I’ve been watching Cindy and Pauline suffer with pain for years.  Cindy’s current pain is due to the drain sticking out of her chest.  Pauline’s pain is in her knee and other parts of her body due to chronic illnesses.  Both of them has been prescribed pain killers.  Cindy gets Fentanyl every 2 hours and Hydrocodone in between if she needs it – which is often.  Pauline takes Oxycodone every four hours.  If they take the medication too often, they can overdose.  The pain killers temporarily keep the pain down.   Sometimes the only thing they can do is watch the clock until the magic pill is available to them.

Medical marijuana is available in about 20 states, California being one of them.  Both Cindy and Pauline have been using medical marijuana for years.  While Cindy is in the hospital, she cannot use it since it is not currently prescribed by doctors.  Pauline is at home and has access to marijuana buds, oils and edibles.  When the pain becomes too unbearable, she can find relief.

Before I left to go see Cindy in the hospital today, Pauline and I had an interesting discussion.   She wanted to know if I would use marijuana if I was in pain.  I don’t like to get high, stoned, drunk, etc.  I like being in control of my senses.  Sometimes I might have a drink to take the edge off when things get too rough, but it doesn’t take much and I’m done.  So when I answered yes, she was surprised.  I have seen the almost immediate relief it gives for pain, so I’m all for it.

I have to admit, when my stress level gets too much even for me, my immediate reaction is to have a drink to get rid of the emotional pain.  The first time Cindy had to be resuscitated, I watched the medical staff bring her back to life.  A doctor appeared, explained what happened and asked if she had a Do Not Resuscitate order.  Nothing made sense.  I turned to Rita and Mary but they were also in a daze.  After we knew that Cindy was okay, I said “Where’s the bar?”  It was 9 AM, but we all could have used a drink.  Rita and Mary and I have been discussing opening a concession stand in hospitals and selling shots.  Every time Cindy needs to be resuscitated – and it’s been too often – we keep looking for the bar.

The nursing home where my parents were had Happy Hour on Friday afternoons.  The visitors were able to have a glass of wine.  The patients couldn’t have alcohol because they were on medication.  Some patients said they would prefer to have a scotch instead of their meds.  In some circumstances, I think that would be a great idea.

Anyone have any opinions?  I’d love to hear them.