Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
In September of 2015, Luis Betancourt became very sick, and after a battery of tests, a mass was located on his kidney. He was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer which had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes.
As others would do after receiving such a staggering diagnosis, Betancourt went online and searched survival rates for his form of cancer, as well as treatment methods and other information so that he could learn more about what he'd be facing. He read numerous articles and medical narratives that stated he had a slim chance of surviving.
"I found information about chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy treatments, and I also read a lot about medical cannabis and how patients like me could be approved by the State (of Illinois) for pain management and other effects from the disease," Betancourt said.
As part of his treatment plan, Betancourt first had his left kidney removed, and then began experimental immunotherapy at a Chicago area hospital. He was told that only 10-percent of the therapy participants would show any type of improvement, and just 3-percent would have tumors that either shrunk or disappeared. Though the chances were slim, he took a leap of faith and chose to participate in the experimental treatments.
He experienced bloating, irritable rashes and overall pain throughout the treatments, which led him to consider medical cannabis to help address these symptoms.
Betancourt reached out to his family doctor, but like many doctors, his was not familiar with the medication, and did not sign off on his condition. Finding relief from the pain was so important to him and his family, that he decided to begin seeing a new doctor at a pain clinic who was supportive of the benefits of this new medicine.
After reviewing Betancourt's medical history and records, and several office visits, his new doctor confirmed his condition for the medical cannabis application. The application also required fingerprinting, several forms to be filled out and proof of address. Once all of these steps were completed, Betancourt submitted his application, and after a 90-day wait, he was approved by the Illinois Department of Health for a Medical Cannabis Card, which he received in the mail a short time later.
Today, the average application approval time has been reduced to 30-40 days after it is received by the State of Illinois.
Betancourt, who works in Rolling Meadows, chose Rolling Meadows-based medical cannabis dispensary Nature's Care Company as the place where he would purchase his medicine.
"I am fortunate to have found Nature's Care Company; I have been accepted, supported and encouraged in my journey back to health," Betancourt said.
Over the last several months, Betancourt has utilized multiple forms of medical cannabis including edibles, flower, capsules and concentrates. The Patient Care Specialists who meet with him and support him at Nature's Care Company have documented his journey along the way, and are extremely proud of his progress.
"Being a part of improving a person's quality of life is so rewarding; I have been able to watch Luis get relief from pain, improve his outlook on life, and see him smile again," said Nick Belli, Patient Care Specialist at Nature's Care Company.
Betancourt said this new medicine not only eased his physical pain, but also helped him to have a more positive outlook.
"My pain from my treatment symptoms was reduced, and it also helped me with my anxiety, and gave me a sense of acceptance as I contemplated whether I would even live after the treatment was completed," Betancourt said.
Today, Betancourt is back to work and his last scan showed he is one of the lucky 3-percent who have responded extremely well to his treatment. The official result is NED [no evidence of disease], which he says is something all cancer patients wish for.
"I'm not out of the woods yet, but I am hopeful. Without a doubt in my mind, and in conjunction with my treatment, I attribute medical cannabis as part of the reason I have done so well," Betancourt said.
Betancourt added that he hopes whatever stigma there is about the use of medical cannabis will disappear, and people will begin to see the successes that not only he has experienced, but also the success stories of thousands of other patients with dozens of different conditions across Illinois.
Betancourt offers some words of advice for others who are facing what he has faced.
"Never give up hope. You have to keep a positive attitude, because if you don't, it can quickly spiral into a dark place," he said. "I am fortunate to have found Nature's Care Company; it's a special place that has been a huge part of my journey."
Treatment methods for each condition vary depending on age and patient symptoms.
Nature's Care Company offers free, monthly outreach events and meetings to provide education about medical cannabis, and to help people with the application process if they are approved for any of the 41 approved conditions.
"While we can only sell to Illinois Medical Cannabis Card holders, we are always available to help educate the public and assist anyone with questions or application assistance they might need," said Mayme Ranallo, director of operations at Nature's Care Company.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: NW Suburban Kidney Cancer Patient Finds Relief And Hope With Medical Cannabis
Author: Staff
Contact: 847.427.4300
Photo Credit: Luis Betancourt
Website: Daily Herald
As others would do after receiving such a staggering diagnosis, Betancourt went online and searched survival rates for his form of cancer, as well as treatment methods and other information so that he could learn more about what he'd be facing. He read numerous articles and medical narratives that stated he had a slim chance of surviving.
"I found information about chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy treatments, and I also read a lot about medical cannabis and how patients like me could be approved by the State (of Illinois) for pain management and other effects from the disease," Betancourt said.
As part of his treatment plan, Betancourt first had his left kidney removed, and then began experimental immunotherapy at a Chicago area hospital. He was told that only 10-percent of the therapy participants would show any type of improvement, and just 3-percent would have tumors that either shrunk or disappeared. Though the chances were slim, he took a leap of faith and chose to participate in the experimental treatments.
He experienced bloating, irritable rashes and overall pain throughout the treatments, which led him to consider medical cannabis to help address these symptoms.
Betancourt reached out to his family doctor, but like many doctors, his was not familiar with the medication, and did not sign off on his condition. Finding relief from the pain was so important to him and his family, that he decided to begin seeing a new doctor at a pain clinic who was supportive of the benefits of this new medicine.
After reviewing Betancourt's medical history and records, and several office visits, his new doctor confirmed his condition for the medical cannabis application. The application also required fingerprinting, several forms to be filled out and proof of address. Once all of these steps were completed, Betancourt submitted his application, and after a 90-day wait, he was approved by the Illinois Department of Health for a Medical Cannabis Card, which he received in the mail a short time later.
Today, the average application approval time has been reduced to 30-40 days after it is received by the State of Illinois.
Betancourt, who works in Rolling Meadows, chose Rolling Meadows-based medical cannabis dispensary Nature's Care Company as the place where he would purchase his medicine.
"I am fortunate to have found Nature's Care Company; I have been accepted, supported and encouraged in my journey back to health," Betancourt said.
Over the last several months, Betancourt has utilized multiple forms of medical cannabis including edibles, flower, capsules and concentrates. The Patient Care Specialists who meet with him and support him at Nature's Care Company have documented his journey along the way, and are extremely proud of his progress.
"Being a part of improving a person's quality of life is so rewarding; I have been able to watch Luis get relief from pain, improve his outlook on life, and see him smile again," said Nick Belli, Patient Care Specialist at Nature's Care Company.
Betancourt said this new medicine not only eased his physical pain, but also helped him to have a more positive outlook.
"My pain from my treatment symptoms was reduced, and it also helped me with my anxiety, and gave me a sense of acceptance as I contemplated whether I would even live after the treatment was completed," Betancourt said.
Today, Betancourt is back to work and his last scan showed he is one of the lucky 3-percent who have responded extremely well to his treatment. The official result is NED [no evidence of disease], which he says is something all cancer patients wish for.
"I'm not out of the woods yet, but I am hopeful. Without a doubt in my mind, and in conjunction with my treatment, I attribute medical cannabis as part of the reason I have done so well," Betancourt said.
Betancourt added that he hopes whatever stigma there is about the use of medical cannabis will disappear, and people will begin to see the successes that not only he has experienced, but also the success stories of thousands of other patients with dozens of different conditions across Illinois.
Betancourt offers some words of advice for others who are facing what he has faced.
"Never give up hope. You have to keep a positive attitude, because if you don't, it can quickly spiral into a dark place," he said. "I am fortunate to have found Nature's Care Company; it's a special place that has been a huge part of my journey."
Treatment methods for each condition vary depending on age and patient symptoms.
Nature's Care Company offers free, monthly outreach events and meetings to provide education about medical cannabis, and to help people with the application process if they are approved for any of the 41 approved conditions.
"While we can only sell to Illinois Medical Cannabis Card holders, we are always available to help educate the public and assist anyone with questions or application assistance they might need," said Mayme Ranallo, director of operations at Nature's Care Company.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: NW Suburban Kidney Cancer Patient Finds Relief And Hope With Medical Cannabis
Author: Staff
Contact: 847.427.4300
Photo Credit: Luis Betancourt
Website: Daily Herald
