In the heart of adversity, we often discover our true calling. My journey with medical cannabis began in the throes of a life-altering diagnosis. Today, it has become my lifeline, my mission, and my message to the world.
On November 12, 2018, I was diagnosed with metastatic cervical cancer. The prognosis was terminal, with doctors suggesting a long-term chemotherapy regimen and the possibility of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) as the best-case scenario. HIPEC is a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment that is delivered directly to the abdomen during surgery, often used in cases where cancer has spread throughout the abdominal cavity. Within 48 hours of my diagnosis, I was thrust into a whirlwind of palliative chemotherapy treatments. Armed with a cocktail of pharmaceuticals – Vicodan, Compazine, Lorazepam – I was sent home with a calendar to combat the impending side effects. The medications were effective, but at a high cost. They rendered me unconscious for the majority of the day, stealing precious moments of my life. I recall a weekend after my first chemo session, a void in my memory, lost to the fog of medication-induced dissociation. The combination of opiates and benzodiazepines, while effective in managing pain and anxiety, can lead to severe side effects, including extreme sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and even death. This is supported by a study that found long-term prescription of opioids and/or benzodiazepines can lead to increased mortality among patients. As a single mother to a vibrant, precocious little girl, this was not a sustainable solution. I needed to be present, to be active, to be there for my daughter. To be able to show up completely present to my life and remember why it’s worth fighting for.
That’s when I turned to medical cannabis.
The transformation was remarkable. Medical cannabis didn’t just alleviate my symptoms; it gave me back my life. It allowed me to heal between infusions, to remain present in my life, and to actively participate in my medical care. I was no longer a bystander in my treatment; I was the driver.
Stefanie Suriel, MS
My background in patient advocacy, integrative wellness, and experiential education combined with values from my indigenous based upbringing, equipped me with the tools to navigate this new path. I dove into research, developed my own treatment plan, and transformed my chemotherapy experience from a recurring trauma into a manageable part of my life.
I became the first patient in a trial that used a combination of systemic chemotherapy and HIPEC, this is my actual published case report: Management of recurrent cervical cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis with HIPEC. When I underwent the intensive HIPEC surgery, medical cannabis was there for me again. I was out of the hospital in eight days, and I never once had to rely on opiates for pain management once out of the ICU. The treatment was successful, and I enjoyed 24 months of No Evidence of Disease (NED) before a recurrence was found while I was preparing for my second year of grad school. This experience was far and away from
previous chemo experience once I was equipped with the knowledge of exactly what I needed and when, and now with the new ability to create personalized medicine for myself.
Medical cannabis didn’t just numb my pain; it empowered me to prioritize my healing. It allowed me to lead a fulfilling life throughout my treatment, a feat that would not have been possible without the accessibility and patient care advocacy provided by my state of Massachusetts’ medical cannabis program.
Inspired by my personal experience and driven by a desire to help others, I enrolled in the Graduate Studies in Medical Cannabis program at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. After completing the program, I now hold a Master of Science degree in Medical Cannabis. My goal is to pioneer medical cannabis therapies specifically tailored to the unique experiences of young adult cancer patients during and after treatment.
My journey with medical cannabis is a testament to the power of this plant and the potential it holds for patients worldwide. It is a story of resilience, of hope, and of the transformative power of nature. Through my work, my advocacy, and my story, I hope to change perceptions, to challenge the stigma, and to provide hope for those who, like me, have found a lifeline in a leaf.
Editor’s Note: Learn more about HIPEC in the September/October 2012 issue of Maryland Physician Magazine. Your practice. Your life.
