Medical Marijuana – Last Resort – Hail Mary Pass

Dear reader, this is the first post about medical marijuana. This was the start of Marijuana Mommy.

Just Waiting…For a Medical Marijuana Card

 

My Life-Altering Injury

It was almost two years ago when I was injured while working as a hospice nurse.  One mistake by a co-worker and my life was altered drastically.

For nearly two years, I’ve been waiting for my body to heal.  I waited for workman’s compensation to approve doctors visits.  I waited for workman’s compensation doctors to decide on treatment.  I waited for workman’s compensation doctors to prescribe more medication and then refer me to a different doctor.  Workman’s compensations is a hodgepodge of buffoonery.

A year ago I finally had a multi-level cervical spinal fusion.  I was eager for relief.  The surgery left me even worse than before.

• The workman’s compensation surgeon said “Oh well, nothing else I can do.  Guess you’re just going to be like this forever.  Oh and FYI you can’t be a bedside nurse anymore. Goodbye.”
• The workman’s compensation insurance said, “Oh well.  Nothing else we can do for you.  Goodbye.”
• My employer said, “Oh wow, sucks for you.  You’re of no use to us anymore.  Goodbye.”
• My medical insurance said, “Too bad your injury is a work injury.  Medical insurance doesn’t cover treatment for work injuries; only workman’s compensation covers that.”

Over the past two years I’ve seen between 10-15 different doctors.  None have been able to help me.

I’ve spent a fortune trying countless medications, treatments, therapies, and alternative & complementary treatments.   Nothing.  🙁

I’ve been diagnosed with occipital neuralgia and intractable skeletal spasms resistant to conventional treatment.  This means I suffer from nearly constant sharp burning nerve pain in the back of my head and sharp spasms in my neck.  The pain is often debilitating and has drastically altered my lifestyle.  I can’t drive.  I can’t run.  I can’t sit upright for more than an hour or so.  I can’t work.  I can’t go out dancing.

Desperate for Relief – Can Medical Marijuana Help?

A friend of mine suffered from a similar condition.  He encouraged me to look into medical marijuana.  After beginning his medicinal marijuana treatment, he was able to stop taking all of his pain medications.  It greatly improved his quality of life. I was skeptical, but my mom convinced me to look into it more.

After hours of reading, researching, and watching Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN Specials, Weed, I decided to apply.

NJ doesn’t make it easy to get a medical marijuana card.  There are a limited number of conditions that qualify.   I made an appointment with a specialist registered to prescribe medicinal marijuana.  I had to wait a month to see him but I knew he wasn’t a quack so I waited.

My mom drove me 45 mins to my appointment.  I went in armed with a referral from my primary care doctor and my stack of medical records from the past two years.  (This stack of paper is nearly a foot high, no joke–it cost me $70 to have it photocopied!)

The doctor examined me, interviewed me extensively, and reviewed my ridiculous medical history.  He was thorough and the visit was not quick.   After determining that I definitely qualify, he had to register me in two different systems.  He provided me with all the information I needed to continue my application for a Medicinal Marijuana Program card.

At home, I had to complete a few online forms and upload several documents.  Once it was submitted.  I had to wait (up to 30 days) for the state to approve my application.  Fortunately, it did not take 30 days.  Less than a week later I received an email approval and was able to pay the fee.  Once the fee was paid, I received notification that I would receive my card within 7-10 business days.

 

My Medical Marijuana Card

It’s finally here!  I have my card.  But it’s not like I can just run to the pharmacy and pick up my prescription.  There are only five medical marijuana dispensaries in NJ–also called alternative treatment centers.   I’ve been calling the marijuana dispensary all day, but I only get a voice mail.  I left several voicemails.  I also tried to message the Facebook page for the marijuana dispensary.  I know they’re closed tomorrow so I was really hoping to get an appointment for today but looks like I’m waiting once again.

So I have a medical marijuana card but no medical marijuana.  Sigh.

 

Why I’m Scared of Medical Marijuana

I’m a little nervous about the side effects, mostly anxiety, paranoia, and increased appetite.  But honestly, the medications I’ve been taking for the past two years have way more serious side effects than medical marijuana has.

I’m scared of so many things, like what other people will think. I don’t know if I’ll even tell anyone. And oh wow, should I tell my kids? What do you tell kids about this? Gosh, is it going to smell??

Do you want to know what else I’m really scared of?  I’m scared it’s not going to work.  I’m scared that I’m going to suffer this pain for the rest of my life.  I’m scared I’m never going to run again.  I’m scared I’m never going to drive again.  I’m scared that by the time I’m 60, I won’t be able to hold my head up.

I’m trying hard to be optimistic.  I’ve read and heard so much about the benefits that medical marijuana can have on an injury like mine.  But I’m cautious.  I’ve tried so many different medications, therapies, treatments, etc.  Each has been a huge disappointment.

This is my Hail Mary pass.  Closing my eyes, saying a Hail Mary and waiting for the medicinal marijuana to do something.

I’ll keep you posted on this new adventure.

 

 

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