Mike Mullins

A Not So Trivial Pursuit

While out at the local watering hole for my weekly trivia tournament, I got to talking with a young guy by the name of Mike Mullins. The conversation took an interesting turn after I explained our club and our cause. Mike, who is now 25, began to recall a scarier time just a few years ago. Mike was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma on August 23, 2004. He was 19. After six months of chemo and eight weeks of radiation therapy, Mike had lost over 70 pounds. Medications designed to counteract the ill effects of his treatment weren’t working. Desperate for relief, Mike resorted to a less conventional means of medication. His little brother gave him the idea. “Why don’t you try smoking pot? It’s worked for a lot of other people." Within a month Mike had gained back over 40 pounds. As a former non –smoker,  Mike not only didn’t realize the medical applications for marijuana but disregarded people who did. He figured they were just looking for a reason to get stoned.  Now, five years after his brother’s advice Mike is happy and cancer free. While the full extent of Mike’s good fortune with marijuana is still yet to be determined, he let me know how much his outlook has changed because of it. He said, “I have no way of knowing if marijuana saved my life, but it sure improved the quality.” Because of the hassle and the crippling stigma that in the not so recent past came with using this particular medication, Mike was a little reluctant to get his card and become legal, but now after a little coaxing and a trip to the G3C for more information, Mike has met with a doctor and has sent in his paperwork.  I was glad to be of help to Mike, and I hope to see him at the club soon.