DOCTORS, POLITICIANS BOTH FAILING PATIENTS

The Kern County Board of Supervisors stated Tuesday that patients can
rely upon their "caregivers" to provide their medical marijuana after
the storefronts are shut down. As an unofficial "caregiver" of my
71-year-old mother, who suffers from pancreatic cancer, I am not sure
what the board means. It looks like research is in order.

With pancreatic cancer, the digestive system doesn't function
properly. It's difficult to understand the idea of prescribing pain
medication in pill form for these patients, as they cannot digest
pills or anything else without great difficulty. Additionally,
doctors advise us that too many pain pills can "paralyze" the
digestive system. This is a grave problem for pancreatic patients
because it adds to their pain.

I took my mother for a procedure to help her digestive system. Later,
at a follow-up appointment, she was having great difficulty. When we
reported this to the doctor, we were told to go to the hospital if
her difficulty persists. At the time, she could not eat without the
help of medical marijuana. The last time she went to the hospital for
this problem, she was there for two months and almost died from
numerous infections.

These patients don't have many choices for survival. I'm appealing to
the public and the officials that actually have compassion for
patients in need. Please do not allow this cruel and illegal decision
by the Board of Supervisors to add to their misery. The medical
profession is failing these patients.

DONNA CUNNINGHAM

Bakersfield