Submitted by Jay Jay O. from Cambridge, ON, Canada

I’m in my middle-essence, living in Cambridge, ON, Canada, and was diagnosed in 2019 with Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with metastasis to my bones and lymph nodes.

I was offered no hope for healing by my doctors, merely a death sentence

The pain from the bone metastasis was excruciating. Wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath affected my sleep and activity. Anxiety and stress ruled my days. The pain was debilitating. Worse than anything I've ever experienced.

I was maxing out on daily doses of over-the-counter and prescription (Percocet) pain relievers

Nothing worked. The Percocet worked for a week before their effectiveness waned. For the cancer, I was only offered 6 months to a year to live with the hope of a few extra months if I endured extensive chemotherapy and radiation, which I refused to do. In my search for an alternative to what they were offering, I discovered the healing power of Cannabis. My very first dose of the oil was enough to free me from the pain of metastasis and my continued use managed to keep it at bay for good all while healing the primary cancer.

I've always had Cannabis in my life, but I never understood it for the medicine

That is until I found myself with no alternative and needed one. My eyes were opened after watching the documentary "Weed the People" by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein. The success of the people treating their terminal children with Cannabis was awe-inspiring and led me to research all the terms I was hearing for the first time, "Rick Simpson Oil" and "Phoenix Tears." My research led me to "Run From The Cure: The Rick Simpson Story," which solidified my intuition that Cannabis was the alternative I was looking for and sent me on my way to transformational healing.

I'm grateful to have come from a household free from Cannabis stigma

Most of my family utilized Cannabis for various reasons and were very open about their use. The "This is your brain on drugs" commercial, with the egg in the frying pan, was the butt of jokes in my house so for me, learning about Cannabis as medicine was an “Aha!” moment, rather than a shock.

Even with my history and stigma-free upbringing, I continually face stigma from those who disbelieve the benefits of Cannabis, attributing my health improvements solely to the targeted therapy I take. However, I know the transformation began once I started using Cannabis therapeutics, well before any pharmaceutical intervention. The targeted therapy was said to maintain my current health rather than treat the disease itself. My faith for healing lies in the plant.

I love Cannabis and take it in a variety of ways

In December 2019, I began a protocol, aiming to ingest 60 grams of highly concentrated Cannabis oil over 90 days to heal my cancer. Although it took me 8 months to complete the protocol, I learned that the 60 grams in 90 days is just a guideline. By the 8-month mark, I was able to work up to 3/4 of a gram per day. Now, I take up to 3 grams (approximately 3000 mg) of oil daily without feeling any intoxication, thanks to my developed tolerance. My very first dose of oil was enough to relieve the pain caused by metastasis, and my continued use has kept the pain at bay while healing the primary cancer.

With the knowledge I have now, I use Cannabis topically for various purposes and ingest multi-cannabinoid blend oils containing CBD, CBDA, THC, THCA, CBG, and CBGA daily. I maintain a significant maintenance dose of Cannabis oil, averaging 1500 mg per day. Additionally, I enjoy dry-herb vaporization, a method that delivers the medicine directly to my lungs and supports my abstinence from nicotine and alcohol.

The impact of unresolved grief on physical and emotional health

My years of mismanaged grief over losing my mom to cancer 13 years prior led to the formation of unhealthy coping mechanisms that fueled cancer growth and proliferation. My alcohol and nicotine use exacerbated into alcoholism and a complete disregard for my well-being. My disappointment and anger over her untimely passing filled my lungs with the bile of unexpressed emotion, drawing out my breath in wheezes and whines as I incessantly mourned her departure.

As grief riddled my body, so did the cancer, gradually making its way from lung to lymph to bone. The pain of bone metastasis was the first symptom to surface, delivering 10 out of 10 pain periodically. The pain kept me from work, playing with my son, being intimate with my partner, and socializing with my friends. Weakening my mind, body, and spirit, depleting hope in my circumstances and clouding my judgment.

I didn’t have much hope for healing my body from the disease I intuitively knew I created.

The alleviation of pain had a cascading effect on my well-being

Positively influencing my mood, appetite, sleep, and overall outlook, enabling me to embrace life's joys fully. With newfound clarity and vitality, I shifted my focus from illness to wellness, guiding myself back to my purposeful life journey of aligning my mind, body, and spirit in harmony while sharing the message that “cancer is NOT a death sentence!”

My understanding of the use of Cannabis therapeutics has given me the longevity to implement these tools successfully and has provided the hope for healing denied me by my doctors.

This is Jay Jay’s personal story and not meant to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes.

To work with a medical Cannabis professional, please visit our directory of coaches, educators, and medical professionals. Everyone's endocannabinoid system (ECS) is different; good results start with the right approach. You don't have to figure it out on your own.

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