adjusting...but I figured it out. LOVE the internet!!! I still did not like the smell or the taste. I also don't really like to be high. I don't drink to excess and I drink beverages that
taste good, so this was just bad all around. It did dull the pain (or perception of pain) and helped me to sleep but I really did not like the experience. (I know...I am the minority.)
Coincidentally, after using the pot for a few weeks, my pain subsided considerably. I am reluctant to attribute this to the use of the pot. I really don't think it was a factor, but it
might have been. In the past, other symptoms I experienced spontaneously resolved themselves, so I think this was just a coincidence. Additionally, once I started my maintenance chemo, the fatigue was very significant, so I did not need anything to help me sleep. As such, the reasons behind my prescription had resolved themselves.
I discussed this with my cannabis doctor and he advised me of the availability of low THC and high CBD pot. This has all or more of the medicinal properties, including an unproven cancer-fighting angle, but without the high or euphoria induced by the THC. I have applied to a new distributor since TWEED did not offer this strain, and have not yet started on the new one yet.
Health Canada will not authorize the sale of canna-oil or canna-butter which is derived from marijuana and is necessary for cooking or baking. One would think that it would be preferable to smoking or vaporizing it, from a health stand-point, but HC obviously doesn't see this logic. I will be left to make my own if I decide to
ingest my medication. Of course I could easily get this from non-authorized sources, but with law enforcement officers in my home, it is not a good idea. :(
I will say this...I wish I had it available during the month of nausea I endured in the summer. anyone just starting chemo should really consider getting approved and having it on hand as an option. Even my nurse suggested I procure a joint from someone...but because of the legality issues, I could not do that. Just as we keep Tylenol and Advil and some old T-3's on hand for whatever ails you, I will keep some pot on hand, just in case. (Not enough to warrant robbing me, BTW!!) :)
I will keep you posted on how this goes.
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