Even though the high-strength version of CBD is now legal in the UK, as medicinal
cannabis, we have learned that not one prescription has yet been issued for it. This
is because N.I.C.E will not recommend it due to the lack of research into its use and
potential benefits. Neither will they accept the results of existing studies and
research from the United States, because their testing systems are not deemed to
be sufficiently rigorous.
If Jim, along with many others, had access to medicinal cannabis, it could help to
alleviate their suffering and potentially extend their lives and it should be a priority
for the Government to put money and time into cancer research with particular
emphasis on studying the health benefits gained from the use of cannabis-derived
medications.
Jim feels that if more people were informed of the potential health benefits benefits
of CBD and plant based diets, they too could improve the quality of their lives and
increase their survival outcomes, with or without chemotherapy and wants this to
be his legacy to other cancer sufferers.
Jim, aged 72, was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in Feb 2018. He was offered
chemo but after thinking long and hard about it, decided not to have it. He was concerned
that the side-effects would be worse than the benefits, as his oncologist told him that each
session would not provide a cure and at best would only give him about three extra
months of life. It is a known fact that chemo' destroys the immune system at the same time
as it attempts to destroy the cancer, and it can also lead to a very poor quality of life, giving
very little in return.
Jim had learned about CBD (cannabinoids) when his mother was suffering from cancer
and had used it with some degree of success to help reduce the tumours on her arm.
Sadly, she passed away in November 2017 from old age.
So, he started using “over the counter” CBD oils and vapes and began a regime of using
alternative plant-based dietary supplements. Herbal teabags (8 different ones in a pint pot
including turmeric, echinacea, ginger, garlic and others twice daily), herb-based tablets
containing the same and cut out dairy foods by using alternative vegan products. His
oncologist said that these would not harm him although he was sceptical that any of it
would help with his cancer, but agreed that they may help to boost his immune system, or
at the very least, help his body to cope with any side-effects. When asked, he said that he
could not prescribe CBD because he did not know enough about it.
In April 2018, he told Jim that, in his opinion, he had only 6 months to live and then, in
October (by which time he should have been dead), they found a 0.5cm metastasis in his
brain. In spite of this, Jim was still feeling well and had experienced no side-effects.
However, the oncologist advised us to cancel our planned holiday to Tenerife because he
was concerned that Jim may have a “fit” on the flight, or become seriously ill whilst away.
The holiday was called off.
In November, he started to have problems with his coordination and dragging his right leg.
He was prescribed steroids to help to shrink the brain tumour and the oncologist
reluctantly discharged Jim from his clinic as he felt that he could offer little in the way of
further treatment. He told us to start planning for “end of life” care and Jim was referred to the palliative care team, but, as he was still feeling "well" two weeks later, all options, including hospice intervention, were temporarily put on hold.
The improvement on the steroids was almost immediate. Jim's walking improved and he
was able to enjoy and good Christmas with friends and family. In his own words, he felt “on
top of the world”! At no time until very recently has he suffered any pain and he stated that
he did not feel as if he had cancer.
He still manages to have a good social life and in particular enjoys participating in his
weekly “karaoke” sessions. Not bad for a man with terminal lung cancer!
Three weeks ago, on Jim's request, his oncologist agreed to a further appointment and was
amazed! He said that it was wonderful to see how well he was doing, especially as
he had not had any chemo. He also said that Jim had proved to be an inspiration
and given him food for thought about the use of alternative therapies. He prescribed
him some antibiotics for an outbreak of oral thrush (a side-effect of the steroids), took his
bloods and arranged a further chest x-ray. He has also had a further CT scan on his brain
and will go back to see the oncologist on the 11th March to discuss the results.
We don't know what they will show - it may be worse or it may be better - either way, we
are prepared to deal with whatever comes. What we have seen is a complete turnaround in the way the oncologist is dealing with Jim. No longer is he pessimistic, but rather very optimistic and happy to do whatever he can to assist Jim in his quest to remain "chemo-free"!
Jim decided to go his own way, choosing “quality of life” over “quantity” and in doing so
has beaten all the odds by surviving stage IV lung cancer with brain mets for over 12
months, without chemo. His positive outlook and sheer stubborn attitude are what has
got him through it. He is determined to beat it and at the very least "go down fighting"!
Positive mental attitude and a willingness to keep up his strict regime have gone a
long way in winning the battle. With the help of CBD and his plant-based remedies,
his immune system has been able to keep the symptoms of his cancer under
control.
Jim, aka, "OldGitJimbo" is my partner.
