I developed rhabdomyosarcoma when I was 16 years old. When I was first diagnosed, I
weighed 220 pounds. After 8 months of intense treatment that included extremely high
doses of chemotherapy and radiation, I was down to a life-threatening 86 pounds.
Further complicating my severe weight loss were stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea,
which worked together to kill my appetitive and made it nearly impossible to keep
anything down. The medications I was prescribed to mitigate the unpleasant side effects
of my treatment only aggravated my symptoms.
I eventually decided to try marijuana. To my surprise, I was able to eat and live without
pain for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. I now weigh 193 pounds. I know
for a fact that if I did not use marijuana, I would not be here today to tell you this story. I
hate the fact that I am doing something illegal, but it helps, so I will continue to use
marijuana because it improves my quality of life and gives me the energy I need to spend
time with my wife and 6-year-old son. According to Northwestern University, I am the
oldest living survivor who suffers from this disease.
