Tuesday 23 January 2018

Why I Stopped Chemotherapy & Chose Cannabis



Something which a lot of people (even close friends) don't know about me is that my health has been that bad when I was growing up that I've been taken a daily chemotherapy tablet since I was fourteen years old - that's for over fifteen years! I've never spoken about it much on my social media accounts or on my blog before but there were times growing up where my health got so bad that I could have died. So what made me give up my daily chemotherapy, and ditch all of my treatment?


Don't get me wrong, all of the treatment that I've been given I am so thankful for. It's helped me become the person I am today and it's kept me alive all of these years but it was taking a toll on my body. It all left me exhausted, feeling unwell, and just generally not feeling like myself. I couldn't drink, have days or nights out, or simply just live life the simple way. I had to plan everything in advance. I hated it. I hated my life.

I wanted to take control of my life again, on my own with no help, instead of just living life to survive so I spoke to different people on social media and made one of the biggest health decisions I could have ever made. If you have followed me on twitter or read my blog before you'll know that towards the end of last year I became very sick, which is one of the main reasons I quit blogging for months. I was told by my doctors that I needed more treatment, stronger treatment, the strongest treatment I could receive legally here in the UK because I was that unwell. I mentioned it to one of my doctors who treat me that I was thinking of stopping my medication and starting medical marijuana instead, and he explained that this choice could make my health go so downhill very quickly that I could end up in the hospital for months or worst, I could die. Shocking I know! But as selfish as it may sound, I didn't care, I knew it would work for me, I jumped and I took the scary massive risk. A little over a month ago I decided to stop my treatment altogether and start medical marijuana. I can now honestly say that I am so happy that I made this choice because it's really helped me out and now I feel better than I ever have done before.

If you'd like to know more about medical marijuana then check out Marc Shaffer's "Inside Medical Marijuana" Netflix documentary where he examines the world of legal marijuana and analyzes the science behind the medical properties of the world's most-used illicit drug. While marijuana may be known by many as an illicit drug, it has long been studied, and used, for its medicinal properties. As such, the legality of medical marijuana is on the rise. In 2017 there are twenty-eight states that allow the medicinal use of cannabis.

I still see my nurses and doctors as they keep check on me and without them I'm not sure how I could cope and where I would be so I'm very thankful to have the wonderful people in my life, but sometimes no matter what only you know yourself and your body and I'm so happy that my medical team of people stuck by me and let me make this choice on my own. If you have the choice or where in my shoes, would you do the same? I'd love to know your thoughts on this topic.


With love, Alisha Valerie. x

46 comments:

  1. I was taking a chemotherapy drug for my illness last year and it honestly made me feel like an alien. We found out after a while that it was reacting badly and putting waste products into my blood so I had to come off it anyway but god it's horrible! At the moment I don't really have any quality of life and the treatment options are starting to run out so we've started to look into this option but not as far as trying it. It's really good to come across such a positive post about it! I'm definitely going to be watching that Netflix documentary :)
    Alice Xx
    www.blacktulipbeauty.co.uk

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear that lovely, being on a drug which makes you feel worse than the illness you're taking the drug for in the first place is so crappy. I'd really love to know your thoughts about what you think of the documentary if you watch it? Thanks for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  2. This is one of those situations where I don't think I know what I would do, without being in your situation. I think you are very brave and one thing I know for sure, chemo is powerful and makes people ill, so after all this time, why wouldn't you want to take a chance on something else if the option's open to you. It's your life, health and body xxx

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    1. Thank you so much for your support beautiful, I can totally understand where your coming from πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  3. You are so brave, I've always seen Chemo as a scary scary thing I can't imagine what it must have been like to have it daily x And it's so beautiful to hear that you took the step that you felt was right despite what some might have said about it xx You're a real inspiration xx

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    1. It can be scary babe, but as long as you keep your hopes up and cope with all the side effects it's okay. Aww thank you so much for such a lovely comment, you've really made me smile! πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  4. Wow, Alisha. You’re incredibly brave. Not selfish at all. As you say you knew your body. I am so happy you’re happy with your decision. I’m in awe at your bravery. Massive hugs xxxxxxxxx

    Lucylovesbeautyxo.com

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    1. Oh Lucy, thank you so much for your supportive comment - it really does mean a lot to me! I'm sending you so much love and happiness πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  5. I am so proud of how brave you are angel. At the end of the day you know your body the best, you know what is best for you!

    Love, Amie ❤
    The Curvaceous Vegan

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment beautiful, it means a lot to me knowing I have your support. Love you lots! πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  6. You should be so proud of yourself! Taking that leap of faith was an extremely brave thing to do. I really hope you continue to notice a big change!

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  7. I can honestly say I have no idea what I would do in your situation, but I think you have done absolutely the right thing by listening to your body and making this decision on your own, not to mention brave! What an incredible story!xo
    Sian | sian-kathrine.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much Sian. I want to get the message across to everyone that only you know your body and you know what you feel, so hospitals and doctors aren't always right. Thank you so much for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  8. I'm so glad this makes you feel better. I have never known it is legal here in the UK x

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    1. Thanks for your comment. It's not legal just to take without it being agreed by doctors for your health benefits, but medically it is legal now thankfully! πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  9. You’re so brave for speaking about this lovely! My heart really goes out to you! You are such a wonderful person with such a zest for life and positivity!!

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    1. Aww darling thank you so much for such a lovely comment, it really means a lot to me. πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  10. You are so brave and we can only applaud you for writing this post. Thank you so much for sharing this insight with us

    Jessica & James | www.foodandbaker.co.uk / www.foodandbakertravels.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment guys! I adore how supportive you two always are about everything πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  11. Although I don’t know you personally, I couldn’t be prouder of you for making this choice! Good for you girl! And I’m glad you had the courage to stand up to your demons and do something good for you! Xo

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    1. Oh beautiful, just wow. Thank you so much for such a wonderful comment, it really does mean the whole world to me knowing that people stand by me and support my choice. πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  12. I'm so glad this makes you better and happier. Kudos to you for choosing this means, albeit unconventional.

    www.onyixtus.com

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  13. You're so brave and such an inspiration for choosing a path that you think works best for you! x

    Han | lifewithhan.blog

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    1. Oh you're a doll, thank you so much for your comment lovely πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  14. An incredibly brave post and I wish you the best!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment, it means a lot to me πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  15. It's so great that you shared this, as I'm sure that it will help many people in a similar position to what you was. I'm also glad to hear that it's been working for you. You're super brave.
    Hayley x
    lifethroughtsg.com

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    1. Thank you so much babe, it really means a lot to me. πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  16. This sounds like a good idea if it’s going to make you happy, it’s so brave if you to be tackling such a horrible illness. This post was also really insightful ☺️

    Amy | hookedonthemusic.com

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    1. It really means a lot to me how many people are so supportive about this as it's so personal to me. Thanks for your comment πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  17. I have to say that I'm not surprised that cannabis has helped you, so many people out there speaking about the amazing benefits it has medicinally!

    I am so glad it's worked for you and hope this is the start of the government allowing cannabis for medicinal use. I feel they've been missing a trick for so many years and poor people have been suffering for nothing!

    x

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    1. Thanks for your comment babe, I couldn't agree more with you! πŸŒΈπŸ’œ✨

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  18. Good for you for taking your health into your own hands! I'm sure that was scary but sounds like your in a much better place now! I love hear positive medical marijuana stories like this!!

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  19. Thank you so much for sharing this. I smoke daily and have been since June. It's been the best treatment I could have asked for, far better than medication or CBD (But I'm still on both). Anorexia can't be treated by medication alone, and it's so difficult to ignore what it's telling me, even with anti-depressants, anti-anxieties etc. But cannabis helps me slow down and actually eat. It helps me think 'Hold on, thats so silly' when the anorexia starts to talk. And I can honestly say that I've laughed, like actually laughed, for the first time in years since taking it.

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    1. I'm so happy that it's helped you too! I take CBD oil under my tongue three times a week and smoke it once a week via a pipe. πŸ’ž

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