I’m writing this in December 2025 and am grateful to be greatly improving in health.
However, just seven weeks ago while sitting in my doctor’s office, he showed and discussed with me graphs of my last three blood test results and warned, “Life-threatening, if this trend continues, we must seriously consider the possibility of death within a few months.” Not very reassuring words.
I try to follow all the teachings of Jesus, and during a moment of self-reflection I asked God, ‘What thoughts do I entertain, that offend You the most? These exact words flowed into my mind, ‘Judging the poor health of others, attributing it to their weaknesses’.
For 78 years I’d enjoyed excellent health and had always credited it to my own habits, while blaming other people’s lifestyles for their own illness. But clearly, we should not judge others, so I resolved to do so no longer. However soon after, I developed a persistent cough, then a lump under my arm.
Diagnosis
My health then declined rapidly: night sweats, loss of appetite, muscle wasting, stomach fluid retention, and chronic fatigue. From being able to do 50 push-ups, I couldn’t even do one and I lost 9kgs.
Fortnightly blood tests resulted in the grim prognosis by my doctor, showing dangerously high white blood cells low red blood cells and severe inflammation. Iron stores were normal, but the iron was not being used by my body, hence the chronic fatigue. I was also referred to a team of oncologists who concluded it was melanoma.
While not fearing death, I was worried about leaving my beloved wife Marie and unfinished work with my books. Through it all, I was humbled by the support of numerous relatives and friends along with their prayers for my recovery.
Treatment
I maintained my very healthy diet and took our Optimum Health Triple Pack and The Sunshine Vitamin (vitamin D) capsules and developed a craving for pomegranate juice. I also started drinking a cup of Medicinal Cannabis Tea in the evenings. I’ve received an iron infusion and began an immunotherapy course. Immunotherapy is done at three weekly intervals, and I had my second one last week.
I was pleasantly surprised that cannabis tea was easily prescribed by my doctor, and my oncologist was comfortable with its use alongside immunotherapy. I saw it as something that might help the strain my body was under at the time.
I believe that part of my recovery may have been the role cannabis tea played, but it is difficult to separate the effects of any one treatment.
What I can say is that I slept more deeply, woke feeling less anxious, and was noticeably calmer during the day. Over time, this coincided with a reduction in fluid retention and an improvement in how I felt and functioned. A good night's sleep and freedom from anxiety are vitally important when the body is under stress.
Conclusion
Since the iron infusion, immunotherapy, cannabis tea and supplements and numerous prayers, there has been an impressive turnaround in my health. My annoying cough is finally gone and the lump under my arm has shrunk to almost nothing.
My energy has returned and this morning I did my normal amount of push-ups, instead of one. I’m still 5kg under my normal weight, but confident this will continue to improve.
Most importantly, I’ve learned compassion: never judge others for their struggles. That role belongs to God alone and I thank Him for teaching me this.