Pubdate: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 Source: York County Coast Star (ME) Contact: (c) 1999 York County Coast Star Website: http://www.coaststar.com/ Author:Jane Smith NO MORE GUILT WITH QUESTION 2 PASSAGE To the editor: I know the recent passage of Question 2 on medicinal use of marijuana was difficult for some of you. I just wanted to share this short story, perhaps to ease the minds of some. Sally Smith and I were in a lonely room in Children's Hospital/DFCI in mid-January 1998. She had just completed a devastating regime of chemotherapy, in anticipation of her upcoming autologous stem cell transplant. This would get rid of the damn Burbitt's Lymphoma once and for all! The chemo had gotten her down badly. She lay in bed, eyes closed, moaning, no appetite. I was crying and stared at her constantly. The nurses tried two or three of the protocol anti-nausea drugs to no avail. This continued on for 11/2 days. I was begging them to do their best. Finally, she perked up, sat up, opened her eyes, smiled and wanted me to get her some McDonald's! The nurse later came in to redo the IV meds. "What's the stuff?" I asked. "Marinol," she said. "It works great!" Sally and I enthusiastically said. The next day, I said, "So what's Marinol? Why don't you use it all the time?" "It's a marijuana-based drug." "Oh no!" Sally yelled. "No! mom, I don't want it any more! Please mom, tell them to put me back on the old stuff." "But Sal, it makes such a difference." "But it's a drug, mom; marijuana. Mom, I'm chem free, I don't want it! Don't you dare let them give me any more. You promised I would make all the decisions." "OK, Sal. I'll respect you, but I really wish you'd reconsider. You need to be feeling better to help your body recover." "No! Mom! Promise?" "Promise, Sal ..." This won't happen again. The guilt will not be there again. The sanction will release the commitment to being drug free in medical situations. We're proud of you Sal, and it's OK now. Jane Smith, Kennebunk - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea