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